Psalm 1

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
Psalm 1

There's a beautiful dogwood tree in my backyard. It's was great for climb when I was younger and it's still growing strong.

It's great for a lot of things, but the reason it's so strong is because of it's roots.

Roots determine what the future of a tree is if a tree has strong roots it will be a strong tree. Likewise, if a Christian has has a strong foundation in the bible, the Christian will be strong. The flower that the top of this post is on the dogwood tree. Strong Christians will have beautiful flowers and fruit as a result of their loyalty to God, but the wicked will just have a collection of fungi, like this stump. 

Photo Credit:
Me!

Daily Reminders #13

I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD; do not let me be put to shame. I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free. Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. Fulfill your promise to your servant, so that you may be feared. Take away the disgrace I dread, for your laws are good.
Psalm 119:30-39

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Me!

David Chose Five Stones

"Is that why David took five stones from the brook? One was enough for Goliath."

-David C. Brown (Commenting to Goliath had a Brother?)

This is one things that the bible doesn't give any answer to, but by looking at a few verses, I can make a few guesses as to why he might have chosen to collect five stones instead of one using the info that I have been given.

Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd's bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.
1 Samuel 17:40

While it is a popular belief that the remaining four stones were used for Goliath's brothers, there are a few problems with this idea.

1. Goliaths brother were killed  later on in David's lifetime, and it makes no since to keep those stones, waiting for killing the older brothers.
2. There are a total of 6 brothers mentioned in the two passages. (Ishbibenob, Sippai, Lahmi, Saph, the 12 fingered man, and Goliath) That would be a total of 6 stones if they were to represent Goliaths brothers.
3. David didn't kill ANY of Goliath's brothers. (David was only battle  were Ishbibenob died (2 Samuel 21:15-17). That means he didn't even see four of the giants die.)

Here are a few reasons that are more likely.

• Just in case...

I am sure David was scared before be killed Goliath. Yes, he was full of faith, but he could have a few extra rocks with him in case he missed. Even if he didn't have any doubt, he would still know that sometimes you have to hard fight to win. David might have been anticipating a miss or two. Or he might have several in case the first rock hit Goliath, but didn't take him down.

• Afterwards
  

Even if David knew he would kill Goliath on the first strike, there's still what happens after. He didn't know how the Philistines would respond to the death of their hero, and he might have had a few rocks on him just in case they tried to attack him.

• Five different stones types

Another thing I've heard before is that David selected five different types of rocks (Hard ones, softer ones, shinier ones, ones made of different substances etc.) and then trusted God to have him grab the type of rock God wanted into his sling.

I can't answer your question with a simple yes or no because the scripture doesn't say. As long as you idea is within what the bible tells us, anything goes for this particular instance. 

Photo Credit:
http://baptistsermon.wordpress.com/2011/07/19/11/

Galatians 6:1-10

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:1-2


Paul tells the people of Galatia to carry each others burdens, and following the theme of the first verse, verse two say that we should help each other with sin, but carefully so that we ourselves are not brought to sin. If we carry each other's burdens in the correct way, by following the guidelines laid out in the bible, then we will be obeying Jesus' laws.


If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else,
for each one should carry his own load.
Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.
Galatians 6:3-6

Verse 5 "for each one should carry his own load." can appear to be a contradiction to "Carry each other's burdens" but if we look at verses 3 and 4, it has moved into how to keep ourselves from sin. In this context, I THINK v5 is saying that we are responsible for our own actions.

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.  
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand! 
Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.
Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh.
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Galatians 6:7-10

These verse are contrasting, showing the way of the spirit and the way of the sinful nature the whole passage is shaped around this simple principal "A man reaps what he sows." We all get to choose how we live. We can live by caring about outward appearances and sinfulness, or we can live with our brothers and sisters in Christ, working together to keep each other out of sin.

Sources:
http://www.bible.ca/ef/expository-galatians-6-1-10.htm
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/IVP-NT/Gal/Freedom-Fulfill

Photo Credit:
Me!