The Word of God for wisdom:
Proverbs 18:2-3 (NLT)
2 Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.
3 Doing wrong leads to disgrace, and scandalous behavior brings contempt.
The Word of God for inspiration:
Psalm 146:3-4 (NLT)
3 Don't put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there.
4 When they breathe their last, they return to the earth, and all their plans die with them.
The Word of God for encouragement:
Acts 19:8-10 (HCSB)
8 Then he entered the synagogue and spoke boldly over a period of three months, engaging in discussion and trying to persuade them about the things of the kingdom of God.
9 But when some became hardened and would not believe, slandering the Way in front of the crowd, he withdrew from them and met separately with the disciples, conducting discussions every day in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.
10 And this went on for two years, so that all the inhabitants of Asia, both Jews and Greeks, heard the message about the Lord.
My observation:
Spending time at the beginning of my day in reading and reflecting on the word of God adds so much value to my life.
Before getting out of bed this morning, I read a prayer that said, "Help me contend for the faith without being contentious". I mulled over this, and thought to myself, I need to think about this some more.
Now, I am at my computer, reading my You Version Daily Bible Reading Plan for today, and I come to the New Testament passage from Acts 19. What do I find?
The passage I chose to comment on this morning was in answer to my heart's desire to get some more information on the topic of contending without being contentious. Well, ask, and you shall receive.
I love the King James version of the bible. However, some of the language of 1611 does not mean the same thing in 2012. Here is a case in point.
Acts 19:8 (KJV)
8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.
Acts 19:8 (HCSB)
8 Then he entered the synagogue and spoke boldly over a period of three months, engaging in discussion and trying to persuade them about the things of the kingdom of God.
Acts 19:8 (ESV)
8 And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.
The HCSB and the ESV captures the meaning of the word "disputing" more accurately in today's English. Paul spoke the truth, but he spoke it in love.
The old folks had it right when they told us as children, "You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar".
I think Paul used honey instead of vinegar. The result was that the people listened to him for three months. He preached without compromising the gospel of Christ. How long will people listen if you use vinegar?
My prayer:
Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I thank you for your awesome presence in my life. Lord, I praise you, and I thank you for being a God who is so involved in my life, when I give you access to my whole being.
Father, it is so comforting and reassuring to know that you know everything about me, and that you always have my best interest close to your heart. This knowledge allows me to be open and transparent when I come to you in prayer.
Father God, I pray like David, that you would search me because you know me, and change me because you know what is best for me, so that I can be the person that you want me to be. Amen.
Psalm 139:23-24 (HCSB)
23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.
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8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
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