In the beginning of Ecclesiastes 11 Solomon reminds us that even though life is uncertain, we should not do nothing, nor should we wait for conditions to be perfect before we act. If we do, it might never happen - whether it's getting married, having children, reading the Bible, joining a church. We need to continually take steps to grow in spiritual maturity.
I don't recall reading this verse before (though I know I have several times since I've read through the Bible several years now), but it really jumped out at me today....
5 As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.
What a beautiful verse when it comes to the value of the unborn and the mystery of life. We serve an amazing Creator!
Regarding our Revelation passage, my Life Application Bible says....
Chapter 13 introduces Satan's (the dragon's) two evil accomplices: (1) the beast out of the sea and (2) the beast out of the earth. Together, the three evil beings form an unholy trinity in direct opposition to the holy Trinity of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
They unity to try to overthrow the power of God, but of course, they will fail. There is and will continue to be great spiritual warfare going on. And though we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Christ will prevail as the victor, many Christians will suffer greatly before the final triumph, and a great many humans are on the wrong side of this spiritual battle and their end will be eternal punishment. Such hard truths!
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Numbers 1-2; Revelation 14
3 comments:
The verse that stood out fort me in Revelation is found in verse 10:
If anyone is to be taken captive,
to captivity he goes;
if anyone is to be slain with the sword,
with the sword must he be slain.
Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.
What a warning for us as Christians for what is to come, as well as an encouragement knowing that all of us are, or should be praying, for Christians that are, or will be going through persecution.
It may be us that will go through this, or it may be our children or grand children. We see thus starting to happen already in North America with Christians losing their jobs because they don't agree with societies idea of marriage.
Two passages stood out for me:
10 If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge,
he must use more strength,
but wisdom helps one to succeed.
Or in the Message version:
10 Remember: The duller the ax the harder the work;
Use your head: The more brains, the less muscle.
Sometimes we spend so much time and energy into things that shouldn't be so hard.
and
20 Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king,
nor in your bedroom curse the rich,
for a bird of the air will carry your voice,
or some winged creature tell the matter.
and in the Message:
20 Don’t bad-mouth your leaders, not even under your breath,
And don’t abuse your betters, even in the privacy of your home.
Loose talk has a way of getting picked up and spread around.
Little birds drop the crumbs of your gossip far and wide.
It's so easy to think that gossip is "OK" when it is done in a private gathering or with our spouse or close friend. Gossip too easily spreads out beyond our control.
"For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil." Ecclesiastes 12:14
It doesn't matter how we look or present ourselves to others. Every act we have done will be brought into judgment - even our thoughts which no one else knows. I pray that all my actions and thoughts will bring glory to God.
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