Today we come to Proverbs 4 in our reading plan. John Piper mentions five biblical instructions for how to get real wisdom: First, desire wisdom with all your might. Proverbs 4:8 says, “Prize her highly and she will exalt you; she will honor you for your embrace.” These are not cheap words. To prize something and to embrace someone are … More Got real wisdom?
Ray Stedman, in a 1965 sermon, “Ezra:The Way Back” comments on the events of Ezra 6, in our reading plan today: The minute the people began to turn back to God, he also turned the hearts of the kings, Darius and Artaxerxes, and they issued the decree that started the temple work again. Finally the … More Celebrating fellowship with God
August 4 1 Timothy 3:1-10 (ESV) Qualifications for Overseers 3:1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer [1] must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, [2] sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He … More August 4 1 Timothy 3:1-10
August 4 Luke 14:1-14 (ESV) Healing of a Man on the Sabbath 14:1 One Sabbath, when he went to dine at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees, they were watching him carefully. 2 And behold, there was a man before him who had dropsy. 3 And Jesus responded to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal … More August 4 Luke 14:1-14
August 4 Proverbs 4 (ESV) A Father’s Wise Instruction 4:1 Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain [1] insight, 2 for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching. 3 When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, 4 he taught me and … More August 4 Proverbs 4
August 4 Ezra 6 (ESV) The Decree of Darius 6:1 Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in Babylonia, in the house of the archives where the documents were stored.2 And in Ecbatana, the capital that is in the province of Media, a scroll was found on which this was written: “A record. 3 In … More August 4 Ezra 6
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who … More What makes prayer so important?
And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand … More The Narrow Door
I am so grateful that I grew up in a home where we were urged to memorize scripture, including Proverbs 3:5: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” What a great reminder: Trust … More Give Him all of our heart, all of our ways
Ray Stedman helps us as we read Ezra 4-5 today: (from a sermon “Ezra: The Way Back”) The third factor in this return under Zerubbabel is the opposition that immediately develops, as we read in chapters 4 through 6. A force is at work in every human heart, as in world affairs, that immediately rises … More Beware so-called friends
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 