Dog Dad Devotions on Leadership, Loyalty and Love

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Daily Wisdom: A Proverb-a-Day

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The Listener’s Bible®: NIV Edition

New International Version™  (Anglicised), Audio Edition

Holy Bible, New International Version™ (Anglicised), South Asian Audio Edition

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkMAT">
      <div class="chapter ch12" data-usfm="MAT.12">
         <div class="label">12</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath</span></div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="MAT.12.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="MAT.12.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, &#8220;Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="MAT.12.2"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="MAT.12.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">He answered, </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;Haven&#8217;t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="MAT.12.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread&#8212;which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="MAT.12.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">Or haven&#8217;t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent?</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="MAT.12.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">I tell you that something greater than the temple is here.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="MAT.12.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">If you had known what these words mean, &#8216;I desire mercy, not sacrifice,&#8217;</span></span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">12:7 </span><span class="ft">Hosea 6:6</span></span></span><span class="content">  </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">you would not have condemned the innocent.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="MAT.12.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.&#8221;</span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="MAT.12.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="MAT.12.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="MAT.12.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked him, &#8220;Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="MAT.12.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="MAT.12.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">He said to them, </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out?</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="MAT.12.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.&#8221;</span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="MAT.12.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="MAT.12.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">Then he said to the man, </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;Stretch out your hand.&#8221;</span></span><span class="content"> So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="MAT.12.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">God&#8217;s Chosen Servant</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="MAT.12.14"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="MAT.12.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="MAT.12.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">He warned them not to tell others about him. </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="MAT.12.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="MAT.12.17"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="MAT.12.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">&#8220;Here is my servant whom I have chosen,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="MAT.12.18"><span class="content">the one I love, in whom I delight;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="MAT.12.18"><span class="content">I will put my Spirit on him,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="MAT.12.18"><span class="content">and he will proclaim justice to the nations.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="MAT.12.18"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="MAT.12.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">He will not quarrel or cry out;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="MAT.12.19"><span class="content">no one will hear his voice in the streets.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="MAT.12.19"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="MAT.12.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">A bruised reed he will not break,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="MAT.12.20"><span class="content">and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="MAT.12.20"><span class="content">till he has brought justice through to victory.</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="MAT.12.20"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="MAT.12.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">In his name the nations will put their hope.&#8221;</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">12:21 </span><span class="ft">Isaiah 42:1-4</span></span></span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Jesus and Beelzebul</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="MAT.12.21"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="MAT.12.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="MAT.12.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">All the people were astonished and said, &#8220;Could this be the Son of David?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="MAT.12.23"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="MAT.12.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, &#8220;It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="MAT.12.24"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="MAT.12.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="MAT.12.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="MAT.12.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="MAT.12.28"><span class="label">28</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.</span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="MAT.12.28"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="MAT.12.29"><span class="label">29</span><span class="content">  </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man&#8217;s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.</span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="MAT.12.29"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="MAT.12.30"><span class="label">30</span><span class="content">  </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="MAT.12.31"><span class="label">31</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="MAT.12.32"><span class="label">32</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.</span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="MAT.12.32"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="MAT.12.33"><span class="label">33</span><span class="content">  </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v34" data-usfm="MAT.12.34"><span class="label">34</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="MAT.12.35"><span class="label">35</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v36" data-usfm="MAT.12.36"><span class="label">36</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v37" data-usfm="MAT.12.37"><span class="label">37</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.&#8221;</span></span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">The Sign of Jonah</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v37" data-usfm="MAT.12.37"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v38" data-usfm="MAT.12.38"><span class="label">38</span><span class="content">Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, &#8220;Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v38" data-usfm="MAT.12.38"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v39" data-usfm="MAT.12.39"><span class="label">39</span><span class="content">He answered, </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v40" data-usfm="MAT.12.40"><span class="label">40</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v41" data-usfm="MAT.12.41"><span class="label">41</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v42" data-usfm="MAT.12.42"><span class="label">42</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon&#8217;s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.</span></span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v42" data-usfm="MAT.12.42"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v43" data-usfm="MAT.12.43"><span class="label">43</span><span class="content">  </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v44" data-usfm="MAT.12.44"><span class="label">44</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">Then it says, &#8216;I will return to the house I left.&#8217; When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v45" data-usfm="MAT.12.45"><span class="label">45</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.&#8221;</span></span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Jesus&#8217; Mother and Brothers</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v45" data-usfm="MAT.12.45"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v46" data-usfm="MAT.12.46"><span class="label">46</span><span class="content">While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. </span></span><span class="verse v47" data-usfm="MAT.12.47"><span class="label">47</span><span class="content">Someone told him, &#8220;Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v47" data-usfm="MAT.12.47"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v48" data-usfm="MAT.12.48"><span class="label">48</span><span class="content">He replied to him, </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?&#8221;</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v49" data-usfm="MAT.12.49"><span class="label">49</span><span class="content">Pointing to his disciples, he said, </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;Here are my mother and my brothers.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v50" data-usfm="MAT.12.50"><span class="label">50</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.&#8221;</span></span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkJOB">
      <div class="chapter ch4" data-usfm="JOB.4">
         <div class="label">4</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Eliphaz</span></div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="JOB.4.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="JOB.4.1"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="JOB.4.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">&#8220;If someone ventures a word with you, will you be impatient?</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="JOB.4.2"><span class="content">But who can keep from speaking?</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="JOB.4.2"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="JOB.4.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">Think how you have instructed many,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="JOB.4.3"><span class="content">how you have strengthened feeble hands.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="JOB.4.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="JOB.4.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">Your words have supported those who stumbled;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="JOB.4.4"><span class="content">you have strengthened faltering knees.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="JOB.4.4"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="JOB.4.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">But now trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="JOB.4.5"><span class="content">it strikes you, and you are dismayed.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="JOB.4.5"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="JOB.4.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">Should not your piety be your confidence</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="JOB.4.6"><span class="content">and your blameless ways your hope?</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="JOB.4.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="JOB.4.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">&#8220;Consider now: Who, being innocent, has ever perished?</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="JOB.4.7"><span class="content">Where were the upright ever destroyed?</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="JOB.4.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="JOB.4.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">As I have observed, those who plow evil</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="JOB.4.8"><span class="content">and those who sow trouble reap it.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="JOB.4.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="JOB.4.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">At the breath of God they perish;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="JOB.4.9"><span class="content">at the blast of his anger they are no more.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="JOB.4.9"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="JOB.4.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">The lions may roar and growl,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="JOB.4.10"><span class="content">yet the teeth of the great lions are broken.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="JOB.4.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="JOB.4.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">The lion perishes for lack of prey,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="JOB.4.11"><span class="content">and the cubs of the lioness are scattered.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="JOB.4.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="JOB.4.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">&#8220;A word was secretly brought to me,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="JOB.4.12"><span class="content">my ears caught a whisper of it.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="JOB.4.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="JOB.4.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">Amid disquieting dreams in the night,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="JOB.4.13"><span class="content">when deep sleep falls on people,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="JOB.4.13"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="JOB.4.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">fear and trembling seized me</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="JOB.4.14"><span class="content">and made all my bones shake.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="JOB.4.14"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="JOB.4.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">A spirit glided past my face,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="JOB.4.15"><span class="content">and the hair on my body stood on end.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="JOB.4.15"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="JOB.4.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">It stopped,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="JOB.4.16"><span class="content">but I could not tell what it was.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="JOB.4.16"><span class="content">A form stood before my eyes,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="JOB.4.16"><span class="content">and I heard a hushed voice:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="JOB.4.16"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="JOB.4.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">&#8216;Can a mortal be more righteous than God?</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="JOB.4.17"><span class="content">Can even a strong man be more pure than his Maker?</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="JOB.4.17"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="JOB.4.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">If God places no trust in his servants,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="JOB.4.18"><span class="content">if he charges his angels with error,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="JOB.4.18"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="JOB.4.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">how much more those who live in houses of clay,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="JOB.4.19"><span class="content">whose foundations are in the dust,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="JOB.4.19"><span class="content">who are crushed more readily than a moth!</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="JOB.4.19"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="JOB.4.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">Between dawn and dusk they are broken to pieces;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="JOB.4.20"><span class="content">unnoticed, they perish forever.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="JOB.4.20"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="JOB.4.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">Are not the cords of their tent pulled up,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="JOB.4.21"><span class="content">so that they die without wisdom?&#8217;</span></span></div><div class="b"></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

New International Version

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bk2TI">
      <div class="chapter ch1" data-usfm="2TI.1.7">
         <div class="p"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="2TI.1.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. </span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

Strong Disciples TwoSample

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