"He who digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit he has made. The trouble he causes recoils on himself; his violence comes down on his own head." -- Psalm 7:15-16

While not directly connected, this verse reminds me of the saying "You can't dig yourself out of a hole".  The teaching is thousands of years old, and yet, after thousands of years, are we still trying to dig ourselves out of holes we create.  The good news about holes is that they can be filled.  But when you're in it, sometimes you have to swallow your pride and ask others to help fill so that you can step up and eventually out of the pit.  If you're in a pit, a hole, a trench... whatever... don't worry.  You're not the first, and you won't be the last to be in such a situation. Do not despair.  Do not dig any further.  Get a plan and get some help and take it one step at a time.   Hopefully we can learn within our lifetime how to rise up and not just walk on the ground above, but to one day soar above it.

Readings:  1 Chronicles 7:1-8:40; Acts 27:1-20; Psalm 7:1-17; Proverbs 18:22

"On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. In my obsession against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them." -- Acts 26:10-11

The one speaking is Paul.  He does not have a rosy future on earth in front of him.  He will be imprisoned, tortured, and killed.  He will have fallen from the heights of worldly power to the humiliation of being put to death by ones who once respected him.  Yet he is a free man.  He is free because he lives in the truth and confesses his wrongs.  He once was lost, but no longer.  He lives in the grace and forgiveness of Christ.

What keeps you living in the shadows?  What keeps you from experiencing the freedom of Christ and the grace that will allow you to live a new life?  Find a trusted friend, a confidant, or a counselor, and share your life.  You too can be free again.

Readings:  1Chronicles 5:18-6:81; Acts 26:1-32; Psalm 6:1-10; Proverbs 18:20-21

"Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies-- make straight your way before me." -- Psalm 5:8

The prayer of the Psalmist is a model for each of us.  In our various roles in life, we are called to lead or to follow.  So many would have us follow them and then lead.  But how can we lead if we've not learned by following the right leader?  If you want peace, if you want hope, if you want love, you must go to the Source and follow where he leads.  Pray for the humility necessary to follow Christ.  And then follow where he leads.

Readings:  1 Chronicles 4:5-5:17; Acts 25:1-27; Psalm 5:1-12; Proverbs 18:19

"Many are asking, 'Who can show us any good?' Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord.'" -- Psalm 4:6

When you look around, what do you see?  Do you see God's amazing creation, or do you see the ugliness that comes with its destruction?  When you open your ears, what do you hear?  Do you hear the beautiful sounds of laughter, talking, singing... do you hear the wind in the trees and the birds in the air?  Or do you hear the noise of traffic, the screaming of angry children and the fights of broken marriages?  When you eat, do you taste the flavor of what enters your mouth, or do you just stuff yourself to fill a void?  So much is going on around us at any given time.  We can find whatever it is we look for.  While we shouldn't be blind and deaf to anything, and we should be aware of the good and the bad around us, we must be vigilant in turning to God to see the beauty of what we are afforded the pleasure of experiencing during our lifetimes.  It is too easy to slide into cynicism and negativity, and become blind, deaf, and numb to the good around us.  Pray to God that the light of his face shine upon you, so that you might see clearly once again.

Readings:  1 Chronicles 2:18-4:4; Acts 24:1-27; Psalm 4:1-8; Proverbs 18:16-18

"A man's spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?" -- Proverbs 18:14

It's a long-known fact that one thing that has contributed to the survival of people who are under extreme duress in situations such as wilderness survival, being held captive as a prisoner of war, or while facing a life-threatening disease or illness is a positive mental attitude.  Those that believe they can surmount the odds are far more likely to do so than those with a "crushed spirit".  That goes for life in general.  If you want your life to be different, you have to know what you want and see it.  Close your eyes and transport yourself to that reality.  Then chart the course of your life that can lead to that reality and begin the journey.  Believe in your alternate future-- the one that aligns with God's desire for your life, and find joy as you make your steps.

Readings:  1 Chronicles 1:1-2:17; Acts 23:11-35; Psalm 3:1-8; Proverbs 18:14-15

"The commander went to Paul and asked, 'Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?' "Yes, I am,' he answered. Then the commander said, 'I had to pay a big price for my citizenship.' 'But I was born a citizen,' Paul replied. Those who were about to question him withdrew immediately. The commander himself was alarmed when he realized that he had put Paul, a Roman citizen, in chains." -- Acts 22:27-29

While Paul is swimming against a tide that is impossible to overcome, in this scene he is enjoying a moment of being a Roman citizen.  For by the mere virtue of being one, he has caused concern to his captors, for they know that to act against a citizen of Rome is to act against Rome itself.  On this day, citizens of the United States are celebrating their independence, and for a day, will come together as one nation.  Take time to thank God today for the freedom you have to worship, to read, and to speak about God.  May you never have to be put in chains for your faith.  But with this freedom, comes responsibility.  With your freedom, what are you choosing to do?

Readings:  

2 Kings 23:31-25:30; Acts 22:17-23:10; Psalm 2:1-12; Proverbs 18:13

"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night." -- Psalm 1:1-6

If you've been reading along since the first of the year, congratulations!  It's no mistake that today's selection is from Psalm 1.  In the One Year Bible, the Psalms repeat themselves, so you have read through all of the Psalms.  But do not stop reading them... these are the songs of the ancient church.  This was their hymnal and worship guide.  To stop reading them would be like turning off the radio now that you've heard each song once.  No, instead read them again and again.  Memorize the ones you can.  As you read through the Psalms, you are actually engaged in worship and prayer.  Blessed are you, oh Reader, whose delight is in the Lord and his word.  So meditate on it day and night.

Readings:  2 Kings 22:3-23:30; Acts 21:37-22:16; Psalm 1:1-6; Proverbs 18:11-12