Month: January 2021

Scripture Readings Proverbs 6:23Genesis 41–42Matthew 21Psalms 21 Verse Focus (Proverbs 6:23) For these commands are a lamp,     this teaching is a light,and the corrections of discipline     are the way to life. Meditation Never have we needed light, truth, and clarity more than we do now. Our verse focus tells us that these “commands” and this “teaching” not only bring light, but they are light. In the context of the chapter, the verse is talking about your father’s commands and your mother’s teaching — but, of course, we know that the verse is really talking about God’s law. The Bible is a lamp;…

Scripture Readings Proverbs 6:9–11Genesis 39–40Matthew 20Psalms 20 Verse Focus (Proverbs 6:9–11) 9How long will you lie there, you sluggard?     When will you get up from your sleep?10A little sleep, a little slumber,     a little folding of the hands to rest—11and poverty will come on you like a thief     and scarcity like an armed man. Meditation Hello, again! Welcome. 🙂 So our verse focus from Proverbs 6:9–11 continues yesterday’s topic on the dangers of laziness. But these verses hold a special sting for me. Just about every time I read these verses I can feel the Holy Spirit pricking my conscience because I do…

Scripture Readings Proverbs 6:6–8Genesis 37–38Matthew 19Psalms 19 Verse Focus (Proverbs 6:6–8) 6Go to the ant, you sluggard;      consider its ways and be wise!7It has no commander,      no overseer or ruler,8yet it stores its provisions in summer      and gathers its food at harvest. Meditation Today’s verse focus from Proverbs asks us to consider the industry of an ant, tirelessly working to provide food for the community. What is particularly noteworthy about the ant is that it does not require an overseer to compel its work. Humans, on the other hand, will often only do work because it is required by someone…

Scripture Readings Proverbs 5:23Genesis 35–36Matthew 18Psalms 18 Verse Focus (Proverbs 5:23) He will die for lack of discipline,     led astray by his own great folly. Meditation Our verse focus today says, in the NIV of 1984, “He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.” The NIV of 2021 says, “For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly.” The translation I read this morning, the NRSV, says, “They die for lack of discipline, and because of their great folly they are lost.” I understand the move to make the language…

Scripture Readings Proverbs 5:21Genesis 33–34Matthew 17Psalms 17 Verse Focus (Proverbs 5:21) For your ways are in full view of the LORD,     and he examines all your paths. Meditation Today’s verse from Proverbs tells us that the LORD is always watching us. The second half of the verse says that “he examines all your paths” — some translations say “ponders” all your paths; other say “considers” all your paths. So, in one sense, God is watching everything you do; in another meaning, He is watching everywhere you go. As I read this verse, it seems to me that God is watching all…

Scripture Readings Proverbs 4:23Genesis 31–32Matthew 16Psalms 16 Verse Focus (Proverbs 4:23) Above all else, guard your heart,     for it is the wellspring of life. Meditation Hello! Welcome! Proverbs 4:23 has long been a favorite verse for me. As I memorized this verse in the NIV translation of 1984, it said, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” The NIV today says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” NASB says, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.” CSB says, “Guard your…

Scripture Readings Proverbs 4:18Genesis 29–30Matthew 15Psalms 15 Verse Focus (Proverbs 4:18) The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,     shining ever brighter till the full light of day. Meditation When I was in college, the pastor of my church was also a musician. He wrote a “Scripture Song” for Proverbs 4:18 and to this day I cannot read this verse without hearing that tune in my head. I even sang it this morning (although my voice cracked a bit). 🙂 I don’t think this was a proverb I ever paid much attention to until I heard it…

Scripture Readings Proverbs 4:13Genesis 27–28Matthew 14Psalms 14 Verse Focus (Proverbs 4:13) Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;     guard it well, for it is your life. Meditation You’ve heard the saying, “The moment you stop learning, you die.” There are any number of variations on this quote, ranging from Albert Einstein (“Once you stop learning, you start dying”) to Michael Scott ( “The day we stop learning is the day we die”) to Tom Clancy (“Life is about learning; when you stop learning, you die.”) to Tetsuyama-san (“The day you stop learning is the day you stop living”). I’m…

Scripture Readings Proverbs 4:7Genesis 25–26Matthew 13Psalms 13 Verse Focus (Proverbs 4:7) The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.     Though it cost all you have, get understanding.Alternately translated as: Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.     Whatever else you get, get understanding. Meditation I love the NIV’s translation of today’s verse focus: “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.” It’s like, duh! To receive wisdom, you must pursue it. So obvious, and yet we must be told. So, make a point of searching for wisdom. It’s more than worth it. Scripture says: “Though it cost all you have” or “whatever else you…

Scripture Readings Proverbs 4:6Genesis 23–24Matthew 12Psalms 12 Verse Focus (Proverbs 4:6) Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;     love her, and she will watch over you. Meditation Welcome! Happy Tuesday. 🙂 (It may not be Tuesday if this is no longer 2021, or if you didn’t start this plan on January 1st… but rejoice in the day whatever day it is for you.) Proverbs 4:6 talks about how wisdom will protect and guard us. In the book of Proverbs (which we won’t read as a whole until almost half-way through the year), there are a couple of chapters where…