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Nope, Not Going to Zilwaukee
A Cold One for a Change 
Making Anda-Paratha Great Again 
NEHEMIAH 5:14-7:73 | 1 CORINTHIANS 8:1-13 | PSALM 33:1-11 | PROVERBS 21:8-10
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Nehemiah continues with his account of having the walls and gates of the city rebuilt. He faces much opposition from within and without, but is determined to accomplish the mission he has set out to perform. There is a small note of self-righteousness in the way that Nehemiah records these matters, but nonetheless, he is diligent in carrying out this massive project undeterred.
Once everything is completed, Nehemiah goes on to list by name and number the “Jewish remnant” that is resettled in the city of Jerusalem. It appears that the total number was close to 50,000.
Turning now to our reading in I Corinthians, we find Paul continuing with more practical advice, this time concerning the proper conduct concerning food sacrificed to idols: should those who profess to be Christ-followers eat or not eat these foods? Paul says, it doesn’t matter, plain and simple.
He says, to be precise, “…we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.”
It is one’s conscience that determines the effect of the food on our minds. Do we truly give it the importance that it has been assigned? Paul’s thinking is that since we are assured of the one and only God of this universe, it matters not if you eat any food even if it has been offered to an idol—why should it matter, after all? Is your personal faith and belief in that idol?
Yet, Paul does caution that we be careful not to be a stumbling-block to those who might not yet be as sure of themselves in the new Christian faith, and if it means not giving the wrong impressions to these young Christians, then yes, perhaps abstaining from such foods might be the better option.
Turning next to our psalm for the day, we find David extolling the greatness of the “word of the Lord.” He says:
4 For the word of the LORD is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.
5 The LORD loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of his unfailing love.
6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made,
their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars;
he puts the deep into storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the LORD;
let all the people of the world revere him.
9 For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.
10 The LORD foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
11 But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.
Finally, one verse from the book of Proverbs penned by the wise king of Israel, Solomon, who must have known a thing or two about a quarrelsome wife! He says:
9 Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
May God bless the reading and reflection of His Word.
Second Friday of August: Steamy on the Outside; Very Cool on the Inside 
Working Remotely: Someone’s Gotta Do It!
NEHEMIAH 3:15-5:13 | 1 CORINTHIANS 7:25-40 | PSALM 32:1-11 | PROVERBS 21:5-7
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Nehemiah continues with his story of returning to Jerusalem with supplies to restore the broken wall and gates of the city. He provides the resources and the motivation for the job to be completed despite the opposition that he faces from both within and without.
And after all the gates are repaired, he goes one step further for the good of his people: he helps the poor by charging the well-off among the community as follows: “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies? 10 I and my brothers and my men are also lending the people money and grain. But let us stop charging interest! 11 Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the interest you are charging them—one percent of the money, grain, new wine and olive oil.”
In this way, Nehemiah accomplishes what he had set out to do for his people who had returned to their homeland after many years in exile.
Turning now to our reading in the book of Corinthians, we see Paul continuing with advice to his readers on the joys and ills of marriage. He notes without compunction that married life brings with it many troubles, and yet, it is up to each person to marry or not. Paul himself chose not to, but did not advocate his personal choice as being superior to any others.
However, he does note the marked differences in outlook between the married and the unmarried as he puts it here: 32I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. 33 But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— 34 and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.
Turning to our reading in the psalms, we find David, the psalmist, offering words of wisdom in these verses:
6 Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
while you may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters
will not reach them.
7 You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
9 Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.
10 Many are the woes of the wicked,
but the LORD’s unfailing love
surrounds the one who trusts in him.
11 Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous;
sing, all you who are upright in heart!
Finally, two verses from the book of Proverbs which offer food for thought. Honesty and diligence are virtues to be sought after, Solomon, the wise king of Israel exhorts:
5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit
as surely as haste leads to poverty.
6 A fortune made by a lying tongue
is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.
May God bless the reading and reflection of His Word.
“Mommy, there’s no where I’d rather be!”
