Tiny Devotional for Sunday, 07-25-2021
A great good morning to all my friends and neighbors in Internet Land! And to family members who have dropped by, cheese Danish (added cheese).
Proverbs 25:1, NASB
Does that verse bless you? I doubt it.
I started with no plan for the Tiny Devotionals, other than selecting from the Proverb corresponding to the day of the month. I didn’t even record the verse(s) I used at first.
I wanted the Wisdom to format me, not me format the Wisdom. I wanted the Bible text to drive my writing, not just hammer on my favorite verses repeatedly; so, I created a spreadsheet, recording which verses I used, so I wouldn’t repeat.
Then, I got systematic in my approach; instead of just picking a verse that spoke to me, I decided I’d fill in the blanks. Thus, I started taking as my text the first verse in the Proverb for the Day not previously covered. I look at the spreadsheet, see what’s missing, and choose that verse.
I wasn’t PLANNING to illustrate the difference between religion and true faith. HONEST!
One truth rings out: avoid a form of godliness that denies its power.
Picking a verse, ONLY because doing so checks off a box on a spreadsheet, is an example of religious practice. It satisfies my useless desire for pseudo-completion, and feeds nobody.
My spreadsheet is complete, though.
Peace be on your household.
I’ve noticed that Proverbs is about “avoiding” a lot; fools, jerks and bullies. I like that. I know personally that godliness without power is a worthless life. It bears fruit in due time. That fruit drove me to Jesus so it had it’s place but I missed the most important part.
ReplyDeleteRelationship with the only one.