Category: Bible (Page 380 of 419)

I don’t usually feel comfortable sending up prayers of complaint, but David felt no such hesitations. Hear me, my God, as I voice my complaint, introduces his prayer in Psalm 64. Sounds like the start of a long HR meeting.

Do we really have the right to complain to God? After all, God granted us life, and all we have comes from his hands. David, a man after God’s own heart, voiced his frustrations with frankness and specificity.

Apparently, God can handle our complaints, and welcomes honesty in our prayer life. It’s deeply encouraging to me to know that I can talk to the Lord about my gripes, as well as my desires and needs and hopes and wonders.

Week nine of reading the Bible cover to cover

Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.

Psalm 112:5

Generosity pays off. The generous giver benefits along with the recipient of their generosity. Usually more so.

Coupling generosity with justice adds depth and power to relationships. Giving the benefit of the doubt, handing someone a second chance, listening longer and speaking less, seeking to understand before judging – all these reflect generosity.

Generosity in finances and resources, along with generosity of spirit and good will, lead to experiencing the best in each other.

Perhaps this reflects the good that comes to those who live generous lives.

Week nine of reading the Bible cover to cover

…who are true to him. (Psalm 31:23)

How do we stay true to the Lord? By following the leading of the Holy Spirit, and by understanding and applying the teachings of the Holy Scriptures.

One of the primary benefits of reading the Bible cover to cover, reading broadly across great swaths of scripture, is that it helps me attempt to stay true to the Lord – and I need all the help I can get.

Books about scripture are educational. I own hundreds. Talks from Bible teachers are insightful. I’ve listened to thousands. But nothing substitutes for the daily discipline of cracking open my Bible and reading it for myself.

Keep at it.

Week eight of reading the Bible cover to cover