I don’t want to be destroyed and certainly not “without remedy” (v.1). So I have to ask myself, is there any area of my life that I remain stiff-necked. Even after it has been pointed out to me many times.
Any kind of addiction, whether it be sexual, like the man in verse 3, or drunkenness, like the guy in 23:29-35, leads to an empty bank account.
A clear conscience is a beautiful thing (v.6). It gives us the freedom to sing and be glad.
I heard an interesting study the other day. Employees were asked, “What is the most important attribute in a boss?” The number one answer was integrity. People want to be treated fairly and honestly by their leaders (v.14). As leaders, when we fail to lead with integrity, we forfeit our leadership.
I believe verse 18 is a reference to the power of God’s word. When preachers fail to preach the word of God, when teachers fail to teach it, when moms and dads fail to pass it on to their children, chaos ensues.
Verse 20: Ouch! Shut up Troy. Be slow to speak. Feel free to insert your name if the verse fits.
Have you ever fulfilled verse 23? I have. I hate pride. It has humiliated me on more than one occasion. How about you?
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Proverbs 27
Happy Thanksgiving! We’re having the family at our house this year. Tab is busy in the kitchen and I’m attempting to fry a turkey in a few hours. Should be interesting. No matter how it turns out, we have so much to thank God for. Family, food, football and forgiveness is a good place to start. What a great day! Definitely one of my favorite holidays. I hope you’ll take some time today to remind your family of God’s blessings. “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever” Psalms 136:1.
If you find yourself boasting about anything but the Lord, stop! Boasting about tomorrow (v.1) or self (v.2, 21) is a dead end road.
Rebuking a friend is hard. It takes courage because we don’t know how they will react. But if we are a true friend and we care about their maturity in Christ, we will take the chance (v.5,6,9).
How appropriate for Thanksgiving Day (v.7). Physical hunger and spiritual hunger go hand in hand. When we eat more than we can burn through our physical activities, our food gets stored as fat. In other words, the food is unused and we become overweight. If we lack a spiritual hunger for God, it may be that we have heard too many sermons without putting them into practice.
Verse 18 is a great verse about faithfulness. If we will simply care for the things and people God has entrusted to us, we will be blessed by them. God blesses faithfulness and loyalty.
Do you know how much you own, owe, and make? Verses 23-27 make a great argument for living on a budget and having financial goals. This is especially true in this economy and this time of year when we are tempted to buy more than we can afford.
If you find yourself boasting about anything but the Lord, stop! Boasting about tomorrow (v.1) or self (v.2, 21) is a dead end road.
Rebuking a friend is hard. It takes courage because we don’t know how they will react. But if we are a true friend and we care about their maturity in Christ, we will take the chance (v.5,6,9).
How appropriate for Thanksgiving Day (v.7). Physical hunger and spiritual hunger go hand in hand. When we eat more than we can burn through our physical activities, our food gets stored as fat. In other words, the food is unused and we become overweight. If we lack a spiritual hunger for God, it may be that we have heard too many sermons without putting them into practice.
Verse 18 is a great verse about faithfulness. If we will simply care for the things and people God has entrusted to us, we will be blessed by them. God blesses faithfulness and loyalty.
Do you know how much you own, owe, and make? Verses 23-27 make a great argument for living on a budget and having financial goals. This is especially true in this economy and this time of year when we are tempted to buy more than we can afford.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Proverbs 26
The first few verses of the chapter reveal the dangers of a fool. They also teach the wise man when to avoid and when to confront a fool. A fool cannot handle honor (vs.1 & 8). When we put them in a place of honor, we end up hurting everyone around them.
Talking to a fool is worthless. They only understand pain (v.3). And sometimes they don’t understand that.
Verses 4 and 5 have often been misunderstood. They seem to contradict each other. Do we reply to a fool and his foolish comment or do we not? I believe the verses are back to back for a reason. Every situation is different and every situation demands that we use wisdom. Sometimes, probably most times, it is better not to rebuke or argue with a fool. You will not convince them because they are not listening. They have to experience pain (v.3) before their ears are open. Still, there are other times when we must not allow a foolish comment to go unchallenged. For the sake of truth, we have to expose the fool’s pride and folly.
Verse 11 is a boundary marker I’ve referred to through the years to see if I’m growing wiser or just remaining a fool. Am I learning from my mistakes? If not, I have my answer.
The sluggard has a vivid imagination. They invent all kinds of ways to get out of work (vs. 13-16).
When we start talking to each other instead of about each other, it’s amazing how fast a quarrel will die down (v.20). This time of the year many of you will see family and friends that you don’t normally see. If there is unresolved conflict, take an opportunity to forgive and offer forgiveness. Life is too short to gossip, slander, and argue.
Talking to a fool is worthless. They only understand pain (v.3). And sometimes they don’t understand that.
Verses 4 and 5 have often been misunderstood. They seem to contradict each other. Do we reply to a fool and his foolish comment or do we not? I believe the verses are back to back for a reason. Every situation is different and every situation demands that we use wisdom. Sometimes, probably most times, it is better not to rebuke or argue with a fool. You will not convince them because they are not listening. They have to experience pain (v.3) before their ears are open. Still, there are other times when we must not allow a foolish comment to go unchallenged. For the sake of truth, we have to expose the fool’s pride and folly.
Verse 11 is a boundary marker I’ve referred to through the years to see if I’m growing wiser or just remaining a fool. Am I learning from my mistakes? If not, I have my answer.
The sluggard has a vivid imagination. They invent all kinds of ways to get out of work (vs. 13-16).
When we start talking to each other instead of about each other, it’s amazing how fast a quarrel will die down (v.20). This time of the year many of you will see family and friends that you don’t normally see. If there is unresolved conflict, take an opportunity to forgive and offer forgiveness. Life is too short to gossip, slander, and argue.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Proverbs 25
You’ll notice in this final section that many of the Proverbs are directed toward kings and those who dealt with kings. Though we have no direct contact with kings, many of us are leaders and work for leaders. When you see the word king, replace it with your name or the name of a leader in your life.
Pray for our local and national leaders. Pray that the wicked will be removed from their presence and that their leadership will be established in righteousness (v.6-7).
Have you ever hired clouds and winds without rain? It’s disappointing every time. The wise leader makes sure the cloud rains before they employ them (v.14).
Verse 15 gives me a lot of hope. Even the most jaded leaders can be persuaded if we are patient (v.15).
Good advise for Thanksgiving (v.16-17)!
Pray for our local and national leaders. Pray that the wicked will be removed from their presence and that their leadership will be established in righteousness (v.6-7).
Have you ever hired clouds and winds without rain? It’s disappointing every time. The wise leader makes sure the cloud rains before they employ them (v.14).
Verse 15 gives me a lot of hope. Even the most jaded leaders can be persuaded if we are patient (v.15).
Good advise for Thanksgiving (v.16-17)!
Monday, November 24, 2008
Proverbs 24
I hope you enjoyed the message series, The Quest For Wisdom, as much as I did. I will continue this blog till the end of the month. I hope you’ll continue checking in and adding your thoughts and questions. The series is over but the quest continues...
I always enjoy visiting a well designed, well constructed house that is filled with paintings, family pictures, and treasures from all over the world. Those sacred places are not houses, they are homes and they are not built overnight. I get the same feeling about verses 3 and 4. Wisdom, understanding, and knowledge create a synergy in a person that is awe-inspiring. They are a rare find. Like that sacred home, I just want to hang around a person like that. If for no other reason, than just to soak up some of their wisdom.
In biblical times, the men of the city would gather at the city gates to discuss politics, decisions, and issues of wisdom. The fool would have nothing to add to their conversation (v.7). That’s okay if you find yourself in the place of the fool in today’s conversations. Depending on the conversation, I find myself there occasionally. We are on a quest for wisdom, so hopefully we won’t be there forever. In the meantime, when we find ourselves in that position, it’s best to follow the advice we read in Proverbs 17:28.
You may find yourself in a difficult situation right now. Maybe you’re facing a miserable job, controversial relationship, or a negative financial situation. Verse 10 is good advice. Don’t quit just because it’s hard. There are exceptions to the rule. God has not called us to stay in abusive marriages or dishonest jobs. But as a general rule, most people quit jobs, marriages, churches, and other things at the wrong time. They reveal their lack of strength.
I hope we never face a situation in America like the Christians in WWII Germany faced. But if we do, may we live the tenants of verses 11 & 12. If you’ve never read the story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, put it on your reading list. He was a German theologian and pastor who tried to rescue “those being led away to death.” If you’ve never read The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom, stop what you are doing, go immediately to the library, check this book out and read it over the Thanksgiving break. It is in the top 3 books I’ve ever read. It changed my life.
I always enjoy visiting a well designed, well constructed house that is filled with paintings, family pictures, and treasures from all over the world. Those sacred places are not houses, they are homes and they are not built overnight. I get the same feeling about verses 3 and 4. Wisdom, understanding, and knowledge create a synergy in a person that is awe-inspiring. They are a rare find. Like that sacred home, I just want to hang around a person like that. If for no other reason, than just to soak up some of their wisdom.
In biblical times, the men of the city would gather at the city gates to discuss politics, decisions, and issues of wisdom. The fool would have nothing to add to their conversation (v.7). That’s okay if you find yourself in the place of the fool in today’s conversations. Depending on the conversation, I find myself there occasionally. We are on a quest for wisdom, so hopefully we won’t be there forever. In the meantime, when we find ourselves in that position, it’s best to follow the advice we read in Proverbs 17:28.
You may find yourself in a difficult situation right now. Maybe you’re facing a miserable job, controversial relationship, or a negative financial situation. Verse 10 is good advice. Don’t quit just because it’s hard. There are exceptions to the rule. God has not called us to stay in abusive marriages or dishonest jobs. But as a general rule, most people quit jobs, marriages, churches, and other things at the wrong time. They reveal their lack of strength.
I hope we never face a situation in America like the Christians in WWII Germany faced. But if we do, may we live the tenants of verses 11 & 12. If you’ve never read the story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, put it on your reading list. He was a German theologian and pastor who tried to rescue “those being led away to death.” If you’ve never read The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom, stop what you are doing, go immediately to the library, check this book out and read it over the Thanksgiving break. It is in the top 3 books I’ve ever read. It changed my life.
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