Day 301 Bible Reading – Titus 3: 9 (ESV)

Lamentations 1, Lamentations 2: 1-6, Titus 3, Proverbs 10: 1-10

Titus 3: 9 (ESV)

“But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.”

Verse 9 from Paul’s letter to Titus (Titus 3) really stood out to me today. Paul tells Titus and the Church on Crete to not argue about things that don’t matter, which he says are “foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law.” Paul even reminds us that they are “unprofitable and worthless.”  I do like to argue sometimes, but I try not to argue about things that don’t really matter. A mentor at work once told me, “Pick your battles wisely because you will exhaust yourself fighting every battle.” It takes a lot of energy to argue and sometimes arguments cause bad feelings in people, even if it’s a friendly argument. I’ve had the experience where I’ve said something in the heat of an argument, and once it was out of my mouth it was difficult to undo the hurt that my words caused. I now try to only argue or fight for something that I am very passionate about, and with someone whom I know will listen to me. I don’t argue with people whom I know are not open to changing their mind. I also try to take the attitude that if I lose the fight and cannot get my way, I won’t hold it against the other person. I think we need to have the attitude that we are okay to disagree about things, and not break friendships over it. I want all my energy devoted to God, reading his word, and doing good works. I don’t want my energy to go to meaningless arguments with people. Peace in my life is so much important than having a life of contention.

Day 300 Bible Readings – Titus 2: 7-8 (ESV)

Habakkuk 1-2, Habakkuk 3: 1-19, Titus 2, Proverbs 9: 13-18

Titus 2: 7-8 (ESV)

“Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.”

In verses 7 and 8 in Titus 2, Paul tells Titus and the Christians in Crete how to be a good example to people of faith. Paul says to be a model and an example to people of good works. You need to show you are living like Christ and obeying the law, and not just talk about it. Paul also tells Titus that needed to have a good understanding of God’s words, so whatever you say cannot be questioned. Anyone who questions you will be ashamed because they will have nothing bad to say about you.

Paul’s advice to Titus also applies to people of faith as well. We need to be example of someone who follows Christ by our actions. We might not teach but we need to make sure that if we want to talk about God to other people, we need to have a good understanding of God’s words. We each have our own interpretation of God’s words according to our level of maturity, but as long as our logic is sound our critics will have nothing bad to say about us. God doesn’t want our perfection, but he does want our love for him and our love for his words.

Day 299 Bible Readings – Proverbs 9: 11-12 (ESV)

Jeremiah 52, Titus 1, Proverbs 9: 1-12

Proverbs 9: 11-12 (ESV)

“For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it.”

In verses 11 and 12 from Proverbs 9, Solomon talks about the benefits of having wisdom which is provided by God. Solomon says if have wisdom, you will live longer. Who doesn’t want that? Solomon also says if you are wise, be wise for the benefit of yourself. Conversely if you ignore wisdom and scoff at it, you will also bear the consequences of ignoring wisdom.

I love these verses. I do believe that if you follow the wisdom of God, you will live a longer life because God’s advice will help you to avoid the pitfalls of life. I don’t think that God is saying you won’t have trials and tribulations in life, because you will. You cannot escape the trials of life. But if you follow the wisdom of God, you will learn to avoid the things in life that could harm you. I also like what Solomon said about wanting wisdom for yourself. Yes, others may benefit, but you are the main person who will benefit from wisdom. And if you scoff at wisdom and don’t follow it, you are the only one who will suffer the consequences of your actions. Don’t follow wisdom for anyone’s benefit but your own. And if you decide not to follow wisdom thinking you will get back at someone or harm them, you are wrong. The only person you are hurting is yourself.

Day 298 Bible Readings – Jeremiah 51: 20-23 (ESV)

Jeremiah 51: 15-64, 2 Timothy 4, Proverbs 8: 32-36

Jeremiah 51: 20-23 (ESV)

“You are my hammer and weapon of war: with you I break nations in pieces; with you I destroy kingdoms; with you I break in pieces the horse and his rider; with you I break in pieces the chariot and the charioteer; with you I break in pieces man and woman; with you I break in pieces the old man and the youth; with you I break in pieces the young man and the young woman; with you I break in pieces the shepherd and his flock; with you I break in pieces the farmer and his team; with you I break in pieces governors and commanders.”

In verses 20 through 23 from Jeremiah 51, the prophet Jeremiah talks about the power of God and his ability to use us in his plan for the world. If you doubt the power of God and how he uses people in his plan, these verses remind from Jeremiah remind us of God’s power. Jeremiah also reminds us that God can use anyone in his plan. These verses also remind us that God can anyone to not only destroy nations and kingdoms, but ordinary people as well. In these verses, Jeremiah says that God can use individuals for judgement against his enemies, but God can also use us in other ways as well. We just need to remember that when we hear the God or the Holy Spirit telling us what to do, we need to listen and make sure we have discernment with what we are hearing. And when our discernment is clear, we need to obey what we are being told even though it might not make sense to us at the time. God has a plan and can see the big picture that we cannot, so we need to have trust in God fully that what he is telling us is part of his plan.