Day 178

I like the way Hosea sums up his entire book in the last verse. Chapter 14 verse 9 says, "Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them."

Whoever, is wise, let him understand these things...for the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them.

Those who are wise know to walk in the ways of the Lord. Hosea describes what it is like to turn to the Lord in chapter 14 verses 5 through 7, "I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily; he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon; his shoots shall spread out; his beauty shall be like the olive, and his fragrance like Lebanon. They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow; they shall flourish like the grain; they shall blossom like the vine; their fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon."

How good that sounds to follow the ways of the Lord!

Day 177

I imagine the Lord gets frustrated with me like Hosea was frustrated with Israel and Judah. I know what is right, however, I still do wrong. It is frustrating for me so I know it has to be frustrating for the Lord.

I like the way Hosea put it in Chapter 8 verse 5. He says, "How long will they be incapable of innocence?"

I often feel that way. I feel incapable of being innocent. As hard as I try, I still fall.

However, I am also thankful to serve the Lord, a God of forgiveness. I know, through His son, I am forgiven if I just ask. Thank you Lord for your saving grace!

Day 176

Finally! Hezekiah comes through as a king who did what was right in the eyes of the Lord! It seems like it has been a while since a king who chases after the Lord was in place.

2 Kings 18 verses 5 and 7 say, "He trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel, so that there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those who were before him...And the Lord was with him; wherever he went out, he prospered."

I have read about several kings that have not followed the Lord and have been defeated by this king or that one, have been betrayed by those he trusted and many more examples like these. But Hezekiah does what is right in the eyes of the Lord.

Because he does what is right in the eyes of the Lord, the Lord was with him and the Lord blessed him. So much so there was no one like him before or after him. Wherever he went, he prospered.

This seems to be a common theme for those who follow the Lord, and the opposite seems true for those who do not do what is right in the eyes of the Lord. When will these kings see this common theme and run to the Lord.

Then I relate this to myself where how often do I see and read about others trusting in the Lord and doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord, then turn the other way. God is waiting for me and wants to bless me wherever I go. All I have to do is trust in the Lord and pursue Him!

Day 175

Chapter 11 describes what seems to be a utopia where the wolf and the lamb are together, the leopard and the goat, calf and lion, cow and bear are all together. A child will play over the hole of a cobra and a child will put his hand on the adder's den and will not be stricken.

Then in verse 9 it gives away the secret to this utopia. It says, "For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord..."

This makes me wonder how much I know the Lord. I do not see myself with a peace like that yet. I believe that it may come and I thank the Lord for a peace that only comes from Him. I will continue to strive for knowledge of the Lord and with that, the peace that comes through Him. What an amazing God I serve!

Day 174

In the reading about Jotham, I saw an interesting verse. 2 Chronicles 26 verse 6 says, "So Jotham became mighty, because he ordered his ways before the Lord his God."

I think it is good to point out that there is a direct correlation between Jotham being mighty, and ordering his ways before the Lord.

I believe the same is true for me now. I believe if I order my ways before the Lord my God, I will be mighty. Maybe not in the same way as Jotham, but I believe the Lord will be with me and bless me.

I will continue to order my ways before the Lord, continue to chase after Him and seek Him. For I know that is where true happiness and blessings are.

Day 173

In Isaiah chapter 6 verse 8, the Lord asks, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Isaiah responds quickly and says, "Here am I! Send me."

Isaiah is willing to do whatever the Lord asks and he doesn't even know what he is tasked to do yet. He fully relies on God and trusts Him completely.

I read a quote from Mother Teresa yesterday. It said, "I know God won't give me anything I can't handle...I just wish He didn't trust me so much!" However, she was also one that said, "Here am I! Send me."

I believe God has blessed me significantly and trusted me with much. I have an interview today where the Lord may be trusting me with a lot more! I am a little nervous, but rather than being nervous, I have to say, "Here am I! Send me."

I trust my Lord to know what is good and perfect for me to do to fulfill His plan. I rest in that comfort.

Day 172

I have never read the book of Amos, but I found chapter 4 very interesting.

Verses 6 through 11 quotes God saying He has sent many disasters and troubles upon you including, withholding rain, destruction of crops, overthrowing kings, and many other things, yet you did not return to the Lord. Therefore, prepare to meet your God! Prepare to be judged!

This speaks to me and says, along with many other verses and passages so far, "Put your trust in the Lord for everything you idiot!"

I need to hear this often. I need to call myself an idiot often. It reminds me that the only logical and scientifically proven way to be at peace is to trust in the one true and loving God! Lord help me to trust you and follow this simple, obvious, yet challenging concept.

Day 171

What a story Jonah has! He hears God's calling, but is afraid. So he hops on a boat instead. But a storm comes up so bad, that he knows he has to be thrown into the water for the storm to cease. So, reluctantly, the others on the boat throw him in, and he gets swallowed by a big fish!

I don't know how he survived, but he was in the fish for 3 days! After the 3rd day, the fish spits him out on dry land. I then sees the power of God and decides to go to Nineveh. Once there, he preaches to them and they repent. God does not destroy the city like He said He would.

Jonah is upset! He went through being inside a fish and finally giving in. Then he goes to Nineveh where nothing happens!

However, God showed him that He is a God of compassion. God spared him after 3 days in a fish, and God spares the city because they repented.

What a great God I serve. A compassionate God who can do anything, even keep Jonah alive while inside a fish. I will continue to follow Him.

Day 170

In this scripture reading, Elisha passes away and he was buried. Something amazing happens, even after Elisha is dead.

2 Kings 13 verse 21 says, "And as a man was being buried...the man was thrown into the grave of Elisha, and as soon as the man touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet."

Whoa! I cannot imagine the look on those who were burying him when he stood up after they believed he was dead! I also think it is something to think that the spirit of the Lord was still with Elisha even after he was dead!

I believe the power of the spirit of the Lord can do anything and I thank the Lord that he passes his spirit on to me just for being His child and putting my faith in Him!

Day 169

I am a little younger than many of the others I work with, however, I have been truly blessed in the opportunities I have been given.

I am sure king Jehoash felt very similar. He was seven years old when he became king! But he served and followed the Lord. I am sure he had help and found favor with others, just like I did. But I believe it was his faith and commitment to the Lord that made him a great king.

I continue to follow in the Lord. I know He is my rock and my redeemer and I also know that He is my Lord. Through Him all things are possible and I know that if He is with me, I can do all things.

I pray that the Lord is with me always and continues to bless me both while I am young, and as I grow older. Thanks be to God for His never-ending love and presence of me.

Day 168

Jehu is a man who means business. He tricked all of those who followed and worshiped Ball and put them all to death. 2 Kings 10 verse 27 says, "And they demolished the pillar of Baal, and demolished the house of Baal, and made it a latrine to this day."

This shows me how serious Jehu was about those who worshiped Baal, and it shows me how seriously the Lord takes sin. No mercy was given to these men, and in the end, where they died and where their temple was, was made into a permanent bathroom!

I need to take sin more seriously because I know the Lord sees it as serious.

Day 167

I love the contrast between Elisha and his servant. The entire army of Syria came after Elisha in his own town. The army surrounded the city and Elisha knew they were coming after him. Elisha's servant was afraid, but then Elisha said one of the greatest lines in all the Bible.

Elisha says in 2 Kings 6 verse 16, "Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." Verse 17 says, "So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."

Whoa! This one line is such a comfort to me. Whenever I feel overwhelmed or my faith is weak, I say this line to myself. "Do not be afraid, for those who are with me are more than those who are with them."

I rest in the comfort of knowing that there are far more with me than anyone or anything else because my trust is in the Lord.

Day 166

It blows me away that Elijah offers Elisha anything, and what he asks for is a double portion of Elijah's spirit on Elisha.

This reminds me of Solomon asking for wisdom when he could have anything. I think both Elisha and Solomon knew that money and possessions do not last and are worth nothing in the end, but wisdom and the spirit of the Lord are precious gifts that cannot be taken.

This makes me re-think about my priorities. If these wise men ask for wisdom and a double portion of the Spirit of the Lord, why do I focus so much on my finances and my possessions?

I need to keep this in mind each day.

Day 165

It is a comfort for me to know that through all things, the Lord remains faithful. 2 Chronicles 21 verses 6 and 7 say, "And [Jehoram] walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for the daughter of Ahab was his wife. And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, Yet the Lord was not willing to destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that He had made with David, and since He had promised to give a lamp to him and to his sons forever."

Jehoram was wicked and did not follow the Lord. However, the Lord kept His word and remained faithful. This is a comfort for me to know that I serve a God who is faithful, even when I am not. I know that He will always be my God even when I am not always faithful to Him.

Thank you Lord for being a forgiving, faithful God who will not turn from me.

Day 164

I found the words and prophesy of Micah very interesting. All of the other prophets told the king he would be victorious, however, Micah predicted Ahab would be killed.

Micah describes a situation in heaven concerning Ahab. 1 Kings 22 verses 19 through 22 says, "Therefore hear the word of the Lord; I saw the Lord sitting on His throne, and all the hosts of heaven standing beside Him on His right hand and on His left; and the Lord said, 'Who will entice Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?' And one said one thing, and another said another. Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord, saying, 'I will entice him.' And the Lord said to him, 'By what means?' And he said, 'I will go out, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.' And He said, 'You are to entice him and you shall succeed; go out and do so.'"

I find this situation described interesting. God is seated on his throne and asks his angels who will convince Ahab to go to battle and die. That whole concept is very mind boggling to me. I know Ahab was a sinful king, and the Lord passed judgment on him, but to me, the Lord is asking for suggestions on how to do it.

I also find it interesting how the angel does not work in Ahab, but instead the prophets of Ahab, ones he trusts.

Stories like this make me thankful for the saving grace of Christ who is our mediator and pleads our case continually to the Lord. He is the one that saves me from the judgment I deserve. Thanks be to Christ my Savior!

Day 163

It seems to me, quite often, Ahab behaves like a child. When Naboth does not give Ahab his vineyard, "Ahab went into his house vexed and sullen" (1 Kings 21 verse 4).

Also, in 2 Chronicles 18 verse 7, Ahab says, "...There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the Lord, Micaiah the son of Imlah; but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil." He didn't want to get Micaiah's input because it was always bad! Even if it was true!

But that makes me think how often I ignore or run away from the negative aspects about Christ; about Hell and the seriousness of sin. How often do I act like a child? I think I am more like Ahab that what it seems. I will strive to accept both the good and the bad in order to have a better understanding of my God.

Day 162

Elijah is a brave man. A faithful man. He went back to Ahab and challenged all of his priests of Baal; 450 men. 2 altars were set up; one for Baal and one for the Lord. The challenge was to have the god the altar was built for provide the fire. This test was done in front of all Israel.

The prophets of Baal went first and cried out from morning until evening. They screamed loudly and cut themselves. Nothing happened.

Then Elijah had the people bring over 7 liters of water and pour it on the altar of the Lord, soaking the wood and the offering. He then said one prayer. 1 Kings 18 verses 36 to 28 says, "Elijah the prophet came near and said, 'O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that You have turned their hearts back.' Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench."

It took one short prayer to the Lord for everything, even the stones, to be consumed by the fire provided by the Lord. What a mighty God I serve!

Day 161

I ran across an interesting verse today. 2 Chronicles 16 verse 9 says, "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward Him..."

Whoa! This verse says a lot and is very powerful. First of all, the eyes of the Lord run. They are searching for the faithful.

Second, He gives strong support to those whose heart is blameless. I know I am a sinner and are anything but blameless. However, I also know that the Lord forgives. And when we ask for forgiveness, we become blameless in His eyes.

This to me says that those who trust in the Lord for their forgiveness and humble themselves before the Lord will receive His strong support. I will work to satisfy these conditions.

Day 160

Of all the kings mentioned in the reading for today, only one was faithful to the Lord. Asa followed the Lord and removed all other idols and gods from the land.

When Zerah the Ethiopian came out against Asa with 1 million men, Asa turned to the Lord. 2 Chronicles 14 verse 11 says, "And Asa cried to the Lord his God, 'O Lord, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on You, and in Your name we have come against this multitude. O Lord You are our God; let not man prevail against You.'"

I think this is an awesome display of faith and trust in the Lord. Asa had 580,000 men against 1 million, and they killed all 1 million men with the Lord's help.

I rest in the comfort of knowing that I too can humble myself and cry out to the Lord, knowing He will hear me and take care of me. Thank you Lord.

Day 159

After all of Solomon's studies, he provides a closing statement at the end of the book of Ecclesiastes. Chapter 12 verses 11 through 13 say, "The words of the wise are...like nails firmly fixed...My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. The end of the matter, all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man."

I see he gives 2 points. The first is the words of the wise will firmly hold one together, but do not focus on this too much. The second point is to fear God and keep His commandments. This is our duty.

To me, it seems like Solomon is saying it is all about balance. Wisdom is great to pursue, but don't only focus on that. The main thing is to fear God and keep His commandments. This is good to know the prioritization set by the Lord.

Day 158

I am continually amazed at the wisdom and concepts of Solomon. Chapter 7 verses 3 and 4 say, "Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth."

This concept spoke to me. Sorrow is better than laughter because it makes the heart glad and the mind wise. I believe this to be true. This doesn't mean all I want is sorrow, but through my past sorrows, I have grown the most.

I believe one must face many sorrows and struggles in life to be truly wise and happy. It is important to continue to learn through the sorrows.

Day 157

I feel I can learn so much from Solomon. He did his own experiments to find out what brings happiness, purpose and satisfaction in his life. He enjoyed every pleasure and splurged on everything he could holding nothing back. In the end, he saw that it was all meaningless and did not give him purpose or satisfaction.

He then tried pursuing wisdom, but in the end, he saw that both the wise and the foolish end up dying, so what gain is there?

I think today is the same way as with Solomon. I think the vices of today are more fulfilling that one can almost trick themselves into thinking they are fulfilled. However, when they look back, they see it was meaningless.

One conclusion Solomon makes is in chapter 3 verses 12 and 13. He says, "I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil-this is God's gift to man."

After all of his research, Solomon concludes to be joyful, do good and take pleasure in toil. I will strive to be joyful, do good and take pleasure in toil.

Day 156

I knew Solomon was a great king, but I was surprised to hear that he drifted away from the Lord toward the end of his life. I did not know that. He seemed to me to always be on fire for the Lord and pursuing God. In the end, it was made clear to him that his family would lose 10 tribes of Israel. These tribes would be ruled by Jeroboam.

Jeroboam was in charge of all the forced labor of the house of Joseph. God chose him to be the king of 10 tribes as showed him by the prophet Ahijah.

I really like the promise God gives Jeroboam in 1 Kings 11 verse 38. It says, "If you wil listen to all that I command you, and will walk in my ways, and do what is right in my eyes by keeping my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did, I will be with you and will build you a sure house, as I built for David, and I will give Israel to you."

The Lord's requirements for Jeroboam were to listen to all that God commanded him, walk in the Lord's ways and do what is right in the eyes of the Lord. This is simple, yet very difficult. I believe God calls me to the same thing. I will continue to work on these requirements of the Lord.

Day 155

Song of Solomon is up there on my list of favorite books of the Bible too. It describes the perfect love of a man and a woman, and a husband and a wife. I believe it describes love the way God intended; to be madly in love with the other.

I like the picture given of two people madly in love. When the husband is away, the wife has dreams that she can't find him. She also has the utmost respect for her husband. The husband knows every aspect of his wife. He knows every part and longs for her.

I have tried to include many of these aspects in to my marriage and I believe it has greatly improved my marriage. Thanks be to God for providing instruction even on relationships and marriage!

Day 154

I have been putting off the edging on my yard for a while now. I hate it. It seems as though my grass grows faster sideways over the sidewalk than it does upward. The Texas sun does not help either. That to me is the best deterrent for outside work I have ever come across.

This morning I woke up early for a Saturday and I got right out there and pulled weeds and edged. It was surprisingly pleasant for what was going to be one of the hottest days of the summer. It was well overgrown though and it took me several hours (I live on a corner).

The last 2 verses of the reading for today, Proverbs 24 verses 33 and 34 say, "A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man."

I couldn't help but relate this to my edging this morning. I like to sleep in on Saturdays, but in doing so, it prevents me from doing what needs to be done. I think the author of these verses sees the correlation between sleeping or resting to the ultimate end of things getting out of hand; or becoming poverty stricken.

From now on, I will do my best to wake up and tackle what needs to be done and not be lazy. Keeping this mentality will help me, not only with the edging, but also with my life. Thank the Lord for such wise teachings.

Day 153

There was one verse in today's passage that really caught my attention. Proverbs 20 verse 5 says, "The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out."

To me this is saying that only a man of understanding, a wise man, will be able to have purpose in his life. Others may be able to see their purpose in life, but cannot have it or fulfill it.

I also see the connection. The only way to have purpose is to be a man of understanding. And to be a man of understanding, a wise man, one must pursue the Lord in all things. They must chase after Him with their whole heart. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

I will continue to chase after the Lord.

Day 152

I really love the wisdom that is displayed in the book of Proverbs. Chapter 17 verses 27 and 28 says, "Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise..."

This to me is fairly self explanatory and also blows me away! Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise. This is great wisdom to be applied both at home and at work. Thank you Lord for the wisdom shared in the book of Proverbs.

Day 151

This passage was filled with great wisdom. It also covered a broad range. It talked about how the paths of man lead to death, but the paths of God leads to wisdom and life. It talked about how it is better to have little in God rather than riches without Him. It also talked about being slow to anger.

Proverbs 16 verse 32 says, "Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city."

Being able to control your anger is better than the mighty and strong. It is better than one who takes an entire city! I believe this shows how much God values one who can control themselves. Proverbs 14 verse 17 says, "A man of quick temper acts foolishly..."

I believe the Lord greatly values one who is slow to anger and who can control his temper. Therefore, I will continue to do all that I can to be patient and slow to anger.

Day 150

Proverbs 11 verse 24 seems contradictory, but it really stood out for me. It says, "One gives freely, yet grows all the richer, another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want."

This concept is tough for me. I am a numbers guy and I know that if one has a lot of outflow, that reduces the net amount. However, this verse says, one who gives freely grows richer.

This is where my lack of faith really comes in. I know that if I trust in God, I will not want. He will take care of me. Even with the finances. I am working on trusting Him for this and, in the last 150 days, I have come a long ways. But I still have a long ways to go.

I have been finding this verse to be true though. I have noticed this especially when finances are low. I continue to give to the Lord and the finances are always there. I do not understand, but that is why He is God and I am not. I just thank the Lord for being faithful to me and taking care of me, even when the numbers don't add up.

Day 149

I find comfort in Proverbs 8 verse 17. Solomon personifies wisdom in the first several chapters and in verse 17, wisdom says, "I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me."

True wisdom is obtainable. Sometimes it seems as though true wisdom cannot be found or can ever be obtained, but this verse says otherwise. If one seeks diligently, they will find wisdom.

I would by no means consider me wise, but it continues to be one of my goals to find and obtain true wisdom. I will continue to seek diligently for wisdom in the hope of finding it soon.

Day 148

Reading the Bible sometimes scares me. It reveals things to me that make me uneasy. Proverbs 5 verse 21 is one of those passages. It says, "For a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and He ponders all his paths."

God sees all that I do. Not only that, but He also ponders and dwells on them! I know I am by no means a perfect person. Some of the things I do displease even me. So to hear that the Lord not only sees, but ponders all of these shows me just how merciful of a God He is. If He were not, I would not feel Him and see Him in all places. I believe His presence would no longer be with me since I would be too dirty.

So I thank the Lord for being merciful to me. I thank Him for being forgiving and loving and for always being there, even when I am not always faithful to Him. Thank you Lord.