"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

"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church?" -- 1 Corinthians 5:12

Wow.  How timely is this?  In our reading today, Paul himself says he is not one to judge those outside the church... that God will judge them... however, within the church he has no problem.  He instructs those in the church to not associate with the sexually immoral, the greedy, the idolater, the slanderer, the drunkard, or the swindler.  Hmmm... who's left then?  Paul was well aware that none are without sin, but he offers this in order that we might build one another up-- not tear each other down-- and certainly not tear down those outside the faith community.  For love to reign in the church, we must have a high level of trust with each other, knowing that we are not out to take advantage of, or hurt one another.  At the same time, we must recognize that we each fall and are therefore dependent on the grace of God and the grace of each other.  Be kind and gentle with one another.  It's really the way to go.

Readings:  Ezra 8:21-9:15; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; Psalm 31:1-8; Proverbs 21:1-2

"The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old." -- Proverbs 20:29

As I transition from "glory" to "splendor" (laugh), I am reminded that life will not slow down for me.  As my own son now exceeds me in height, I am reminded that there is another generation anxious to take the reigns.  As the country finds itself divided in an election year, I find a need to listen to my elders of "gray-haired splendor" to hear what they would recommend we do to bring together people with entrenched views and differences.  In a culture that celebrates youth, we sometimes forget that we need the seasoned voices of reason from those who were once youth, but who are youth no more.  Not only do we need to listen, we need them to speak.  God's work is never finished as long as we're alive, and the world needs all of us, no matter our age, to take on humble postures and open our minds, hearts, eyes, ears, and spirits to his desire and will.

Readings:  Ezra 7:1-8:20; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21; Psalm 30:1-12; Proverbs 20:28-30

"So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building." -- 1 Corinthians 3:7-9

This week, with my church, I am focused on the Lord's Prayer.  And this verse echoes beautifully the prayer we say when we utter the words, "Thy Kingdom come..."  For we are, as Paul says, God's "fellow workers"... we pray for the coming of God's Kingdom, and we are the ones through which God works to bring that kingdom about.  Remember that you are the hands and feet of Christ.  You are employed in the service of your king to bring the kingdom about.  Who is your king?

Readings:  Ezra 5:1-6:22; 1 Corinthians 3:5-23; Psalm 29:1-11; Proverbs 20:26-27