Proverbs 26:4-12 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (9/2/2014)...

Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.

—Mark Twain

Proverbs 26:4-12 (NLT) *Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are. Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools, or they will become wise in their own estimation. Trusting a fool to convey a message is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison! A proverb in the mouth of a fool is as useless as a paralyzed leg. Honoring a fool is as foolish as tying a stone to a slingshot. A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like a thorny branch brandished by a drunk. An employer who hires a fool or a bystander is like an archer who shoots at random. As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness. There is more hope for fools than for people who think they are wise. 

*These...verses seem to contradict, but they actually are purposely demonstrating the contradiction between reason and folly. A fool remains a fool whether he is answered or not. The wise person has a choice to make depending on what he or she sees is the greatest need of the fool. Some fools don't deserve an answer because they are clearly not in a mood to listen, and those who try to answer them will simply stoop to their level. There are other situations where common sense says to answer the fool in order to expose his or her pride and folly. (LAB note)

2 Thessalonians 3:10-13 (NLT).,,

"A genius! For 37 years I’ve practised fourteen hours a day, and now they call me a genius!"

- Pablo Sarasate

2 Thessalonians 3:10-13 (NLT) Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.” Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business. We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living. As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good. 

Psalm 103:10-18 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (8/29/2014)...

"Within each of us exists the image of God, however disfigured and corrupted by sin it may presently be. God is able to recover this image through grace as we are conformed to Christ.”

- Alister McGrath

“Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s grace.”

- Jerry Bridges

Psalm 103:10-18 (NLT) He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. The wind blows, and we are gone— as though we had never been here. But the love of the LORD remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments! 

Proverbs 28:6 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (8/28/2014)..,

Character is what defines you.  It’s what people see in you.  It’s what people will say about you after you pass away.  Character is one of the most important things you have.  How are you investing in yours?  Do people see your faith in what you do?  Is your character reflected in how you serve the Kingdom?  Remember that when you pass away, Jesus will either say, “welcome brother/sister; job well done” or “I never knew you; be gone!”  You have right now to decide where your future is.

- Derek Hill

Proverbs 28:6 (NLT) Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and rich. 

Titus 1:15-16 (NLT) Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted. Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good. 

Psalm 23 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (8/27/2014)...

"Just as sheep will blindly, habitually, stupidly follow one another along the same little trails until they become ruts that erode into gigantic gullies, so we humans cling to the same habits that we have seen ruin other lives."
- Phillip Keller (A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23, pg 74)

Psalm 23:1-6 (NLT) The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. 2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. 3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. 4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. 5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. 6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (8/26/2014)...

   "The body...is no burden to be discarded. It is God's gift to man for life on earth and for the life to come. 

   Man needs salvation not because he is imprisoned in a body but because he willfully chooses his own way rather than God's way. Man's evil is not in his body; it is in his affections. He loves the wrong things.

   This affection is so deep, so basic to man's life on earth, that only a special Savior can free him from Himself....Man does not need a teacher. He needs a Savior."

- Bruce L. Shelley (Church History In Plain Language, pg. 55)

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT) Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. 

1 Corinthians 15:53-55 (NLT) For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? ” 

Job 12:7-10 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (8/25/2014)...

The atheist can't find God for the same reason that a thief can't find a police officer.

- Author Unknown

 

How to trap an atheist: Serve him a fine meal, then ask him if he believes there is a cook.

- Author Unknown

Job 12:7-10 (NLT) Just ask the animals, and they will teach you. Ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you. Speak to the earth, and it will instruct you. Let the fish in the sea speak to you. For they all know that my disaster has come from the hand of the LORD. For the life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of every human being.