For today, One Year Bible Online links here.

    This proverb reminds us that it is better to live in poverty with barely enough to eat but at peace with those we live with than it is to have the most sumptuous lifestyle in conflict with those we live with.

    The psalmist tells us that those who hate Jerusalem, who battle against it, will be turned back in defeat. They will dry up and wither away. As log as their hostility remains they will receive no blessings from God, or God’s people.

    When Stephen reached the end of his account of the history of the Jewish people, the common ground he had with his accusers, he pointed out that the crucifixion of Jesus (and indirectly the persecution of himself) were rebellion against God just as much as the making of the golden calf. His audience did not want to hear that they had any sin to repent of. They stoned Stephen to death. Yet while he was being killed, Stephen asked God to forgive them. In doing this Stephen provided us a model for how we should react to those who persecute us today (especially considering that few of us face death for our faith…I have utmost respect for those who live where this is not true).
    The persecution which followed Stephen’s death scattered the believers. Philip went to a city in Samaria and began to preach. Notice that while the persecution scattered the believers, it did not silence them. They still preached the Gospel wherever they went. In Samaria, Simon the Sorcerer had been amazing people with the tricks he could perform. He led people to believe that he was someone great and had gathered quite a following. However, when Philip started preaching in Samaria, the people stopped following Simon and were baptized into the name of Jesus. Simon himself became a believer and followed Philip around listening to him and watching the wonders he performed.

    Solomon prayed as part of dedicating the Temple. He talks about many different situations where people will turn to God in prayer. He asks God to hear their prayers and grant their requests. This is not just a prayer for those of Jewish descent. Solomon specifically mentions foreigners who come to worship God. Let us make ourselves a Temple that honors God in the same way that Solomon built the Temple in Jerusalem to honor God. If we do so, God will hear our prayers when we turn to Him and pray. Let us lift up our hearts to God with humble and earnest requests.