Welcome back to "Scripture in Action," where we journey through the Bible in a year, applying God's Word to our daily lives. I'm Aneel Aranha, and I'm glad you've joined us for Day 7 of our journey.

Today, we'll be exploring Genesis 19-20, Psalm 1, and Mark 7. Let's begin by reading these passages. Please follow along in your Bible, and we'll reflect on them together afterward.

Reflection
In Genesis 19-20, we witness the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot's rescue, and Abraham's encounter with Abimelech. Psalm 1 contrasts the way of the righteous with the way of the wicked. In Mark 7, Jesus teaches about inner purity and faith.

The key insight we can draw from these passages is this: God calls us to live righteously, trusting in His judgment and mercy, while focusing on the purity of our hearts rather than mere outward observances.

Let's break this down into a simple principle we can apply:

Pursue righteousness and inner purity, trusting in God's justice and mercy in all circumstances.

Here are five practical steps we can take to apply today's readings:

1. Examine your influences: Psalm 1 speaks of not walking in the counsel of the wicked. Evaluate the influences in your life - are they leading you towards or away from God?

2. Meditate on Scripture: Psalm 1 describes the blessed person as one who meditates on God's law. Spend extra time today reflecting on a verse that stands out to you.

3. Check your heart: Jesus emphasized the importance of inner purity. Take time to examine your motives behind your actions today.

4. Extend mercy: God showed mercy to Lot and his family. How can you extend mercy to someone who may not deserve it today?

5. Trust God's justice: The story of Sodom and Gomorrah reminds us of God's justice. In what situation do you need to trust God's ultimate justice today?

As you go about your day, reflect on this question: How can you cultivate greater inner purity and righteousness in your life, trusting in God's mercy and justice even in challenging circumstances?

Conclusion
Thank you for joining me today. Let today's passages inspire you to live differently - more focused on inner purity, more trusting in God's justice, and more committed to walking in His ways. Until tomorrow, may you be like a tree planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in season and prospering in all you do.