The O.C.
It’s been about a week and half since we moved here to Orange County and it’s starting to set in that we aren’t going back home because this is home! Our dear friends, the Talcott family have graciously opened their home for us and we will be living with them until we can find a place of our own. We had a wonderful weekend getting settled, enjoying our new church and spending some time with Bobby’s brother and his girlfriend, Ty’s parents and my sister and her family. It’s nice to be close to friends and family that we weren’t able to see very often before.
I’m really enjoying reading through the MacArthur Daily Bible. A one-year Bible is a great way to be continually studying the Word each day. I also like how I can read through the Old and New Testaments together and a portion of Psalms and Proverbs too. One thing I specifically like about the MacArthur Daily Bible is the study notes and memory verses. I’ve thought a lot about the Proverbs segment that I read today–Proverbs 17:13-15
Evil will not depart from his house…
The beginning of strife is like releasing water;
Therefore, stop contention before a quarrel starts.
He who justifies the wicked,
and he who condemns the just,
Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.”
I grew convicted of this on a relational level because it is commonplace for people to justify returning evil for evil. It’s very easy to do to others as they have done to us. MacArthur lists 1 Peter 3:9-12 as a cross-reference to this proverb and it presents a higher standard for believers–
but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this,
that you may inherit a blessing.
For ‘He who would love life
And see good days,
Let him refrain his tongue from evil,
And his lips from speaking deceit.
Let him turn away from evil and do good;
Let him seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their prayers;
But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.’”
These passages have encouraged me to have a black and white perspective. So often I think things are okay or grey, when I should see them as either evil or good. I need to be actively turning away from evil towards good. It is encouraging to know that this is the way of life and good days. Even though it isn’t popular with men, if I live like this I know that the Lord is looking on me and listening to me. What motivation!






