2 Kings 16:1: The Study, Journaling, Prayer, and Thinking Through of the Verse

2 Kings 16:1 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Judah’s King Ahaz
16 In the seventeenth year of Pekah son of Remaliah,(A) Ahaz(B) son of Jotham became king of Judah.
Cross references:
16:1-4 : 2 Ch 28:1-4
16:1 : Is 1:1; 7:1

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

My Questions: Who are Pekah, Remaliah, Ahaz, and Jotham? When was the seventeenth year of Pekah’s reign? Why were all these people listed and not just Ahaz? Where did this take place? Why did Ahaz take the throne or why did he become king? We're all the people listed kings? Why are all these people listed in the Bible? What can be learned from these individuals? 

2 Kings 16:1 Expanded Bible (EXB)
Ahaz King of Judah(A)
16 Ahaz was the son of Jotham king of Judah. Ahaz became king of Judah in the seventeenth year Pekah son of Remaliah was king of Israel.

Cross references:

2 Kings 16:1: 16:1–20; 2 Chr. 28:1–7, 16–27

Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.

2 Kings 16:1 New Living Translation (NLT)
Ahaz Rules in Judah
16 Ahaz son of Jotham began to rule over Judah in the seventeenth year of King Pekah’s reign in Israel.
New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

2 Kings 16:1 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Ahaz Reigns over Judah
16 In the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah, (A)Ahaz the son of Jotham, king of Judah, became king.
Cross references:
2 Kings 16:1 : 2 Chr 28:1
New American Standard Bible (NASB). Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

2 Kings 16:1 New King James Version (NKJV)
Ahaz Reigns in Judah
16 In the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah, Ahaz the son of Jotham, king of Judah, began to reign.
New King James Version (NKJV). Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Each version or translation of the Bible brings new insight to the Word of God. Therefore, it is important to read several versions and see how much more I can learn.

It is also important to do the same with the cross-references.  

Here is one:

2 Chronicles 28:1-4 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Judah’s King Ahaz

28:1 Ahaz was 20 years old(A) when he became king and reigned 16 years in Jerusalem. He did not do what was right in the Lord’s sight(B) like his ancestor David, 2 for he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel(C) and made cast images of the Baals.(D) 3 He burned incense in the Valley of Hinnom(E) and burned his children in[a](F)the fire, imitating the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had dispossessed before the Israelites.(G) 4 He sacrificed and burned incense on the high places,(H) on the hills, and under every green tree.

Footnotes:

- 2 Chronicles 28:3 LXX, Syr, Tg read and passed his children through

Cross references:
- 28:1-6 : 2Kg 16:2-4
- 28:1 : 2 Ch 27:2
- 28:2 : 2 Ch 22:3
- 28:2 : Ex 34:17
- 28:3 : Jos 15:8; 18:16; 2 Kg 23:10; Jr 7:29-34; 19:2-6
- 28:3 : Lv 18:21; 2 Kg 16:3; 2Ch 33:6
- 28:3 : 2 Ch 33:2

- 28:4 : 2 Ch 28:25

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

What more do I learn about 2 Kings 16:1 based off of this passage and cross-reference?

I definitely learn more about Ahaz. 

Ahaz tool the throne when he was about twenty years old and reigned for sixteen years in Jerusalem. 

He did not do what was right in the sight of the Lord. 

To be continued...

(Written on September 13, 2016, Tuesday, 1223 p.m.)

31,102 Verses

There are 31,102 verses in the Holy Bible. 

I am not sure if I will be able to journal through all of them in this blog or not. Nor am I sure if I will live long enough to give each the attention they deserve. 

The truth of the matter is, I want two days per verse at least to read, study, pray, meditate and think on, and journal about over time.

31,102 times two days equals 62,204.

At that rate, it would take 170.43 years. Well, I have about a quarter of that to live. Therefore, I will not be able to cover every verse of the Bible. However, with the cross-references of each verse, I might come awfully close. 

We shall see how long it takes me to thoroughly study each verse. Then, I can determine about how long this thorough study will take me on average. 

An Honest Discussion about the Bible and the Church

THE WAY WE READ AND STUDY THE BIBLE JUST ISN'T WORKING:

RUSHING THROUGH THE BIBLE OR IN BIBLE STUDY

Why do most Christians fail to study the Bible thoroughly each and every day? 

Why do we not get as much out of the Bible as we could? 

Why are we not making the reading and studying of the Bible the priority and the bulk of our day?

Look in the mirror. I know I am. Do I thoroughly study the Bible each and every day? Hardly. 

If you are in a Bible study, like I am. Or, if you are reading through the Bible, I bet you are reading and studying far too much and much too fast. 

How can I state anything I have up to this point? It is because it is true for most of us.

Rushing through the Word of God, the Holy Bible, is a pandemic in our society today. Whether we admit it or not, we either are going through the motions to check off the box or we want a fast food and buffet style of faith. We want our faith to fit into our schedule. We refuse to read our Bibles like God wants us to and the effects are being shown everywhere in our world today. 

Until we get serious about the Word and make it our priority and make it the bulk, and majority of our day, then our lives and our world will continue to not be what the could or should be.

And I think it all stems from reading and studying the Bible far too quickly. 

If  we were to get the most we can out of our Bible reading and studying, and do so each and every time, then we will be far more likely to get into the Word to begin with and make it our priority.

Let's be real here. It is rather difficult to want to do something, never mind make it the priority and majority in our lives, if we are not getting a lot out of it. 

If we slow down and really think on something we read or hear, all night and day long, then we will be more likely to remember it and apply what we learn to our lives. Moreover, we are more likely to read it again and we are more likely to make reading our priority and majority. 

The same goes with the Holy Bible, the very Word of God.

Let me know if you can relate to this story of confession:

More often than not, I hear a sermon and then don't think on it like I should over the course of the next week. I might read my notes once or twice, and think on it once or twice, but it really does not go any further.

Moreover, if I do a Bible study in the morning, I might think on it once or twice that day, but not much. Then, I do the same thing the next day.

Do you hear me? 

Honestly... How do I expect to get the most out of a sermon or a day in Bible study if I do not think on it much after my first exposure to it this time around in the Word?

Or, worse yet. I get together with my Bible study group and I take great notes. How often do I read those notes again? Not much if any. And, I certainly do not think on it as much as I should over the course of the next week.

Can you relate?

Why do I not invest in the Bible like I could or should?

I think I have the tendency on rushing through the Word of God. 

We are supposed to read the Bible every year, right? (Nowhere is that a command in the Bible by the way. And, my comment was sarcasm.)

Seriously, though. Isn't this how we approach the Word, if we were to be fully honest? Don't we rush through the Word? We do have other things to do, after all. Right? (More sarcasm.)

What would happen if we were to really slow down and take a year to get through one or two chapters of the Bible?

What if we were to truly and intentionally mediate on the Bible morning, noon, evening, and night, even as we roll over in bed or every time we cannot sleep?

What if we were to intentionally look at a verse to four verses of the Bible, and the same verse or verses, at least every hour all day long and journal our thoughts and prayers about it at least three times that day? And, what if the next day, you went to the next verse or four verses tops, and did the same thing? Wouldn't we then look at the Holy Bible, the Word of God, very differently? 

And, what if one day per week, we looked at our journaling and notes about the other six days in review and to see what more we can get out of the previous readings and journaling? 

How can we expect to get a lot out of the Word if we barely put any effort into the Word? 

If you do a Bible study every single day, and one already written, what would happen if you took three days to think about, pray about, and journal about that daily lesson?

What if you made a 12 week Bible study take 36 weeks instead, where you make the effort and commitment to study each day, every hour, and all day long? 

What if at least five minutes of your fifteen minutes break at work consisted of you reading the verse and verses in which you studied earlier that day?

There is a rule I have discovered in this life and it works every single time: The more you put into something, the more you will get out of it. Bible reading and study, prayer, and journaling certainly apply here. 

So, what about being more intentional and deliberate about reading, studying, praying, and journaling one to four verses of the Bible every single day? 

How much more would you get out of the Word if you did? 

Stop rushing. Be deliberate. And, above all, never neglect the Word. There is too much at stake. 

Intimidated

The Story of the Prophecies of Daniel

As I step out in this adventure of writing book one of this series, I will share my journey with you.

I have been called to study the Word of God, the Holy Bible, and to write a series of novels based off of a book of the Bible. 

This is beyond intimidating. I do not want to fail. I do not want to mess anything up. I do not want to miss or overlook anything. 

I have actually read that in order to write historical fiction, it is okay not to spend too much time in doing research. It's more important to flesh out the characters and what daily life was like back then and how it's much the same today, in that the lessons learned are much the same. 

I have an issue with that kind of thinking as a writer. If I am called to write about the Bible, and I am, then I better know what I am talking about. I had better be a subject matter expert--or at least very close. This is the WORD OF GOD we are talking about here. THE HOLY BIBLE. I better give it my all and no less. Only excellence is what I shall strive for in this endeavor. 

No pressure. 

I have started at least a six year adventure of traveling through the book of Daniel in my personal study and then writing a series of biblical historical fiction novels about Daniel. I am writing six novels where each book is based off of two chapters in the book of Daniel. 

This adventure started about a week and a half ago and I have to admit I have never been more excited or more intimidated about a writing project like this. The truth is, I am rather terrified about this project. 

I think it will take me at least a year to research the two chapters for each book/novel. I am talking a year of research and study of at least four hours per day seven days per week. 

I already have over four hundred twenty-five pages of notes and I have barely scratched the surface. I have so much more I need to study and learn. 

Therefore, this is the most serious writing project I have ever endeavored. It is an all or nothing proposition in my book. (Sorry for the writing/reading/book cliche. I couldn't resist, though.) I will make sure to learn everything I can about the book of Daniel. Hence, it will take much research.

Also, the six years may be more. The six novels may end up being more as well. Who knows. Time will answer these questions. 

I have started to write book one as I do my research each day. I have 4,500 words written so far. I am writing and researching at the same time. 

This writing project requires more of me than probably all of my past projects put together. It requires sacrifice and a great deal of thinking and learning. Never mind being in the Word and in prayer. 

I cannot believe how much I have learned so far. For instance, Daniel might be the most educated man in the bible--even more so than Paul. Why and how? He was a male and he was a Hebrew. This means studies in and of themselves. Then, he was called to be a prophet. This also means more studies. Also, he was most likely a descendant of King Hezekiah. As a youth of royal blood, it means more studies he would have needed to have. Then, add how he was an eunuch, an adviser to the king, this meant more studies. 

I never thought about all of the studying Daniel would be required to complete because of his position in society and in the time. Therefore, I can see why some say he was even more educated than Paul. 

Who knew? 

It is then an interesting predicament as a writer as I try to make sure I include this information somehow in telling the story through my writing. 

I will share more of what I have learned in the next blog post. 

For now, know this. I am intimidated by this project and excited. I cannot help but wonder... Why has God called me and not someone else to this project? Surely many more are far more qualified. But, then, I hush and say, "Yes, Lord. I trust you will equip me as we write this together." 

The Prophecy of Daniel 6+ Year Project

Greetings.

It has sure been a while since I have blogged. I have been journaling, praying, and doing Bible study mainly, along with reading some as time provides. Mainly, I have been searching for "the" writing project of my life and I think I finally found her. (I like to personify things, by the way. It's part of my quirky personality.)

The idea started to come to me about a week and a half ago and I have already collected 228 pages of research notes. I started collecting the notes three days ago.

So, what is this project? Over the course of the next 6+ years, I am going to thoroughly study the book of Daniel. This research and study will lead me to write in time six historical fiction novels based on the book and man of Daniel. Each novel, by the way, will be based off of two chapters of the book of Daniel. There are twelve chapters in the book of Daniel.

Why will it take me 6+ years to research the book of Daniel? If I am going to write even one historical fiction  novel on any part of the Bible, I want to take it seriously. I do not want to get "just enough" information. I want to be thoroughly versed on the subject matter. I want to know it with my brain and with my heart. I want to live it. I want to dive as deep as I can into the material so I can immerse myself in the text, in the culture of the day, in the history, and everything about the people, events, and places of the story.

The truth is, I could spend forty hours a week for probably the next twenty-five years. However, I know I will spend at least a year per novel in research of the two chapters of the Book of Daniel in which the novel will cover and be based. Who knows, it might be more than that. Time will tell.

How am I studying each chapter of the Book of Daniel?
1 I am doing an Inductive Bible Study.
2 I am taking a hermeneutic approach.
3 I am dwarfing my own study after one and two.

Huh? In case that doesn't make sense, in short, I am doing a verse by verse, chapter by chapter study where I am asking the verse lots of questions and am searching for answers, I am looking up all of the cross-references, I am doing several word studies. Then, I am doing three different Bible studies on the book, am listening to three different sermon addresses, and reading every commentary I can get my hands on.

This is not quick. It takes time. It is approximately one week per verse and that is before I look at the commentaries.

I have actually started dreaming about the book of Daniel and when I roll over in the night, it comes to mind. As I drive or as I shower, Daniel comes to mind. Daniel has started to become woven into the fabric of my life and who I am. And I have barely started.

I refuse to shortchanged my study and research so I can write a quick book. I am writing a historical fiction series based off of a man from the Bible and the book of the Bible! This is holy ground and I will tread carefully and intentionally.

I will share what I learn on this blog.

In time, I will share a great deal of my notes and will even write a Bible study here on this blog on the book of Daniel.

This blog will be about my 6+ year journey through the book of Daniel. It will also be a Bible study and I will share the first drafts of my historical fiction novels here in this blog.

Welcome to the journey through the book of Daniel and please stay tuned.

Have a blessed day.

The thoughts, learning, and practice of being a prayer warrior

Welcome to another day and another personal journaling entry of the story of my journey of learning how to offer prayer protection.

When I started to journal my journey of learning this type of prayer, I have to confess how I had not prayed nearly as much as I should, and forgot to pray far more than I did pray. I am starting over in my prayer life, pure and simple.

I started this prayer protection journey on March 27, 2016 and it has now been a total of eight days so far. Has it been this long already, Lord?

///

Prayer to be Used as a Prayer Warrior:

Lord, I think I have already learned a great deal and have been reminded of far more regarding prayer in general and in the offering of prayer protection and being a prayer warrior and watchman. Thank you for teaching me so patiently. Please teach me a great deal more each and every day. Moreover, God, help me also apply what I learn and to remember what I learn. Teach me what it means to be a prayer warrior. I want you to use me as one. Show me what it means to be and act as a prayer warrior. Use me. Help me to hear your every prayer prompt and to immediately respond. To you be the glory.

I pray these verses:

Luke 11:1 New Century Version (NCV)
11 One time Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his followers said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray as John taught his followers.”

Matthew 7:7-8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
7 “Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

James 5:16 Expanded Bible (EXB)
16 [L Therefore,] Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so God can heal you. ·When a believing person prays, great things happen [L The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective].

1 John 5:14-15 New Living Translation (NLT)
14 And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. 15 And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.
///

Prayer and the Holy Bible 

I never need to be at a loss of words and never need to be unsure of my words in prayer or of my prayers. I could pray through every verse of the Bible multiple times and get a great deal from it and be thoroughly blessed and bless others through it as well. This is why I include the Bible verses I do. I want to pray them over and over and pray them so much I memorize them by accident.

This is one of the most effective ways to pray and is the easiest, frankly. Never mind the most rewarding for myself and all I pray about. After all, here is a promise:

Isaiah 55:11 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
11 so My word that comes from My mouth
will not return to Me empty,
but it will accomplish what I please
and will prosper in what I send it to do.”

Prayer for the land

Prayer for the land

I realize it is my responsibility to intercede for everyone, every place, and everything I can. I also realize it is a sin not to do so.

///

1 Samuel 12:23 New Living Translation (NLT)
23 “As for me, I will certainly not sin against the Lord by ending my prayers for you. And I will continue to teach you what is good and right.
New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

///

In many cases,  I am afraid that my reminder and prayer of this verse needs to be to start to pray for others, other places, other things, not just to continue. Lord, help me to pray for everyone I can and teach me how to pray for more.

Lord, also help me to pray for the land. For where I live: My block, neighborhood, city, county, state, region, country, Church, and world. Also, help me to pray about every news story I can. Father, help me to prioritize these prayers as well.

///

Ezekiel 22:30 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
30 I searched for a man among them who would repair the wall and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land so that I might not destroy it, but I found no one.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

///

2 Chronicles 7:13-15 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
13 If I close the sky so there is no rain, or if I command the grasshopper to consume the land, or if I send pestilence on My people, 14 and My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. 15 My eyes will now be open and My ears attentive to prayer from this place.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

///

2 Chronicles 7:13-15 Expanded Bible (EXB)
13 “·I may [L If I…] ·stop the sky [shut the heavens] from sending rain. ·I may [L …or if I…] command the locusts to ·destroy [devour] the land. ·I may [L …or if I…] send ·sicknesses [plague; pestilence] to my people. 14 Then if my people, who ·are called by my name [belong to me], will humble themselves, if they will pray and seek ·me [L my face] and stop their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven. I will forgive their sin, and I will ·heal [restore] their land. 15 Now ·I will see them, and I will listen [my eyes will be open and my ears attentive; 6:40] to the prayers prayed in this place.
Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.

///

Lord, give me the want to pray. Put it on my mind and heart and help me to respond. And, help me respond immediately.

I will focus on meditating on these verses, along with Ephesians 6:10-20 today.

What brought me to begin the process of learning about spiritual warfare?

What brought me to begin the process of learning about spiritual warfare?

Blog post series: What is Spiritual Warfare?: My personal journaling of my journey learning about this topic
I have spent gobs of time today researching all of the books out there on spiritual warfare and the full armor of God and have found that there is no book out there like what I am looking for. Is this why I am prayer journaling my way of learning about spiritual warfare? Is this, Lord, why you have out it on my heart? Please lead me and guide me, Lord. Only you. None of me. Only your glory. I cannot help but pray as I write. 
I keep getting pressed to pray through the news each day all day long.
The terror attack in Brussels and the presidential elections of the United States, combined with the latest news of the Hillary Clinton email scandal have me at a tipping point where I realize I am desperate for this world to change and fight terror as a united front. I am at the point of desparation to have not only have a worldwide prayer revival, but a reading of the Holy Bible revival.
When I hear of a dog found... raped and hung on a tree in Seattle over the weekend...
When I see the moral depravity of the world, but most importantly of the Church, I cannot help but feel a fire inside
I realize I cannot change anyone. So, I will not try. It's futile.
Most of the time I have a hard time changing myself. However, I am now desparate. This world is going down in flames... and so is my nation. 
I realize I have something most people do not have. I have time. This is why yesterday you, Lord, called me to become a full-time Bible student, which I know goes hand-in-hand with becoming a full-time prayer warrior. To be in the Holy Bible is to pray and to pray is to be in the sacred word of God. You cannot have one without the other. 
And, I am still shocked that the first topic is spiritual warfare. Gulp. No pressure. 
You see... I do not have the background to wage war. Not a recent one or a thorough one. I have missed this important spiritual discipline, as in missed the mark. Therefore, it is time for me to change this.
So, what kind of book am I looking for on spiritual warfare? A simple, practical one which looks thoroughly at everything the Bible says. And I mean everything. I am looking for head knowledge, heart knowledge, and practical application, without all of the Christianese and lingo. Something written with the emphasis that not everyone knows what they know. 
I also have found that I have trouble with books that have topical prayers or chapters in them, when most of the book or prayers do not apply to me. If they only have a quarter of the book applicable to me, I won't waste my time or my money. Therefore, I'm looking for a book that is more applicable to everyone and every issue. I pray I am making sense.
///
A new day 03/29/2016
It is 538 a.m. and I sit on my teal colored sofa in our living room with the fireplace on, coffee nearby, and I hear our turtle tanks' water filters, which sound like a fountain. I sit here in the stillness, where I am the only one awake and stirring in the house. I know it is early when not even the turtles stir. 
As I sit here, I cannot help but get a little weepy as I realize in this new journaling series is a call home for me. At least, that is how it feels. It is like I have come home to a place of refuge, this new journaling track of learning through 5 w's and an h of the Bible today. And, with this first focus being on journaling about spiritual warfare. 
Thank you, Lord, for the call home to where I belong. To what I am supposed to be doing. 
Note: By the way, I am including the dates only to show my progression with my journaling. Each journaling entry (or blog post) is meant to be timeless. Each can be read today or in fifty years and still apply. 
Thank you for the vision you have given me. 
Now, it is time to pull out Ephesians 6:10-20 and I will make sure to read as slowly as possible and digest word by word. I have a printed out paper copy and a digital copy. I will read both versions and will share my thoughts here, along with anything, Lord, you share. 
///
What is Spiritual Warfare?
Reading word by word of my printed out copy of the full armor of God passage...
Be strong in the resurrection power of the Lord. 
That reminds me of this passage:
/// 
Ephesians 1:18-21 New Living Translation (NLT)
18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come.
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
/// 
Verse 10 of Ephesians 6 tells us to be strong in God and in his great power. It isn't just any power. It is in the resurrection power. And this power wasn't just of the resurrection, but the power was found in everything that came with the resurrection: forgiveness of sin; Christ now placed at the right hand of God and given power over every nation, everyone, and everything; fulfillment of prophecy; God reversing what was done in the Garden of Eden; etc. This power is neverending and is all-powerful. This power never weakens or dims. 
I am to be strong in God and in his resurrection power. 
Put on the full armor of God and do not forget a piece or your fight against evil will not be as effective. 
If I were to focus more on the spiritual fight than on the earthly one, and I prayed so God would then act, and I freed him to do so through my prayers, then I bet this world would be less insane, self-centered, lazy, ungodly, and unbiblical. If I were to fight the spiritual battle, and not the earthly, I would then attack the root and source of the problem, not an offshoot. My spiritual battle waged is far more effective than the earthly battles.  
What can I do to bring God the most glory? It would be through freeing people and circumstances to him and his blessings. When we are in bondage, the blessings cannot get through to us. We cannot see them and do not accept them. After all, we are in bondage and are blinded. 
Moreover, if I am already in battle, or at least am ready for battle, then I have that mindset already and it is easier to see the enemy and his work so I can then engage him in battle. If I was not prepared, I would surely lose that battle... and I surely have... for years...
If I am armed with my weapons, and have the battle mindset and am prepared for battle, it is much harder to be tricked by the enemy. Therefore, why would I ever want to not be ready? But, is this not what I have done for years, the not being prepared for battle part?
Just because I forget about something, deny it, or ignore it, it does not make it any less real or any less of a threat. I cannot wish the enemy away. I must fight. 
How many others are not fighting? Someone has to. And, I refuse to submit to the enemy. 
All of this sounds great. Furthermore, it is true. But, now what? How do I engage in this war? How do I prepare myselt for it? What are the battle plans, Lord, you have for me?
/// 
What is Spiritual Warfare? Ephesians 6:10-20 definitely answers this question. The only problem is, that if I am honest, I do not know what it means or understand? Paul wrote Ephesians and he understood what he said within context of the time and place he lived. His readers did as well. Therefore, I find it tricky to fully grasp what it means today. Therefore, I need to thoroughly study the passage and everything I can about spiritual warfare. 
/// 
The background of Ephesians 6
The Book of Ephesians was written by Paul,  an apostle of Jesus. The ruins of Ephesus are barely there today. It had not survived as well as some of the seven churches of Revelation found in modern day Turkey. They say that only fifteen percent of the city has been dug and found by archaeologists. 
Ephesus was a port city along the coast of the Aegean Sea and was the forth largest city in the Roman Empire. It is estimated the city held between 225,000 and 250,000 people at its height. Plus all of the tourists who visited the Temple of Artemis, who was also known as Diana, the fertility goddess. These tourists went to Ephesus in order to worship her. Ephesus also helps the Library of Celsus and a medical school back in the day.
Many Ephesians became rich because of the worshippers of Artemis. Since these people journeyed there, they needed a place to stay, a place to eat, and they usually bought trinkets as well. The fact that the temple was one of the seven wonders of the world only added to this. It made more flock there. 
Since Artemis was the deity of fertility,  it meant that prostitution was common there in Ephesus, and it was not looked down on since it was part of the worship. The prostitutes lived in a brothel along through Marble Road. 

How do I use my body in ways that are not godly or biblical? Ahh. Yes. The quality and quantity of food I eat. Lord, help me to always put you first and to treat my body as your temple. 

Reading the full armor of God again, slowly, word by word. 

What is Spiritual Warfare?: My personal journaling of my journey learning about this topic on 03.28.2016.

Welcome to a new blog post series.

The title of the new blog post series is:
What is Spiritual Warfare?: My journey of learning this topic

Today's blog title: 
What is Spiritual Warfare?: My personal journaling of my journey learning about this topic on 03.28.2016.

Welcome to a new blog post series where I will share my personal journaling as I journey through the Holy Bible.

It is of a larger series in which I plan to learn about the Bible and it is called:

"Learning the who, what, where, when, why, and how of the Holy Bible today"

This is a series I can work on full-time for the rest of my life, if I so desired. And I desire to do so right now, that is for sure. Or, more specifically, full-time for at least the next ten years approximately. At that time, my husband, B plans on retiring so I will move to writing part-time instead... maybe. We shall see in ten years or so.

At any rate, I will make it my full-time job as a normal, everyday, average gal to, learn all about the who, what, where, when, why, and how of the Holy Bible. This is my goal of this new blog post series... to learn everything I can about the sacred word of God.

My goal for this specific blog post series is on spiritual warfare.

It hit me yesterday how I think our world is under a major spiritual warfare attack. And, so is the United States.  And so is my state, county, city, neighborhood, our home, my husband, our work individually and together, and me.

For all of us to have fallen so short of biblical values proves my point. Yes, each of us has individual responsibility for our fall, but spiritual warfare certainly adds to this.

But, am I correct?

It has been a while since I studied spiritual warfare. I want to approach it empty, where I try to forget everything I think I know and learn everything the Bible teaches about spiritual  warfare.

I will use several texts to help me learn all I can about spiritual warfare. The main one I will use at first is found here:

http://smile.amazon.com/Lord-Warfare-Teach-Stand-Devotional-ebook/dp/B002RLBKFO/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1459172214&sr=1-1&keywords=lord+is+it+warfare+teach+me+to+stand+by+kay+arthur

It is the book,

LORD, IS IT WARFARE? TEACH ME TO STAND: A DEVOTIONAL STUDY ON SPIRITUAL VICTORY by Kay Arthur

I think this spiritual victory is the key to the United States of America, the world, my state my county, my city, my neighborhood, my block, my family, my home, and me
living a successful and a blessed life, spiritually and in general. This is also the key for the upcoming presidential elections, I might add, along with fighting the war on terror and against ISIS in particular.

The battle always begins with me. I cannot control anyone else. But, I can sure change me and make the difference from my sphere of influence.

The main biblical passage I will focus on is:

///

Ephesians 6:10-20 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) 
Christian Warfare
10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics[a] of the Devil. 12 For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. 13 This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand, therefore,
with truth like a belt around your waist,
righteousness like armor on your chest,
15 and your feet sandaled with readiness
for the gospel of peace.[b]
16 In every situation take the shield of faith,
and with it you will be able to extinguish
all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17 Take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit,
which is God’s word.
18 Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. 20 For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough in Him to speak as I should.
Footnotes:
Ephesians 6:11 Or schemes, or tricks.
Ephesians 6:15 Ready to go tell others about the gospel.
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

///

I find it interesting how we are not to strengthen ourselves. We are to rely on God to strengthen us and on his vast strength.

Not my strength.

His strength.

His vast strength. Not just a little strength.

We are to put on the full armor of God, not just a partial.

Then, after we rely on God for his vast strength, and after we put on all of the armor of God, then we can stand against the schemes and tactics of the devil, our enemy.
I take note of the order of these and how I cannot stand if I do not do those other things first.

And, if I do not or cannot stand, then I will lose the battle. Hence, the other things are necessary.

Now, in Ephesians 6:11, it talks about the tactics of our enemy. The word, "tactics" comes from the Greek word, "methodeia," which means: deceit, schemes, trickery, and craftiness. It refers to plans oftentimes. Deceitful plans and planning.

So... the enemy is tricky and deceitful. We need to not forget this. The devil will trick us, as Ephesians 6:11 informs us: 

/// 

Ephesians 6:11 New Living Translation (NLT)
11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

///

Ephesians 6:11 Expanded Bible (EXB)
11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can fight against the devil’s ·evil tricks [schemes].
Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.

///

Our enemy will deceive us. He is crafty.

One of the ways he tricks us is through deceiving us, where we do not know or remember that we are at war with him. If he convinces us this is the case, then we will not arm ourselves. We then will be attacked when we are unarmed. 

So, it is important to always remember we are at war. 

We are at war. These verses prove it:

///

Ephesians 6:12-13 Expanded Bible (EXB)
12 [For] Our ·fight [conflict; struggle] is not against ·people on earth [L flesh and blood] but against the rulers and authorities and the ·powers [or cosmic powers/rulers] of this ·world’s darkness [L darkness], against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly ·world [realm; places]. 13 ·That is why you need to [L For this reason,] put on God’s full armor. Then on the day of evil [C persecution generally or end-time tribulation] you will be able to ·stand strong [keep your ground; resist the enemy]. And ·when you have finished the whole fight [L after you have done/accomplished everything], you will still be standing.
-- Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.

/// 

I am reading Ephesians 6:10-20 at multiple points all day long. My goal is to read it so much I memorize it and it takes hold in my heart and mind both. Consequently, I have decided on the HCSB version of the Holy Bible. 

What are my thoughts so far? I read LORD, IS IT WARFARE by Kay Arthur years ago and cannot help but wonder when I got so off-track. How could I forget so much? 
I actually have decided to do the EXPANDED BIBLE version instead as far as reading and re-reading to the point of memorization. Here is that version:

///

Ephesians 6:10-20 Expanded Bible (EXB)
Wear the Full Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his ·great [strong; mighty] power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can fight against the devil’s ·evil tricks [schemes]. 12 [For] Our ·fight [conflict; struggle] is not against ·people on earth [L flesh and blood] but against the rulers and authorities and the ·powers [or cosmic powers/rulers] of this ·world’s darkness [L darkness], against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly ·world[realm; places]. 13 ·That is why you need to [L For this reason,] put on God’s full armor. Then on the day of evil[C persecution generally or end-time tribulation] you will be able to ·stand strong [keep your ground; resist the enemy]. And ·when you have finished the whole fight [L after you have done/accomplished everything], you will still be standing. 14 So stand ·strong [or ready], with the belt of truth tied around your waist and the ·body armor[breastplate] of ·right living [a righteous life; or God’s own righteousness/justice; L righteousness]. 15 On your feet wear the ·Good News [Gospel] of peace ·to help you stand strong [for firm footing; or to be fully prepared].16 And ·also [in addition to all this; or in all circumstances] use the shield of faith with which you can ·stop[extinguish] all the ·burning arrows [T fiery darts] of the Evil One. 17 ·Accept [Receive; or Take] the helmet of salvation, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the ·word [message] of God. 18 Pray ·in [or in dependence on] the Spirit at all times with all ·kinds of prayers [L prayers and requests], asking for everything you need. To do this you must always be ·ready [alert] ·and never give up [L with all perseverance]. Always pray for all ·God’s people [T the saints].
19 Also pray for me that when I ·speak [L open my mouth], God will give me words so that I can tell the ·secret[mystery] of the ·Good News [Gospel] ·without fear [confidently; boldly]. 20 ·For this Good News […for which] I am an ambassador in ·prison [L chains; 3:1]. Pray that I will speak ·it [or for him; or in him] ·without fear [boldly; confidently], as I should.
-- Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.
///

I am going to read this three times slowly and take each verse in slowly as I do and I will try to ponder each word, phrase, sentence, etc., as I do. I want to take it all into my mind and heart. This is how I will spend the next couple of hours. 

The latest about my writing and blogging

The latest about my writing and blogging

I am starting to see how the Lord wants me to be a full-time Bible student, combined with being a prayer warrior, for the rest of my life. I am to write about what I learn and my thoughts on what I learn. Hence, I am starting a new blog post series called:

"Learning the who, what, where, when, why, and how of the Holy Bible and what it means today"

This, frankly, is a series I can do every day, 7 days a week, for the rest of my life.

It will be the story of my journey through the Holy Bible and will be my journaling as I learn the 5 w's and an h (as Kay Arthur of Precepts Ministries calls them) about the sacred word of God.

Stay tuned, this series starts tomorrow.

Psalm 90:12

December 23, 2015, Wednesday, 636 a.m.

Psalm 90:12 New Living Translation (NLT)
12 Teach us to realize the brevity of life,
    so that we may grow in wisdom.
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Psalm 90:12 Expanded Bible (EXB)
12 ·Teach us [Make us know] ·how short our lives really are [L to count our days]
    so that we ·may be wise [L gain a wise heart].
-- Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.

Psalm 90:12 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
12 Teach us to number our days carefully
so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

Psalm 90:12 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
12 So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.
-- New American Standard Bible (NASB). Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

If we truly realised how brief life was here on earth, we would live it drastically differently and would make every single moment count.

How do we make every moment count? Live it fully.

How do we live every moment fully? We find every single blessing we can of each and every moment, we thank God for them, and we capture them on the page to remember, review, and count again.

S.O.A.P. Bible Study of Psalm 141

Scripture:
Here are what I think the key verses are:
Psalm 141:1-4 New Living Translation (NLT)
A psalm of David.
1 O Lord, I am calling to you. Please hurry!
    Listen when I cry to you for help!
2 Accept my prayer as incense offered to you,
    and my upraised hands as an evening offering.
3 Take control of what I say, O Lord,
    and guard my lips.
4 Don’t let me drift toward evil
    or take part in acts of wickedness.
Don’t let me share in the delicacies
    of those who do wrong.
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Here is another translation or version:
Psalm 141:1-4 Expanded Bible (EXB)
A psalm of David.
1 Lord, I ·call [pray] to you. Come quickly to me.
    ·Listen to me [L Give ear to my voice] when I ·call [pray] to you.
2 Let my prayer be like incense placed before you [Ex. 30:7–8; Rev. 5:8],
    and ·my praise [L the lifting of my hands] like the evening sacrifice.
3 Lord, ·help me control my tongue [L set a guard on my mouth];
    ·help me be careful about what I say [L keep watch on the door of my mouth; Prov. 13:3; 21:23; James 3:1–12].
4 ·Take away my desire to do evil [L Don’t incline my heart to an evil matter]
    or to join others in doing wrong.
Don’t let me eat tasty food
    with those who do evil.
-- Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.
For me, the key verse is:
Psalm 141:3 New Living Translation (NLT)
3 Take control of what I say, O Lord,
    and guard my lips.
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Psalm 141:3 Expanded Bible (EXB)
3 Lord, ·help me control my tongue [L set a guard on my mouth];
    ·help me be careful about what I say [L keep watch on the door of my mouth; Prov. 13:3; 21:23; James 3:1–12].
-- Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.
Psalm 141:3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
3 Lord, set up a guard for my mouth;
keep watch at the door of my lips.
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
Psalm 141:3 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
3 Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;
Keep watch over the door of my lips.
-- New American Standard Bible (NASB). Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
Observations:
Psalm 141:3 New Living Translation (NLT)
3 Take control of what I say, O Lord,
    and guard my lips.
I sure need this prayer. Especially today. It was another one of those everything that could possible go wrong, did, mornings. Hence, out of frustration, I flapped my mouth--internally and externally.
You know, Lord, it just hit me. Just because I think it, does it make it any.less bad? A bad thought is not as bad as a bad word. Both are ugly, are sinful, and get my eye and heart off of You.
And, as I complain, vent, gripe, it only leaves me feeling ugly and tarnished. Never mind who I vent to.
How does this help?
The personalized prayer of Psalm 141:3 would have made far more sense.
Application:
Allow God to speak through me.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to bite my tongue so You can speak through me instead. Your words, not mine.

S.O.A.P. Bible Study of Zechariah 1:3

Scripture:

Zechariah 1:3 New Living Translation (NLT)
3 Therefore, say to the people, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.’
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Zechariah 1:3 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
3 Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Return to Me,” declares the Lord of hosts, “that I may return to you,” says the Lord of hosts.
-- New American Standard Bible (NASB). Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Zechariah 1:3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
3 So tell the people: This is what the Lord of Hosts says: Return to Me”—this is the declaration of the Lord of Hosts—“and I will return to you, says the Lord of Hosts.
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

Zechariah 1:3 Expanded Bible (EXB)
3 So tell the people: This is what the Lord ·All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts] says: ‘Return to me, and I will return to you,’ says the Lord ·All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; T of hosts].
-- Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.

Observations:

This is what I need to constantly pray and remember. If I ever get off-track, and I return to the Lord, then He will return to me as well.

Application:

Pray this over me, my husband, our marriage, my loved ones, my city, my state,  the USA, the Church as a whole, and the world.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to remember this often and pray about it.

Matthew 7:6 S.O.A.P. Bible Reading and Bible Study

Matthew 7:6 on Sunday, December 20, 2015

SCRIPTURE

-- Memory Verses

Matthew 7:1-14 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
1 “Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged. 2 For with the judgment you use, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye but don’t notice the log in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and look, there’s a log in your eye? 5 Hypocrite! First take the log out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. 6 Don’t give what is holy to dogs or toss your pearls before pigs, or they will trample them with their feet, turn, and tear you to pieces.
7 “Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 What man among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! 12 Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them—this is the Law and the Prophets.
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. 14 How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

-- Scripture for Today

Matthew 7:5 goes right along with Matthew 7:1-4, so look at those blog posts or journaling entries. The focus today is Matthew 7:6:

See above or in your favorite version (you also might want to look after this section for other versions or translations).

-- Initial thoughts of verse or passage

What does that mean... and why is it where it is in context of the chapter, book, testament, and Bible as a whole? Those are my questions and initial thoughts on the verse. Maybe reading other versions will help me with my understanding.

-- Multiple translations or versions of verse or passage

Matthew 7:6 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
6 Don’t give what is holy to dogs or toss your pearls before pigs, or they will trample them with their feet, turn, and tear you to pieces.
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

Matthew 7:6 New Living Translation (NLT)
6 “Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Matthew 7:6 Expanded Bible (EXB)
6 “Don’t give holy things to dogs, and don’t throw your pearls ·before [to] ·pigs [T swine]. ·Pigs will only trample on them, and dogs will turn to attack you [L They will trample them and turn to attack you; C pigs were ritually unclean and dogs were considered scavengers].
-- Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.

Matthew 7:6 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
6 “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
-- New American Standard Bible (NASB). Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

I have heard this verse recited in the past. I read these different translations and have read the context and still have no idea what it means or why it is placed where it is. Sigh. I guess it is time to turn to cross-references... maybe.

Study link for Matthew 7:6:

http://biblehub.com/matthew/7-6.htm

-- Cross-References

The cross-references do not help with my understanding.

OBSERVATION

The context, different versions, and cross-references do not help me understand this verse. However, commentaries do.

Dogs and pigs were considered unclean animals at those times. Here both were used to represent those who do not believe. We should not waste our time trying to share the Word if God, or the Gospel, with those who resent them. If someone is put off by the Bible or the Gospel, we should save them and ourselves the time and keep our mouths shut until they are ready to hear it.

APPLICATION
N/A

PRAYER
Lord, help me know who to share with... and those not to.

Matthew 7:4 S.O.A.P. Bible Reading and Bible Study

Matthew 7:4 on Friday, December 17, 2015

SCRIPTURE

Memory Verses

Matthew 7:1-8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
1 “Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged. 2 For with the judgment you use, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye but don’t notice the log in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and look, there’s a log in your eye? 5 Hypocrite! First take the log out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. 6 Don’t give what is holy to dogs or toss your pearls before pigs, or they will trample them with their feet, turn, and tear you to pieces.
7 “Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

Scripture for Today

Matthew 7:4 (See your favorite version or translation of the Bible.)

Multiple translations or versions of verse or passage

Matthew 7:4 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and look, there’s a log in your eye?
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

Initial thoughts of verse or passage: I've said the same for a couple of days now: Look within first.

Matthew 7:4 New Living Translation (NLT)
4 How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye?
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

We all have blind spots. We might not see what is right in front of us. That's why it's important to pray daily:

Psalm 26:2 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
2 Test me, Lord, and try me;
examine my heart and mind.
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

Prayer: Father, help me know what I need to change and how. Help me to live a life of savoring the Bible in all I do.

Matthew 7:4 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye?
-- New American Standard Bible (NASB). Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Matthew 7:4 Expanded Bible (EXB)
4 How can you say to your ·friend [L brother], ‘Let me take that ·little piece of dust [speck; splinter] out of your eye’? ·Look at yourself [T Behold]! You still have that ·big piece of wood [log; plank; beam] in your own eye.
-- Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.

Cross-References
N/A. See yesterday's blog post.

OBSERVATION
See yesterday's blog post.

APPLICATION
See yesterday's blog post.

PRAYER
See earlier in this blog post and in yesterday's as well.