For today, One Year Bible Online links here.

Proverbs 26:3-5

    We are reminded that we must use caution when arguing with fools. On the one hand, if one argues with a fool it is easy to get sucked into their foolishness. On the other hand, if you do not counter their foolishness, they, and others, may think that their arguments are actually wise.

Psalm 92-93

    It is good to give thanks to God and to praise Him. The psalm goes on from there and expounds on this point, but more does not really need to be said. It is indeed a good thing to give thanks to God.

2 Timothy 2:1-21

    Paul tells Timothy to avoid meaningless conversation because it leads one to become more and more ungodly. Comparing how the NLT translates(“worthless, foolish talk”) that to how the NIV translates(“godless chatter”) it gives us a good idea what Paul means when he writes this. This comes as part of his command that we avoid arguing over words, which is a command I struggle with understanding how it applies. I understand that it is important to not get caught up in arguing over the specific words used when those we are talking with agree about the basic teaching. On the other hand, I have seen false teaching disseminated by gradually changing the words used from ones that mean one thing to words which mean something similar but not quite the same. It is important that we choose our words with care, so that they express the meaning we intend, but we should avoid arguing with those who, unintentionally, use the wrong word to express the correct idea.
    The example which comes to mind was a Sunday School lesson a few years ago where the material contained a sentence which said something along the lines of, “We need to recognize that we continuously sin.” Many in the class with me accepted that sentence because they interpreted it as meaning, “We need to recognize that we continually sin.” It was clear to me from the rest of the lesson and from other things the author had written that they meant what they had written, but had written it that way for people to accept it the way the others in the class read it. The strategy being used was to get people to accept the idea that they were always sinning (as in, they were sinning every moment of every day) so that they could then be told, “Since you are always sinning, you are a hypocrite to point out that certain behaviors are sinful.” And yet, in that class I accomplished nothing by attempting to explain to the others there that “continuously” and “continually” had different meanings.

Jeremiah 42:1-44:23

    One of the leaders remaining in Judea after the fall of Jerusalem assassinated the governor appointed by the Babylonians (if you have been reading along you know this). The remaining people were afraid of how the Babylonians would react. They went to Jeremiah and asked him to pray to God to find out what they should do. They swore that they would do whatever Jeremiah told them that God said they should do, even if they did not like the answer. However, when Jeremiah gave them God’s answer, they claimed that Jeremiah was lying because he wanted to bring harm to them. When we ask for God’s guidance it is important that we follow it. I was going to say “even if it is not what we want to hear,” but the fact is it is important that we follow that guidance especially when it is not what we wanted to hear.

For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have been convicted over the last few weeks to seek to develop a disciplined prayer life. It is still a work in progress. Please pray for me, that the Holy Spirit may show me how to pray in a disciplined manner.

Proverbs 26:3-5

    Verses four and five contradict each other, but a little thought show the point the writer is making. On the one hand, if you allow yourself to be caught up in the logic, or lack thereof, of a fool’s arguments, you can all too easily lose sight of what the issue under discussion really is. On the other hand, if you do not respond to a fool’s arguments they, and others, may conclude that their arguments logically support their conclusions. There is a fine line between allowing a fool to drag you into his folly and allowing him to believe that you accept his arguments.

Psalm 92-93:5

    It is indeed a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord. Doing so is proper because of all that God has done for us, but more than that, there is great joy to be had praising the Lord. When I think of all that God has done for me, it gives me a thrill to realize how much He cares for me. If you are feeling depressed, start looking at your life and focus on those things God has done for which you are thankful. This will gradually lift you out of depression and fill your heart with joy (it may take more than this for those suffering from clinical depression, but even there it is worth a try).
    The floods may rise against us. Seas of trouble may rage against our lives, but God is mightier than the oceans deep and stronger than lightning and thunder. I will put my trust in Him. If I build my life on the foundation He has provided me, it will stand firm against all waves and storms which might rise.

2 Timothy 2:1-21

    Paul taught things which were confirmed by reliable witnesses. He then instructed Timothy to teach those things to trustworthy people who would pass them on to yet others. Are we willing to be trustworthy in passing these teachings on yet again?
    Paul then uses three metaphors for the Christian life: soldier, competitive athlete, and farmer. In all three cases Paul points out that these types of individuals do not allow themselves to be distracted by things that do not contribute to their goals, goals which are determined by things outside of their control. In the same way, we should be dedicated to the goal of serving God. The essence of that goal is to preach the Gospel, which is Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, raised from the dead. Paul was willing to endure anything in order to preach that Gospel, are we?
    If we die with Christ, for preaching this Gospel, we will be raised with Him. If we suffer for the Gospel, we will reign with Him. On the other hand, if we deny Him, for whatever reason, He will deny us. However, He will remain faithful even if we are unfaithful, because God cannot be otherwise. Let us avoid fighting over words even as we work to correctly explain the word of truth. If we belong to the Lord, we will turn away from evil and seek to cleanse ourselves from impurity. That way we can become utensils that God can use for every good work.

Jeremiah 42-44:23

    Many of those who remained in Judah gathered because they were afraid of what Nebuchadnezzar would do when he heard that his governor had been killed. They went to Jeremiah and requested that he ask God what they should do and where they should go. They stated vehemently that they would do whatever God told them to do, whether they liked it or not. Jeremiah agreed to ask God to give him guidance for them. After ten days Jeremiah gave them the Lord’s answer. Jeremiah told them that if they stayed in the land of Judah, God would be with them and they would have peace. However, if they went to Egypt in an effort to escape war and hunger, war and hunger would follow them there. Jeremiah finished by telling them that he knew that they would not listen to what he had said. Instead they would go to Egypt and suffer the consequences which God had promised them.
    When the people heard what Jeremiah told them, their leaders immediately accused him of lying to them because Baruch wanted them to be killed or carried off into exile. They refused to listen to the message which God had given to Jeremiah. They took Jeremiah with them when they traveled to Egypt. When they arrived in Egypt, Jeremiah once more prophesied their downfall there. Further Jeremiah confronted them about their worship of various idols they had made for themselves in Egypt. Rather than deny that they were committing idolatry, the people blamed the fall of Jerusalem and the difficult times leading up to it on their being insufficiently dedicated to their idols.

     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.

Jeremiah 42-44:23

     After the events recounted at the end of yesterday’s passage, the people remaining in Judah were frightened about what Nebuchadnezzar’s response would be. Out of fear, they prepared to flee to Egypt. However, before they fled they approached Jeremiah and requested that he pray to God asking what they should do and where they should go. When Jeremiah agreed to pray to God for guidance for them, they swore that they would follow that guidance, even if they did not like it.
     Ten days later, Jeremiah called them back and gave them God’s answer. Jeremiah told them that God had promised that if they remained in Judah, all would go well for them. But if they followed their plan and fled to Egypt the very things they feared if they stayed would follow them to Egypt and they would die of war, famine, and disease. Jeremiah completed this by telling them that they had been warned. He knew that they would not listen to his advice. Immediately, the leaders cried out that Jeremiah was lying, that he was telling them to say because he wanted them to be killed by Nebuchadnezzar, or taken away into exile. They refused to listen to the word of God which Jeremiah had given them and gathered the people and went to Egypt, forcibly taking Jeremiah with them.

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     How often do we do what the people did in this passage? We ask God, or asks someone to ask God on our behalf, for advice as to what we should do, but all we really want is God’s imprimatur on what we have already decided to do. In this passage the people were confident that they could not stay in Judah, that tragedy would overtake them if they did. There is more to it than that. They did not want to give up their sinful lifestyle and their worship of idols. Am I guilty of this? Do I ask for God’s guidance and then refuse to listen when He tells me what to do? It is my earnest desire to never do that, but I fear that all too often I ask God for guidance, hoping He will tell me to do what I have already decided I want to do.
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2 Timothy 2:1-21

     Let us serve Christ as good soldiers serve, and as successful athletes compete. A good soldier does not get caught up in civilian matters, rather he dedicates his time to military affairs. In the same way, I will focus my energy on doing those things which advance the Kingdom of God. A successful athlete spends their time training and learning to work within the rules. In the same way, I will discipline myself to live according to God’s grace and focus on following His commands.
     Rather than argue over words, we should work hard to serve God and do His will. If we spend our time doing the Lord’s work, we will not have time to get caught up in unproductive discussions. There is work to be done, let us not waste our time discussing things that do not advance God’s kingdom. Let us not waste time on things that are the equivalent of arguing which way the toilet paper roll should be hung. Let’s just put a new roll up and move on to the next task. I will not be afraid to say when questioned about things, “I do not know. But I know whom I have believed.”

Psalm 92-93:5

     Yes, I will praise the Lord in the morning and I will give thanks to Him in the evening. All day, every day, I will praise the Lord. Only fools and those who refuse to see do not trust God. The wicked may prosper for a short time, but unhappiness and destruction await them. Those who trust in the Lord will experience joy and happiness their entire lives.
     Floods and storms are mighty and unpredictable. When they rise up they destroy all in their path, but God is more powerful yet. Those who trust in the Lord will still be standing when the storms of life have passed over them.

Proverbs 26:3-5

     Today’s reading in Proverbs contains two seemingly contradictory statements. The first tells us not to argue with a fool or we will become foolish. The second tells us to be sure to argue with a fool to make sure he does not think he is wise. The point of the first of these is that when you argue against someone, do not allow them to “frame the debate”. Do not use the fool’s terms to make your case. The second one is that sometimes it is important to argue with people so that they know that not everyone thinks the way they do.