Proverbs 27
"Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips... Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy... Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another... As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects man... The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold, and each is tested by the praise accorded him" (verses 2, 6, 17, 19, and 21).
We were not meant to live life alone. In the beginning God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;" (Genesis 1.27b). We have been created in the image of a communal and relational God. We were not meant to do life by ourselves, and so God made Church, the Church, the body of believers, to live life together.
In order to live together in harmony, humility is essential. And so we are told to let another praise you, don't boast about yourself. Let others talk of your accomplishments and what you have done. It is our job to talk about what God has done, and to build up others. We have been given new life in Christ so that we can point others to God, not draw them to ourselves; this is the same way Jesus lived. And so don't spend your time and words trying to win praise and glory for yourself, give it to God. Let others tell of your good deeds, and when they do, in turn give praise to God.
And along with this, it is crucial that we build others up. As others tell of our good deeds, let us tell of theirs. We must constantly share how God is at work in and through the members of the body. We must constantly testify and encourage each other.
As we live life together with others we will get close to people. We will develop strong bonds of friendship, and it is in these relationships that truth needs to be spoken. Sometimes the truth will hurt, but when it comes from a true friend we can know it is spoken in love for our benefit and gain. The words spoken from a friend are meant to make us better and more like Christ. But the kisses of the enemy are deceptive. They are meant to make us stagnant and complacent. They try to convince us that we are good enough just as we are so that we begin to stand still. And as John Wesley once said, "There is no standing still in the Christian walk. You are either pressing forward or sliding back."
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." We are meant to push each other on. We are meant to challenge each other to grow. And we are meant to walk side by side and help each other along the way.
Our hearts reflect who we are. Our motives and desires reflect who we are living for. And this is shown in the words spoken of us. What is said of you?
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Friday, July 26, 2013
Daily Wisdom, Proverbs 26
Proverbs 26
Tonight is going to be a short post.
This proverbs doesn't talk much about wisdom, or what the life of the righteous looks like. Instead it talks about the fool, the gossip, and the sluggard. We see the destruction that each one brings. Each one is useless in society and brings nothing but destruction. And none of the fit in the life of the wise.
As I read this today and thought about what to write a verse came to my mind, "The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; there is no one who does good" (Psalm 14.1). The fool is useless and destructive because he denies the existence of life. There can be nothing but death for the fool because they refuse to even acknowledge God.
Without God there is no honor, no wisdom. There is punishment and folly, and the sentence to repeat it. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (Proverbs 9.10). By denying God we forfeit wisdom, and take our place among the fools. And nothing good is worthy of them or found among them.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
Tonight is going to be a short post.
This proverbs doesn't talk much about wisdom, or what the life of the righteous looks like. Instead it talks about the fool, the gossip, and the sluggard. We see the destruction that each one brings. Each one is useless in society and brings nothing but destruction. And none of the fit in the life of the wise.
As I read this today and thought about what to write a verse came to my mind, "The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; there is no one who does good" (Psalm 14.1). The fool is useless and destructive because he denies the existence of life. There can be nothing but death for the fool because they refuse to even acknowledge God.
Without God there is no honor, no wisdom. There is punishment and folly, and the sentence to repeat it. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (Proverbs 9.10). By denying God we forfeit wisdom, and take our place among the fools. And nothing good is worthy of them or found among them.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Daily Wisdom, Proverbs 25
Proverbs 25
"It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings to search out a matter... Take away the dross from the silver, and there comes out a vessel for the smith;" (verses 2 and 4).
Verse 2 was on the wall of my biology teacher’s classroom (I went to a private Christian high school). There is a lot that is unknown, both about the earth, and the universe. There is so much we are discovering every day, and so much that will never be discovered because we have destroyed it before we found it. But it is the glory of God to conceal things, and the glory of kings to search them out.
All truth is God's truth. Science is one of the tools that God has given us to be able to learn more about things. The truth that is proven with science is from God. And as we discover new things we learn more about God. The more we discover the more incredible we find Him to be. My wife and I bought a book on the universe for our coffee table, I don't read much of it, but I love looking at the pictures. So much of that we concealed by God, beyond our reach, but scientists have searched and made tools that have discovered these wonders, but there is still so much more to find.
God cannot be fully understood by our finite, fallen minds. Part of His holiness is its incomprehensibility. Part of His glory is that it is so far beyond us. And part of His glory is when we use our minds, the creative power that He gave us when we were made in His image, to try and discover more. "The glory of God is man fully alive." By God concealing things, we are driven to search them out. To do that we must be fully alive, and as we live fully alive, God is glorified.
And as we search and learn more about God, we are tested and tried. We go through hardships and are refined as silver in a furnace. As the impurities are separated from the metal it becomes pure, and is fit for the work of a skilled craftsman. God molds us into the image of His Son. And the more we become like Christ, the more about God we are able to understand.
"Do not claim honor in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men; for it is better that it be said to you, 'Come up here,' than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince, who m your eyes have seen" (verses 6-7).
Humility is a quality that is most admirable. And it is to be part of our charter. Humility is something that we will either possess, or receive. If we humble ourselves we will be exalted in the presence of the King. But if we exalt ourselves we will be humbled in the presence of the prince. If we seek our own glory we will find nothing but shame. But if we live for the glory of another, seeing ourselves as His humble servants, He will exalt us before many.
"Have you found honey? Eat only what you need, that you not have it in excess and vomit it. Let your foot rarely be in your neighbor’s house, or he will become weary of you and hate you. Like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor. Like a bad tooth and an unsteady foot is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble" (verses 16-19).
Self-control is an essential part of life. Too often we indulge in things that may be good, but in excess they damage and destroy. And it isn't just with food or material possessions. If you are constantly in the house of someone else you will overstay your welcome. It is crucial that we use self-control with our words and actions as well. A dishonest man does nothing but destroy, and an unreliable man does nothing but cause pain.
"If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you" (verses 21-22).
I knew this was somewhere other than Romans 12, and now I finally know where. Recently I read that in the Jewish world there was an unwritten social custom that said if you gave someone a drink the person who received it was to be friends with the giver for one year. In the case of food, two people who ate together were required to be friends for the rest of their lives. This knowledge puts these words in a whole new perspective. This says turn your enemies into friends. Do you see what burning coals are figuratively heaped on the head of your enemy? This is the attitude the Christ displayed with the woman at the well in Samaria, and with Judas at the last supper. He reached out to those He was supposed to hate, and offered them friendship. We are to do the same.
"It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glory to search out one's own glory. Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit" (verses 27-28).
Humility and discipline, this is the central message of Proverbs 25. Without these two things come ruin and shame. We were created to be humble servants, who live for the glory of God. It involves living by the standard of holiness and righteousness so that we may be presentable to God.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
"It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings to search out a matter... Take away the dross from the silver, and there comes out a vessel for the smith;" (verses 2 and 4).
Verse 2 was on the wall of my biology teacher’s classroom (I went to a private Christian high school). There is a lot that is unknown, both about the earth, and the universe. There is so much we are discovering every day, and so much that will never be discovered because we have destroyed it before we found it. But it is the glory of God to conceal things, and the glory of kings to search them out.
All truth is God's truth. Science is one of the tools that God has given us to be able to learn more about things. The truth that is proven with science is from God. And as we discover new things we learn more about God. The more we discover the more incredible we find Him to be. My wife and I bought a book on the universe for our coffee table, I don't read much of it, but I love looking at the pictures. So much of that we concealed by God, beyond our reach, but scientists have searched and made tools that have discovered these wonders, but there is still so much more to find.
God cannot be fully understood by our finite, fallen minds. Part of His holiness is its incomprehensibility. Part of His glory is that it is so far beyond us. And part of His glory is when we use our minds, the creative power that He gave us when we were made in His image, to try and discover more. "The glory of God is man fully alive." By God concealing things, we are driven to search them out. To do that we must be fully alive, and as we live fully alive, God is glorified.
And as we search and learn more about God, we are tested and tried. We go through hardships and are refined as silver in a furnace. As the impurities are separated from the metal it becomes pure, and is fit for the work of a skilled craftsman. God molds us into the image of His Son. And the more we become like Christ, the more about God we are able to understand.
"Do not claim honor in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men; for it is better that it be said to you, 'Come up here,' than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince, who m your eyes have seen" (verses 6-7).
Humility is a quality that is most admirable. And it is to be part of our charter. Humility is something that we will either possess, or receive. If we humble ourselves we will be exalted in the presence of the King. But if we exalt ourselves we will be humbled in the presence of the prince. If we seek our own glory we will find nothing but shame. But if we live for the glory of another, seeing ourselves as His humble servants, He will exalt us before many.
"Have you found honey? Eat only what you need, that you not have it in excess and vomit it. Let your foot rarely be in your neighbor’s house, or he will become weary of you and hate you. Like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor. Like a bad tooth and an unsteady foot is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble" (verses 16-19).
Self-control is an essential part of life. Too often we indulge in things that may be good, but in excess they damage and destroy. And it isn't just with food or material possessions. If you are constantly in the house of someone else you will overstay your welcome. It is crucial that we use self-control with our words and actions as well. A dishonest man does nothing but destroy, and an unreliable man does nothing but cause pain.
"If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you" (verses 21-22).
I knew this was somewhere other than Romans 12, and now I finally know where. Recently I read that in the Jewish world there was an unwritten social custom that said if you gave someone a drink the person who received it was to be friends with the giver for one year. In the case of food, two people who ate together were required to be friends for the rest of their lives. This knowledge puts these words in a whole new perspective. This says turn your enemies into friends. Do you see what burning coals are figuratively heaped on the head of your enemy? This is the attitude the Christ displayed with the woman at the well in Samaria, and with Judas at the last supper. He reached out to those He was supposed to hate, and offered them friendship. We are to do the same.
"It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glory to search out one's own glory. Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit" (verses 27-28).
Humility and discipline, this is the central message of Proverbs 25. Without these two things come ruin and shame. We were created to be humble servants, who live for the glory of God. It involves living by the standard of holiness and righteousness so that we may be presentable to God.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Daily Wisdom, Proverbs 24
Proverbs 24
"Do not be envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them; for their minds devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble. By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; and by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge increases power. For by wise guidance you will wage war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory" (verses 1-6).
Do not be envious of evil men. How many times have we looked at people who couldn't care less about God get things that we have prayed for for years and asked, "Why do good things happen to bad people?" It might not come out that way, but I know before I was dating my wife and watching everyone around me get married I was like "God, what's up with this? Why do I have to watch people who care nothing about you get the thing I want most in the world?"
It can be anything, "God, why do they have so much money, and we are struggling to get by?" "God why do they get to have children, they aren't even married?" "God, why...?"
In the past year I have learned so much about trust in God. I'm at a point now where if God doesn't show up and do something I'm not going to make it. But because of what I've been through in the last year, I'm not too worried. I have watched God provide over and over. I've seen God come through time and time again, and I believe that He will come through this time as well.
It by wisdom that everything is established and gained. It might not be in this life, but with God, eternal life brings Heaven and the presence of God. There the streets are paved with gold. The thing that is fought for, and most desired, is so common place in Heaven that it is worthless. So worthless that the streets are paved with it. In Heaven, the value of gold is equivalent to concrete and asphalt her on earth.
A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge will increase in power. It is through wisdom that wars are fought, and with guidance victory is one. It is in hearing other opinions and ideas, being open minded enough to listen, that we learn. We must never become too proud to listen, to arrogant to learn. When we do, wisdom ends.
"Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; or the Lord will see it and be displeased, and turn His anger away from him. Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the wicked; for there will be no future for the evil man; the lamp of the wicked will be put out" (verses 17-20).
It is human nature to do just that. We look at it and think, "This is God's judgment, they got what was coming to them." But that isn't the attitude God has. Remember, God loves everyone. Murderers, pedophiles, and atheists as well as Christians. Do not rejoice, but reach out to help them. Paul said, "But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink;" (Romans 12.20a). We are to show the love of Christ, and in so doing, we may help an unbeliever find life in Christ. This is what Jesus would do, and as His followers it is what we are to do as well.
Do not worry about evildoers, or envy the wicked. They have no future, and their light will be put out. Pray for them, love them.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
"Do not be envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them; for their minds devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble. By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; and by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge increases power. For by wise guidance you will wage war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory" (verses 1-6).
Do not be envious of evil men. How many times have we looked at people who couldn't care less about God get things that we have prayed for for years and asked, "Why do good things happen to bad people?" It might not come out that way, but I know before I was dating my wife and watching everyone around me get married I was like "God, what's up with this? Why do I have to watch people who care nothing about you get the thing I want most in the world?"
It can be anything, "God, why do they have so much money, and we are struggling to get by?" "God why do they get to have children, they aren't even married?" "God, why...?"
In the past year I have learned so much about trust in God. I'm at a point now where if God doesn't show up and do something I'm not going to make it. But because of what I've been through in the last year, I'm not too worried. I have watched God provide over and over. I've seen God come through time and time again, and I believe that He will come through this time as well.
It by wisdom that everything is established and gained. It might not be in this life, but with God, eternal life brings Heaven and the presence of God. There the streets are paved with gold. The thing that is fought for, and most desired, is so common place in Heaven that it is worthless. So worthless that the streets are paved with it. In Heaven, the value of gold is equivalent to concrete and asphalt her on earth.
A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge will increase in power. It is through wisdom that wars are fought, and with guidance victory is one. It is in hearing other opinions and ideas, being open minded enough to listen, that we learn. We must never become too proud to listen, to arrogant to learn. When we do, wisdom ends.
"Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; or the Lord will see it and be displeased, and turn His anger away from him. Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the wicked; for there will be no future for the evil man; the lamp of the wicked will be put out" (verses 17-20).
It is human nature to do just that. We look at it and think, "This is God's judgment, they got what was coming to them." But that isn't the attitude God has. Remember, God loves everyone. Murderers, pedophiles, and atheists as well as Christians. Do not rejoice, but reach out to help them. Paul said, "But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink;" (Romans 12.20a). We are to show the love of Christ, and in so doing, we may help an unbeliever find life in Christ. This is what Jesus would do, and as His followers it is what we are to do as well.
Do not worry about evildoers, or envy the wicked. They have no future, and their light will be put out. Pray for them, love them.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Daily Wisdom, Proverbs 23
Proverbs 23
"Apply your heart to discipline and your ears to words of knowledge. Do not hold back discipline from the child, although you strike him with the rod, he will not die. You shall strike him with the rod and rescue his soul from Sheol. My son, if your heart is wise, my own heart also will be glad; and my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right. Do not let your heart envy sinners, but live in the fear of the LORD always. Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off" (verses 12-18).
As I've been reading this today my mind has kept thinking about what I love most about ministry, seeing people get it. I love watching people's lives be transformed as they understand who God is and what He created them for. What could be better than seeing this take place in your child?
It is crucial to apply your own heart to discipline, and your ears to words of knowledge. If you want to help your children get it, you have to have it. And it is crucial that we discipline our children. It won't kill them, in fact it will save their lives. I was spanked as a child, and honestly, it helped make me who I am.
And if our children get it what could make your heart more glad? What would make you rejoice more than your child having an intimate and personal relationship with God? If they love and fear God, they will not envy sinners.
Get it. Live it. Teach it. Rejoice when they get it.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
Monday, July 22, 2013
Daily Wisdom, Proverbs 22
Proverbs 22
"A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, favor is better than silver and gold. The rich and the poor have a common bond, the LORD is the maker of them all" (verses 1-2).
Train a child to love and fear The Lord. Teach him to walk humbly before God. Teach him to live righteously, and model it for him. As he sees it lived out and is taught to follow in the footsteps it will become who he is. Train a child in the way he should go, walk side by side with him and model it for him, and his life we be lived in righteousness.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
"A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, favor is better than silver and gold. The rich and the poor have a common bond, the LORD is the maker of them all" (verses 1-2).
A name carries a legacy with it. Wealth can be gained and lost, but a bad legacy cannot be escaped. And rich or poor, all are made by God, and all will one day stand before Him and give an account of the legacy they left. So it is better to seek a good name, an honorable reputation, than wealth. It is better to be spoken well of than to be well to do.
"The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, honor and life. Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; he who guards himself will be far from them. Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it" (verses 4-6).
Train a child to love and fear The Lord. Teach him to walk humbly before God. Teach him to live righteously, and model it for him. As he sees it lived out and is taught to follow in the footsteps it will become who he is. Train a child in the way he should go, walk side by side with him and model it for him, and his life we be lived in righteousness.
"Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply your mind to my knowledge; for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, that they may be ready on your lips. So that your trust may be in the LORD, I have taught you today, even you. Have I not written to you excellent things of counsels and knowledge, to make you know the certainty of the words of truth that you may correctly answer him who sent you? Do not rob the poor because he is poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate; for the LORD will plead their case and take the life of those who rob them. Do not associate with a man given to anger; or go with a hot-tempered man, or you will learn his ways and find a snare for yourself. Do not be among those who give pledges, among those who become guarantors for debts" (verses 17-26).
This book was written marking the way a child should go. It is full of wisdom to live by, and it breathes the words of life. All throughout these pages we see how to walk humbly and live righteously before God. It is crucial we live by them, and even more crucial that we teach our children to do the same.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Daily Wisdom, Proverbs 21
Proverbs 21
"Every man's way is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts. To do righteousness and justice is desired by the LORD more than sacrifice"(verses 2-30).
Every man's way seems right to him. To him it is the best option to get him ahead and provide security. Or it could be what he feels is the right thing to do. But in all things, God weighs the heart of a man. God knows the motivation behind the action. He knows if it is done for selfish gain, or selfless sacrifice. And God desires a life lived righteously more than anything else. He desires that justice be carried out more than sacrifices. God has placed leaders in authority so that they can care for, protect, and lead the people. It is part of their power, and responsibility, to carry out justice to make sure the rights and lives of the people are protected. And God will not overlook leaders who misuse, or fail to use, the power He has entrusted to them for the good of the people.
"The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty. The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death. The violence of the wicked will drag them away, because they refuse to act with justice. The way of a guilty man is crooked, but as for the pure, his conduct is upright" (verses 5-8).
The plans of the diligent lead to advantage. They take time to prepare. They learn and study the situation. To the best of their abilities they know what they are getting into, and because of this they gain an advantage. They come out ahead because of the work they have put into it. But those who rush into things, who don't examine the situation, who move on impulse, end up losing. Something sounds good and the go for it, not seeing if it is true or not.
Treasure that is going dishonestly does not last. As easily as it came, it goes. In the end it leads to death and destruction. The temporary comfort is not worth the price that must be paid. And in the same way, violence consumes those who practice it. Whether literally, or figuratively, it will consume you. And those who live running from justice cannot escape it forever. One day, either in this life or the next, they will stand before a judge and receive sentencing for their actions. The guilty walk a crooked path. They hide from the light, trying to conceal what they have done, hoping that no one sees. But the pure, who live with nothing to hide, they walk in the light, unashamed. They conduct themselves so as to be presentable to God.
"He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be answered" (verse 13).
If we ignore those in need, when we find ourselves there, we too will be ignored. God blesses us so that we in turn can bless others. We are blessed to be a blessing, not to arrange for our comfort. Those who have it in their power to act, have the responsibility to act. We all can do something, and it is crucial that we do.
"The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, but is terror to the workers of iniquity. A man who wanders from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead. He who loves pleasure will become a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not become rich." (verses 15-17).
Do you fear justice? Why? Romans says, "For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil" (13.2-4). Justice is joy for the righteous, because justice makes the world a safer place. It says to evil, "This is not ok. This will not be tolerated. This will not go unpunished." When justice is enforced those who carry out iniquity will be afraid.
When a man leaves the road of understanding, when he ceases to seek wisdom, he will take his place among the dead. This entire book talks about the pursuit of wisdom and how it leads to life. It must be a lifelong pursuit. And when we turn away from the quest of wisdom in pursuit of ease and comfort, we lose everything. Pleasure consumes wealth. When we are focused on pleasures that we don't need we can never gain. When we spend more than we can afford to, and more than we need to, we dig a hole that is nearly impossible to climb out of.
"He who pursues righteousness and loyalty finds life, righteousness and honor" (verse 21).
When we pursue God, and the things of God we find the life that He created us to live. There is a right standing relationship with God, and honor from God.
"The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, how much more when he brings it with evil intent!" (verse 27)
But what the wicked brings before God is an abomination. It is brought out of obligation, or maybe in an attempt to bribe God. It doesn't work, and God rejects it because it is offered with evil intent.
"A wicked man displays a bold face, but as for the upright, he makes his way sure. There is no wisdom and no understanding and no counsel against the LORD" (verses 29-30).
The wicked puts up a brave front, but the upright walks confidently in God. God is the only source of unshakeable confidence. Apart from Him there is nothing. There is no wisdom without Him because He is the source of wisdom. There is no understanding without Him because He is the standard of truth. And without these there is no counsel. Nothing can overcome or overrule God. He is on high, and those who walk before Him in righteousness will live.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
"Every man's way is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts. To do righteousness and justice is desired by the LORD more than sacrifice"(verses 2-30).
Every man's way seems right to him. To him it is the best option to get him ahead and provide security. Or it could be what he feels is the right thing to do. But in all things, God weighs the heart of a man. God knows the motivation behind the action. He knows if it is done for selfish gain, or selfless sacrifice. And God desires a life lived righteously more than anything else. He desires that justice be carried out more than sacrifices. God has placed leaders in authority so that they can care for, protect, and lead the people. It is part of their power, and responsibility, to carry out justice to make sure the rights and lives of the people are protected. And God will not overlook leaders who misuse, or fail to use, the power He has entrusted to them for the good of the people.
"The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty. The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death. The violence of the wicked will drag them away, because they refuse to act with justice. The way of a guilty man is crooked, but as for the pure, his conduct is upright" (verses 5-8).
The plans of the diligent lead to advantage. They take time to prepare. They learn and study the situation. To the best of their abilities they know what they are getting into, and because of this they gain an advantage. They come out ahead because of the work they have put into it. But those who rush into things, who don't examine the situation, who move on impulse, end up losing. Something sounds good and the go for it, not seeing if it is true or not.
Treasure that is going dishonestly does not last. As easily as it came, it goes. In the end it leads to death and destruction. The temporary comfort is not worth the price that must be paid. And in the same way, violence consumes those who practice it. Whether literally, or figuratively, it will consume you. And those who live running from justice cannot escape it forever. One day, either in this life or the next, they will stand before a judge and receive sentencing for their actions. The guilty walk a crooked path. They hide from the light, trying to conceal what they have done, hoping that no one sees. But the pure, who live with nothing to hide, they walk in the light, unashamed. They conduct themselves so as to be presentable to God.
"He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be answered" (verse 13).
If we ignore those in need, when we find ourselves there, we too will be ignored. God blesses us so that we in turn can bless others. We are blessed to be a blessing, not to arrange for our comfort. Those who have it in their power to act, have the responsibility to act. We all can do something, and it is crucial that we do.
"The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, but is terror to the workers of iniquity. A man who wanders from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead. He who loves pleasure will become a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not become rich." (verses 15-17).
Do you fear justice? Why? Romans says, "For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil" (13.2-4). Justice is joy for the righteous, because justice makes the world a safer place. It says to evil, "This is not ok. This will not be tolerated. This will not go unpunished." When justice is enforced those who carry out iniquity will be afraid.
When a man leaves the road of understanding, when he ceases to seek wisdom, he will take his place among the dead. This entire book talks about the pursuit of wisdom and how it leads to life. It must be a lifelong pursuit. And when we turn away from the quest of wisdom in pursuit of ease and comfort, we lose everything. Pleasure consumes wealth. When we are focused on pleasures that we don't need we can never gain. When we spend more than we can afford to, and more than we need to, we dig a hole that is nearly impossible to climb out of.
"He who pursues righteousness and loyalty finds life, righteousness and honor" (verse 21).
When we pursue God, and the things of God we find the life that He created us to live. There is a right standing relationship with God, and honor from God.
"The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, how much more when he brings it with evil intent!" (verse 27)
But what the wicked brings before God is an abomination. It is brought out of obligation, or maybe in an attempt to bribe God. It doesn't work, and God rejects it because it is offered with evil intent.
"A wicked man displays a bold face, but as for the upright, he makes his way sure. There is no wisdom and no understanding and no counsel against the LORD" (verses 29-30).
The wicked puts up a brave front, but the upright walks confidently in God. God is the only source of unshakeable confidence. Apart from Him there is nothing. There is no wisdom without Him because He is the source of wisdom. There is no understanding without Him because He is the standard of truth. And without these there is no counsel. Nothing can overcome or overrule God. He is on high, and those who walk before Him in righteousness will live.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Daily Wisdom, Proverbs 20
Proverbs 20
"Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise... Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, but any fool will quarrel" (verses 1 and 3).
Possibly for the first time on the blog I will share my thoughts on drinking. Personally, I have never had a drop of alcohol (apart from medicines that include it), and won't. My dad used to be an alcoholic, I think my grandpa might have been at one point as well. For that reason I won't touch it. And then you have the pastor thing, and the cultural stereotype that Christians don't drink. But we do have the passage in 1 Timothy where Paul tells Timothy to take some wine for his stomach (1 Timothy 5.23). But then we have this verse in Proverbs.
The word intoxicated means "to affect temporarily with diminished physical and mental control by means of alcohol liquor, a drug, or another substance, especially to excite or stupefy with liquor." Alcohol, no matter how small the amount has an affect. With some they lose control of their tongue, they say things they shouldn't. Others lose control physically, they start fights or get into car wrecks. And the wise man does not allow himself to be intoxicated. The wise man always stays in control of himself. It is the honor of a man to avoid a fight, but any fool will quarrel. A wise man who is sober has full control of his thoughts and action. But a drunk fool rushes into a brawl.
With so much that can happen, why give up any amount if control? Why risk running your mouth and looking like an idiot, or getting yourself beaten or killed? A wise man does not allow himself to be intoxicated because if he does he loses control, and appears as a fool.
"Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, but who can find a trustworthy man? A righteous man who walks in his integrity - how blessed are his sons after him... It is by his deeds that a las distinguishes himself if his conduct is pure and right" (verses 6-7 and 11).
This is something that is getting harder and harder to find. Men make vows on their wedding day only to break them when they get bored. Many don't even get to the wedding day, they say what they need to get what they want and then are gone.
Every election we hear promises from politicians, and most of hem are forgotten immediately after the election is won. In business principles are expressed until they compromise profits and the. They are often abandoned. In the twenty-first century who can find an honest man?
But there are some among the righteous who walk in integrity. They do what is right and always stand for truth and justice. The sons of this man are blessed because people trust and love their father. They have a family name to be proud of, and a strong legacy to carry on. And the so a carry it on by doing what is right, walking in dad's footsteps. He has set an example and set their feet on the path he is walking. If their lives are lived I righteousness, if they keep to the path, they will stand apart from other man.
"Man's steps are ordained by the LORD, how then can a man understand his way? It is a trap for a man to say rashly, 'It is holy!' and after the vows to make inquiry... The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all the innermost parts of his being" (verses 24-25 and 27).
In this we see our God dependence. He ordains our steps, he is our life giving spirit, He searches our innermost being. It is crucial that we search and inquire before attributing things to Him. On the outside many things can appear good, but inwardly, beneath the surface, there is death and destruction waiting to swallow us. We must measure everything by the truth of Scripture and what it tells us about God. He is the standard of holiness.
This is what stood out to me from Proverbs 20.
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Daily Wisdom, Proverbs 19
Proverb 19
This chapter begins a new section under the heading, "On Life and Conduct". We still see the set up of stand alone verses, but here they seem to connect a little more. But still we see words to live by.
"Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool. Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps errs. The foolishness of man ruins his way, and his heart rages against the LORD... He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will find good... He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is careless of conduct will die. One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD, and He repay him for his good deed... Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days. Many plans are in a man's heart, but the counsel of the LORD will stand. What is desirable in a man is his kindness, and it is better to be a poor man than a liar. The fear of the LORD leads to life, so that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil... Cease listening, my son, to discipline, and you will stray from words of knowledge" (verses 1-3, 8, 16, 20-23, and 27).
How often do we blame God for everything that goes wrong? How often do we rush things and make mistakes? How often so we worry more about our finances than our integrity? Probably a lot more often than we think. We must be more focused on our character than anything else. We must learn and focus so that we don't rush and make simple, but costly, mistakes. And we must learn to take responsibility and not blame God for our failures.
We have another reminder of the value of wisdom, and the life that it brings. And then an instruction to keep the commandment and live, whe living in a way that neglects it leads to death. This is followed by the instruction to be generous to the poor. A man who lends to the poor is giving to God, and God is the one who will repay the loan.
My wife and I have seen this happen in our own lives. We have given to help people that God led us to help, and He has repaid us. Out of the blue we've received the exact amount we gave back from someone else. When ever we have had a need God has provided. We have helped others, and god has taken cre of us.
Counsel from God, and those who know Him intimately, as well as receiving discipline and exercising it, leads to life. All of us have plans and dreams, but God has a will and a perfect plan that will be fulfilled and carried out. We must submit to Him, and when our life is focused on pleasing Him our plans will be the plans that He has for us already. God will do in us what He wants to.
The greatest desire in a man is kindness. Kindness is NOT being a pushover. Kindness is goodness expressed in action. It is doing the right thing and standing up for justice. This character is more valuable than wealth, and it is desirable above all else. And when we live this way we can sleep in peace. When we live with integrity we have nothing to hide or be paranoid about.
But this life only lasts as long as we have discipline. The moment we let go of that, the moment we refuse it, is when everything begins to fall apart. As we stray from knowledge we listen to folly and become fools, and all that awaits them is death.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Daily Wisdom, Proverbs 18
Proverbs 18
This is the last Proverb under the heading "Contrast the Upright and the Wicked", and it contains one of my favorite verses.
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD. The poor man utters supplications, but the rich man answered roughly. A man of too many friends comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" (verses 21-24).
The power of life and death are in our words, the things that we say will either build up or tear down. They will either destroy walls of burn bridges, and the words we love most will give us the fruit we live on. Once something is said it can never be taken back, even with an apology. I have said things to my wife that I wish I never would have said, and no apology or action can undo the damage.
And the thing that hurts most about that is how I have treated the greatest blessing God has given me. I was blessed to find a wife, and in that favor from God. The reason that this is a good thing is because it is the chane to display the full heart of God. It is a chance to model the love of God towards us to others. And it is the chance to create new lives. In a wife a man finds beauty, and learns things about God that He can only learn from her. She bears a different half of God's image and relates to Him differently. We need her if we are to begin to fully understand God in our human capacity.
"The poor man utters supplications, but the rich man answers roughly." The poor man sees his need for God, he realizes his survival is dependent upon Him. But the rich man feels no need for God. His wealth is his security, his possessions are the power that sustains him. Everything he has, he feels he has earned, so what need is there for God? What can God offer that he cannot attain Himself? The love of money is a root of all evil, and I think mainly because it makes a man feel that He has no need of God.
And now to one of my favorite verses. "A man of too many friends comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
Growing up I never really had any friends. In high school I met a couple people that I thought I would be close to, but within a year of graduation had lost touch with all of them. It wasn't until college that I found the men this verse is talking about.
Right now I have four guys I maintain regular contact with. Four guys that I can tell anything to, four guys I know have my back and actually pray when I ask them to. And I refer to them as my brothers, because they are. They have stuck by me through everything. I haven't had many friends, but these four men are more than I could ask for.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
Daily Wisdom, Proverbs 17
Proverbs 17
"The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests hearts... He who mocks the poor taunts his Maker; he who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished... He who returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house... He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD... It is also not good to fine the righteous, nor to strike the noble for their uprightness" (verses 3, 5, 13, 15, and 26).
Actions say a lot, but they can so easily be done with the wrong motives, and God knows every motive. He tests the hearts of every human, and nothing will escape Him. When gold and silver are passed through the furnace all the impurities rise to the surface. Everything hidden becomes clearly seen, and them same is true for us. One day everything will be made clear, and the motives of every action will be revealed. Live and act with pure motives, and you will have nothing to hide or be ashamed of.
When we look down on the poor, when we treat them as less important than others, we insult God who created them in His image. When we rejoice inthe calamity and downfall of others, God does not allow that to go unpunished. God is the defender of the defenseless. He stands up for the weak, and He never rejoices in misfortune. We are to encourage and build up, not tear down.
It is crucial that we treat others justly and rightly. God is a God of justice, and He will stand up and defend the righteous, and when the righteous a are mistreated it doesn't go unnoticed by God. He hates when the righteous are mistreated, and He does not abandon them.
Some random thoughts tonight, but all of them important. We must live justly and rightly in order to be righteous and pleasing to God.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Daily Wisdom, Proverbs 16
Proverbs 16
"The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the to the is from the LORD. All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, but the LORD weighs the motives. Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be established... By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil. When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him... The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps... There is way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death" (verses 1-3, 6-7, 9, and 25).
Reading this today is fitting for what my wife and I are going through. We are at a point in life where we are trying to make some decisions. But there are things standing in the way of being able to make the decisions we need to make. It's one of the most frustrating things to need to make a decision. And not be able to.
But in all of this I have to remember that my steps are determined by God. There is a way that seems right to me, but it might not be the right path. There have been many opportunities in the past year, some seemed great to me and some seemed great to others for me, but none of them happened. For one reason or another all of them fell through.
This section says "to commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be established." This verse needs to go right next to the verse in Psalms that says, "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." These verses don't say that God's job is to give us what we want and make everything work out for us. It says to "Trust In The LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."
Trust fully in God, and He will lead you in His perfect will. Focus on living for the glory of God, and everything will be made clear. That is what He promises.
I don't know what is going to happen in the next few weeks. I don't know what the next months hold. But I do know that I want to fully trust in God. For the past year we have seen Him come through and provide over and over. He has shown that He is trustworthy, and that He will establish my plans when they are to be committed to Him.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
Monday, July 15, 2013
Daily Wisdom, Proverbs 15
Proverbs 15
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, but the mouth of fools spouts folly... A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion in it crushes the spirit... The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts if fools are not so. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but The prayer of the upright is His delight... The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly... A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but the slow to anger calms a dispute. Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord, but pleasant words are pure... The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous" (verses 1-2, 4, 7-8, 14, 18, 26, 28-29).
The theme of speech stood out to me today. Proverbs 18 says that death and life are in the power of the tongue, and James 3.8-10a says, "But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing."
The tongue has the power to build up and to tear down. With our words we can make people feel their absolute best, or lower than dirt. It can can end a crisis before it escalates, or it can start a war. It all depends on how we use it.
How do you use your's? How do you use your's when you're with one other person?
About a year ago I was preparing to leave a church. It hadn't been the best experience, and my wife and I were both hurt. I had two choices as I was preparing the final message. One, I could let them have it. I could tell them how much they had hurt us and how much they had failed to love the young pastor couple who had done the best they could in their fist pastorate. Or, option two, I could give them a message of hope and forgiveness. I could share the love of Christ.
Option one was go out with guns blazing, an option that we usually feel like doing when we've been hurt. Option two was to leave well, to do what Christ would do. I ended that final service with communion, and as much as the human side of me didn't want to, I offered every person in the church the cup of friendship as my final act as their pastor. It wasn't easy, but it was what I knew was right, and the action was pleasing to God. It didn't build walls or burn bridges, it extended a hand of friendship.
What do we do with our words? So often it's what translates into our actions, and there is so much power in what we say. Think about this too, if your words are only used to tear others down, do you think God cares what you have to say to Him? That's why it says "The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but The prayer of the upright is His delight." What is true of your tongue?
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Daily Wisdom, Proverbs 14
Proverbs 14
"A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge is easy to one who has understanding. Leave the presence of a fool, or you will not discern words of knowledge. The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way, but the foolishness of fools is recite. Fools mock at sin, but among the upright there is good will... There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death... The naive believes everything, but a sensible man considers his steps. A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is arrogant and careless" (verses 6-9, 12, 15-16).
What company do you keep? As I read these verses that question kept coming to me. Who are the people you surround yourself with? The people we call friends and spend our time with say a lot about who we are.
This is not saying don't associate with those who don't have a relationship with Jesus. It is not saying lock yourself in a room with people who think the same way you do. Perhaps a better question to ask is "Who is the influencer?" Are you influenced by the people you are with, or are they influenced by you? Is the influence positive or negative?
It is crucial that we strive towards Christlikeness, being influenced by those who have a more intimate walk with god than we do presently, in order that we might raise the world to our level. This is what Jesus did. He reached out to sinners, and invited them out of their sin to the life That God had created them for. He never compromised and dropped to the world's level, but He did associate with those in the world. He was the influencer not the influenced.
If we bring the world to the level of Christ, we bring them to life. We bring them to wisdom, understanding, and righteousness. But in order to bring them there, we must already be there. You can't lead someone where you have never been, and you can't teach someone something you don't know.
Know Christ. Become like Christ. Help others become like Christ.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Daily Wisdom, Proverbs 13
Proverbs 13
At some point in our lives we've all heard someone quote something from the Bible that isn't really in the Bible. They are usually famous sayings from one of America's founding fathers, like "A penny saved is a penny earned." You won't find that anywhere in the 2,000 ish pages of Scripture. And just so you know "Cleanliness is next to Godliness" isn't in there either.
But there is one of these wise sayings that actually comes from Proverbs 13, any guesses?
"Spare the rod, spoil the child."
Or as verse 24 says, "He who withholds his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently." Parents, spank your children. Do not beat them without mercy for making a mistake. Do not hit them out of anger as you look for something to take your frustration out on. But do spank them out o love, disciplining and and correcting them. It may save their lives.
Proverbs 13 begins with this statement, "A wise son accepts his father's discipline, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke." This chapter continues the contrast of the righteous and the wicked, guess which son was spanked.
I will spank my children, it is my responsibility as their father, and it is done for their benefit. And I have no doubt that it will hurt me more than it will hurt them, I hate when I have to discipline my dog. But if I don't discipline them, they will be far worse off.
Parents, if you want your children to be wise, spank them, but don't just do it, make sure they know why, so they can understand and accept it. Children, realize the discipline from your parents is done because they love you and for your benefit.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
Friday, July 12, 2013
Daily Wisdom, Proverbs 12
Proverbs 12
Today has been one if those days. Nothing really was going on and then blammo energy thing just hit me all at once. I'm writing again from my phone, and today I want to highlight a few verses that have hit me.
"A good man will obtain favor from the LORD, but He will condemn a man who devises evil. A man will not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will not be moved ... The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand. A man will be praised according to his insight, but one of perverse mind will be despised ... A righteous man has regard for the life of his animal, but even the compassion of the wicked is cruel. He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who pursues worthless things lacks sense ... An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous will escape from trouble. A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his words, and the deeds of a man's hands will return to him. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel ... There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, but the you he of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only for a moment ... No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble. Lying lips are an abomination to he LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight. A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly. The hand of the diligent will rule, but the slack hand will be put to forced labor. Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad. The righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray ... In the way of the righteous is life, and in its pathway there is no death" (verses 2-3, 7-8, 10-11, 13-15, 18-19, 21-26, and 28).
You have no idea what a pain typing all of that on a phone is with man thumbs. Again we find another chapter to compare our lives to. We see the life of the righteous laid out with honesty and diligence leading to honor, blessing, and life. He is the Lord's delight and is respected by men.
But the wicked are despised by all. Think about it, does anyone like the wicked? Even wicked people don't like other wicked people for the things they do. The wicked are incapable of bringing anything but death and destruction. Fools share nothing but folly and pursues worthless stuff.
If we want to be counted among the wise we must be willing to work. Our words must be full of truth and kindness. Our actions must be pure. Being wise means speaking healing and knowing when to hold your tongue, a trait many need to learn.
It may seem like a difficult and boring path, but it holds a reward greater than all the treasure of the earth, life and no death. Only the wise take this path, are you among them?
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Daily Wisdom, Proverbs 11
Proverbs 11
"A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight. When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom. The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them. Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the blameless will smooth his way, but the wicked will fall by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, but the treacherous will be caught by their own greed" (verses 1-6).
God hates wickedness and dishonesty. Those who are proud will be put to shame, and the treacherous will be destroyed. All that awaits them is death, but the righteous will be saved. Their humility is exalted by God, and they live with honesty and receive the delight of the Lord. Opposite lives lead to opposite results.
"The righteous is delivered from trouble, but the wicked takes his place. With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous will be delivered. When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there is joyful shouting. By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down. He who despises his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding keeps silent" (verses 8-12).
The righteous are delivered from trouble because of their righteousness, and when they are delivered the city rejoices. People love to see good things happen to good people. And in the same way, they love justice to be done to the wicked. Wisdom leads to the salvation of the righteous, but the wicked are destroyed. Wickedness can do nothing but destroy. A wise man knows when to keep quiet, but a foolish man never shuts up.
"The merciful man does himself good, but the cruel man does himself harm. The wicked earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness gets a true reward. He who is steadfast in righteousness will attain to life, and he who pursues evil will bring about his own death. The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, but the blameless in their walk are His delight. Assuredly, the evil man will not go unpunished, but the descendants of the righteous will be delivered. As a ring of gold in a swine's snout so is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion. The desire of the righteous is only good, but the expectation of the wicked is wrath. There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want. The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered" (verses 17-25).
We see the results of the righteous is reward and blessing. Everything he does prospers, and he is satisfied. But the wicked is never satisfied. No matter what he acquires it is never enough.
"He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but he who seeks evil, evil will come to him. He who trusts in his riches will fall,but the righteous will flourish like the green leaf... The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls. If the righteous will be rewarded in the earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!" (verses 27-28, 30-31)
Again we see that the biggest result of righteousness is life, and the result of wickedness is destruction. If the righteous is rewarded on earth, promise of Heaven, then how much more will the sinner and the wicked get what they have earned?
Again, this chapter falls into the category of stand alone phrases, and marks one of those standards to compare our lives to. Which one matches up with yours?
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory
Peace be with you
"A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight. When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom. The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them. Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the blameless will smooth his way, but the wicked will fall by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, but the treacherous will be caught by their own greed" (verses 1-6).
God hates wickedness and dishonesty. Those who are proud will be put to shame, and the treacherous will be destroyed. All that awaits them is death, but the righteous will be saved. Their humility is exalted by God, and they live with honesty and receive the delight of the Lord. Opposite lives lead to opposite results.
"The righteous is delivered from trouble, but the wicked takes his place. With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous will be delivered. When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there is joyful shouting. By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down. He who despises his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding keeps silent" (verses 8-12).
The righteous are delivered from trouble because of their righteousness, and when they are delivered the city rejoices. People love to see good things happen to good people. And in the same way, they love justice to be done to the wicked. Wisdom leads to the salvation of the righteous, but the wicked are destroyed. Wickedness can do nothing but destroy. A wise man knows when to keep quiet, but a foolish man never shuts up.
"The merciful man does himself good, but the cruel man does himself harm. The wicked earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness gets a true reward. He who is steadfast in righteousness will attain to life, and he who pursues evil will bring about his own death. The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, but the blameless in their walk are His delight. Assuredly, the evil man will not go unpunished, but the descendants of the righteous will be delivered. As a ring of gold in a swine's snout so is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion. The desire of the righteous is only good, but the expectation of the wicked is wrath. There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want. The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered" (verses 17-25).
We see the results of the righteous is reward and blessing. Everything he does prospers, and he is satisfied. But the wicked is never satisfied. No matter what he acquires it is never enough.
"He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but he who seeks evil, evil will come to him. He who trusts in his riches will fall,but the righteous will flourish like the green leaf... The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls. If the righteous will be rewarded in the earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!" (verses 27-28, 30-31)
Again we see that the biggest result of righteousness is life, and the result of wickedness is destruction. If the righteous is rewarded on earth, promise of Heaven, then how much more will the sinner and the wicked get what they have earned?
Again, this chapter falls into the category of stand alone phrases, and marks one of those standards to compare our lives to. Which one matches up with yours?
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory
Peace be with you
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Daily Wisdom, Proverbs 10
Proverbs 10
I'm writing this post from my phone, so I apologize now for any spelling errors I don't catch.
Proverbs 10 begins a style of writing where each phrase is a stand alone idea. I was telling my wife earlier today that some of these have been hard to write because there isn't always much to say without doing in depth studies that I'm unable to do at the moment. But then there are chapters like this one where each verse could be its own post, and a month isn't enough time to do it justice. But thanks to technology I am able to write this post and give it my best shot.
The heading for this proverb is "Contrast of the Righteous and the Wicked" and as I said each verse is its own stand alone comparison. Each one shows the benefit of wisdom and the cost of foolishness.
We are presented with the humility and diligence of the righteous and the arrogant sloth of the wicked. We see again that wisdom leads to life and blessings from God, and that the wicked find death and destruction. Wisdom leads to joy and foolishness to sorrow.
I think that this proverb presents a good tool for comparison. Read each verse and ask yourself, "Which of these is more true of my life?" If you don't know ask a close friend and see what they say. If you're willing to do that much you're already counted among the wise.
Proverbs 10 shows us, very directly, what those with wisdom look like and do. It presents us with a goal to strive for. Wisdom is waiting and available, will you go after it?
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory
Peace be with you
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Daily Wisdom, Proverbs 9
Proverbs 9
"Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out her seven pillars; she has prepared her food, she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table; she has sent out her maidens, she calls from the tops of the heights of the city: 'Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!' To him who lacks understanding she says, 'Come, eat of my food and drink of the wine I have mixed. Forsake your folly and live, and proceed in the way of understanding'" (verses 1-6).
Wisdom is available for everyone. She invites and welcomes all to take part in what she offers, and her offering is life.
Think about a house, it is a dwelling place where others are invited. It's an environment where people are able to fellowship together, share stories and learn. It is a place that is constant. And wisdom offers these things. It invites, it allows for fellowship, and it is a constant thing that is available for all. but some reject it when it is offered, and refuse to seek it on their own.
"He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, and he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you,reprove a wise man and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser, teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you. If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, and if you scoff, you alone will bear it" (verses 7-12).
The wise seek wisdom and love those who add to theirs, but fools hate correction. Those who posses no wisdom hate when it is offered and despise those who offer it to them. But when those who seek wisdom are offer it, they eat it up. They soak up all that they can get of it, even if it means correction.
With wisdom comes life, because wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord. Sin and wisdom can't coexist, because wisdom is something that only comes from fearing God. Acknowledging God, for His power and holiness is the only way to begin to come into the possession of wisdom.
Wisdom is readily available, but it can only be found by those who fear the Lord, this is the message of Proverbs 9.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
"Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out her seven pillars; she has prepared her food, she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table; she has sent out her maidens, she calls from the tops of the heights of the city: 'Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!' To him who lacks understanding she says, 'Come, eat of my food and drink of the wine I have mixed. Forsake your folly and live, and proceed in the way of understanding'" (verses 1-6).
Wisdom is available for everyone. She invites and welcomes all to take part in what she offers, and her offering is life.
Think about a house, it is a dwelling place where others are invited. It's an environment where people are able to fellowship together, share stories and learn. It is a place that is constant. And wisdom offers these things. It invites, it allows for fellowship, and it is a constant thing that is available for all. but some reject it when it is offered, and refuse to seek it on their own.
"He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, and he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you,reprove a wise man and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser, teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you. If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, and if you scoff, you alone will bear it" (verses 7-12).
The wise seek wisdom and love those who add to theirs, but fools hate correction. Those who posses no wisdom hate when it is offered and despise those who offer it to them. But when those who seek wisdom are offer it, they eat it up. They soak up all that they can get of it, even if it means correction.
With wisdom comes life, because wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord. Sin and wisdom can't coexist, because wisdom is something that only comes from fearing God. Acknowledging God, for His power and holiness is the only way to begin to come into the possession of wisdom.
Wisdom is readily available, but it can only be found by those who fear the Lord, this is the message of Proverbs 9.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
Monday, July 8, 2013
Daily Wisdom, Proverbs 8
Proverbs 8
What are you living for? What is the goal that you are working towards? What is your dream achievement?
"Does not wisdom call, and understanding life up her voice?... 'Listen, for I will speak noble things; and the opening of my lips will reveal right things. For my mouth will utter truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the utterances of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing crooked or perverted in them. They are straightforward to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge. Take my instruction and not silver, and knowledge rather than choicest gold. For wisdom is better than jewels; and all desirable things cannot compare with her'" (verses 1, 6-11).
Wisdom is available for all. It is there for the taking, but so few seek it. So few make time to seek it. So few put a priority on seeking it. Rather than seeking something that brings nothing but gain in so many ways, they seek wealth through their own strength or dishonesty. They value worldly treasure more than the wealth of knowledge.
Without wisdom we are doomed to corruption and wickedness. We are full of lies and deceit. We lead others astray for our own gain, and we're ok with it. In fact as a society we praise those who do this well and put them on a pedestal. Our focus has shifted from eternal value to momentary gain, and we suffer greatly because of it.
"I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverted mouth, I hate. Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine. By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, all who judge rightly. I love those who love me; and those who diligently seek me will find me. Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold, and my yield better than choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice, to endow those who love me with wealth, that I may fill their treasuries" (verses 12-21).
Without wisdom there can be no justice or leadership. Without wisdom there can be no morality or righteousness. Apart from wisdom there is only poverty and shame. But it doesn't have to be this way. All who diligently seek wisdom will find it. All who strive for righteousness will achieve it. And wisdom offers wealth.
With wisdom there is contentment and satisfaction. There is an emphasis and focus on eternal things. With wisdom comes provision for every need, and abundant blessings. This is not the Prosperity Gospel, though it might sound like it. God blesses us so that we can bless others, not so we can sit comfortably and watch everyone one else struggle. Wisdom gives us the ability to bless others. And wisdom leads to the greatest treasure of all.
"Now therefore, O sons, listen to me, for blessed are they who keep my ways. Heed instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my doorposts. for he who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD. But he who sins against me injures himself; all those who hate me love death" (verses 32-36).
He who finds wisdom finds life and obtains favor form the LORD. Wisdom is found on the path of righteousness. It is this path that God smiles upon and leads to life. But sin only brings death. It is a cancer that eats us away, and hurts those around us. Sin and wisdom cannot coexist. You cannot sin and be wise. This is the message of Proverbs 8.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
What are you living for? What is the goal that you are working towards? What is your dream achievement?
"Does not wisdom call, and understanding life up her voice?... 'Listen, for I will speak noble things; and the opening of my lips will reveal right things. For my mouth will utter truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the utterances of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing crooked or perverted in them. They are straightforward to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge. Take my instruction and not silver, and knowledge rather than choicest gold. For wisdom is better than jewels; and all desirable things cannot compare with her'" (verses 1, 6-11).
Wisdom is available for all. It is there for the taking, but so few seek it. So few make time to seek it. So few put a priority on seeking it. Rather than seeking something that brings nothing but gain in so many ways, they seek wealth through their own strength or dishonesty. They value worldly treasure more than the wealth of knowledge.
Without wisdom we are doomed to corruption and wickedness. We are full of lies and deceit. We lead others astray for our own gain, and we're ok with it. In fact as a society we praise those who do this well and put them on a pedestal. Our focus has shifted from eternal value to momentary gain, and we suffer greatly because of it.
"I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverted mouth, I hate. Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine. By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, all who judge rightly. I love those who love me; and those who diligently seek me will find me. Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold, and my yield better than choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice, to endow those who love me with wealth, that I may fill their treasuries" (verses 12-21).
Without wisdom there can be no justice or leadership. Without wisdom there can be no morality or righteousness. Apart from wisdom there is only poverty and shame. But it doesn't have to be this way. All who diligently seek wisdom will find it. All who strive for righteousness will achieve it. And wisdom offers wealth.
With wisdom there is contentment and satisfaction. There is an emphasis and focus on eternal things. With wisdom comes provision for every need, and abundant blessings. This is not the Prosperity Gospel, though it might sound like it. God blesses us so that we can bless others, not so we can sit comfortably and watch everyone one else struggle. Wisdom gives us the ability to bless others. And wisdom leads to the greatest treasure of all.
"Now therefore, O sons, listen to me, for blessed are they who keep my ways. Heed instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my doorposts. for he who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD. But he who sins against me injures himself; all those who hate me love death" (verses 32-36).
He who finds wisdom finds life and obtains favor form the LORD. Wisdom is found on the path of righteousness. It is this path that God smiles upon and leads to life. But sin only brings death. It is a cancer that eats us away, and hurts those around us. Sin and wisdom cannot coexist. You cannot sin and be wise. This is the message of Proverbs 8.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Daily Wisdom, Proverbs 7
Proverbs 7
As I've been reading through this book for the past week I've noticed something, so far every proverb contains the phrase "my son". It's something I have picked up on this time around. Each of these teachings is from a loving father to his beloved son. He is passing crucial teachings on to his children so that they might find life.
I have heard that children don't come with instruction manuals, but I'm beginning to think the people who say that haven't read the book of Proverbs. As I've studied this past week I have found essential lessons that I will teach my children, the most important of them is Proverbs 3.5-6. And here in Proverbs 7 an emphasis is put on these lessons.
"My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you. Keep my commandments and live, and my teaching as the apple of of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, 'You are my sister,' and call understanding your intimate friend;" (verses 1-4).
For many the idea of teaching and lessons makes you think of school. The current education system is set up in a way that encourages short term memorization so that tests can be passed. Quite often the information is quickly forgotten to make room for new information for the next test.
I couldn't tell you most of what I learned in school, not even college. At the end of my senior year of college we took a test that covered information from all four years. I remember reading some questions and thinking, "We learned that?!" and then there was the "I know how to do that, but I don't remember what it's called." And all of this shows a flaw in the education system. And we see how different teaching these life lessons must be.
These are not things that we can afford to learn and forget. These must be part of who we are. These lessons must be our most treasured possessions, because these alone lead to life. And in order for the urgency of these lessons to be realized they must be lived out by the teacher.
In college I was blessed to be learning ministry from men who had experience in the field. I wasn't learning how to pastor from academics who had never spent time in the field. I was learning from soldiers who had served on the front lines. Yes, times have changed and some of the things they did then will not work today, but they teach from experience, and that carries so much weight.
For my children to understand when I tell them, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." they must see it lived out in my life. They must see me trust God in times of uncertainty. They need to hear the stories of how God has provided and come through in the past. And when they see the voice of experience from the front lines living out the teaching and God always coming through, they will know that they can trust Him.
When our children see that the important things we teach are the same things we live by they will see the truth in the lessons. They will see that we have depended upon God and that He has never failed us, and they will know that they can trust Him as well. They will know that your teachings are true and worth learning. And as they follow them they will find life and intimacy with God.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
As I've been reading through this book for the past week I've noticed something, so far every proverb contains the phrase "my son". It's something I have picked up on this time around. Each of these teachings is from a loving father to his beloved son. He is passing crucial teachings on to his children so that they might find life.
I have heard that children don't come with instruction manuals, but I'm beginning to think the people who say that haven't read the book of Proverbs. As I've studied this past week I have found essential lessons that I will teach my children, the most important of them is Proverbs 3.5-6. And here in Proverbs 7 an emphasis is put on these lessons.
"My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you. Keep my commandments and live, and my teaching as the apple of of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, 'You are my sister,' and call understanding your intimate friend;" (verses 1-4).
For many the idea of teaching and lessons makes you think of school. The current education system is set up in a way that encourages short term memorization so that tests can be passed. Quite often the information is quickly forgotten to make room for new information for the next test.
I couldn't tell you most of what I learned in school, not even college. At the end of my senior year of college we took a test that covered information from all four years. I remember reading some questions and thinking, "We learned that?!" and then there was the "I know how to do that, but I don't remember what it's called." And all of this shows a flaw in the education system. And we see how different teaching these life lessons must be.
These are not things that we can afford to learn and forget. These must be part of who we are. These lessons must be our most treasured possessions, because these alone lead to life. And in order for the urgency of these lessons to be realized they must be lived out by the teacher.
In college I was blessed to be learning ministry from men who had experience in the field. I wasn't learning how to pastor from academics who had never spent time in the field. I was learning from soldiers who had served on the front lines. Yes, times have changed and some of the things they did then will not work today, but they teach from experience, and that carries so much weight.
For my children to understand when I tell them, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." they must see it lived out in my life. They must see me trust God in times of uncertainty. They need to hear the stories of how God has provided and come through in the past. And when they see the voice of experience from the front lines living out the teaching and God always coming through, they will know that they can trust Him.
When our children see that the important things we teach are the same things we live by they will see the truth in the lessons. They will see that we have depended upon God and that He has never failed us, and they will know that they can trust Him as well. They will know that your teachings are true and worth learning. And as they follow them they will find life and intimacy with God.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Daily Wisdom, Proverbs 6
Proverbs 6
There is a lot here, but it continues with the instructions from father to son. There are five key teachings found in this proverb. He begins by telling his son that if he is caught in his words to humble himself. If something he has said has snared him he must make it right immediatly. It is a crucial lesson that many of us have missed out on. We never deal with things, we allow our pride to keep us from correcting our errors and many things can be ruined.
"Go to the ant, O sluggard, observe her ways and be wise, which, having no chief, officer or ruler, prepares her food in the summer and gathers her provision in the harvest. How long will you lie down, O sluggard? when will you arise from your sleep? 'A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest' - your poverty will come in like a vagabond and you need like an armed man" (verses 6-11).
Here we see the father teaching his son the lesson of work. It is part of life. In the beginning, even before the fall, man was given a job to do. There is something so rewarding, and even refreshing, about a hard days work. And without work, we have nothing. Without work there is no income. Without work there is no respect from others. Without work you contribute nothing, and become a sluggard. The father warns his son against this, and teaches him the value of work.
"A worthless person, a wicked man, is the one who walks with a perverse mouth, who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet, who points with his fingers; who with perversity in his heart continually devises evil, who spreads strife. Therefore his calamity will come suddenly; instantly he will be broken and there will be no healing" (verses 12-15).
The farther points out the characteristics of the worthless man. One who is perverse in speack, flatering with the eyes, leading others astray and pointing fingers away from himeslf. He plans and plots evil while spreading conflict and discord. He will come to calamity and there will be no relief. What father wants their son to end up like this? He warns him so he is prepared and able to avoid it.
"There are six things which the LORD hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a flase witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers" (verses 16-19).
All of these go against God's plan for His creation. Pride, dishonesty, murder, plans and actions of wickeness and evil, those who spread lies and those who cuase division. God created us for community and relationships and all of these things destroy them. God hates division, He hates when life is ended and character destroyed falsely. The father points his son in the direction of righteousness, and sets his feet on the path.
The proverb ends with the father reminding his son of the threats of the adultress. The one who gives into the adultress will not go unpunished. There are consequences to every action and sin, and sin will not go unpunished. God, the standard of holiness and righteousness, cannot tolerate sin. He will destroy sin, and those who give into it will be punished as well.
Point your children in the way of righteousness. Teach them the value of work and honesty. Teach them to have humility and integrity.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
There is a lot here, but it continues with the instructions from father to son. There are five key teachings found in this proverb. He begins by telling his son that if he is caught in his words to humble himself. If something he has said has snared him he must make it right immediatly. It is a crucial lesson that many of us have missed out on. We never deal with things, we allow our pride to keep us from correcting our errors and many things can be ruined.
"Go to the ant, O sluggard, observe her ways and be wise, which, having no chief, officer or ruler, prepares her food in the summer and gathers her provision in the harvest. How long will you lie down, O sluggard? when will you arise from your sleep? 'A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest' - your poverty will come in like a vagabond and you need like an armed man" (verses 6-11).
Here we see the father teaching his son the lesson of work. It is part of life. In the beginning, even before the fall, man was given a job to do. There is something so rewarding, and even refreshing, about a hard days work. And without work, we have nothing. Without work there is no income. Without work there is no respect from others. Without work you contribute nothing, and become a sluggard. The father warns his son against this, and teaches him the value of work.
"A worthless person, a wicked man, is the one who walks with a perverse mouth, who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet, who points with his fingers; who with perversity in his heart continually devises evil, who spreads strife. Therefore his calamity will come suddenly; instantly he will be broken and there will be no healing" (verses 12-15).
The farther points out the characteristics of the worthless man. One who is perverse in speack, flatering with the eyes, leading others astray and pointing fingers away from himeslf. He plans and plots evil while spreading conflict and discord. He will come to calamity and there will be no relief. What father wants their son to end up like this? He warns him so he is prepared and able to avoid it.
"There are six things which the LORD hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a flase witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers" (verses 16-19).
All of these go against God's plan for His creation. Pride, dishonesty, murder, plans and actions of wickeness and evil, those who spread lies and those who cuase division. God created us for community and relationships and all of these things destroy them. God hates division, He hates when life is ended and character destroyed falsely. The father points his son in the direction of righteousness, and sets his feet on the path.
The proverb ends with the father reminding his son of the threats of the adultress. The one who gives into the adultress will not go unpunished. There are consequences to every action and sin, and sin will not go unpunished. God, the standard of holiness and righteousness, cannot tolerate sin. He will destroy sin, and those who give into it will be punished as well.
Point your children in the way of righteousness. Teach them the value of work and honesty. Teach them to have humility and integrity.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
Friday, July 5, 2013
Daily Wisdom, Proverbs 5
Proverbs 5
"My son, give attention to my wisdom, incline your ear to my understanding; that you may observe discretion and your lips may reserve knowledge. For the lips of an adulteress drip honey and smoother than oil is her speech; but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death, her steps take hold of Sheol. She does not ponder the path of life; her ways are unstable, she does not know it. Now then, my sons, listen to me and do not depart from the words of my mouth. Keep your way far from her and do not go near the door of her house, or you will give your vigor to others and your years to the cruel one; and strangers will be filled with your strength and your hard-earned goods will go to the house of an alien; and you grown at your final end, when your flesh and your body are consumed;" (verses 1-11).
The father continues to point his son towards life. He warns him of the adulteress woman he works to steel his life. This lesson is such a crucial one, because the adulteress will steel life in many ways.
Adultery destroys families. My own life and ministry has been affected by an affair my grandpa had over forty years ago. It destroys marriages. It destroys the relationship of parents and children, and it often leads to the kids feeling at fault.
Adultery destroys ministry. When a pastor falls into an affair everything he has worked for is undone.
Adultery destroys character. Credibility and trust are destroyed with an affair. Respect is lost and integrity destroyed. Everything that your life has been spent to achieve can be destroyed with an affair.
An affair brings nothing but death, and death in so many ways. And so the father warns his son against it. He says, yes, it might seem appealing and worth the cost at first, but it is only an illusion. There is nothing but death down this road, and it reaches farther than just you.
And the the father ends with this, "Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth. As a loving hind and a graceful doe, let her breasts satisfy you at all times; be exhilarated always with her love. For why should you, my son, be exhilarated with an adulteress and embrace the bosom of a foreigner? For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the LORD, and He watches all His paths. His own iniquities will capture the wicked, and he will be held with the cords of his sin. He will die for lack of instruction, and in the greatness of his folly he will go astray" (verses 18-23).
In marriage a man and a woman come together. He brings and offers his strength, she unveils and captivates with her beauty. The two different sides come together and reveal the full heart of God. She is his to delight in, and it is a union that is blessed by God.
God sees all. Sin can be hidden from man to an extent, but God sees everything, and a man will be held in his own sin and death is the result. The instructions of the father lead to life. This warning points the son to the path of righteousness, it warns him of the dangers that will try to ensnare him and take him out. But because he has been warned, he can be prepared for it.
The instructions of the father can save the son's life and help him share God with the world.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
"My son, give attention to my wisdom, incline your ear to my understanding; that you may observe discretion and your lips may reserve knowledge. For the lips of an adulteress drip honey and smoother than oil is her speech; but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death, her steps take hold of Sheol. She does not ponder the path of life; her ways are unstable, she does not know it. Now then, my sons, listen to me and do not depart from the words of my mouth. Keep your way far from her and do not go near the door of her house, or you will give your vigor to others and your years to the cruel one; and strangers will be filled with your strength and your hard-earned goods will go to the house of an alien; and you grown at your final end, when your flesh and your body are consumed;" (verses 1-11).
The father continues to point his son towards life. He warns him of the adulteress woman he works to steel his life. This lesson is such a crucial one, because the adulteress will steel life in many ways.
Adultery destroys families. My own life and ministry has been affected by an affair my grandpa had over forty years ago. It destroys marriages. It destroys the relationship of parents and children, and it often leads to the kids feeling at fault.
Adultery destroys ministry. When a pastor falls into an affair everything he has worked for is undone.
Adultery destroys character. Credibility and trust are destroyed with an affair. Respect is lost and integrity destroyed. Everything that your life has been spent to achieve can be destroyed with an affair.
An affair brings nothing but death, and death in so many ways. And so the father warns his son against it. He says, yes, it might seem appealing and worth the cost at first, but it is only an illusion. There is nothing but death down this road, and it reaches farther than just you.
And the the father ends with this, "Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth. As a loving hind and a graceful doe, let her breasts satisfy you at all times; be exhilarated always with her love. For why should you, my son, be exhilarated with an adulteress and embrace the bosom of a foreigner? For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the LORD, and He watches all His paths. His own iniquities will capture the wicked, and he will be held with the cords of his sin. He will die for lack of instruction, and in the greatness of his folly he will go astray" (verses 18-23).
In marriage a man and a woman come together. He brings and offers his strength, she unveils and captivates with her beauty. The two different sides come together and reveal the full heart of God. She is his to delight in, and it is a union that is blessed by God.
God sees all. Sin can be hidden from man to an extent, but God sees everything, and a man will be held in his own sin and death is the result. The instructions of the father lead to life. This warning points the son to the path of righteousness, it warns him of the dangers that will try to ensnare him and take him out. But because he has been warned, he can be prepared for it.
The instructions of the father can save the son's life and help him share God with the world.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Daily Wisdom, Proverbs 4
Proverbs 4
"The he taught me and said to me, 'Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments and live; acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth. do not forsake her, and she will guard you; love her and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is: acquire wisdom; and with all your acquiring, get understanding. Prize her, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. She will place on your head a garland of grace; she will resent you with a crown of beauty'" (verses 4-9).
The father tells his son to acquire wisdom above all else. He does not tell him to spend his life in pursuit of wealth or land, but to acquire wisdom and understanding. He tells his son to prize wisdom about all else, because wisdom will exalt him and bring him honor.
It is crucial to keep in mind that wisdom is only found in God. Wisdom comes from fearing the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9.10). By pursuing wisdom we pursue the things of God. The pursuit of wisdom brings us a deeper understanding of, and intimacy with, God. And this pursuit leads to great blessings.
"Hear, my son, and accept my sayings and the years of your life will be many. I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths. When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; and if you run, you will not stumble. Take hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard he, for she is your life. Do not enter the path of the wicked and do not proceed in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not pass by it; turn away from it and pass on. For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; and they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble. For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day. The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know over what they stumble" (verses 10-19).
Wisdom leads to life and peace. Wisdom is not gained through dishonesty or trickery. Wisdom is not acquired at the expense of someone else. It cannot be found on the path of wickedness, but only in trusting God. And when we trust in God He makes our paths straight. We can walk with out being impeded, and run without stumbling.
There is no corruption or dishonesty with the righteous, and we can walk clearly seeing what is in front of us. There is nothing we are trying to hide, because there is nothing we need to hide. But wickedness brings chaos and paranoia. It does not rest because it cannot rest. It has gained its position by serving itself, and it must do whatever is necessary to try and protect what it has. It hides things away, but can't keep them hidden, and is constantly tripping over the past. The only way to live is to flee from wickedness. The only way to have peace is to abandon evil.
And then the father gives his son instruction on how to do this. "Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth and put devious speech far from you. Let your eyes look directly ahead and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. Watch the path of your feet and all your ways will be established. Do not turn to the right nor to the left; turn your foot from evil" (verses 23-27).
It isn't enough to be told to do something, a father must show his son how. The heart is essential, it is what pumps the source of life through our bodies. Think of the instances where we are told to love God in the Bible, the first thing listed is "with all your heart." We must guard our hearts above all else and not let them be corrupted, because the heart is where we find our strength.
We put away deceitfulness from our speech and only share what is true and honorable. We stay focused on the destination, on the goal of becoming like Christ, and we continuously strive towards that goal, letting nothing distract us or pull us away. We are determined to become like Christ, and nothing will stand in the way of that.
This is the way of life. This is the path of wisdom. This is what a father is to teach his children. This is Proverbs 4.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
"The he taught me and said to me, 'Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments and live; acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth. do not forsake her, and she will guard you; love her and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is: acquire wisdom; and with all your acquiring, get understanding. Prize her, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. She will place on your head a garland of grace; she will resent you with a crown of beauty'" (verses 4-9).
The father tells his son to acquire wisdom above all else. He does not tell him to spend his life in pursuit of wealth or land, but to acquire wisdom and understanding. He tells his son to prize wisdom about all else, because wisdom will exalt him and bring him honor.
It is crucial to keep in mind that wisdom is only found in God. Wisdom comes from fearing the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9.10). By pursuing wisdom we pursue the things of God. The pursuit of wisdom brings us a deeper understanding of, and intimacy with, God. And this pursuit leads to great blessings.
"Hear, my son, and accept my sayings and the years of your life will be many. I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths. When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; and if you run, you will not stumble. Take hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard he, for she is your life. Do not enter the path of the wicked and do not proceed in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not pass by it; turn away from it and pass on. For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; and they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble. For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day. The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know over what they stumble" (verses 10-19).
Wisdom leads to life and peace. Wisdom is not gained through dishonesty or trickery. Wisdom is not acquired at the expense of someone else. It cannot be found on the path of wickedness, but only in trusting God. And when we trust in God He makes our paths straight. We can walk with out being impeded, and run without stumbling.
There is no corruption or dishonesty with the righteous, and we can walk clearly seeing what is in front of us. There is nothing we are trying to hide, because there is nothing we need to hide. But wickedness brings chaos and paranoia. It does not rest because it cannot rest. It has gained its position by serving itself, and it must do whatever is necessary to try and protect what it has. It hides things away, but can't keep them hidden, and is constantly tripping over the past. The only way to live is to flee from wickedness. The only way to have peace is to abandon evil.
And then the father gives his son instruction on how to do this. "Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth and put devious speech far from you. Let your eyes look directly ahead and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. Watch the path of your feet and all your ways will be established. Do not turn to the right nor to the left; turn your foot from evil" (verses 23-27).
It isn't enough to be told to do something, a father must show his son how. The heart is essential, it is what pumps the source of life through our bodies. Think of the instances where we are told to love God in the Bible, the first thing listed is "with all your heart." We must guard our hearts above all else and not let them be corrupted, because the heart is where we find our strength.
We put away deceitfulness from our speech and only share what is true and honorable. We stay focused on the destination, on the goal of becoming like Christ, and we continuously strive towards that goal, letting nothing distract us or pull us away. We are determined to become like Christ, and nothing will stand in the way of that.
This is the way of life. This is the path of wisdom. This is what a father is to teach his children. This is Proverbs 4.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Daily Wisdom, Proverbs 3
In this chapter we have one of the most well known passages of Scripture. It is one of the first sections I remember memorizing in Sunday School as a child. I've read these words countless times, but I don't know that they have really ever hit me until today.
Proverbs 3
"My son, don not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones. Honor the Lord from your wealth and from the first of all your produce; so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine. My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD or loathe His reproof, for whom the LORD loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights" (verses 1-12).
Once again, a father is instructing his son, and sharing with him the importance of the lessons. And then we get to one of the most important things any parent could say to their child. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn from evil."
Think about what that says, trust in the LORD completely. Don't place your trust in wealth, or talents, or even me as your father, but trust fully in the LORD. Do not lean on your own understanding. Don't fall back on your gifts or your training. In every thing you do look to God. No matter how big or small seek God's counsel, and He will never fail to direct you. This lesson in wisdom is a father teaching his son total reliance upon God. He is teaching him to seek Him in all things, and never to rely on himself, no matter how small the task may seem.
He warns him, don't be wise in your own eyes, don't be proud or arrogant, but always fear the LORD. Realize who God is and what He has done, and when you do this, you will turn from evil. You will not be led astray when you are constantly focused on who God is.
God blesses those who trust Him, and He corrects those He loves. Sometimes there is discipline that comes, but it is only for our benefit. No matter what we go through we must constantly be aware that everything God does is for our good and His glory.
Further instructions are given about the benefit and value of wisdom. Accounts of God's works are given, and at the end of it all a reminder of the confidence that is found in God. "My son, let them not vanish from your sight; keep sound wisdom and discretion, so they will be life to your soul and adornment to your neck. Then you will walk in your way securely and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden fear nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught" (verses 21-26).
One of the things that has stood out to me in the past is this statement in verse 4, "So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man." Verses 5-26 talk about man's relationship with God, but then the lesson shifts and talks about the relationship between men.
"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, 'Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,' when you have it with you. Do not devise harm against your neighbor, while he lives securely beside you. Do not contend with a man without cause, if he has done you no harm. Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways. For the devious are an abomination to the Lord; but He is intimate with the upright. The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the dwelling of the righteous. Though He scoffs at the scoffers, yet He gives grace to the afflicted. The wise will inherit honor, but fools display dishonor" (verses 27-35).
A life lived with kindness in the fear of God is a life that will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man. This is every father's desire for his child. And this is the message of Proverbs 3.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
Proverbs 3
"My son, don not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones. Honor the Lord from your wealth and from the first of all your produce; so your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine. My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD or loathe His reproof, for whom the LORD loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights" (verses 1-12).
Once again, a father is instructing his son, and sharing with him the importance of the lessons. And then we get to one of the most important things any parent could say to their child. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn from evil."
Think about what that says, trust in the LORD completely. Don't place your trust in wealth, or talents, or even me as your father, but trust fully in the LORD. Do not lean on your own understanding. Don't fall back on your gifts or your training. In every thing you do look to God. No matter how big or small seek God's counsel, and He will never fail to direct you. This lesson in wisdom is a father teaching his son total reliance upon God. He is teaching him to seek Him in all things, and never to rely on himself, no matter how small the task may seem.
He warns him, don't be wise in your own eyes, don't be proud or arrogant, but always fear the LORD. Realize who God is and what He has done, and when you do this, you will turn from evil. You will not be led astray when you are constantly focused on who God is.
God blesses those who trust Him, and He corrects those He loves. Sometimes there is discipline that comes, but it is only for our benefit. No matter what we go through we must constantly be aware that everything God does is for our good and His glory.
Further instructions are given about the benefit and value of wisdom. Accounts of God's works are given, and at the end of it all a reminder of the confidence that is found in God. "My son, let them not vanish from your sight; keep sound wisdom and discretion, so they will be life to your soul and adornment to your neck. Then you will walk in your way securely and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden fear nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught" (verses 21-26).
One of the things that has stood out to me in the past is this statement in verse 4, "So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man." Verses 5-26 talk about man's relationship with God, but then the lesson shifts and talks about the relationship between men.
"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, 'Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,' when you have it with you. Do not devise harm against your neighbor, while he lives securely beside you. Do not contend with a man without cause, if he has done you no harm. Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways. For the devious are an abomination to the Lord; but He is intimate with the upright. The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the dwelling of the righteous. Though He scoffs at the scoffers, yet He gives grace to the afflicted. The wise will inherit honor, but fools display dishonor" (verses 27-35).
A life lived with kindness in the fear of God is a life that will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man. This is every father's desire for his child. And this is the message of Proverbs 3.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread."
To God alone be the Glory!
Peace be with you
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