Day 179..."Halfway through the content not year" David becomes King...Everything is vanity...Jesus prays a model prayer"

We are half-way through the content of the Bible but not the year. Our half-way point through the year will come in a few days. David becomes King of Israel at age 30 and rules for 40 years. The Ark of the Lord arrives and there is merry in the air. This angers Saul's daughter.
We begin Ecclesiastes today and read that life is vanity and there is nothing new under the sun.
Hang in there...inspiration will come in this short Book. Jesus prays for Himself, His disciples and the world in John 17. This is a good model for prayer. As we lift our prayers, our circle becomes bigger. I think I will use this model for a few days of praying for self (family), church, and the world.

Halfway Point!!! Day 178..."David rises and so does violence,,,Eloquent words...Jesus has overcome the world"

There is gruesome violence in the Book of II Samuel. The violent deaths are difficult to read and understand. The redemption of God is greater than all the violence. Perhaps this is the good news in all these viscious acts...God's redemption for humankind is greater than any act of violence. In spite of it all...David continues to rise as a King. From the violence of II Samuel we move to the Eloquence of some of the words on par with I Corinthians 13. These words are about a wife..."Strength and dignity are her clothing,and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom,and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her householdand does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed;her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently,but you surpass them all.” Jesus promises the Holy Spirit and forecasts difficult times will come. He also says He has overcome the world. In a brief but unlasting response the disciples appear to understand. Jesus says one of the strongest statements in the Gospel of John..."I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” CONGRATULATIONS WE ARE HALF WAY THROUGH THE BIBLE!

Day 177..."David becomes King of Judah...Stupid?...Hatred"

David heard of the news of Saul and Jonathan's death. He grieved and I am guessing it was over Jonathon more than Saul. The messenger said he killed Saul and we read differently yesterday. His approach with the news resulted in David killing him. Was he seeking a better fate with a lie? David does become King of Judah. Did the writer of Proverbs really say that? He must have had a bad day when he wrote..."Surely I am too stupid to be a man.I have not the understanding of a man." Jesus says hatred will come from the world and He also promises the Holy Spirit.

Day 176..."Saul wounded and takes his life...With no vision the people perish...Love"

I Samuel ends with the story of the death of Saul. He is wounded and asks to be taken out of misery. When he is refused he falls on the sword himself. Saul is one of the saddest personalities of the Bible in life and in death. An often quoted proverb that lifts up vision..."Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint." True words then and now. Vision sees beyond what is visible and what one can grasp. As in the sermon Sunday...Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. We are to bear fruit, discard unnecessary branches, and prune that we can bear more fruit. As in I Corinthians 13, love is the greatest!
Jesus says..."“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." Love and bearing fruit go hand and hand.

Day 175..."David's legend continues...integrity...Jesus promises to be with us"

David found popularity among the Philistines but some feared he would become an adversary in the midst of battle. He was sent on his way with his men. Upon returning...David discovered his wives had been taken and he overtook the Amelekites...and order was restored. There were 200 men who stayed behind exhausted. Human nature was evidenced when those who faught did not want to share the spoil recovered. David put his foot down and said all were to receive the same. Proverbs focuses on integrity..."Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways." Also..."A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched." Jesus promises the Holy Spirit and says..." Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." God's Spirit is available to us today to comfort and calm our fears.

Day 174..."Saul's troubles continue...Tomorrow is only certain in Jesus"

Saul is still disturbed and unraveling in every chapter. David flees to the Philistines for over a year and continues to mount up victories. One scene difficult to follow is Saul in conversation with Samuel who is dead. Is this some kind of spirit? Or other supernatural encounter. Whatever Saul continues to lose it. The Proverbs warns of boasting about tomorrow ..."
Do not boast about tomorrow,for you do not know what a day may bring."
Jesus offers the only certain security for tomorrow with His teaching of life and Heaven. The words of Jesus change lives especially these words...
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life."

Day 173..."Samuel dies...David marries...Saul is up to no good again..."Heaven Waits"

Samuel dies. Little is said about his death compared to other Biblical heroes. He is significant by implementing a King system for Israel. David marries Abigail...and another. This practice of numerous wives is confusing with David and later Solomon. Saul is still around and is out for David again. David again shows mercy. These dramatic encounters reveal the best and worst in human nature. The Proverbs are especially creative today about meddling..."Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his ownis like one who takes a passing dog by the ears" and "For lack of wood the fire goes out,and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases." The teachings of Jesus provides some of the most comforting words of all...“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” We are never alone and Heaven is in our future...reassuring words indeed!

Day 172..."David is a Big Person...A Word Fitly Spoken...Jesus teaches a new commandment"

David flees Saul and finds the "Rock of Escape." Ever looked for a place like that? Just when you think David is turning a coward after his heroic confrontation of Goliath fades...he proves himself to be a big person! He catches Saul unaware and can kill him but chooses to honor his life. (Even though Saul was out to kill him) This "kill him with kindness" attitude worked. The Proverbs reminds us of the power of our words..."A word fitly spokenis like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold." Proverbs also speaks of timely words with rulers...just like in the instance of David and Samuel..."With patience a ruler may be persuaded,and a soft tongue will break a bone. I know some people around Cokesbury who can say a timely word! Thank God for them. Jesus teaches of a new commandment..."A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” He later knows this commandment will be tested when Peter denies and Judas betrays Him.

Day 171..."David Continues to Hide from Saul...Strength in wisdom and service"

In our reading from I Samuel 21, 22; David dramatically seeks to hide and find security from Saul. King Saul is now officially "off his rocker." Remember all of this started by jealousy...The little jingle ..."Saul struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands’?” Saul could not handle David's popularity and all the details like killing 80 priests ...are all rooted in the deadly sin of "envy." The Proverbs offers more truth about evil rulers... "Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them, for their hearts devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble." Stability comes from the wisdom of the Lord as indicated by the words..."By wisdom a house is built,and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filledwith all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is full of strength,and a man of knowledge enhances his might." Jesus offers another way to be strong today...be a servant. Jesus washes His disciples feet and says..."If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him." Strength comes by serving others.

Day 170..."Saul becomes unstable...Jesus attracts a large crowd"

In reading the story in I Samuel, we see a sad story of Saul's instability and insecurity. He becomes unstable through jealousy of David's accomplishments and feats. David and Jonathon form a special friendship and devise a plan of shooting arrows. The outcome is David will have to seek safety and leave. Saul is unstable and irrational. Ironically the 23rd Proverb also speaks of the dangers of dining with rulers..."When you sit down to eat with a ruler, observe carefully what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite." Power does corrupt and desiring power distorts life. Jesus enters Jerusalem to a large crowd. They have heard of the rising of Lazarus from the dead. The motivations of the Pharisees is also stated in the text... "for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God." A good question for us to ask..."what motivates us?"

Day 169..."Jealousy will kill you...Judas fights another green eyed monster."

Saul is bothered that the Legend of David begins to grow. Jealousy sets in big time and David will eventually flee for his life, as Saul tries to kill him. The Proverb says... "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,and favor is better than silver or gold." Perhaps the most quoted Proverb follows..."Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." Is this teaching true some people ask if their children fall away? Children may fall away for awhile but they will likely return to their teaching. Planting good seeds as a parent usually out does sowing wild seeds in a life time! Jesus has His feet annointed with expensive oil by Mary. Judas objects. We know about Judas's insincerity about the poor. He had another angle of profit in mind. He like Saul battled himself and a green eyed monster...his may have been greed instead of jealousy. Regardless... he missed a beautiful moment.

Day 168..."Saul begins to falter...David emerges...Lazarus"

In today's reading, we begin to see the faltering of Saul. The Lord gives a direct word about what is most important in leadership..."For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” This would be true with young, ruddy, and handsome David. We will read much more about David. Proverbs offers clear words..."The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance,but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty" and "Whoever pursues righteousness and kindnesswill find life, righteousness, and honor." In today's John reading, we have the amazing life changing or should I say "life raising" story of Lazarus! Four days dead left no doubt he was really dead. (this was beyond any doubt and would also be a part of Jesus' resurrection, after three days) Jesus' raising Lazarus from the dead created a stir. It was no longer possible for Jesus to walk as openly around those who would plot to kill Him.

Day 167..."Saul...Gray hair...Resurrection"

Saul becomes King and leads Israel against the mighty Philistines. He does so with success and his son, Jonathon, also leads with great success. Samuel does begin to show some instability along the way. The last statement today is revealing of Saul..."There was hard fighting against the Philistines all the days of Saul. And when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he attached him to himself." We will read more of Saul's instability later. Proverbs continues to speak such wisdom in common sense statements..."The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made them both." It is possible to have hearing and not hear and sight and not see. There is an appeal not to be lazy..."Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread." Also, there is another word about gray hair..."The glory of young men is their strength,but the splendor of old men is their gray hair." Jesus declares..."I am the resurrection and the life" in hearing of the news of the death of Lazarus. This teaching is one of the centerpieces of our belief in Heaven. Jesus goes on to say..."Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live." At the scene of the death of Lazarus Jesus is moved to tears. He shows His emotion and humanity.

Day 166..."Saul prevails...Samuel's Eloquence...Can you fall from grace?"

Saul prevails in a contest of wills. I noticed Samuel's eloquence in a what he says...“Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name's sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.” Among the proverbs gems today..."Whoever gets sense loves his own soul;he who keeps understanding will discover good" and "Good sense makes one slow to anger,and it is his glory to overlook an offense" and "Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord,and he will repay him for his deed." Jesus says His sheep shall not be snatched from Him. This passage is one of the basis for "once saved always saved" theology. My understanding is both "falling from and returning to grace" is possible. I view this passage more about God's faithfulness in times of trouble. The critics of Jesus are picking up stones again! Jesus returns to the place of baptism and people do perceive words of John the Baptist true.

Day 165..."Searching for donkeys and finding a king...Isolation...Abundant Life"

Saul's story is very unusual. He went searching for donkeys and wound finding a king. God does use ordinary events to lead people to their appointed times and places. Saul was also head and shoulders above everyone else...literally. Isolation may be one of the greater problems in our culture today. The Proverbs nails the danger of withdrawing..."Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment." Opinions are overated as well..."A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,but only in expressing his opinion." Jesus says..."I am the door" and "I am the good shepherd." One of the passages I like to quote and keep to memory is John 10:10..."I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." Anything less than Jesus' abundant life is robbing what God intented.

Day 164..."Samuel points to God the people ask for a King..."gems"...Seeing Jesus"

As the Ark is returned and what Israel had lost to the Philistines, Samuel points to God but the people ask for a King. The kind of King they want is one that will make them powerful like the Philistines. After all God has done from Egypt forward, Israel still doesn't get where their real strength come from! The gems I see today from the Proverbs are..."Better is a dry morsel with quietthan a house full of feasting with strife"..."Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,and the glory of children is their fathers" and a word about being cool..."Whoever restrains his words has knowledge,and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding." Jesus continues to open the eyes of the healed man...this time he sees Jesus (spiritually)...and the Pharisees eyes remain shut to the truth.

Day 163..."The Ark creates havoc for the Philistines...Proverbs 16 Gems...Blind is more than not seeing"

The Ark of the Lord was not welcomed in the land of the Philistines, after plagues appeared in an Egyptian kind of way. They sent the Ark away and it made it back to Israel by way of cows and a cart. The gems of Proverbs 16 are also abundant..."Commit your work to the Lord,and your plans will be established"..."The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps" and one of the most quotable..."Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."
Jesus heals a blind man but the story is more about the "blindness" of the Pharisees. Amazingly, the miracle of a blind man seeing was missed because of a perceived Sabbath violation. The presence of spiritual blindness is more disturbing than a person without physical sight. Helen Keller once said the greatest limitation was "to have sight and no vision." The man healed was not a theologian but did recognize the power of God..."Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”

Day 162..."I'm Listening Lord...gems...more stones"

Samuel hears a voice in the night. He thinks it is Eli... but it is the Lord. Samuel responds with the third incident..."speak Lord Your servant is listening." This is our best response as well. The hymn, "Here I am Lord" refers to being called in the night. My story contains such a midnight stirring and listening to God. Israel loses the Ark of the Covenant and they will need a hero to help them against the mighty Philistines. Any guesses? The first two do not count. The fifteenth Proverb is loaded with gems(I like it best so far) ..."A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" and..."A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed" and "without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed." Jesus speaks directly to the Jews about Satan being a liar and God the source of truth. This is a very interesting dialogue paralleling good and evil.. Jesus relates himself to Abraham. The Jews respond in a testy way..."you are not even 50 years old." Jesus then claims to precede Abraham! The anger escalates! Yesterday, the stones went down(woman caught in adultery)... but today they are back in the hands of the religious people!

Day 161..."Another amazing birth story...Do not throw stones but seek grace"

Hannah has to endure being belittled for not having children. This story has a real human face, as many struggle over competitive issues today. Penennah was a piece of work as she knew how to push Hannah's buttons In an emotional response, Hannah pours out her heart...“No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord." Her prayer is answered! She will not only have a son but a very special son...Samuel. The Proverbs offers many gems today..."Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox." Does this mean a little clutter means producing! Also..."The simple believes everything,but the prudent gives thought to his steps." And..."A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot." There are some warnings about anger as well today. There are also words to the Nation..."Righteousness exalts a nation,but sin is a reproach to any people." Jesus intervenes with the woman caught in adultery and utters words that change our view of sin...“Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” There is a difference between "throwing stones" and "standing in the need of God's grace." Obviously, Jesus is challenging the woman to leave her life of sin. Another "I am" saying appears..."I am the light of the world."

Day 160..."David's genealogy..."Spankings"..."Nicodemus sighting."

Ruth marries Boaz and they bear a son. The son is the reason there is such drama with the threshing floor and the term "redeem." In the last verses of this short Book is the significance of the child..."They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David." David's lineage, as Jesus', comes from Ruth's faithfulness to her mother-in-law. The Proverbs continue to offer gems..."Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life;he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin" and one of the most famous ones..."Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him." Child rearing has many philosophies but this one is often quoted. Spankings are controversial from some and necessary for others. Why did Jesus rock the establishment and threaten? Today's reading in John offers one reason...“Why did you not bring him?” The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this man!” We have another Nicodemus sighting today. Sound like he is moving toward new birth, when he defends Jesus...“Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” They replied, “Are you from Galilee too?" Nicodemus' answer stood out!

Day 159..."Loyalty...Gems...Jesus"

One of the most loyal lines of the Bible is found in the Book of Ruth. In Naomi's loss of a son and Ruth a husband, tradition would have it they would part ways but Ruth says..."For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” The Proverbs contain "gems" like..."Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid" and "Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down,but a good word makes him glad" and "In the path of righteousness is life,and in its pathway there is no death." Jesus was being confronted by the Jews in the "Festival of the Booths" and Jesus has a saying that reveals the inner heart as opposed to appearance..."Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

Day 158..."Wife Supply...Gems...Jesus' Teaching about bread of life."

The Benjamites were so decimated from the loss of life in the conflict with Israel that wives were needed to repopulate. Israel complied by providing a wife supply. The Proverbs has several pearls of wisdom today such as..."One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched,and one who waters will himself be watered" and "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety." Jesus teaches and the disciples have difficulty understand Jesus as the "bread of life" and His body being the source of life. Our vantage point of Holy Communion makes this more understood. We can only imagine how confusing this teaching was to the disciples and how it angered the Jews.

Day 157..."A Gory Story...Love...Bread"

Judges 19 and 20 contain a very gory story. A concubine is brutally apprehended and gang raped through the night. She dies the next day. In protest she is cut in 12 pieces to show the indignant violation...in outrage a war breaks out. Israel prevails in seeking justice over the tribe of Benjamin and thousands die. Proverbs speaks of love covering hatred..."Hatred stirs up strife,but love covers all offenses." In John are the miracles of the "feeding the five thousand", "walking on water", and the teaching of Jesus being the bread of life. This is the first of seven "I am" sayings of John. More will come later.

Day 156..."No leadership people will do what is right in their own eyes...Jesus offers eternal life"

A very revealing statement is found in Judges today..."In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes." Israel did what was right in their own eyes. Imagine how chaotic things become when we leave "what is right" in the eyes of the beholder.
The message of the Bible contains truth and this is one reason human opinion is not always inadequate. We need some higher authority in seeking to do what is right. God's Word provides this for us. Proverbs also says this today..."The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight." Jesus offers good news in chapter five..."Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life." He relates Himself as the Word of God...though His hearers do not recognize this truth.

Day 155..."Amazing Sampson Stories...Healing after 38 Years"

Sampson was amazing in strength and stories. He tied foxes tails together and burned them, killed a 1000 people with the jawbone of an ass. Later he would bring down an imposing structure. He lied when asked the soure of his strength. What an amazing story of "good hair." The Proverbs speak so plainly do they not..."Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates,waiting beside my doors. For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord, but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death.” God wants to bless, do we make the choices not to be? One of my favorite stories is the man at the Pool of Bethesda. He was lame 38 years. Jesus invited him to be well. The man was "in a rut" awaiting fulfillment of angels stirring the water. Is insanity expecting a different result and doing the same thing over and over again? Jesus offered a new choice...rising up and walk! This man found hope after awaiting thirty-eight years! Hope is possible for us! What a life changing story!

Day 154..."Sampson another birth story...A riddle...Samaritans respond to Jesus"

Manoah's wife was told by an angel she would have a special son. The angel said the son was not to drink wine or cut his hair...Sampson is one of the most well known people in the Bible.
His marriage, the killing of the lion with bare hands, and a riddle that caused death are all amazing stories. Proverbs seven is much like six and five. There is a warning about the destruction that can come through an adulterous relationship. Is this not a metaphor for Israel's unfaithfulness to God?..."And now, O sons, listen to me,and be attentive to the words of my mouth. Let not your heart turn aside to her ways;do not stray into her paths, for many a victim has she laid low,and all her slain are a mighty throng. Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death." Jesus' acceptance of the Samaritan woman influenced others to respond to His teachings, as He remained with the Samaritans two days. In the second sign of Jesus' public ministry, He heals an official's son near where He turned the water into wine.

Day 153..."Don't call us we will call you...who said pronoucing names right is not important...Jesus crosses barriers and offers living water"

Jephthah was the son of a prostitute and received cold treatment from his brothers. Israel did need Jephthah, when the conflict came with the Ammonites. This story resembles Joseph and his brothers a bit. In the end, Jephthah prevailed by the power of God for Israel. Then a password of shorts made for another interesting story..."And when any of the fugitives of Ephraim said, “Let me go over,” the men of Gilead said to him, “Are you an Ephraimite?” When he said, “No,” they said to him, “Then say Shibboleth,” and he said, “Sibboleth,” for he could not pronounce it right." The fugitives of Ephraim were stuck in a lie. The Lord hates six things says the Proverb..."There are six things that the Lord hates,seven that are an abomination to him:haughty eyes, a lying tongue,and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans,feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies,and one who sows discord among brothers." Jesus crosses three barriers in the life changing story of the woman at the well. 1) Speaking to a woman which was not the custom of the day. 2) Speaking to a Samaritan who was despised by the Jews. 3) Talking to a woman of questionable character with five husbands. Jesus offers to this woman the "water of life" and she is so excited she leaves her water bottle behind. Jesus is the living water!

Day 152..."Talking Trees and a ruthless leader...A great New Year's Message!"

Abimelech rose to power, through ruthlessly killing his brothers, and started a series of battles. He prevailed for three years. There is a metaphor of talking trees to set the stage for his ouster. Abimelech had command over aggressive troops. He survived by planning ambushes and ironically it was one woman with a millstone that brought him down. In embarrassment, he demanded to be killed by a soilder instead. Various leaders follow Abimelech and God's patience is tested as the people of Israel again fall away. Faithfulness and discipline stand out in chapter five of Proverbs. The clincher comes in the final verse.."He dies for lack of discipline, and because of his great folly he is led astray." Life which is faithful brings life and unfaithfulness will lead to destruction. John the Baptist knows his role and says simply...
"He must increase, but I must decrease.” This is a great message four days into 2007!

Day 151..."A Hero...Running in Wisdom...Nick at Night or in the "Nick of Time"

Gideon becomes a hero and prevails over Midian. There are some odd ways of dividing people, including laping water, but several victories for Israel. The people starved for leadership beg Gideon to lead them but he responds..."I will not rule over you, and my son will not rule over you; the Lord will rule over you.” What a leader! Proverbs, chapter four, lifts up the virtues of wisdom..."I have taught you the way of wisdom;I have led you in the paths of uprightness. When you walk, your step will not be hampered,and if you run, you will not stumble. Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;guard her, for she is your life." The conversion of Nicodemus offers one of many life changing stories in John. The greatest distance for some is eleven inches...the distance from the head to the heart. This was surely the case for Nicodemus. The metaphor of a second birth was used to make this connection. Did Nicodemus follow Jesus following the invitation to be "born anew"? We will read of Nicodemus more in the Gospel of John. John 3:16 is more than a message near a football goalpost...it is the good news for the world. John 3:17 is also good news!

Day 150..."Song of Deborah...A way to peace and purpose...Clueless"

Judges, chapter five is the long and extended Song of Deborah expressing the national victory of Israel. According to the NIV notes a commemorative song was a common practice. In chapter six, God's strength in the face of human weakness is highlighted...“Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.” And the Lord said to him, “But I will be with you." This theme of strength in weakness is prevalent throughout the Bible. Proverbs 3 contains one of my favorite passages..."Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Is this not the way to a purpose and peace? John introduces the cleansing of the temple early in His Gospel. Also, we read where Jesus references his death and resurrection in comparison to the temple. The hearers were clueless as to what this meant.

Day 149..."A sequence of turning away and God raising up leaders...Water into Wine"

The Book of Judges records the people turning away from God and into the hands of other nations. On each occasion with Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah and Barak...God raised Israel brough Israel back. This is also a sequence we see throughout the Old Testament. Israel turning away and Israel returning to God. Proverbs chapter two focuses on all of the good attributes of those who follow the Word of God...integrity, wisdom, understanding, knowledge, wisdom, justice, and lasting stability. Jesus' first public miracle is turning the "water into wine" in the Gospel of John. The mother of Jesus prompts the miracle. In the Kingdom of God, the touch of Jesus brings a higher quality as the master of the feast said the best wine came last. This was the opposite of the tradition of the other feasts, when the good wine would be served first. Jesus elevates both the quanity and the quality of the wedding feast through the miracle...and also makes His mother happy!