October 8

October 8
One Year Bible Readings:
Jeremiah 10:1-11:23
Colossians 3:18-4:18
Psalm 78:56-72
Proverbs 24:28-29
Supplemental Reading for The One Year Bible.
The following are excerpts from Mike’s One Year Bible Blog.

Jeremiah:
Jeremiah chapter 10 today is a powerful look at "idols." Back in Jeremiah's days we're talking about little chiseled "gods" made out of wood & stone. But today? Q: What are our idols? Perhaps our money, our jobs, our status, our relationships, our technology :), our lust - or perhaps even ourselves? Jeremiah 10:10 reminds us: "But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God, the eternal King." All of our idols are not True, though we often hope they will be. Our idols will deliver us nothing. God and His Son will deliver life to the fullest!
10/8 - Jeremiah's Prayer is 10:23-24 is such a beautiful prayer :
"I know, O Lord , that a man's life is not his own;
it is not for man to direct his steps.
Correct me, Lord , but only with justice-
not in your anger,
lest you reduce me to nothing."
I like that Jeremiah says in this prayer, "Correct me, Lord". He knows there is correction to be made in his life - even a prophet of God knew his need of correction! This is a nice example of humility to say the least.
Q: How often do you pray to God "correct me"? Why might this be a good prayer? Do you need God to correct you? Will you allow God to direct your steps?

Colossians:
Today we wrap up our reading of the book of Colossians! Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians begins tomorrow! Colossians 4:6 today is fantastic: "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Let your conversation be always full of grace.
Q: How often is this true for us? Are there times when our conversation is un-graceful? Judgmental perhaps? Angry? Curt? But Grace... that's something to strive for in all of our conversations! If we are grace-full in our conversations, where does that Grace come from?

Psalm:
Psalm 78 verse 57 is a metaphor that I pray is never used upon any of us! :) "They were as useless as a crooked bow." Can you imagine a worse insult? Well, yeah, I suppose there are worse. But coming from a Psalmist, this is no good.
Q: What does it mean to be a crooked bow? What does it mean to be a straight bow? How is your bow these days? Crooked, and perhaps focused on things of this world? (and thus basically useless) Or straight, and focused on advancing the Kingdom of God in your life and the lives of others around you? (and thus very useful)

Proverbs:
Proverbs 24:28-29 teaches us: "Do not testify against your neighbor without cause, or use your lips to deceive. Do not say, "I'll do to him as he has done to me; I'll pay that man back for what he did."" (NIV) This is a powerful reminder that revenge is a bad idea! As is lying - particularly against innocent neighbors!  
Q: Any chance we ever plot revenge or lie against others without cause in our lives today? Think this is pleasing to God?  Let us instead live by the Holy Spirit and only be pure witnesses of Truth!

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