July 1 - Morning
"Drink water from your own cistern,
running water from your own well.
Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares?
Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers.
May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.
A loving doe, a graceful deer —
may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love.
Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man’s wife?
Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman?
For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all your paths.
The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast.
For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly."
- Proverbs 5:15-23
Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares?
Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers.
May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.
A loving doe, a graceful deer —
may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love.
Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man’s wife?
Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman?
For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all your paths.
The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast.
For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly."
- Proverbs 5:15-23
Intoxicating Sexual Encounters with Your Spouse
In Proverbs 5 wisdom advises man to enjoy the sexual encounters with his own wife instead of another woman (5:18-19). The fountain image of a woman is also found in Song of Solomon 4:12 and 4:15.
A man’s “wife of your youth” is illustrated as a doe or a graceful deer. This illustration is also similar to Song of Solomon (the man is "like a gazelle or a young stag" in Song of Solomon 2:9; 2:17; 8:14.)
The desire of godly wisdom is for a man to be intoxicated physically by his wife’s breasts and emotionally inebriated by her love.
The Bible clearly explains the chaos and disaster illicit sex produces in mankind, but promises a lifetime of sexual joy and refreshment to a man and his wife.
The springs and streams of water seem to refer to the man’s sexual desires and encounters. Likewise, the cistern is a reference to the man’s wife. The waters from the man’s spring do not belong in the street. Instead, a spring and its spring water are used for refreshing and for refilling a cistern.
A wife’s love will make her husband stagger as if he is intoxicated (5:19), but the husband is told that another woman should never make him intoxicated (5:20). If he does become intoxicated with another woman the man will be led to his destruction (5:23).
'emuwnah (Hb) - Faith (Eng) - the Hebrew word 'emuwnah means "firmness," "steadfastness," "steadiness." It comes from the Hebrew verb root 'aman which means "to confirm," "to support," "to trust."
Have I focused my life on temporal goals?
Am I using temporary building materials to build myself and my purpose for life?
I will focus on goals with eternal value and build my life with the Word of God.
Am I using temporary building materials to build myself and my purpose for life?
I will focus on goals with eternal value and build my life with the Word of God.
Bible Reading Descriptions Here
Personal
An elderly person
Church
Influence on community
Nation
Children
World
India
The Lintel stone of Barclay's Gate is still identifiable. This gate was one of the entrances to the New Testament Temple courts. (Details)
Someone to Quote
“You can safely assume you've created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do.”
― Anne Lamott
― Anne Lamott
Something to Ponder
Charlemagne (742-814)
• After Pepin the Great the ruler in the west (and king of the Franks) was Pepin the Great’s son, Charlemagne (742-814).
• Charlemagne began to reign in his father’s place in 768.
• Charlemagne was crowned Emperor of the Romans by the Pope in 800.
• Charlemagne continued the policy of protecting the papacy.
• Charlemagne would influence everything in Western Europe, but the area of education was one of the most important and furthest reaching.
• Charlemagne was 7 feet tall. He had a large strong body, a bright face and long white hair.
• After Pepin the Great the ruler in the west (and king of the Franks) was Pepin the Great’s son, Charlemagne (742-814).
• Charlemagne began to reign in his father’s place in 768.
• Charlemagne was crowned Emperor of the Romans by the Pope in 800.
• Charlemagne continued the policy of protecting the papacy.
• Charlemagne would influence everything in Western Europe, but the area of education was one of the most important and furthest reaching.
• Charlemagne was 7 feet tall. He had a large strong body, a bright face and long white hair.
Here’s a Fact
The Double Gate in the southern entrance to the Temple Mount was built by Herod the Great. The Double Gate along with the Triple Gate (located in the same wall setting to the east of the Double Gate) are together called the Huldah Gates in the Mishnah. The Herodian lintel and arch above the double Gate and the 78 foot passage way leading up to the Temple courts 39 feet above are still visible. People in New Testament times (including Jesus, the disciples, Paul, James, etc.) would have walked through this gate, under the lintel and up the passage way to enter the Temple courts. (details)
Proverb
"What is twisted cannot be straightened; what is lacking cannot be counted."
- Ecclesiastes 1:15
- Ecclesiastes 1:15
Coach’s Corner
Personal growth increases your personal potential. The failure to learn and the refusal to change is the rejection of increasing your opportunity for success.
2 Samuel 9
New International Version (NIV)
David and Mephibosheth
9 David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
2 Now there was a servant of Saul’s household named Ziba. They summoned him to appear before David, and the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?”
“At your service,” he replied.
3 The king asked, “Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?”
Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet.”
4 “Where is he?” the king asked.
Ziba answered, “He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.”
5 So King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel.
6 When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor.
David said, “Mephibosheth!”
“At your service,” he replied.
7 “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”
8 Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?”
9 Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul’s steward, and said to him, “I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. 10 You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master’s grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table.” (Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.)
11 Then Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do whatever my lord the king commands his servant to do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons.
12 Mephibosheth had a young son named Mika, and all the members of Ziba’s household were servants of Mephibosheth. 13 And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king’s table; he was lame in both feet.
New International Version (NIV)
David and Mephibosheth
9 David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
2 Now there was a servant of Saul’s household named Ziba. They summoned him to appear before David, and the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?”
“At your service,” he replied.
3 The king asked, “Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?”
Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet.”
4 “Where is he?” the king asked.
Ziba answered, “He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.”
5 So King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel.
6 When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor.
David said, “Mephibosheth!”
“At your service,” he replied.
7 “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”
8 Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?”
9 Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul’s steward, and said to him, “I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. 10 You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master’s grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table.” (Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.)
11 Then Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do whatever my lord the king commands his servant to do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons.
12 Mephibosheth had a young son named Mika, and all the members of Ziba’s household were servants of Mephibosheth. 13 And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king’s table; he was lame in both feet.
Jeremiah 14
New International Version (NIV)
Drought, Famine, Sword
14 This is the word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought:
2
“Judah mourns, her cities languish; they wail for the land, and a cry goes up from Jerusalem.
3
The nobles send their servants for water; they go to the cisterns but find no water. They return with their jars unfilled; dismayed and despairing, they cover their heads.
4
The ground is cracked because there is no rain in the land; the farmers are dismayed and cover their heads.
5
Even the doe in the field deserts her newborn fawn because there is no grass.
6
Wild donkeys stand on the barren heights and pant like jackals; their eyes fail for lack of food.”
7
Although our sins testify against us, do something, Lord, for the sake of your name. For we have often rebelled; we have sinned against you.
8
You who are the hope of Israel, its Savior in times of distress, why are you like a stranger in the land, like a traveler who stays only a night?
9
Why are you like a man taken by surprise, like a warrior powerless to save? You are among us, Lord, and we bear your name; do not forsake us!
10 This is what the Lord says about this people:
“They greatly love to wander; they do not restrain their feet. So the Lord does not accept them; he will now remember their wickedness and punish them for their sins.”
11 Then the Lord said to me, “Do not pray for the well-being of this people. 12 Although they fast, I will not listen to their cry; though they offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Instead, I will destroy them with the sword, famine and plague.”
13 But I said, “Alas, Sovereign Lord! The prophets keep telling them, ‘You will not see the sword or suffer famine. Indeed, I will give you lasting peace in this place.’”
14 Then the Lord said to me, “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds. 15 Therefore this is what the Lord says about the prophets who are prophesying in my name: I did not send them, yet they are saying, ‘No sword or famine will touch this land.’ Those same prophets will perish by sword and famine. 16 And the people they are prophesying to will be thrown out into the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and sword. There will be no one to bury them, their wives, their sons and their daughters. I will pour out on them the calamity they deserve.
17 “Speak this word to them:
“‘Let my eyes overflow with tears night and day without ceasing; for the Virgin Daughter, my people, has suffered a grievous wound, a crushing blow.
18
If I go into the country, I see those slain by the sword; if I go into the city, I see the ravages of famine. Both prophet and priest have gone to a land they know not.’”
19
Have you rejected Judah completely? Do you despise Zion? Why have you afflicted us so that we cannot be healed? We hoped for peace but no good has come, for a time of healing but there is only terror.
20
We acknowledge our wickedness, Lord, and the guilt of our ancestors; we have indeed sinned against you.
21
For the sake of your name do not despise us; do not dishonor your glorious throne. Remember your covenant with us and do not break it.
22
Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is you, Lord our God. Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this.
New International Version (NIV)
Drought, Famine, Sword
14 This is the word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought:
2
“Judah mourns, her cities languish; they wail for the land, and a cry goes up from Jerusalem.
3
The nobles send their servants for water; they go to the cisterns but find no water. They return with their jars unfilled; dismayed and despairing, they cover their heads.
4
The ground is cracked because there is no rain in the land; the farmers are dismayed and cover their heads.
5
Even the doe in the field deserts her newborn fawn because there is no grass.
6
Wild donkeys stand on the barren heights and pant like jackals; their eyes fail for lack of food.”
7
Although our sins testify against us, do something, Lord, for the sake of your name. For we have often rebelled; we have sinned against you.
8
You who are the hope of Israel, its Savior in times of distress, why are you like a stranger in the land, like a traveler who stays only a night?
9
Why are you like a man taken by surprise, like a warrior powerless to save? You are among us, Lord, and we bear your name; do not forsake us!
10 This is what the Lord says about this people:
“They greatly love to wander; they do not restrain their feet. So the Lord does not accept them; he will now remember their wickedness and punish them for their sins.”
11 Then the Lord said to me, “Do not pray for the well-being of this people. 12 Although they fast, I will not listen to their cry; though they offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Instead, I will destroy them with the sword, famine and plague.”
13 But I said, “Alas, Sovereign Lord! The prophets keep telling them, ‘You will not see the sword or suffer famine. Indeed, I will give you lasting peace in this place.’”
14 Then the Lord said to me, “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds. 15 Therefore this is what the Lord says about the prophets who are prophesying in my name: I did not send them, yet they are saying, ‘No sword or famine will touch this land.’ Those same prophets will perish by sword and famine. 16 And the people they are prophesying to will be thrown out into the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and sword. There will be no one to bury them, their wives, their sons and their daughters. I will pour out on them the calamity they deserve.
17 “Speak this word to them:
“‘Let my eyes overflow with tears night and day without ceasing; for the Virgin Daughter, my people, has suffered a grievous wound, a crushing blow.
18
If I go into the country, I see those slain by the sword; if I go into the city, I see the ravages of famine. Both prophet and priest have gone to a land they know not.’”
19
Have you rejected Judah completely? Do you despise Zion? Why have you afflicted us so that we cannot be healed? We hoped for peace but no good has come, for a time of healing but there is only terror.
20
We acknowledge our wickedness, Lord, and the guilt of our ancestors; we have indeed sinned against you.
21
For the sake of your name do not despise us; do not dishonor your glorious throne. Remember your covenant with us and do not break it.
22
Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is you, Lord our God. Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this.
Obadiah 1
New International Version (NIV)
Obadiah’s Vision
1 The vision of Obadiah.
This is what the Sovereign Lord says about Edom—
We have heard a message from the Lord: An envoy was sent to the nations to say, “Rise, let us go against her for battle”—
2
“See, I will make you small among the nations; you will be utterly despised.
3
The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’
4
Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down,” declares the Lord.
5
“If thieves came to you, if robbers in the night— oh, what a disaster awaits you!— would they not steal only as much as they wanted? If grape pickers came to you, would they not leave a few grapes?
6
But how Esau will be ransacked, his hidden treasures pillaged!
7
All your allies will force you to the border; your friends will deceive and overpower you; those who eat your bread will set a trap for you, but you will not detect it.
8
“In that day,” declares the Lord, “will I not destroy the wise men of Edom, those of understanding in the mountains of Esau?
9
Your warriors, Teman, will be terrified, and everyone in Esau’s mountains will be cut down in the slaughter.
10
Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame; you will be destroyed forever.
11
On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like one of them.
12
You should not gloat over your brother in the day of his misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast so much in the day of their trouble.
13
You should not march through the gates of my people in the day of their disaster, nor gloat over them in their calamity in the day of their disaster, nor seize their wealth in the day of their disaster.
14
You should not wait at the crossroads to cut down their fugitives, nor hand over their survivors in the day of their trouble.
15
“The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head.
16
Just as you drank on my holy hill, so all the nations will drink continually; they will drink and drink and be as if they had never been.
17
But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holy, and Jacob will possess his inheritance.
18
Jacob will be a fire and Joseph a flame; Esau will be stubble, and they will set him on fire and destroy him. There will be no survivors from Esau.” The Lord has spoken.
19
People from the Negev will occupy the mountains of Esau, and people from the foothills will possess the land of the Philistines. They will occupy the fields of Ephraim and Samaria, and Benjamin will possess Gilead.
20
This company of Israelite exiles who are in Canaan will possess the land as far as Zarephath; the exiles from Jerusalem who are in Sepharad will possess the towns of the Negev.
21
Deliverers will go up on Mount Zion to govern the mountains of Esau. And the kingdom will be the Lord’s.
New International Version (NIV)
Obadiah’s Vision
1 The vision of Obadiah.
This is what the Sovereign Lord says about Edom—
We have heard a message from the Lord: An envoy was sent to the nations to say, “Rise, let us go against her for battle”—
2
“See, I will make you small among the nations; you will be utterly despised.
3
The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’
4
Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down,” declares the Lord.
5
“If thieves came to you, if robbers in the night— oh, what a disaster awaits you!— would they not steal only as much as they wanted? If grape pickers came to you, would they not leave a few grapes?
6
But how Esau will be ransacked, his hidden treasures pillaged!
7
All your allies will force you to the border; your friends will deceive and overpower you; those who eat your bread will set a trap for you, but you will not detect it.
8
“In that day,” declares the Lord, “will I not destroy the wise men of Edom, those of understanding in the mountains of Esau?
9
Your warriors, Teman, will be terrified, and everyone in Esau’s mountains will be cut down in the slaughter.
10
Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame; you will be destroyed forever.
11
On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like one of them.
12
You should not gloat over your brother in the day of his misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast so much in the day of their trouble.
13
You should not march through the gates of my people in the day of their disaster, nor gloat over them in their calamity in the day of their disaster, nor seize their wealth in the day of their disaster.
14
You should not wait at the crossroads to cut down their fugitives, nor hand over their survivors in the day of their trouble.
15
“The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head.
16
Just as you drank on my holy hill, so all the nations will drink continually; they will drink and drink and be as if they had never been.
17
But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holy, and Jacob will possess his inheritance.
18
Jacob will be a fire and Joseph a flame; Esau will be stubble, and they will set him on fire and destroy him. There will be no survivors from Esau.” The Lord has spoken.
19
People from the Negev will occupy the mountains of Esau, and people from the foothills will possess the land of the Philistines. They will occupy the fields of Ephraim and Samaria, and Benjamin will possess Gilead.
20
This company of Israelite exiles who are in Canaan will possess the land as far as Zarephath; the exiles from Jerusalem who are in Sepharad will possess the towns of the Negev.
21
Deliverers will go up on Mount Zion to govern the mountains of Esau. And the kingdom will be the Lord’s.