For today, One Year Bible Online links here.

Proverbs 24:7

    Fools do not even aspire to wisdom. They should not speak when serious matters are being discussed. These are people who refuse to think deeply about things, but then want a say in deciding what should be done.

Psalm 69:19-36

    The psalmist was in deep despair, such that if even one person had offered him comfort it would have lifted the burden. Let us strive to be that one person to those suffering despair. Let us not be like those he described as his enemies, those who added to the injury of those suffering God’s judgement. God will judge those who sin, let us remember to show His love. Let us not make the mistake of pretending that our sins are any less severe than those who are suffering despair. Let us show them the love God has for them and remind them that He will forgive them if they turn from their sin.

Ephesians 5:1-33

    Paul tells us that we should strive to imitate God in everything we do. Christ set an example for us and we should follow it, living a life filled with love for everyone. In particular Paul points out three types of sin which will infect us and keep us from growing as Christians. Those sins are sexual immorality, impurity, and greed. It is very telling that Paul singles out these three sins. We need to strive to avoid obscenity, foolish talk, and coarse jokes. It is so easy to let these creep into our lives and then allow them to inflame our sinful nature.
    Staying away from those sins is difficult. As Paul pointed out earlier, our sinful nature constantly entices us to follow those desires. However, he tells us how to do so. The way to stay away from sins is to fill our time doing that which is good, that which God desires us to do. Let us spend our time being thankful to God, seeking to do what pleases Him. Let us fill our minds with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. If we fill our time with doing that which God desires us to do, we will not have time left over to yield to the sinful desires of our earthly nature.

Isaiah 51-53:12

    As we seek the Lord and face the difficulties of this life, let us remember Abraham. He was but a single man when God called him. Yet God blessed him and made a great nation out of him. God’s law will be proclaimed to every nation. Indeed, it has been so proclaimed. His justice is a light for the world. This world will wear out in time, but God’s righteousness and salvation will last for eternity. Our God today is the same God who rescued His people from Egypt and drowned Pharaoh’s army in the sea. We need not fear any human agency if we serve the living God.
    This passage also contains one of the prophecies about Jesus which deeply touches my heart.

But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
It breaks my heart that this is true, but it also brings me joy to know that God loves me so much.

     I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. In order to make that possible I read the passages and write my thoughts a day in advance. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them.

Isaiah 51-53:12

     If you think, “What difference can one person make?” Remember that Abraham was but one man when God called him. God made him a great nation. God’s law will be proclaimed. His justice is coming soon. Do not be afraid of the people of this world, because they will all die in due time. However, God’s salvation will last for eternity. God offers us His comfort and protection, the only reason we still fear humans is because we forget God. IF we let Him, God will put His words in our mouth and hide us in the safety of His hand.
     I will declare God’s good news, even in the face of mockery and persecution. I know that the day will come when God’s people will praise those who brought them the Gospel. From one end of this earth to the other, everyone will see God’s victory. Isaiah declared that it was God’s purpose for His Messiah, Jesus, to be crushed and killed. Isaiah said that he would be buried like a criminal in a rich man’s grave.

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Ephesians 5:1-33

     Paul tells us that we should imitate God, living a life filled with love, following the example of Christ, who laid down His life out of love for us. He lists three types of behavior which we should avoid: sexual immorality, impurity, and greed. Obscenity, foolish talk, and coarse jokes are out of place for those who strive to serve God. Greed is just a form of idolatry, where the person worships wealth instead of God. People will try to make excuses for such behavior, but we will suffer for it if we do those things.
     The proper way to behave is as the people of light. If we feel compelled to hide certain behaviors from some people we should not do those things. We should be ashamed to even talk about the things which are done in secret (and if we are, that will keep us from gossiping). Let us be careful how we live, striving to act with wisdom. Take advantage of every opportunity we have to bring glory to God. Avoid foolish behavior and think things through before we act. Do not get drunk because that is likely to lead us to do things which we will regret. Instead, express our joy through singing and praising God.
     Let us submit to one another. Wives are to submit to their husbands in the same way that you submit to Christ. Historically, too much emphasis was placed on that portion of this passage and not enough on the following portion. As a husband, I am to love my wife as Christ loved the Church. Christ gave up all that He had in order to glorify and elevate the Church, even to the point of dying a painful death. Until I have shown a similar dedication to my wife, I have no basis to demand that she submit to me and even then, Christ did not demand that the Church submit to Him. The Church submits to Christ as a voluntary act in response to His love for the Church. I am to love my wife as I love my own body, caring for her so that she does not experience pain or suffering as much as I am able. I will challenge any husband reading this, if you feel that your wife does not respect you as you think she should, perhaps that is because you do not love her as you should.

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     I always feel troubled when I write something on this passage because my wife respects me and submits to me in every way as I believe the Bible calls for, but I question whether I truly fulfill my end of the bargain and love her as Christ loved the Church. I truly love my wife, but I do not think I live up to the standard which Paul holds up for me in this passage. I will continue to strive to reach the point where I can say that I live according to what Paul is teaching here.

Psalm 69:19-36

     I have trouble seeing what to make of this psalm, but there are a few things I see here. The psalm warns us against “piling on” on those whom God has sent punishment. It is not our place to punish those who have sinned. Instead we should show them kindness and concern. Let us show pity to those who are suffering in consequence of their sins. Let us aid them as we can to soothe their hurts.

Proverbs 24:7

     Fools should not try to discuss things that require wisdom. They should keep their mouths shut and listen to those who understand. But how do I know if I am one of those who should speak, or one of those who should keep quiet?