Proverbs 6:27-28 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"He that would not be burnt, must dread the fire; he that would not hear the bell, must not meddle with the rope. To venture upon the occasion of sin, and then to pray, ‘Lead us not into temptation,’ is all one as to thrust thy finger into the fire, and then to pray that it might not be burnt."
Thomas Brooks, The Complete Works of Thomas Brooks Volume One, (James Nisbet, 1866 [1676]), pg 39

Proverbs‬ ‭6‬:‭27‬-‭28‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Can a man scoop a flame into his lap and not have his clothes catch on fire? Can he walk on hot coals and not blister his feet?

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1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭22‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Stay away from every kind of evil.

Proverbs‬ ‭4‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of evildoers. Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way. Turn away and keep moving. For evil people can’t sleep until they’ve done their evil deed for the day. They can’t rest until they’ve caused someone to stumble.

Psalms‬ ‭141‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips. Don’t let me drift toward evil or take part in acts of wickedness. Don’t let me share in the delicacies of those who do wrong.

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Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭15‬-‭18‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"Remember, it is not hasty reading — but serious meditating upon holy and heavenly truths, that make them prove sweet and profitable to the soul. It is not the bee's touching of the flower, which gathers honey — but her abiding for a time upon the flower, which draws out the sweet. It is not he who reads most — but he who meditates most, who will prove the choicest, sweetest, wisest and strongest Christian."

Thomas Brooks (1608-1680)

English Puritan preacher and author

Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭15‬-‭18‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways. I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word. Be good to your servant, that I may live and obey your word. Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.

2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.

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Psalm 129:23-24 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"Man is not what he thinks he is, he is what he hides."

Andre Malraux (1901-1976)

French novelist, art theorist, and minister of cultural affairs

Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

Proverbs‬ ‭28‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. Blessed are those who fear to do wrong, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.

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Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭21‬-‭27‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. 

So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

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Ephesians 9:10 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"You must know that every man cannot be excellent, yet every man may be useful. An iron key may unlock the door with a golden treasure behind it; yes, iron can do some things that gold cannot."

Thomas Brooks (1608-1680)

English Puritan preacher and author

Ecclesiastes‬ ‭9‬:‭10‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.

Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.

 Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.

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Psalm 19:12-14 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"It is a human thing to fall into sin, devilish to persevere therein, and divine to rise from it. Deliver me, O Lord, from that evil man — myself!"

Augustine of Hippo (354-440 AD)

theologian and philosopher

Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.

Proverbs‬ ‭28‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. Blessed are those who fear to do wrong, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.

Psalms‬ ‭19‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

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Genesis 3:13 (NLT)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"If the serpent sneaks in his head, he will draw in his whole body after him. Greater sins do sooner startle the soul, and awaken and rouse up the soul to repentance, than lesser sins do. Little sins often slide into the soul, and breed, and work secretly and indiscernibly in the soul, until they come to be so strong, as to trample upon the soul, and to cut the throat of the soul."

Thomas Brooks (1608-1680)

English Puritan preacher and author

 Genesis‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Then the Lord God asked the woman (Eve), "What have you done?” "The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.”

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1 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬ ‭(NIV‬‬) Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough?

2 Corinthians‬ ‭11‬:‭3‬ ‭(NIV‬‬) But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

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Psalms‬ ‭25‬:‭4‬-‭9‬ ‭(The Message/paraphrase)

FROM TODAY'S READING...

"Some people sow wild oats during the week and then slip into church on Sunday to pray for crop failure.”

Rex Humbard (1919-2007)

American evangelist

Psalms‬ ‭25‬:‭4‬-‭9‬ ‭(The Message/paraphrase) Show me how you work, God; School me in your ways. Take me by the hand; Lead me down the path of truth. You are my Savior, aren’t you? Mark the milestones of your mercy and love, God; Rebuild the ancient landmarks! Forget that I sowed wild oats; Mark me with your sign of love. Plan only the best for me, God! God is fair and just; He corrects the misdirected, Sends them in the right direction. He gives the rejects his hand, And leads them step-by-step.

Proverbs‬ ‭28‬:‭13‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.

1 John‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

Image: "Green wild oats closeup" by shixart1985 is licensed under CC BY 2.0.