Scripture Snapshots, Day 1

Today marks the beginning of a new year, and with it, a new Bible reading plan I’m embarking upon. I’ve shared about the plan here, so check it out if you want to get up to speed on what I’m doing. Suffice it to say that the reading plan presents an interesting combination of Scriptures given that I’m reading ten chapters a day from ten different books of the Bible.

Given that, I thought I’d share some verses that stuck out to me. I may not do this every day as I go through this reading plan, but I plan on doing it somewhat regularly. I think it will be very interesting to see what themes begin to emerge daily, and would imagine you’ll find this interesting too. So check back from time to time.

Before I continue, though, please be warned: combining snippets of Scripture from various places in the Bible can be a dangerous thing, as it’s not too hard to make the Bible appear to say something it doesn’t. I’m compiling these verses because I think it’s interesting to provide a snapshot of some of the Scripture I’m coming across daily, NOT to try to lead anyone into a certain way of thinking by reading these verses together. If you want to understand what God’s Word says (not to mention understand how God is using His Word to speak to you!), you simply cannot neglect context! If any of these verses jump out at you, look them up and read the surrounding Scriptures! If you have questions about what you’ve read, ask your pastor, or a trusted friend! Or even ask me… I’ll be happy to try to help you understand what God’s word is saying.

With that all said… here are today’s Scripture snapshots:

Proverbs 1:7
⁷The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Joshua 1:8
⁸Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Romans 1:20-22
²⁰For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities –- his eternal power and divine nature –- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. ²¹For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²²Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools

Proverbs 1:19
¹⁹Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain;
it takes away the lives of those who get it.

Isaiah 1:13-20
¹³Stop bringing meaningless offerings!
Your incense is detestable to me.
New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations—
I cannot bear your evil assemblies.

¹⁴Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts
my soul hates.
They have become a burden to me;
I am weary of bearing them.

¹⁵When you spread out your hands in prayer,
I will hide my eyes from you;
even if you offer many prayers,
I will not listen.
Your hands are full of blood;

¹⁶wash and make yourselves clean.
Take your evil deeds
out of my sight!
Stop doing wrong,

¹⁷learn to do right!
Seek justice,
encourage the oppressed.
Defend the cause of the fatherless,
plead the case of the widow.

¹⁸“Come now, let us reason together,”
says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.

¹⁹If you are willing and obedient,
you will eat the best from the land;

²⁰but if you resist and rebel,
you will be devoured by the sword.”
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

Job 1:20-22
²⁰At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship ²¹ and said:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked I will depart.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
may the name of the Lord be praised.”

²²In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

Joshua 1:9
⁹Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”