Daily Journal--September 2 2009

September 2 2009—Daily Journal

Just for a quick laugh, click over to Dilbert.com and look at today's comic. Realize, folks, that it's not always a choice between 2 options.

Devotional reading: Romans 12:9-21 →v. 9 is enough to keep me busy today. Reading through this, I see very direct statements about how we ought to live. It's fascinating how many times I read a list like this and I start working in my mind to create loopholes in it. All the classic excuses: Times were different then; the early Christians didn't have a choice but be devoted; they weren't facing what I'm facing. The truth is, yes, times were different. People were basically the same though. Those who followed Christ struggled sometimes to do so. Those who opposed Him sometimes simply ignored Him and His followers. What difference does it really make whether we have cars or chariots?

Proverbs 2:4(NIV) →Wisdom can be hard to find. Just as silver takes effort to mine, and then effort to refine, so learning and acquiring wisdom is difficult. Interestingly, 1 Kings 10:21 tells us that silver wasn't considered valuable in Solomon's day, as it was too plentiful. This makes me wonder if the desire was to make wisdom as plentiful as silver in those days. Perhaps so.

Proverbs 2:6(NIV) →Wisdom isn't something that is man-designed, but is instead directly from the Lord God. As such, it's available to all who will seek Him for it, not just for those with means and access.

Proverbs 2:16-17(NIV) →I'm wondering here if wisdom protects not only from going to the wayward wife, but from creating the wayward wife. If a man acts with wisdom in marrying and in his marriage, this would give his wife many reasons to remain faithful. And he would choose one less likely to depart him.

Proverbs 2:21-22(NIV) →Realize that for the original audience of Proverbs, the land was a part of their identity. It wasn't about real estate ownership, it was about who they were and seeing God's faithfulness. In our day, this isn't a promise of staying on the family farm or in the family town. It's a promise that we will not lose our identity in Christ or fail to see the faithfulness of God.

Daniel 3: what is it with rulers and putting their image up? This just seems like an historical obsession for anyone in power. Guess what? We know what you look like, and even if we don't, you're still in charge. So drop it, alright. Repetition does not create admiration.

1 Timothy 2:12 →We're going to tackle this Sunday night. Hope you're ready for it.

Psalm 19:12-14 →There are intentional and unintentional ways in which we sin. God's word can keep us from both. The closing prayer here is one worth praying every day. Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to You, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. What better things to ask for? If our hearts and words are right, our deeds will follow. God is personal, as revealed by the use of His covenant name here, and He is our stability, refuge, and the One who has bought us.

Doug