Today’s Hebrew Testament chronological reading is in Ecclesiastes 3 and 4.
The Psalms/ Proverbs reading is in Psalm 6.
The Greek Testament reading is in Luke 14.
ESSENTIAL STUDIES.
Ecclesiastes 3 and 4, Chiastic structures
Additional studies: Ecclesiastes Index
The wisdom in this brief passage helps us to see that when we encourage and build each other up, we nourish not each other but ourselves, but when we quarrel, criticize, and demoralize each other, we are consuming not each other, but ourselves. But beyond this, when either husband or wife gets involved in something to the exclusion of the other, whether it is work, hobby, ministry, kids, or whatever else it might be, whatever we might gain from that (“with both hands full”) is ultimately foolishness and vanity when it comes at the cost of consuming one another — even if that consumption is passive through neglect, rather than active through negativity. Help me to keep growing as a handmaid of which You are proud, Father! ♥
Psalm 6, Hearing means doing
Additional studies: Psalms Book One: 1-41 Index
Now we see that the flip side also applies: When God has heard (shama) the believer’s prayer, meaning, to not just hear, but to hear and then to answer, then David has assurance that the answer to his prayer is on its way.
Luke 14, Small beginnings
Additional studies: Luke Index
The kingdom of heaven begins as a small seed in each person’s life. It is hidden, not visible at first. But, it grows over time. The parable of the fig tree shows that both time and nourishment are necessary in order to produce fruit. And, given that, it produces a beneficial result, it produces good fruit. So also is the kingdom of heaven when it is sown into a family, a community, a nation, and a world. It begins as a hidden seed, but given time and nourishment, there will be a good and beneficial result in the end.
Fruit is the evidence of the kingdom. It’s the tell! Repentance, humility, self-sacrificial love, generosity, works of righteousness; all of these will be present where the kingdom is present.
THREE-YEAR BIBLE.
The three-year plan is here.
Today’s reading is in Nehemiah 2.
Suggested study: Nehemiah 2, Bible for Beginners.
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