"Everything is permissible" -- but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible" -- but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. -- 1 Corinthians 10:23

There appeared to be confusion over the good news that Paul was sharing in regard to "freedom" from the law.  When Jesus says in Matthew 11 that his yoke is "easy" and his burden is "light", he's inviting those who live under the burden of the law to follow him... that his law is one-- not the six hundred thirteen found in the OT-- but one in two parts: love God; love each other.  So it's not what goes into you that matters, but what comes out of you... man was not made for the Sabbath, but the Sabbath for man, etc...

While you are free from the tyranny of the law, that doesn't mean that any action follows the path of love.  You have the freedom to do anything you want, but there are always consequences to your actions.  Free will is yours, but seek to do God's will-- the right things.

Readings:  Nehemiah 11:1-12:26; 1 Corinthians 10:14-11:2; Psalm 34:11-22; Proverbs 21:14-16

"Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible." -- 1 Corinthians 9:19

When differing ideologies have the power to sever the ties of even close families, it's time to consider what's really important in life.  I recently heard a respected organizational consultant define life.  He defined life as being "people and time spent with the ones you love".  I thought about that quite a bit, and I've come to agree.  Someone else once told me that it's important that relationship always be placed above doctrine.  I've held onto that one too.  I think in reading today's readings, we see that Paul understood that too.  Are you willing to put aside doctrinal differences in order to strengthen important relationships in your life?  Are you willing to enter into relationship with others who believe differently than you? 

Readings:  Nehemiah 9:22-10:39; 1 Corinthians 9:19-10:13; Psalm 34:1-10; Proverbs 21:13

"No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save." -- Psalm 33:16-17

The death rate remains around 100%.  There's just no getting around that right now.  Yet there seems to be a race to wealth and power that fools some into thinking that by getting enough of it, they will cheat it.  The truth is, it is by God's grace that we live... and I don't just mean physical life.  I mean having a life that is worth living.  If we live our lives thinking that all we have is permanent, and that somehow we can secure it all, we are living blindly.  Only when we realize that life is fragile and that things are temporary, do we even come to appreciate them in the first place. 

Readings:  Nehemiah 7:61-9:21; 1 Corinthians 9:1-18; Psalm 33:12-22; Proverbs 21:11-12

"We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know." -- 1 Corinthians 8:1-2

If we are sincerely growing in knowledge, then one of the things we learn is that we have yet so much to learn.  To think we know everything is arrogant.  It is hubris.  To reduce God and discussions of faith to scientific query is folly, for we will never unravel the complete mysteries of God.  They will only be made known to us if God chooses to reveal them.  But this has been revealed already:  that love is the way to God.  That if you love, you participate in the building of God's Kingdom.  If you love, you have encounter with God, and God knows you.  So in your quest for spiritual enlightenment, go ahead and read the books, listen to wise people, and study hard.  But do it with the understanding that knowledge leads to an unpacking of what's already been done.  But love leads to the experience of God.  That experience requires action.  It is present.  It is now.  It is yet to come.  By loving, you become a fellow builder. 

Readings:  Nehemiah 5:14-7:60; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Psalm 33:1-11; Proverbs 21:8-10

"The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty." -- Proverbs 21:5

Here is an old piece of wisdom that modern man has scientifically "confirmed".  It's found that slow and steady truly does win the race.  Jim Collins, in his book "Great by Choice" speaks of the "20 Mile March" which addresses the fanatical discipline that great leaders exhibit.  They understand their destination.  They understand the route to it, and post markers along the way.  And they develop a plan-- a "20 mile march"-- that they do daily that will take them to their goal.  Those that practice this push through difficult circumstances to accomplish their march, and they do something that may seem surprising to some:  they limit their march to 20 miles.  By following a well-designed plan and progressing daily, they don't find themselves having to hurry to make up for lost time.  By stopping at 20, they reserve their energy for the next go, which may have more difficult obstacles.  Remember this proverb and consider it next time you have to prepare a paper or presentation, or the next time you set lofty goals.  This is why the One Year Bible is so great-- it charts out the course and establishes the daily "20 miles".  By reading the daily readings, you've accomplished your "20 Mile March" in your reading of Scripture.  Good job and keep it up!

Readings:  Nehemiah 3:15-5:13; 1 Corinthians 7:25-40; Psalm 32:1-11; Proverbs 21:5-7

"Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord." -- Psalm 31:24

When we come to believe in God and follow Jesus Christ, we come to understand our citizenship a little differently.  No longer are we first and foremost subjects of earthly rulers whether they be presidents or kings, but we become primary subjects of the King of kings-- Jesus.  With that knowledge, we can trust that if our lives are given in his service, we will be used for his end goals-- not ours.  And if we trust that we are used in his service, paradoxically, we will experience the fullest possible life, for we will be living out our purpose.  So get on the right path.  Serve the right king.  And be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord!

Readings:  Nehemiah 1:1-3:14; 1 Corinthians 7:1-24; Psalm 31:19-24; Proverbs 21:4

"The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already." -- 1 Corinthians 6:7

It is not just our society that is litigious.  In Paul's time, courts helped settle disputes between parties at odds.  Times don't change all that much it seems.  What Paul was trying to tell us is that we should have the spiritual maturity to work out our differences with each other without resorting to legal action.  When we have a problem with someone, we should speak to them directly and see if we can't work it out.  If we can't we should enlist the help of a friend to navigate and mediate if necessary.  If that doesn't work, we should come before our peers (not a jury) and see if we can't find remedy.  Only as a last resort should we take it to the courts.  We must seek to protect and preserve each other's dignity.  We do that best when our relationships are strong.  Build up today.  Don't tear down.

Readings:  Ezra 10:1-44; 1 Corinthians 6:1-20; Psalm 31:9-18; Proverbs 21:3