READ THE BIBLE IN 365 DAYS: SHORT AND CONCISE (8/31)

TODAY’S SCRIPTURES:

Job 37:1-39:30  Job’s friend Elihu concludes, “We cannot draw up our case because of our darkness … The Almighty is beyond our reach.”  The Lord then answers Job out of a storm by telling of His sovereignty – might and power. God questions Job. “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?” The Lord asks many such questions.

2 Corinthians 4:13-5:10  Apostle Paul shares his love for God and convictions on evangelism, “I believed in God, so I spoke.  One day, we will all stand before Him.  All of this is for your benefit.  God’s glory will increase as His grace reaches the multitudes.  That is why we never give up.  Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are renewed daily.   For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them.  We fix our gaze on things eternal.”

Psalm 44:9-26  In the midst of hiding and utter emotional distress, King David pleads to God, “Wake up, O Lord! Why do you sleep?  Get up! Do not reject us forever.  Why do you look the other way?  Why do you ignore our suffering and oppression?  We collapse in the dust, lying face down in the dirt.  Rise up! Help us!  Ransom us because of your unfailing love.”

Proverbs 22:13  The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there!  If I go outside, I might be killed!”

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READ THE BIBLE IN 365 DAYS: SHORT AND CONCISE (8/30)

TODAY’S SCRIPTURES:

Job 34:1-36:33  Elihu continues to accuse Job of sin.  Elihu argues that God does not wrong, and thus, “He repays a man for what he has done.” He argues that God brings justice on earth and that people receive what they deserve. Thus, he accuses Job further by saying “To his sin he adds rebellion,” because Job will not fall down and repent.  Elihu argues, “God is “wooing [Job] from the jaws of distress.” He comments on the greatness of God, “beyond our understanding.”

2 Corinthians 4:1-12  Apostle Paul addresses the Corinthian Church, “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.  We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.  Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.”

Psalm 44:1-8  King David praises God while he hides for his life from Saul, the fiercely envious king, “I do not trust in my bow; I do not count on my sword to save me.  You are the one who gives us victory over our enemies; you disgrace those who hate us.  O God, we give glory to you all day long and constantly praise your name. ”

Proverbs 22:10-12  Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too.  Quarrels and insults will disappear.  Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech will have the king as a friend.  The Lord preserves those with knowledge, but he ruins the plans of the treacherous.

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READ THE BIBLE IN 365 DAYS: SHORT AND CONCISE (8/29)

TODAY’S SCRIPTURES:

Job 31:1-33:33  Job continues to moan about his suffering and how the Lord does not answer.  According to Job, he has pursued the Lord, feared Him, and kept His ways.  Job’s three friends stop talking to him. Elihu, his fourth friend, also argues it is not right for Job to say he is not without sin.

2 Corinthians 3:1-18  Apostle Paul addresses the Corinthian congregation, “God has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life …And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

Psalm 43:1-5  King David, in hiding, is discouraged but regains composure by choosing to place his hope and praise in God!

Proverbs 22:8-9  Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster and their reign of terror will come to an end.  Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor.

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READ THE BIBLE IN 365 DAYS: SHORT AND CONCISE (8/28)

TODAY’S SCRIPTURES:

Job 28:1-30:31  Job speaks what the Lord has said to man, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of understanding.” Job recalls his early days while walking with the Lord and the good works he performed earning glory among men. People listened to Job’s wisdom due to his great success. Now, the same people mock Job, men younger than he, whose father Job would have disdained.  Job continues to moan about his suffering and the Lord’s (perceived) silence.

2 Corinthians 2:12-17  Apostle Paul addresses the Corinthian congregation, “ Now God uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume … We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us.”

Psalm 42:1-11  God prospered David, whose respect soared as he proves himself a capable general and leader.  King Saul became increasingly jealous and hostile toward David to the point where the King attempts to kill him — countless times.  David, in hiding, cries out to God, “Why am I discouraged?  Why is my heart so sad?  I will put my hope in God!  I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!”

Proverbs 22:7  Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.

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READ THE BIBLE IN 365 DAYS: SHORT AND CONCISE (8/27)

TODAY’S SCRIPTURES:

Job 23:1-27:23  Job fervently asks why God does not punish evil.  Friend Bildad responds, “God’s Ways are different from ours.  There is no comparison between God and His glory and us, mortals.”  Job finds renewed strength and faith.

2 Corinthians 1:12-2:11  Apostle Paul defends his ministry to the troubled Corinthian Church.  ”It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us.  He has identified us as His own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment, guaranteeing everything He has promised us … When you forgive, I also forgive.  I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, so that satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.”

Psalm 41:1-13  King David exalts God and petitions for mercy, “Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble. The Lord protects them and keeps them alive.  Lord, have mercy on me.  Make me well again so I can pay them back!  I know You are pleased with me, for you have not let my enemies triumph over me.  You have preserved my life because I am innocent; You have brought me into your presence forever. Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who lives from everlasting to everlasting.  Amen!”

Proverbs 22:5-6  Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road; whoever values life will avoid it.  Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.

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READ THE BIBLE IN 365 DAYS: SHORT AND CONCISE (8/26)

TODAY’S SCRIPTURES:

Job 20:1-22:30  Job’s one friend tells Job to turn his back on God.  The other tells him God is punishing Job for his sins. Job is impatient with God but his reverence toward the Almighty remain the same.

2 Corinthians 1:1-11  Apostle Paul addresses the church of Corinth, “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.

Psalm 40:11-17  King David continues to cry out to God for deliverance, “Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me.  Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me.  For troubles surround me—too many to count! My sins pile up so high I can’t see my way out …  Come quickly, Lord, and help me!  May those who try to destroy me be humiliated and put to shame … May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, ‘The Lord is great!’”

Proverbs 22:2-4  The Lord made the rich and the poor.  A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.  The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.  True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life.

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I’m Spending My Kids’ Inheritence

How would you respond to this bumper sticker — “Right on!” or ”How selfish!”

Billionaire Warren Buffett will say “Right on!” every time.  Why?

“In life, you’re not entitled to a free ride.” ”Money or life?  I chose life.” “Life is what you make it .”

Do you know of a family or two who no longer speak to one another after fighting over their inheritance?  If parents leave nothing, children may resent mom and dad.  So what?!  They’re already at a much better place.  Resent all you want.

More importantly, families who continue to inhabit the land of the living will have an ongoing relationship — birthday parties, Thanksgiving dinners, and all that jazz!

“Give enough [to your children] but not enough to do nothing.”

Mr. Buffet, you are brilliant!

How Will You Spend Your Billions?

If you’re like me, this question will never cross your mind.  What billions … or better yet, what thousands?!

But if we were blessed (or cursed) with large amounts of money, what will we do?  Give the money to our kids or to favorite charities?  What about accountability?  How would we make sure our hard-earned dough (or mad money) will be used wisely?

Billionaire, Warren Buffet, shares his wisdom:

“Give enough [to your children] but not enough to do nothing,” “You’re not entitled to a free ride in life,” ”Money or life?  I chose life.” “Life is what you make it .”

Son, Peter Buffett reminds us, it’s not enough to know what you want to do; that the pain of action is a challenge we must take on. And that we must open our arms to the mysteries of vocation as much as the well-delineated parts; that work is not all about following a predictable path but also about doubts, mistakes, uncertainties and embracing opportunities.(Full Story)

Great lessons!  Empower, not enable!

Tired of Politics?

Democrat or a Republican, the people lose.  Peons always lose.  The rich, the powerful, and the well-connected prosper.

(Not all.  There are philanthropic wealthy folks out there, but that’s looking for the needle in a haystack; my reality, anyway.  If you know otherwise, I’m all ears.  I’d like to be more optimistic).

In theory, democracy, communism, capitalism, socialism, and what have you all promote happiness.  Ideologies promise social stability, economic security, and prosperity.  Theories and concepts — always successful — on paper.

In real life — not so.  Ego and greed get in the way.

Got money, want more money.  Got power, want more power.  Intimidate, manipulate — who cares?  Ends ALWAYS justify the means!

A dear friend once said, “I don’t care who wins the election.  I suck up the reality and work around the policies.  I protect me.  I’ve got to watch out for my interests.”

Smart lady.

Guess what?

She pulled out her stocks just days before the Wall Street melt down. (According to friends, gold is the safest investment.  Thoughts?)

“How did you know?” I asked.

“I didn’t, for sure.  ‘Just listened to my brain and my sixth sense.  I didn’t grasp the magnitude of the financial fiasco but my investor wasn’t making sense.  My portfolio was shrinking by the second and he’s telling me to hang in there?!  Who, at 63, has the luxury of time and money?!  Hell no!  Forget what anyone says.  People always look after their self-interests first.  Gotta use our brains and think.”

Cynical?  Yes.

Wise?  A double yes.

Twenty years from now, at 63, I’d like to be less cynical; hopefully, as wise.

Tired of politics?  Tired of being screwed?

Forget political parties.  Forget government.  Forget the wealthy. (Unless, you’re one of them.)

I have to think — gather facts, analyze, and synthesize.  Only I can protect me.

Rags to Riches

Why should recession keep us down?

Beatings, rape, and verbal abuses didn’t stop Chris Gardner from becoming his best –- a multi-million-dollar stock broker!

When Chris didn’t have enough money to feed his then two-year-old son, the prostitutes across the street gave him the much needed cash for his boy’s next meal.

You’ve got a dream, protect it. When people can’t do something, they say, “You can’t do it.” Don’t believe that for a second.  You want something, go get it. PERIOD. (Chris Gardner)

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