Reading the Bible with a Friend
Scripture Readings Proverbs 23:12Ruth 1–2II JohnIII JohnPsalms 69 Verse Focus (Proverbs 23:12) Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge. Meditation Placeholder for September 10 meditation … to be updated on October 11, 2021.
Scripture Readings Proverbs 23:9Judges 21ObadiahI John 4–5Psalms 68 Verse Focus (Proverbs 23:9) Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words. Meditation Placeholder for September 9 meditation … to be updated on October 10, 2021.
Scripture Readings Proverbs 23:5Judges 19–20I John 1–3Psalms 67 Verse Focus (Proverbs 23:5) Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. Meditation Placeholder for September 8 meditation … to be updated on October 9, 2021.
Scripture Readings Proverbs 23:4Judges 17–18II Corinthians 12–13Psalms 66 Verse Focus (Proverbs 23:4) Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. Meditation Placeholder for September 7 meditation … to be updated on October 8, 2021.
Scripture Readings Proverbs 22:29Judges 15–16II Corinthians 10–11Psalms 65 Verse Focus (Proverbs 22:29) Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank. Meditation Placeholder for September 6 meditation … to be updated on October 7, 2021.
Scripture Readings Proverbs 22:24–25Judges 13–14II Corinthians 7–9Psalms 64 Verse Focus (Proverbs 22:24–25) 24Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered,25or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared. Meditation Today’s verse focus has some very practical advice for us. As Proverbs 22:24-25 says, in the NIV, “Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.” It’s an interesting way of thinking about self-control. The proverb makes it sound like anger is contagious. And, perhaps to some degree, it…
Scripture Readings Proverbs 22:22–23Judges 11–12II Corinthians 5–6Psalms 63 Verse Focus (Proverbs 22:22–23) 22Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court,23for the LORD will take up their case and will exact life for life. Meditation Today’s proverb speaks of how the LORD Himself will balance the scales of justice on behalf of the poor. As Proverbs 22:22-23 says in the NIV, “Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the LORD will take up their case and will exact life for life.” The ESV…
Scripture Readings Proverbs 22:16Judges 9–10II Corinthians 3–4Psalms 62 Verse Focus (Proverbs 22:16) One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich — both come to poverty. Meditation Our verse focus today is interesting because it gives a different slant on what makes for a prosperous person. As Proverbs 22:16 says in the NIV, “One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich — both come to poverty.” The attitudes that lie behind both sets of actions are often taken for wisdom in this world. Save…
Scripture Readings Proverbs 22:15Judges 7–8II Corinthians 1–2Psalms 61 Verse Focus (Proverbs 22:15) Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away. Meditation Proverbs 22:15 says, in the NIV, “Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.” Obviously, this proverb holds a lot of meaning for parents. But as I look at the verse today, I can’t help but think of the individual believer’s walk with God. Our hearts are foolish, weak, and self-centered. But God disciplines us for…
Scripture Readings Proverbs 22:13Judges 5–6I Corinthians 15–16Psalms 60 Verse Focus (Proverbs 22:13) The sluggard says, “There’s a lion outside! I’ll be killed in the public square!” Meditation Our verse of the day, Proverbs 22:13, uses a bit of humor to describe the plight of the lazy. “The sluggard says, ‛There’s a lion outside! I’ll be killed in the public square!’ ” The scenario is so outrageous, we can’t help but laugh at the distorted thinking of the sluggard. Yes, lions exist. And, yes, they are dangerous. But the chances of finding one inside the public square of a populated area are…