Today's Beginning

Friday... I keep coming back to these two verses. I don't know how many verses I read in a month but there are some that always grab my attention each time I read them. I read Proverbs 23 on the 23rd day of each month so I read verses 17 & 18 each month and they are a great reminder to me each time I read them. Here is what they say in the Amplified Bible and notice that verse 17 starts with a "do not", "Do not let your heart envy sinners [who live godless lives and have no hope of salvation], but [continue to] live in the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the Lord day by day." Ok that is verse 17. It starts with "Do not" and has a "continue to" in the middle.  Now verse 18 starts with the word "Surely, Surely". The NLT says, "You will be." The Message says, "Then", Again the Amplified says, "Surely". I love that word, "Surely" I can count on this being the truth. If I "do not" ...

Tuesday... Two four letter words that are far apart. Both of them are found here in Proverbs 23:17-18 (AMP). The first one is the word envy. It is such an empty word. It has no power in it except to make us depressed, discouraged and dissatisfied.  Here is what it says, "Do not let your heart envy sinners [who live godless lives and have no hope of salvation]," And there is the other four letter word. It is the word hope. Here it is again, "Do not let your heart envy sinners [who live godless lives and have no hope of salvation], but [continue to] live in the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the Lord day by day. Surely there is a future [and a reward], and your hope and expectation will not be cut off." And there is a big, big difference in the two. So what is envy? It is a discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or luck. In no way does envy lift you up.  But hope is another thing. It is a feeling of expectation and a de...