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. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them.

     The prophet (probably Jeremiah) laments over the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians. He writes of the terrible suffering that the people of Jerusalem experience as a result of their sins. If God was willing to allow even the people He had chosen as special to suffer such tribulation as a result of their sins, will He not also allow other peoples to experience the suffering that their sins bring? Those who should have been warning the people of Jerusalem, instead said foolish things and encouraged them in their sin rather than warning them to turn from it. Are we as Christians today warning those around us of the troubles to come if they continue to sin? Do we accept our society’s emphasis on immediate gratification instead of warning them to choose to turn to God and wait for Him to provide for us? Do we teach that the rewards of doing the Lord’s work are much greater than the pleasures of the moment? Do we teach that choosing to satisfy those pleasures of the moment lead to suffering in the future? Or are we like the prophets of Jerusalem, saying foolish things that are false to the core?

     Today, I read the letter Paul wrote to Philemon. It is a short letter. Paul sent it to Philemon with Onesimus, who was legally Philemon’s slave. Paul does not condemn Philemon in any way for owning a slave and does not command him in how to treat his slaves. However, Paul tells Philemon that Onesimus is now his fellow believer and therefore his brother in the Lord. Paul asks Philemon to treat Onesimus well, reminding him that he could command it. Paul tells Philemon that he, Paul, will repay any harm that Onesimus has done to Philemon or any debt that he owes him. Paul tells Philemon that he will do this despite the fact that Philemon owes Paul a great debt for bringing him to the Lord. Overall this letter is a lesson on how we should treat those who have done us harm, especially if they have since come to know the Lord.

     This song of David is one that we should strive to follow. Let us lead lives of integrity both in public and in private. That means refusing to look at anything that is vile and/or vulgar. It means having nothing to do with those who deal dishonestly. Part of integrity is not tolerating those who slander their neighbors and not allowing conceit and pride to become part of our lives. And how can we do this? By seeking out faithful people to be our companions. Lord guide me to those faithful people who can challenge me to live a life of greater integrity and service to you.

     Gossip is the fuel for quarrels in the same way that wood is the fuel for fire. Let us not gossip about others.