Verses for today, July 16th

For my "catch up" reading from Jan 30th, I got tickled to see Genesis 39 was included, as we have been studying that chapter for the past couple of weeks on Sunday nights. The verse I really appreciate from that passage is:

9There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

I appreciate how the Lord included in His Word an example like Joseph, who as far as recorded, always had God first and foremost in his mind. When faced with a temptation, he took stock of all of his blessings, and remembered where his blessings come from, and remembered his moral values and recognized it was blatant sin against God. He was so close to God, it did not take him time to ponder his answer to this woman, his decision was already made before he was in that situation. I like that, that's good stuff *g*

Then you have God's faithfulness even in times of trial-

21But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
23The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper.

Even when he is put in jail, he is made a "boss", even in jail, the Lord's presence in Joseph's life was visibly seen. Because what I jsut learned and never thought about was, Potiphar put Joseph in HIS prison (v1, 20), which was in his home. Even though his wife says Joseph tried to seduce her, he chose to keep Jospeh close to him. That's a testimony IMO

In Psalm 30 I find hope:

2 O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.

5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

11 Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;

12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

Again I got tickled with today's reading from "the plan", it was 1 Cor 5, because Pastor preached on it this past Sunday night, and boy was it a serious sermon too, but done with SUCH conviction and love!!

Then 1 Kings 18 was the story of one of my favorite prophets Elijah. Go read it ;o)

I have to say I don't think I have ever read in Amos maybe besides a cross reference. That was an interesting passage and made me think f my name devo study, about God's name JEHOVAH-NAKAH, "the Lord who smites", (when his mercy and long suffering have been exhausted, the Lord smites in judgement.).

Proverbs 16 is awesome.
There were a few verses in this chapter I love:

3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

5a Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: ...

6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
7When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
9A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

11A just weight and balance are the LORD's: all the weights of the bag are his work.

16How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
18Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
19Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
21The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

22Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
23The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
24Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

32He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.