"With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous escape." -- Proverbs 11:9

One thing we must learn when moving from childhood to adulthood is when not to speak.  While there are countless times when it is appropriate to speak up, speak out, and speak loud when doing so, we must come to understand the finesse that is called for in human interaction.  There is an old military saying-- "loose lips sink ships".  It's a good one not just for covert military operations, but life itself.  When we have something good and constructive to share with others, let the lips be free.  When our hearts want to share hurtful and destructive things, we need to tighten up.  How many of the relational problems you've encountered over your life have dealt with ways of speaking (or not speaking) to the people who are important to you?  We don't always behave godly.  That's why this Psalm pertains to all of us.  Know when to speak and what to say when you do.  Know when to be silent.  That will help you escape the relational destruction of life.

Readings:  Numbers 21:1-22:20; Luke 1:26-56; Psalm 57:1-11; Proverbs 11:9-11

"In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise-- in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" -- Psalm 56:10-11

Remember Psalms were songs.  The collection of them comprised the hymnal for all of Israel.  Every song has a story.  For this one, we're not sure of all the details, but we do know that the writer of this Psalm had been seized by the Philistines and was captive.  So what did he do?  He sang.  He took a tune he already knew and put words to it.  And the words he chose were ones that fit the occasion.  What did the song do for him?  My guess is that it calmed him, kept him clear, and spiritually strong.  It reminded him of who he was, and who God was.

Think to a time when music was used in your life when it warranted an emotional or physical response.  When you watch professional sports, does the music get you going?  When you watch a movie, how flat would it be without the music?  Consider the civil rights movement led by Martin Luther King, Jr. when hundreds were arrested at once and all thrown in jail.   What did they do?  They sang hymns.  Music is a powerful, powerful thing.  We don't understand why, only that it is.  Some physicists who are "string theorists" believe that the smallest, most basic structure to all living things is made up of strings. What happens when strings vibrate?  They make sound.  If that's the case, then are we all living, breathing, music?  And is our uniqueness found in that everyone has their own sound?  What music will you make with your sound?   What story will your song tell?

Readings:  Numbers 19:1-20:29; Luke 1:1-25; Psalm 56:1-13; Proverbs 11:8

"Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, 'Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?' But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away." -- Mark 16:2-4

Three grieving women-- Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome had risen early in the morning to go anoint the body of Jesus, which was now a corpse entombed in a cave.  Their minds were foggy, and thinking clearly wasn't a symptom of grief.  Nevertheless, they got their spices together and headed for the tomb.  On the way, they realized the impossible task that was before them.  That tomb was sealed.  There was no way they would be able to roll the stone away from the opening.  The story could have gone like this: "and when they remembered that the stone was blocking the entrance to the tomb, they turned around, went home, and went back to bed."  But it doesn't.  They realize they face the impossible, and keep going.  Not sure how it will happen, they trust that it will happen regardless.  That's faith.  That's perseverance.  That's trust.  Do you live your life with that kind of faith?  What's making you turn around and go back to bed?  Believe, and forge ahead!

Readings: Numbers 16:41-18:32; Mark 16:1-20; Psalm 55:1-23; Proverbs 11:7

"Are you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate. "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. -- Mark 15:2

Why would Jesus answer Pilate's question in the affirmative here, saying he's the "king of the Jews"?  In Pilate's world, to be king was to be emperor... Caesar.  While we don't get the tone of his voice in his asking, I can hear a smirk of sarcasm and a laugh that would indicate how ridiculous Pilate thinks the whole business is.  He's a practical man, and doesn't necessarily want Jesus crucified, but he doesn't much care either.  He's a political leader and the politician has to please the people.  He has an angry crowd outside who are demanding blood, and he needs to make a decision.  He doesn't see Jesus as a criminal, or one deserving to be prosecuted, and he's trying to give Jesus an out.  He'd even be happy to give the crowd Barabbas after not getting much help from Jesus.  But his question lingers: "are you the king of the Jews"... and there's one other thing about the Roman emperor/king that was assumed-- that he was divine.  For Jesus to say he's king means that he claims divine status for himself.  While Pilate laughs, he has no idea what Jesus is talking about.  Jesus remains silent because he knows that he and Pilate do not speak the same language. Pilate wants to hear a legal defense.  Jesus only wants to speak a truth that can be spoken in a tongue unfamiliar to Pilate.  The silence remains.  But the crowd isn't silent.  The crowd clamors for Jesus' life.  Even when Pilate asks them for a legal reason, they too won't speak in Pilate's terms, so they just shout "Crucify him!"  So Pilate washes his hands of the whole mess.  He doesn't understand... cannot understand... and relieves himself of the duty and responsibility, but goes ahead and executes Jesus on their behalf.

Readings: Numbers 15:17-16:40; Mark 15:1-47; Psalm 54:1-7; Proverbs 11:5-6

"A fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good." -- Psalm 53:1

It fascinates me sometimes when I hear someone say they don't believe in God, and yet find them to be loving and caring toward others.  We sometimes view people who do evil and wicked things and say of them, "they have no soul".  And we read this Psalm, and it fits the description of that evil person who lives only for themselves perfectly.  They live their life harming and killing any who get in their path.  Their moral compass is lacking.  Their understanding of right and wrong is warped.  But what to do about two other groups: one being believers who do evil things, and the other being nonbelievers who seem to be saints?

The first group is found everywhere, and for the most part, we are all members of this group.  We sin.  When the world sees us sin, they assign the label "hypocrite" to us, and their suspicion that religion is just a bunch of bull is confirmed.  What they don't see is repentance and the grace that follows.  Yes, this group is massive in scale.  It's called the Church.

The other group is the one more intriguing.  This group is comprised of people who use love as the guiding moral of their life.  They say that they don't believe in God, but they love unconditionally to the point that they would lay their life down for a friend.  This is the very nature of the love Jesus was teaching.  Now if God is Love, as 1 John tells us, and Jesus is the manifestation of God (Love) in human form, and the Spirit is the presence of God (Love) with us now, I wonder what is their definition of God?  Do they know that God is Love?  Do they know that the most important commandments we profess is to love God and love each other?  They follow them quite closely.  Who is this God they're talking about when they say they don't believe?

Readings:  Numbers 14:1-15:16; Mark 14:53-72; Psalm 53:1-6; Proverbs 11:4

"Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 'Abba, Father,' he said, 'everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.'" -- Mark 14:35-36

It's striking to see Jesus in such a vulnerable state.  He realizes what must happen, and that he will soon be carrying a cross and hanging on it. But we see his human side so clearly here.  There's a part of him that doesn't want to accept it.  "Take this cup from me," he prays.  He knows that if God wills it, he might be spared the suffering he's about to endure.  But the other part of the prayer: "yet not what I will, but what you will"... sometimes, it's hard to understand why God would will that we go through times of trial and challenge.  The truth is, we can't see the other side.  We don't have the view God has.  So it comes down to trust.  Do you trust God?  Do you know that he desires the best for you?  It's okay to fear-- we see even Jesus was scared.  But even in that fear, we stay faithful.  It's our prayer that not our will be done, but God's.

Readings:  Numbers 11:24-13:33; Mark 14:22-52; Psalm 52:1-9; Proverbs 11:1-3

"Have mercy on me, O God, according to you unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin." -- Psalm 51:1-2

Need a new start?  How incredible it is to have a God who is one of grace.  None of us deserve to be forgiven for the sins we commit, but God has a justice that transcends that of our human nature.  When you are hobbled with guilt and shame for what you've done, when you truly are sorry... cry out this psalm.  It is one God has heard for thousands of years.   Guilt is something born of the past that paralyzes the present and muddies the future.  God wants us to live now.  Cry out to God, and feel his mercy and grace wash over you, and in Christ, be new again. 

Readings: Numbers 10:1-11:23; Mark 14:1-21; Psalm 51:1-19; Proverbs 10:31-32