Todays Beginning

Mark 15:5 (NLT), "But Jesus said nothing, much to Pilate's surprise." Friday... But we need to be in control. At least, we think that is best. In difficult situations we want to have control, don't we? That is the best thing, isn't it? I am reading in the gospel of Mark of Peter's perspective of Jesus' life. Now Peter was one who wanted to be in control and usually he had something to say so this was an interesting view of how Jesus handled a very difficult situation. Yes, Jesus had spent time in prayer before he was arrested. Through prayer he had given control over to God and that is always a wise thing for us to do. We don't always need to be in control. Now the Jewish religious leaders who had major conflict with Jesus and what he taught had arrested him and now they had sent Jesus to Pilate the Roman governor who was in control and it seemed that this was a great time for Jesus to plead his case. But Mark 15:5 (NLT) says, "But Jesus said noth...

Proverbs 3:5 (AMP), "Trust and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight or understanding." Thursday... Yes, let's rely confidently! Yes, there is power in positive thinking. I have made it a challenge in my life to do that. But it really does make a difference on whom we rely. Now Proverbs 3:5 is a great place to go for insight on reliance. It shows both sides. The Amplified Bible says "Trust and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight or understanding." Of course it can be so easy to rely on ourselves and our experiences and our own insight and understanding, can't it? Now those last two words, insight and understanding are interesting. But can we rely confidently with all our heart on our own insight and understanding? Another good question.  Look at verse 11. It says, "Do not reject or take lightly the discipline of the Lord [learn from your mistakes and the test...

Psalms 2:12b (MSG), "But if you make a run for God - you won't regret it!" Wednesday... We will not regret it! Now Psalms 2:12b in The Message Paraphrase says, "But if you make a run for God - you won't regret it!" The New Living Translation says, "But what joy for all who take refuge in him!" And the Amplified Bible says, "How blessed [fortunate. prosperous, and favored by God] are all those who take refuge in Him." Now there are so many people who do not know this to be true.  In the beginning three verses of this Psalm (NLT) it says, "Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans? The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one. 'Let us break their chains,' they cry, 'and free ourselves from slavery to God.'" That is how so many people who have never had a relationship with God feel. They want to free us from God. ...

Psalms 1:1a (AMP), "Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked." Tuesday... So, this is the way it starts. I love reading the book of Psalms which is in the Old Testament of the Bible. I have systematically read it everyday for 40+ years. There are 150 Psalms and they can be read one at a time in five months. I just finished Psalms 150 on March 30 and have on April 1 just read in 6 different translations Psalms 1. Now April 1 is April Fools Day. It is a fun day but Psalm 1 is the truth and this is how it starts in the NIV. Verse 1a says, "Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked." The Amplified Bible says it this way, "Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked [following their advice and example]. And then the whole verse in The Message says, "How well God must like you - you don't walk in the ruts of those blind-as-pats, you don't stand with t...