Category: Bible (Page 315 of 419)

The writer of psalm 148, whom we do not know, encourages the exuberant and expansive praise of God. The writer hopes to fill the air with praise from everybody and everything. Here’s a partial list of his potential praisers:

Angels, heavenly hosts, sun and moon, shining stars (in the skies and from Hollywood, I presume), waters above the skies, sea creatures, lightning, hail, snow, fruit trees, wild animals, cattle, small creatures, birds, kings, princes, rulers, young men and women, old men and children.

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

I’m sure he intends such acclaim from me and for you as well. Sounds like a good habit to practice in 2022. Praise the Lord every day, thanking him for his wonderful gifts. Complain less, and celebrate the Lord more.

Praise the Lord.

Psalm 148 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Joshua Earle

Lots of baking happened at our house over Christmas and the New Year holidays. We’ve had family home, and between their favorites, and friends dropping by plates full of goodies, I’ve enjoyed lots of delightful treats, filled with sugar and spice. My midsection bears proof of my pleasure.

The flavors we enjoy meld together during the baking process. Beginning from separate ingredients, fusing in the heat of the oven, they re-form into wonderful delicacies. Which we top with sugar.

Much like how the Lord made you and me and every person who ever lived.

God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

The Lord underscored the value of human life when He carefully instructed Noah on life after the flood. God stressed that if anyone sheds human blood, then their life is forfeit—for in the image of God has God made mankind.

God baked his image into you and me. Every person who’s ever lived, male or female, bears the flavor of that image. As a result, to destroy an image-bearer carries profound consequences.

Every person I will meet today holds the image of the God I claim to follow. The way I interact with my fellow image bearers reveals a great deal about whether my claims of devotion in my quiet room match my practices once I leave the house.

Genesis 1 & 9 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Monika Grabkowska

When I sit down to read from my Bible, or when I listen to the words of Scripture, I always try to preface my time with a simple prayer. A few words to help me focus, and more importantly, to invite the Holy Spirit’s involvement. I don’t want to just scan words across a page (which sometimes happens), but I hope the wisdom contained sinks deep roots into my heart.

The following are a few passages from scripture that I pray regularly, cycling through them at different times. I’ll share the passage and then the prayer I say from it.

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.

Lord, as I read today, open my eyes and let me see the wonderful things in your law.

Psalm 119:18

I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord.

Lord, please give me a heart to know you, and may this time in your word grow that heart.

jeremiah 24:7

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

Lord, may this time in your word bring light to my path.

psalm 119:105

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 

Lord, I want to know you better. Please grant me your Spirit of wisdom and revelation as I spend time in your word.

ephesians 1:17

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

Lord, open my mind so that I can understand these Scriptures.

Luke 24:45

As you can see, I simply pray the line from scripture back to the Lord. It’s not hard, as long as I remember to do it, and I write these prayers in my journal so I won’t forget.

Inviting the Holy Spirit to read over my shoulder helps me gain the most from the time I devote to reading or listening to the Scriptures. On my own I gain head knowledge, but with the Holy Spirit I gain his knowledge.

Which is what I’m after.

Photo by Patrick Fore

As a person who likes to mess around in my yard and garden beds, I carry a distinct aversion to thorns. Most weeds popping up are simply annoying, but certain ones here in Colorado carry tiny thorns, painful when I grab the plant to yank it from the ground. These require leather gloves to pull without cussing (or at least with only a minimum of curses).

Jesus tells us of a sower, a planter of seed, who also dealt with thorns. Some of the seed fell upon rocky soil and failed to properly root. Others fell in an area infested with thorns. The seed grew, but the power of the thorns choked out the mature plants.

The parable refers to the word of God, and you and I the seed scattered across the fields. I picture myself in the field of thorns:

Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.

The phrase Jesus chose—the desire for other things—rings loud. What other things?

Literally, as I read this passage, I thought about checking a detail on the phone in my pocket. This very instant. I desire endless scrolling. I desire more stuff and more entertainment, and I’m already mourning the coming conclusion of the football season (while my wife rejoices). I desire to know the news of the world, and I hope to look good in the eyes of those around me.

One more desire bubbles up. I allow thorns to root in order to avoid the introspection the Holy Spirit brings, especially through quiet, unhindered time in the scriptures. The thorns suffocate his quiet voice, allowing me to roll forward in an oblivious haze of digital living.

In my garden, thorns take a practiced eye and thick gloves to clear. Thorns are ever present, and I’m always looking to nip them in the bud. In my life, I need the Lord to help me identify the thorns, and give me the grace and courage to clear them.

Here’s to a thornless, or more in line with real life—a thorn inhibited—2022.

Mark 4 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Jesse Dodds