2013 Day 142 – 1 Samuel 20-22, Proverbs 27:15-27

22 Wednesday May 2013

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In 1 Samuel 20, there is the story of David and Jonathan . I’ve heard it said that every man should have a Jonathan in his life; a man who is closer than a brother. I’ve had the privilege of having a friend like that. We have know each other for almost 35 years and I can honestly say I trust Erik with my life. We’ve laughed, fought, talked and cheered for a long time together. I can honestly say that God speaks through him into my life more than either of us would care to admit. For me, sometimes I just need someone to stab me in the chest (as opposed to my back) and just tell me the truth no matter how painful it may be. It is for this reason I love the story of David and Jonathan. They’re friendship is an example of the kind of close relationship every man should have. May God bless my friendship with Erik and may He continue to strengthen us as we strengthen each other. It is fitting that today we read Proverbs 27:17, As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. And… Go Canes!!!

2013 Day 141 – Fr. Gregory Boyle: Love What You Find

21 Tuesday May 2013

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My good friend Sarah provided the reflection video for today. This is a clip of Father Gregory “Greg” Joseph Boyle who is an American Jesuit Priest. He is the founder and Director of Homeboy Industries. In this short clip he gives a profound definition of heaven as “loving without regard for return”. We should all practice this with people around us whether we like them or not. Let me know your thoughts.

 

If you ever come across anything you’d like me to post on this blog, please feel free to contact me at dino.evangelista@gmail.com.

2013 Day 140 – 1 Samuel 16-19, Proverbs 27:1-14

20 Monday May 2013

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How many times have you seen someone and thought, “that person looks interesting”, then once you meet them you are disappointed? We tend to make our first impressions of people based on outward appearance. Thankfully, God bases importance on the heart and what is inside the person. If God had based David’s potential on his appearance as a boy, he never would have become the greatest king the Israelites ever had. 1 Samuel 16:7 shows what God thinks is important, But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” For me, this is very encouraging. Knowing that God does not judge for my outward appearance gives me hope for what God can still do through me. He can continue to make me righteous on the inside and still use me for many great things with the remainder of my life.

2013 Day 139 – 1 Samuel 13-15, Proverbs 26:17-28

19 Sunday May 2013

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We must always be careful with decisions we make without first consulting God for direction. Saul made the decision to hold back food from the troops. He should never have made that decision with God’s approval first. 1 Samuel 14:30 shows what should have happened if he hadn’t made such a rash decision, How much better it would have been if the men had eaten today some of the plunder they took from their enemies. Would not the slaughter of the Philistines have been even greater?” Fortunately for God’s grace, Saul and Israel were still blessed despite his short sided decision. We must humble ourselves when we make mistakes, but we should probably wait on God before making a decision in the first place.

2013 Day 138 – 1 Samuel 10-12, Proverbs 26:1-16

18 Saturday May 2013

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In today’s reading the verse that stood out to me was Proverbs 26:11, As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly. I have read this verse many times and it seems like every time I read it God reminds me of the wisdom it contains. We all know what is right and what is wrong. As imperfect human beings it is easy to make mistakes. But every time we return to the same mistakes and the places we know will lead us to sin, we are fools. We must listen to the Holy Spirit in our hearts and know that He is leading us away from the things that will lead us to sin and its consequences. Let us not be like a dog that returns to its vomit. Once we have removed the sinful parts of our lives, let us ask God on a daily basis to give us strength to stay away.

2013 Day 137 – 1 Samuel 7-9, Proverbs 25:15-28

17 Friday May 2013

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In today’s reading, the Israelites beg for a king. Up until now they have had judges to rule over them. Samuel warns the people of what it will be like to have a king over them, but they want it anyway. While Israel had some good kings, there were many times when the kings led the people to corruption and sometimes even captivity. In the end, the Israelites should have been satisfied with God’s leadership. This is a great example for us. We should be looking to God for guidance and not man. There is a place for human leadership, but if we are not weighing it against God’s desires, we will miss the mark altogether.

2013 Day 136 – 1 Samuel 4-6, Proverbs 25:1-14

16 Thursday May 2013

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I do not have a lot to say about the today’s reading. The only thing I would encourage you with is to remember why each day’s reading is important. It is because it is part of the story. The story that leads to our Savior. Take each bit of what we read and remember the importance of it in relation to the big picture.

2013 Day 135 – 1 Samuel 1-3, Proverbs 24:23-34

15 Wednesday May 2013

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The story of Hannah and the birth of Samuel is so familiar. Just like Sarah and Rachel, Hannah’s patience paid off with the birth of a child who became a game-changer. These women are great examples of the blessing God gives to those who wait on Him. While these women were not always patient and sometimes took matters into their own hands, once God blessed them with His promises, they were blessed with more than they could have ever imagined; even beyond what they experienced in their lives here on earth. What are we missing from God’s blessing because we are too busy trying to take matters into our own hands? Let go and let God bless us with His true intent for our lives.

2013 Day 134 – What Are You Living Your Life For?

14 Tuesday May 2013

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This video simply made me think. I’m 45 years old and the older I get, the more I think about eternity. The truth is that none of us make it out of this life alive. We have to be OK with knowing this life is temporary but the things we choose to spend our time on have eternal consequences.

 

If you ever come across anything you’d like me to post on this blog, please feel free to contact me at dino.evangelista@gmail.com.

2013 Day 133 – Ephesians 4-6, Proverbs 24:1-22

13 Monday May 2013

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The passage that stood out to me today was Ephesians 5:1-2, 1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Just as children imitate their parents, we are to be imitator of Christ. Because of His love for us, He sacrificed Himself for us. Likewise, our love for others should be the same. It should be a self-sacrificing love, just as He showed us.