Scripture text for Monday, March 8th, 2010: Isaiah 51:1-53:12

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In Half the Sky, Nicholas Kristoff & Sheryl Wudunn report the story of an Ethiopian woman who, at the age of 13, is sold to a 60 yr old man who repeatedly abuses & rapes her. When she is 7 months pregnant, she manages to escape to her home village, only to find that her family has left, and no one will help her. She goes to the river to end her life, when an uncle finds and takes her in. During childbirth, she suffers injuries that leave her unable walk or have control over her urine or bowels. The villagers decide that she is cursed by God, and although her uncle provides her with food and water, she is put in a hut on the outskirts of the village, the doors are removed, and she’s left for the hyenas. All night, she fights them off with sticks. In the morning, she crawls to a neighboring village where she remembers having once seen a missionary. He cares for her, and brings her to a hospital, where she receives treatment.

Scripture text for Friday, March 5th, 2010: Proverbs 16:1-18:24

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When I read the book of Proverbs, I am overwhelmed with the depth of knowledge that is relayed through Solomon. The verses are an entirely different literature style from the beginning books of the Bible in the E100 reading. These are the phrases that are most easily “written on your doorframes and gates” (Deut. 11:20).

This section of the proverbs is meant to have practical daily application for every person. There are specific wisdom nuggets relating to relationships, speech, work, and success. The reader of these proverbs is directed to God as the source of wisdom and the simple phrases describe God’s character.

Scripture text for Thursday, March 4th, 2010: Proverbs 1:1-4:27

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We have all read about Solomon who was considered the wisest man of his day-as we read through some of his advice in the book of Proverbs, it is very easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer volume of insights. Wisdom comes from the Hebrew term hokmah, which can also be translated as "excellence" or "skill". Throughout Proverbs the idea of being awesome at something moves in and out of the literal-like being a fair judge or parent, to the corresponding moral or spiritual aspect of the advice. For example, in Proverbs 1:8-9 children are instructed to listen to their parents-simple enough to grasp-SO THAT they will be crowned with grace and honor; God’s unmerited favor and praise.

Scripture text for Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010: Psalm 103:1-103:22

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As I sit here feeling like mud on the bottom of your shoe, I find it extremely difficult to focus on writing this devotional. Nausea, chills, fever and fatigue woke me up this morning for the 4th day in a row, and so my prayers have been a little self-centered lately. With that, I must say that it’s interesting that a segment of today’s scripture passage from The Message reads like this:

13 As parents feel for their children, God feels for those who fear him.
14 He knows us inside and out, keeps in mind that we’re made of mud.

How fitting, huh? Therefore, I persist. God knew exactly how I would feel this morning and nicely worded it in his scriptures.

Scripture text for Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010: Psalm 51:1-51:19

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Not unlike many people, the Psalms are one of my favorite books in the Bible. It may be the change in form, the poetry of the words, or just the connections I can make with the authors’ struggles and my own, but very rarely do I open up and read a Psalm and am not convicted about something in my character or life that is keeping my prayers and spiritual life from completely connecting with God.

Psalm 51 is no different. David is bringing his sin with Bathsheba before God (2 Samuel 11-12) in a prayer. We all identify with sin, but do we bring it to God in prayer on a regular basis, seriously? David gives me, as a reader, a way to approach God and bring my sin before him, a prayer instruction guide, if you will, when my words are not enough.