JANUARY 4 "HOW FAST WE DEGENERATE"

It's interesting that in the book of Psalms we read about the wisdom of " not sinning by allowing anger to rule over you". There is a huge gap between the writing of the Psalms and the murder that was committed by Cain, by doing this very act, "allowing anger to rule over him". In chronological time, the gap is huge, but for us reading The one Year Bible it's just a couple of days. How fitting that just a couple of days after we read a verse that can give us the wisdom in not committing the same sin that we just read about a couple of days prior. Through out the year this is a common occurrence, that the wisdom of one book lends or compliments another. I wonder if when the Psalmist wrote the Psalm we read today if he ever knew it would be placed next to the horrible murder of Cain, which obviously the Psalmist was familiar with. It was very much part of their history. The answer is obviously "no" the Psalmist did not know, but God did. Paul, no doubt, a schooled Pharisee reaches back to this Psalm when writing Ephesians 4:26, "in your anger do not sin". Only the ignoramus claims the Bible is "full of contradictions" . I argue for the opposite, it is rather masterfully put together like a symphony, no matter how you read it. The greatest advantage in reading the One Year Bible is having it mixed up, but yet coming out in perfect harmony. The truth is, you cannot mix up the Bible because it is perfectly harmonious. It is interesting as you get to the end of the year and you are reading about Zechariah in the Old Testament and then reading Revelations in the N.T that you can easily get mixed up as to whether you are reading in Zechariah or Revelations because the Prophecy you read about in the O.T. is being played out as you turn to read your N.T. portion for the day. It's really quite amazing. I, as you, read just a couple of days ago about Cain's brutal murder and as that is still fresh in our minds today we get the wisdom to avoid repeating Cain's sin, "don't sin by allowing anger to control you". We all get angry, but as PAUL writes later, "be angry and sin not".  Keep track this year how one book compliments another, it will amaze you!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

FEBRUARY 8 "ABANDONED IN MY TIME OF NEED"

   This may end up being one of the greater indictments against The Church of Jesus Christ at our judgement; that we abandoned our brothers and sisters in their most dire time of need. In our reading today, the Psalmist eludes to a time of great anguish in his life and because of this his strength is failing; he then goes on to say concerning his friends, "I am a dread to my friends....I am forgotten by them". Unfortunately, it is when we are not at our best that our brothers and sisters in Christ seem to get turned off by us and often abandon us when we need them the most! Why is that? Is it because of selfish reasons, after all, who doesn't want to hang around upbeat people full of joy and victory, but are there not times that we need to also grieve with those that are grieving?! Another reason is their weakness probably turns us off, "why are you even struggling with this ....what's wrong with you!!?" Thence, we're turned off and leave them to struggl
Read more

OCTOBER 27 "THE UNIQUENESS OF THE DOVE"

                                HOW DOES THE DOVE DIFFER FROM OTHER BIRDS      They Differ Anatomically: Scientists have found the anatomy of Doves is very different from that of other birds. In fact, these beloved birds have no gallbladder, an organ that typically secretes bile.      The dove is the rare bird that has not bitterness, gall in it’s body but also displays no sign towards other birds. It is no surprise then that the Dove is what God used to represent the Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus, a bird with no bitterness in it. It was imperative to Jesus' ministry that He never allow bitterness to enter Him; even to the very end, upon His crucifixion where He refused the drink, mixed with gall. Don't drink the cup of bitterness/gall,....ever!
Read more

AUGUST 8 "ARE YOU THE WELL RESPECTED CHRISTIAN?"

   There's always the exception to the rule, but I believe most of us struggle with wanting to be the respected and dignified Christian, as opposed to what Paul describes as "spectacle to the entire world-to people and angels alike. Our dedication makes us look like fools, but you are so wise (and well respected)".  I think Paul breaks it down "our dedication" makes us look like fools. When we are dedicated, sold out for Christ, we will look like fools. Street preaching is not dignified, passing out tracts and flyers at Walmart does not boost your social status, preaching at a public event doesn't make the Community you live in respect you. "Our dedication makes us fools....BUT, you are wise!" I wonder how many Christians reading this have never Street Preached, passed out flyers and evangelized in an open square? Just the thought of it makes them nausea and raises the hairs on the back of their necks.  Have you become the wise and respectable Chri
Read more