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Bible in a Year:  Exodus 25:1–26:37     Matthew 20:17–34

Today's Scripture :  Proverbs 23:1–5 Insight  Proverbs 22:17–24:22  is marked out as a separate section with the prologue, “Thirty Sayings of the Wise.” Some scholars have argued that Solomon “borrowed” some of these proverbs from an ancient Egyptian wisdom work “The Instruction of Amenemope,” which has thirty chapters. Regardless of its source, we believe that these “Thirty Sayings” are “God-breathed” ( 2 Timothy 3:16–17 ). The seventh saying ( Proverbs 23:1–3 ) paints the picture of being invited to dinner by a powerful host and warns of being enamored by the appearance of social prestige. Instead, we’re to be vigilant and restrained at a time when it’s easy to indulge. The eighth saying ( vv. 4–5 ) warns of the danger of greed, of being consumed by money and materialism, of trusting in riches. Since wealth is fleeting ( 27:24 ), it’s foolish to trust in it ( Ecclesiastes 5:13–15; Matthew 6:19; 1 Timothy 6:6–10; James 5:1–6 ).

By: Rev. Lynwood F. Mundy Proverbs 23:1-5 When you sit down to eat with a ruler, Consider carefully what is before you; 2 And put a knife to your throat If you are a man given to appetite. 3 Do not desire his delicacies, For they are deceptive food. 4 Do not overwork to be rich; [ Prov. 28:20; Matt. 6:19; 1 Tim. 6:9, 10; Heb. 13:5 ] ( Rom. 12:16 )  Because of your own understanding, cease! 5 ( Lit.   Will you cause your eyes to fly upon it and it is not? )   Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven. The New King James Version . Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982. Print.

Advanced Reservations Required I was shocked by the news that “Flo-Jo,” Florence Griffith Joyner died of a heart seizure on September 21, 1998, at the age of 38. Just ten years before, at the 1988 Olympic Games at Seoul, Korea, she won the gold medal in the 100 and [200-meter] race and in the 4×100 meter relay. How can an Olympic athlete die at such a young age with a disease that is associated with a sedentary lifestyle? I don’t know. The only answer I can give you is that we will all die. It is much easier for me to bury someone after they’ve lived a rich, full life than if they die unexpectedly. Those services are usually a mixture of sadness that we’ve lost loved ones and happiness that they’ve gone on to their reward. Burying babies is the hardest. Last year I conducted a funeral for a baby who died from suffocation. The father laid the baby down on a water bed to sleep. During the nap, he rolled over and was trapped between the mattress and the side of the bed. I couldn’...

Reflect & Pray Where does your life feel insecure? How might that lead you to Jesus ? God , help me to give my insecurities to You and to trust in Your goodness and faithfulness .

Friday, January 31, 2020, | Octoechos Friday of the Week of the Publican and Pharisee Epistle 2 Peter 1:1–10 Gospel Mark 13:1–8   Byzantine Lectionary (Gregorian) . Faithlife; Bellingham, WA, 2015; 2015. Print. Fri, Jan 31, 2020 (Jan 18, 2020) | Fixed Feasts Athanasius and Cyril Patriarchs of Alexandria Bright Vestments On the same date: Thirty-Third Friday after Pentecost Matins Gospel John 10:1–9 Epistle Hebrews 13:7–16 Gospel Matthew 5:14–19   Byzantine Lectionary (Julian) . Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2016. Print. Friday, January 31, 2020, | Octoechos Thirty-Third Friday after Pentecost Epistle Ephesians 4:17–25 (17th Friday, Greek ) or 1 Peter 1:1, 2, 10–12, 2:6–10 (32nd Friday, Slavic ) Gospel Mark 12:1–12 (17th Friday, Greek ) or Mark 12:1–12 (32nd Friday,  Slavic )   Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) . Faithlife; Bellingham, WA, 2015; 2015. Print.

Friday, January 31, 2020, | Memorial Saint John Bosco, Priest Years 1 & 2 | Roman Missal | Lectionary From Friday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time First Reading 2 Samuel 11:1–4a, 5–10a, 13–17 Response Psalm 51:3a Psalm Psalm 51:3–7, 10–11 Gospel Acclamation Matthew 11:25 Gospel Mark 4:26–34 Or from the Proper of Saints First Reading Philippians 4:4–9 Response Psalm 103:1 Psalm Psalm 103:1b–4, 8–9, 13–14, 17–18 Gospel Acclamation Matthew 23:11, 12b Gospel Matthew 18:1–5   Catholic Daily Readings . Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2009. Print. Friday, January 31, 2020 | Epiphany Season Friday of the Third Week of Epiphany Morning Prayer On the same date: Friday of the Third Week of Epiphany, Evening Prayer Psalm Psalm 51 First Reading Proverbs 15:16–23, 27–29 Second Reading Philippians 3:17–4:3   Episcopal Church. Book of Common Prayer (1928) Daily Office Lectionary . ...

January 31: Discipline Genesis 49–50; Hebrews 12–13; Ecclesiastes 12:9–14 I was a stubborn child. When disciplined by my parents, I would sulk for hours afterward. I didn’t see discipline from my parents’ perspective—as something that would mold me into a mature, loving person. Hebrews 12 has a lesson for people like me with a history of wallowing in self-pity when disciplined. Here, the writer of Hebrews tells us that God , a Father to us through the work of Jesus , disciplines us for our good. To emphasize this, the writer of Hebrews draws on the book of Proverbs , where the Father instructs His own Son . “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline  or give up when you are corrected by Him . For the Lord disciplines the one who he loves , and punishes every son whom he accepts ” ( Heb 12:6; compare Prov 3:11–12 ). The author tells us that being disciplined is a sign of God’s love . It means He is working and active in our lives ( Heb 12:8 ). Like ...

Bible in a Year : Exodus 23:1–24:18     Matthew 20:1–16

By: Rev. Lynwood F. Mundy Isaiah 35:1-4 The Future Glory of Zion 35:1 The ( Is. 32:15; 55:12 )  wilderness and the ( desert)  wasteland shall be glad for them, And the ( Is. 41:19; 51:3 )  desert ( Heb. [ Arabah])  shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; 2 ( Is. 32:15 )  It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, Even with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, The excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the ( Is. 40:5 )  glory of the Lord , The excellency of our God . 3 ( Job 4:3, 4; Heb. 12:12 )  Strengthen the ( Lit .  sinking )   weak hands, And make firm the ( tottering or   stumbling )   feeble knees. 4 Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with  ( Is. 34:8 )  vengeance, With the recompense of God ; He will come and ( Ps. 145:19; Is. 33:22 )  save you.”   The New King James Ve...

Today's Scripture :   Isaiah 35:1–4 Insight  Isaiah 35   follows six woes in chapters 28–33 that proclaim judgment on sinful nations, and chapter 34 that declares judgment on those oppressing God’s people . Chapter 35 stands in stark contrast because it talks of future blessings of a restored Zion; this chapter is peace in chaos as chapters 36–39 transition to focus on the threat of the Babylonian exile, which stood as judgment for Israel’s sin. In contrast to the theme of God’s anger and coming judgment leading to destruction, chapter 35 promises that God’s people will be heirs of a new age and speaks of nature’s restoration and salvation that includes freedom from their enemies. Even though the nations, including Israel, would be judged, ultimately God in His goodness would redeem the land.  By:  Julie Schwab

Attitude Adjustment “Here you go, son. Here [are] the fries you wanted.” The father handed his son a [super-sized] container of french fries and a coke. He sat across the table from his son to sip his coffee and read his newspaper. His son was becoming quite the young man. It seems like just yesterday that they brought him home from the hospital wrapped in a baby blanket his grandmother knitted. Now he is taller than his mother and is showing traces of peach fuzz on his chin. Turning to the Sport’s section, the smell of the fresh french fries distracted him. He reached across the table to take a couple. “No Dad,” the boy snapped, “these are my fries, you can’t have any.” “How dare he?!” The father thought. “This boy needs an attitude adjustment. Doesn’t he know where these fries came from? Why, if it wasn’t for me, he wouldn’t have any fries at all. For that matter, he wouldn’t have a roof over his head, clothes on his back or anything to eat.” Disgusted, the father’s thou...

Reflect & Pray What are some of the ways you’ve been encouraged recently? How will you encourage someone who’s facing hard times? Father , I need Your strength and Your grace today .

Thursday, January 30, 2020, | Octoechos Thursday of the Week of the Publican and Pharisee On the same date: Synaxis of the Three Hierarchs Epistle 1 Peter 4:12–5:5 Gospel Mark 12:38–44   Byzantine Lectionary (Gregorian) . Faithlife; Bellingham, WA, 2015; 2015. Print. Thu, Jan 30, 2020 (Jan 17, 2020) | Fixed Feasts Anthony the Great Bright Vestments On the same date: Thirty-Third Thursday after Pentecost Epistle Hebrews 13:7–16 Gospel Luke 6:17–23   Byzantine Lectionary (Julian) . Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2016. Print. Thursday, January 30, 2020, | Fixed Feasts Synaxis of the Three Hierarchs Bright Vestments On the same date: Thirty-Third Thursday after Pentecost Matins Gospel John 10:9–16 ( Greek ) Epistle Hebrews 13:7–16 Gospel Matthew 5:14–19   Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) . Faithlife; Bellingham, WA, 2015; 2015. Print.

Thursday, January 30, 2020, | Ordinary Time Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time Year 2 | Roman Missal | Lectionary First Reading 2 Samuel 7:18–19, 24–29 Response Luke 1:32b Psalm Psalm 132:1–5, 11–14 Gospel Acclamation Psalm 119:105 Gospel Mark 4:21–25   Catholic Daily Readings . Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2009. Print. Thursday, January 30, 2020, | Epiphany Thursday of the Third Week after Epiphany Year 2 Psalms ( Morning ) Psalm 50 Psalms ( Evening ) ( Psalm 59, 60 ) or Psalm 118 Old Testament Genesis 16:15–17:14 New Testament Hebrews 10:1–10 Gospel John 5:30–47   The Episcopal Church. Book of Common Prayer Lectionary . Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2010. Print. Thursday, January 30, 2020, | Epiphany Season Thursday of the Third Week of Epiphany Morning Prayer On the same date: Thursday of the Third Week of Epiphany, Evening Prayer Psalm P...

January 30: Difficult Definitions Genesis 47–48; Hebrews 11 ; Ecclesiastes 12:1–8 As an editor, I love definitions. The field of lexicography can be complex, but when a definition is finally solidified, there’s [a] comfort to be found. It becomes something stable. This is also the reason I love the book of Hebrews : the author is keen on definitions, clarifying terminology, and using analogies to prove his points. “Now faith is the realization of what is hoped for, the proof of things not seen” ( Heb 11:1 ). In this succinct definition, I have [a] perspective on the essence of faith . There is no room for doubt or error. The hope referred to is Jesus . And the proof is in an assurance that even though we cannot see Him , we have confidence in His work both presently and in the future. The author goes on to say, “For by this [ faith ] the people of old were approved [ by God ]. By faith , we understand the worlds were created by the word of God , in order that what is seen...