Yeah, But What Does It Mean?

Proverbs 3.5,6 is one of the most memorized passages of Scripture:

[5] Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
        and do not lean on your own understanding.
     [6] In all your ways acknowledge him,
        and he will make straight your paths.

The "trust" we probably comprehend, and "do not lean" might cause us to do a bit more thinking (which involves two four-letter words; "time" and "work" which is probably why so few engage in the process)...

But what does it mean to "acknowledge Him" in all our ways?

Thoughts?

A Word about This

Anyone out there? Not sure if anyone comes by this particular blog, but I have neglected it the last several days as I have started a facebook group "Proverbs Day by Day" since the majority of the folks I work with (adults and teens) have facebook, and thus can incorporate it into their facebook time without having to click to the blog...)

Anyway, if a few that for whatever reason don't have facebook or would rather read the posts here let me know, by commenting below, I'll continue to post my (as I am able) daily observations here also...

Here is today's:

Proverbs 2.2 declares I should "make my ear attentive" and "incline my heart to understanding."

Hmm.apparently the Lord is not aware of my "to do" list, nor how much I like to listen to music...oops, yeah, He is aware.

What I hear God saying to me is just "Shut Up, Be Still...and do what is necessary so you can be "attentive" and "understanding."

That means I need to get rid of distractions...I need to focus...I need to hunger for instructions from my Commanding Officer..I may need to change my locale so I can accomplish, strategically, the intake of His Word that I so desparately need.

What do YOU need to do to "incline" and "be attentive"?

 

Wish Inmates would "Get This"

It applies to me, to you, to all....but this is particularly true for those who are "doing life on the installment plan,"

Proverbs 26.11

Like a dog that 

returns to his vomit

is a fool

who

repeats his folly."

Shattered and Defenseless

"I just couldn't help myself."

Well....

Proverbs 25.28

A man

without self-control

is like

a city broken into 

and 

left without walls."

Need Incentive to Talk About Jesus and the Gospel?

Proverbs 24.11

"Rescue those who 

are being taken away to death;

hold back those who are

stumbling 

to the slaughter."

And you probably better read verse 12, also.

Life verse for Children!

Proverbs 23.25

Let your father and mother be glad;

ler her who bore you

rejoice."

Does My Love and My Lips Match?

Reread the title, then read this:

Proverbs 22.11

"He who loves purity of heart,

and

whose speech is gracious,

will hve

the king

as his friend."

Sometimes Easier to "Sacrifice" than (truly) Serve

Keith Green was such a prophet...here's his comments and song concerning Proverbs 21.3:

Am I Honorable?

Proverbs 20.3 gives me pause to think on this Father's Day:

"It is an honor for a man

to keep aloof from strife;

but

every fool will be quarreling."

Tis easier to be a fool than a man of honor; tis more "natural," and therein is both the problem and the solution.

Perplexing to Me

Any ideas on the first part?

Proverbs 19.8   Whoever gets sense loves his own soul;
he who keeps understanding will discover good.

Who Is Your Tonto?

Recognize that Tonto may not be known to many.

The Christian life is to be lived in community. We really do "need each other."

Proverbs 18.1 declares, "Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment."

The life of faith can not be lived in isolation. Even the Lone Ranger had a buddy!

That's one reason why faithfulness...yeah, membership...in a church is so vital. And, to paraphrase JFK, "Ask not what your church can do for you, ask what you can do for your church."

How Short is Your Fuse?

My tiredness is most often displayed by a short temper. I'm grateful I'm wired to need only about 6 hours of sleep...but if I get less than that I can be more than a bit irritable.

Proverbs 19.11 says, "Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense."

God, make me a man of good sense, help me to have a long fuse so I don't blow up easily; and give me the grace to overlook mickey-mouse offenses.

Stop Peeing!

Okay, a crude title I suppose; but the Bible is sometimes "crude."

Take Proverbs 17.14, for instance:

"The beginning of strife

is like

letting out water,

so quit

before the quarrel breaks out."

Yeah, "letting out water" means what it means. Once it starts, very hard to stop. Same with a quarrel; so our proverbial advice is to "chill," "ignore," "look the other way" rather than start a fight over something relatively unimportant.

Just not natural, is it?

And that's the point.

Don't Just "Have Devotions"

Proverbs 16:20

"Whoever gives thought

to the word

will discover good,

and

blessed is the man

who trusts in the Lord."

Note it does not say "Whoever has devotions," nor "whoever reads the word," nor "whoever memorizes a verse," but rather, "whoever gives thought to the word..."

Thinking...meditating...chewing. Not rushing through with a self-satisfied "Now I can check that off," or, worse, "Now I am better than most because I've had my time in the Word," nor "Thank God at least I have a quiet time."

Better to thoughtfully read one verse than speed-read through five chapters.

But, as often said, thinking involves two four-letter words---time and work.

Turn it away!

Wonder why I don't take His Word at face value?

For instance, if someone is railing on me, why am I so quick to respond angrily, or to form a line of defense that evolves into offence?

Instead, maybe I should heed Proverbs 15.1, "A soft answer turns away wrath..."

Clean House No Work?

Proverbs 14.4, "Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean..."

A spotless manger is an uninhabited manger. Sort of like a home? I like the plaque, "Pardon the mess, we live here."

Of course I also wonder why we make the bed each morning fully knowing we will get back in it later?

Zip It, Jack

Amazing how often Proverbs speaks of our mouths, our words, our tongue.

Proverbs 13.3   Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life;

he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

How much drama, conflict, and worse would be never born if I'd just keep my mouth shut...at least long enough to pray?

What do I Love?

Before I read today's chapter; if I was asked to write down twenty things I "love," I'd not have gotten to this one:

Proverbs 12.1  "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge..."

No, though I know "the Lord disciplines those He loves," in my humanity I can't say I love discipline...I mean I love the end result, but I don't love the journey.

Lord God, help me to see the short as well as long term benefits of discipline; and enable me to love it.

Oh, He Is, Huh?

Proverbs 11.8 declares, "The righteous is delivered from trouble..."

Oh, really, Lord?

I know Proverbs is principles, and not promises in the strictest sense; but Christians still get in trouble (or the name it claim it "best life now" bozos would be right!)...

Yet this IS a promise...because, no matter the circumstance, the converted are "delivered from trouble," for even our death is but a transformation from this body into His presence.

Thanks, Lord.

Wonder Why...

Why the glad/sad thing with Dad/Mom?

Proverbs 10.1

A wise son

makes a glad father;

but

a foolish son is

sorrow to his mother. 

Proverbs 9

Proverbs 9.6

"Leave your simple ways, and live,

and

walk in the way of insight."

1. Leave

2.  Live

3.   Walk

Got Ears to Hear?

Proverbs 8 begins with an obviously rhetorical question:

"Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice?"

How do you "hear" the call of wisdom and the voice of understanding?

What Do You Treasure?

If I kept a regular inventory of my time, what would be revealed as priority in my life?

All too often a question like that leads me to wonder what kind of "garbage" is in my life. But for the serious disciple of Jesus Christ, it is usually not the "bad" things that mess us up; but the "good."

Too often something "good" takes priority over that which is best.

Even things like family, ministry, the Bible, etc become an idol in our life, and that "thing" is clearly the most important thing...and thus has pushed God downward.

Those thoughts were spawned as I read Proverbs 7.1, "My son, keep my words, and treasure up my commandments within you."


Do I "treasure" His commands?

So, God loves the sinner, huh?

It was Gandhi who first said, "God loves the sinner, but hates the sin."

Yet Proverbs 6 lists seven types of sinners who "God hates." Verse 19 ends by saying, in context, He hates "one who sows discord among brothers."

Yes, "God so loved," but God is God, and thus He hates/loves at the same time.

No way to explain it away...as there are numerous references throughout the Word...God hates sin, and God is angry with sinners. Thankfully, for the converted, His anger due us was poured out on His Son.

Amazing grace.

Oops

Ah, summer schedule with travel and speaking engagements...got behind a bit (not in reading, thankfully; but in posting!)

As I read Proverbs 5 one verse jumped off the page. I reread it, and wondered how many Christian do I know that this, if they were honest, would be their "life verse"...at least for the moment:

Prov 5.14

I am at the brink of utter ruin

in the assembled congregation.

I pray that I communicate to all that I am willing to listen and pray to those who have stumbled, or are on the precipice of a fall. 

Perhaps the biggest lie uttered by people of faith is, "Doing great" when asked, "How are you?"

May God make His church and His people a haven of honesty.

What Do You Prize?

What is important to you?

What do you think of often, most?

Proverbs 4.8 declares, "Prize (wisdom) highly, and (wisdom) will exalt you, (wisdom) will honor you if you embrace her."

Big "if," huh?

Plug the Holes!

People leak.

We forget that which we should remember (and all too often remember what we should forget!).

Thus the warning of Proverbs 3.1, "My son, do not forget my teaching..."

How to plug the holes?

Stay in the Word...memorize the Word...apply the Word...have an accountability partner...pray the Word...

Do the work to plug the holes!

Need Some Smarts?

"Well, how do I...?"

"When should I...?"

"How do I...?"

Got questions? Need answers?

Don't overlook the obvious...

Proverbs 2.6 "For the Lord gives wisdom..."

James 1.5 "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach and it will be given him."

"There's always time" NOT

Those who postpone the wooing of God's Spirit play more than russian roulette with their souls...sometimes they are even told, "Well, maybe it's not your time yet, think about it, and come back.." etc...

What does the Word say?

Proverbs 1.28 "Then they will call upon Me, but I will not answer; they will seek Me diligently but will not find Me."

The devil has a favorite word...it is "someday." He cares not what you will do "someday."

God's Word is "today," as in "today is the day of salvation."

A Tribute to My Wife

Tomorrow I celebrate yet another birthday, but I've already received the greatest gifts possible...salvation in Christ, a wonderful wife, and four children...


Proverbs 31.20 describes a major characteristic of Jane:

"She opens her hand to the poor

and 

reaches out her hands to the needy."

Life Verse?

Ah, the second day of a three-day weekend.


By the time it is over this may be our verse for the day:

"The man declares, I am weary, O God;

I am weary, O God, and worn out." Prov 30.1

Russian Roulette

I believe Proverbs 29.1 is one of the scariest verses in not only the book of Proverbs, but in the 66 books of the Word of God.

Whether a teen or an adult, a prisoner or a "free" person, a churched or unchurched...over the years I've seen too many, far too many, ignore God's proddings, wise counsel, situations...many times saying, "one of these days", not recognizing that there is nothing as fleeting as the moment of conviction.

Is Your Prayer an Abomination?

How is your intake of the Word of God? How often do you listen to gospel-centered preaching? 


Read and consider:

"If one turns away his ear

from hearing the law,

even

his prayer 

is an abomination." Proverbs 28.9

Don't Get Big Headed

I believe it was Howard Hendricks who said, "You know you are in trouble when you start to believe your own press releases."

When we do something well, and people start to give us props and high fives...watch out!

Proverbs 27.21:

The crucible is for silver,

and the furnace is for gold,

and

a man is tested

by

his praise.

Don't Fear the Trash Talkers

So, so-and-so is spreading garbage about you? Someone else is whispering lies to someone else about you?

Is the stuff they are talking about true? Then fix it. Is it lies? Then don't worry about it.

Huh?

Proverbs 26.2, "Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight."

Spreading garbage...rumor-mongering...is, in effect, a curse. And the proverb tells us a principle...the underserved curse doesn't find a place to rest...people blow it off.

Don't you have one or two people in your life who are always trying to dump on you about somebody else? You don't believe them...so shut them up! And recognize that someone is probably trying to spread lies about you...but don't sweat it...it won't "find a place to rest"

Wonder Why?

Proverbs 25.2 "It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out."

Why does God "conceal things"? In this context it gives the unlazy impetus to "search things out."

I've heard it said that there is a cure for everything in the Bible except laziness....

And one of my favorite verses is Deut 29.29

It's okay to be puzzled, it's okay to say "I don't understand," it's okay to say "I'm confused," but unless we are willing to do the hard work of thinking/praying/reading...we won't find out much!

What Does Sin Cause You to Think?

Proverbs 24.1 orders:

Be not envious

of evil men,

nor desire to be with them.

Proverbs 24.1

Simple question: Does sin make you curious, or furious?

How Dumb Was I?

I drank from the time I was in 5th or 6th grade. Not sure when I became an alcoholic, but that I still am...and will be until I die.

For those wasted years of drunkenness, my life verses (though I didn't know it of course, as I wasn't captured by Christ until I was 26) were Proverbs 23.29-35

My goal was to eliminate hangovers by staying drunk, and there were periods of my life that I could do that (along with other drugs).

But there were also times I'd wake with that crushing hangover...and verse 35 vividly describes the feeling:

"They struck me," you will say, "but 

I was not hurt;

They beat me, but I did not feel it.

Wehn shall I awake?

I must have another drink."

Patton's Wisdom

Colonel George S. Patton III (or junior, depending on what you read) was the Commanding Officer of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, with which I served 1968-1969 in the Republic of South Vietnam (and a couple other countries - but that didn't really happen )

His mantra was "Stay Alert, Stay Alive." That passed down the chain of command to the platoon sergeants and lower.

A sort-of paraphrase of:

"The prudent sees danger

and hides himself,

but

the simple go on

and

suffer for it." Proverbs 22.3

Stay alert...stay alive!

God is Sovereign

I sure don't "get it," but I believe in both my head and heart that the Lord God is sovereign...period, end of sentence, nothing follows.

The baby with the tumor? The wars all over the planet? The car wreck that takes the 16-year-old's life? These and more shock, stun, shame, sadden us; but they are not a surprise to the Lord. He never says, "Oops." He is never surprised, or caught off guard.

"The kings' heart is a stream of water

in the hand of the Lord;

He turns it wherever he will." Proverbs 21.1

Can't Fix Stupid

As an alcoholic, I hate alcohol as probably only an alcoholic can.

I wish the Word forbad drinking...it does not..Jesus did not turn the water into freshly squeezed grapejuice...sorry friends.

But the Bible does forbid drunkenness, and the only way to ensure one doesn't get drunk is to not drink...

Enter Proverbs 20.1:

Wine is a mocker,

strong drink a brawler,

and

whoever is led astray by it

is not wise.

If you drink, that's your choice...if you claim to follow Christ and drink in public, even in moderation, I beg you to reconsider. I posted about this on my other blog...CLICK HERE TO READ

The Blame Game

It started with Adam. Eve bought in...("The woman you gave me..."; "the serpent deceived me...")

To paraphrase a saying I often heard in the Army, "Excuses are like elbows, every one has a couple."

And the biggest obscenity in America remains, "It's not my fault!"

To blame others is to ignore personal responsibility. But to blame the Other is unthinkable...yet all too common:

"When a man's folly

brings his way to ruin,

his heart rages against the Lord." Proverbs 19.3

Have you ever "raged against the Lord" because of your own stupidity?

Even the Lone Ranger Had a Buddy

Counsel is a wondrous thing....but it is hard to receive counsel if you don't hang with potential counselors!

"Doing your own thing," "Doing it my way," are simply longer ways of saying "sin."

As part of the Body of Christ, we need one another, as we serve, exhort, love, encourage, etc one another.

Yeah, I'm primarily writing about being an involved body part in a local congregation!

As Proverbs 18.1 states:

Whoever isolates himself

seeks his own desire;

he breaks out against

all sound judgment

Wanna be a Peacemaker?

Proverbs 17.14 is a bit earthy, but astoundingly simple advice:

The beginning of strife

is like

letting out water,

so

quit

before the quarrel breaks out

Tired of "Success" Books? Try a "Sanctified Success Verse"!

Of the making of books there is no end...and self-help, success books seem to mate on the shelves...

But if you are looking to succeed in His eyes, Proverbs 16.3 suffices:

Commit your work to the Lord,

and your plans

will be established.

Comfort...or..Challenge

God's omnipresence is hard to fathom. All places, all "times" (I put quotes on it because time is a man-word; not a God word).

To know that God is with me at all times can be a tremendous comfort; or it can be terribly convicting...depending on what I'm doing...or wanting to do.

Proverbs 15.3, "The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good."

How it must break His heart to see evil people being evil...but even more hurtful must be the wounds of His "friends..."

Laughter Can Be a Covering

It is so easy for me to joke to someone's hurt...

And sometimes the offended person joins in the laughter.

But the hurt remains.

Proverbs 14.13, "Even in laughter the heart may ache..."

What a Difference an Inch Makes

If I speak, my mouth is opened about an inch.

Often that small opening creates huge problems.

Proverbs 13.3, "Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin."

Help me keep my lips in "park" until my brain catches up, Lord.

Can't Fix It!

What do you call someone who hates correction?
Dumb?
Stubborn?
Rebellious?

What does God call that person?

Stupid.

Proverbs 12.1: "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid."

And, as they say, "you can't fix stupid."

Make God Smile!

First verse of Proverbs 11 grabbed me this morning:

"A false balance is an abomination to the Lord; but a just weight is His delight."

What do you do when you are delighted? Clap hands? Shout "yay"? Smile?

Do right today; and maybe God grins?

Oh Yeah?

The Proverbs are not infallible.

Wait! Before you stone me that does not mean that the book of proverbs was not inspired by the Spirit of God...no way would I say that.

But the proverbs are full of principles rather that promises. Though most of the proverbs stand alone as infallible truisms, many are principles that don't always "pan out."

Take Proverbs 10.3a, "The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry..."

Really? Tell that to our brothers in certain African and Asian countries. But the principle holds true; God normally provides the food His followers need...normally.

We need to be careful in "claiming" promises that are, in fact, principles...

Can't Turn Down the Volume

When people ask me what prison was like, a standard answer is "five hundred radio sets on five hundred different stations going full blast!" I was on in a five-tiered cell block, 100 cells per tier...it was LOUD as big bad dudes tried to outshout each other.

Not to hint that all convicts are fools, but Proverb 9.13 declares, "The woman Folly is loud..."

Seems to me the "proud and the loud" are usually foolish, and the loudness of their comments is an indicator of less-than-wise counsel...

The Action of Fear

Proverbs 1.7 states, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge..."

But what does the fear of the Lord look like?

Proverbs 8.13 offers some insight, "The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil..."

As I heard many years ago from a speaker I've long forgotten, "Does sin make you curious, or furious?"

Another Validation of Bible Quizzing

For decades I've been involved in Bible quizzing and am constantly amazed and blessed to be a part. Of course the long term benefit is that hundreds of students memorize great chunks of God's Word.

Proverbs 7.3b dictates, "...write them (His commandments/teachings) on the tablet of your heart..."

Another way of saying "memorize."

And it's not just for teens.

What's the last verse you memorized?

Anty Up

Proverbs 6.6 "Go to the ant..."

I have fuzzy memories of writing a report about ants in maybe the 5th or 6th grade, and using this Proverb as my opening. How I found the quote I know not, since I was not churched, much less born-again.  I do remember being fascinated as I studied the subject...and decades later I put together a sermon on ants that discussed various types of ants and their functions.

You could dwell much on the subject, but if you wikipedia "ant" the description opens, "ants are social insects..." and maybe that is a key. The verse, of course, is directed to "sluggards," and lazy people tend to be loners.

It takes two four-letter words to be "social", or active, in the Body..."time" and "work." Yet we are not called "simply" to Christ, but to be His Body (cue "Casting Crowns").

Am I a "social" Christian?

On Guard!

Proverbs 5.2b "...and your lips may guard knowledge."

So how do lips guard? With that most powerful ammunition - words. And since the first part of verse 1,2 talk about wisdom, understanding, and discretion...the context mandates educated (by God), understanding, discrete words.

Thus it means to speak up. Christians are notorious for almost saying something. And say what you say in love, with understanding, but with clarity.

The power of words is exaggerated by some, negated by others; and all too often ignored by those who should know better.

How "armed" is your tongue?

Lost Act Like Lost Because They Are Lost

We who follow Christ are often shocked by the actions of the lost. We sometimes forget that, like us before salvation, they are "children of the devil," and thus their actions are dictated by their condition.

There are many non-Christians who live lives, on the surface, "better" than most Christians, and therein is the evidence that the Body of Christ, indwelt by the Spirit of God, working as a preservative...

But we need to remember that unconverted people are spiritually blind; and, as today's verse puts it:

Prov 4.19 "The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know over what they stumble."

 

They are blind. They don't know. They are held captive.

And we have the privilege, responsibility, and joy of praying that God would open their hearts and eyes!

Extra!

Just found this...music is kinda weird but the insights are worth a couple minutes of your time:

Don't Let It Get Old!

Probably the most-often memorized portion of Proverbs is chapter 3:5,6:

"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 straight your paths."

Perhaps it is too familiar? Maybe it is so well-known that too often I forget to meditate on what it means to actually trust with all? Have I chewed on how I may still be leaning on my own understanding? What does it look like to acknowledge Him in all my ways?

Excuse me, I'm going to go for a jog and think on this...

Duh, Follow Directions!

Yesterday we cited Prov 1:7a, and asked what the fear of the Lord was...

Not sure? Try following directions...

(read 2.1-6 for context...but here's an abbreviated directive)  "if you week it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord.." (Prov 2.5-6a)

We've Only Just Begun!

And so we zoom into a new month of looking into Proverbs. Must say I am a tad disappointed at the lack of "comments"...again, not looking for "good job, jack" but for your insights, ideas, etc on the cited text.

As I look into chapter one I realize afresh how little I know as I read (Prov 1.7a):

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge..."

So...what does it mean to have a "fear of the Lord"?

Am I Smart Enough to Take Refuge?

Doesn't need any commentary:

"Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him." Prov 30.5

Lord, Slow My Mouth Down!

I frequently speak too soon. I do not want to become a typical Christian. Among other things, typical "Christians" are known for almost saying something. But I do wish I'd make sure my brain was a bit ahead of my mouth!

Must not be the only one suffering this malady, Proverbs 29.20 declares, "Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him."

Often the best thing I can do in any given situation is put my lips in park...or at least "low."

Start Now!

You have dreams, aspirations, goals, visions...whatever term you want to use, there is stuff you want/feel called/need to do.

So get off your knees and do something! Am I saying prayer isn't enough? Yeah. As a native American proverb puts it, "Pray, but row away from the rocks."

Whatever your aim, there is stuff you can do now...research/plan/seek counsel/put it in writing/whatever.

Proverbs 28.19 puts it, "Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty."

I think "worthless pursuits" includes daydreaming without discipline, prayers without obedience, and "grass is greener on other side"-itus.

Can You Handle This Proverbial Illustration?

Okay, watch this and think of which appropriate Proverb (from chapter 27)  is, however unintentionally, illustrated:

Ignore the Cursers!

Well, it is tough to ignore those who curse, huh? Depending on the situation, we should not ignore it.

But Proverbs 26.2 declares (in the English Standard Version), "Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight."

I do not think it is too stretching to, in this case, define "a curse" as any trashtalking that anyone is doing about you. If it is "causeless" and thus "undeserved," ignore it!

That curse will "flit" and "fly" around, but the people who care will also ignore it...it won't "alight." It may be heard, but intelligent people will consider the source and/or recognize it as gossip and, if they are godly, will come to you rather than pass it on.

And always remember that those who are cursing the loudest are those who have major issues within themselves and are thus trying to get the focus on you so they don't have to deal with their issues.

Oh...and there is only one way to avoid the cursers...don't do anything (and be sure to hang out ONLY with those who have exactly the same belief system as do you, and exactly the same preferences ((though they will call them convictions)). How do you identify the latter? They have lists of things to NOT do rather than things to do...and virtually NONE of them have ANYTHING to do with the Bible.

Act Like Royalty!

Deut 29.29 is one of my favorite verses (go ahead, look it up...I'm not doing all the work!)

I think it ties in with Proverbs 25.2, "It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out."

Not sure how it is the "glory of God to conceal," what do you think? (That's what the comments section is for by the way...so we can think and grow together...)

But I do want to be king-like and "search things out." You can increase my blood pressure by telling me what your church believes, or what your pastor thinks; but I really love to hear what you think!

Of course I am, by nature, a searcher. If I wasn't in full time vocational ministry, I'd want to be a research assistant for just about anybody. As it is, I shall "study (research) to show myself approved..."

Counseling Caution!

Proverbs 24.6 declares, "for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory."

Just an observation for those who are seeking counsel...too often we can keep going from counselor to counselor, book to book, seminar to seminar...until we find someone who tells us what we wanted to hear in the first place!

Be cautious in counsel...both in the receiving of and the giving of....

HOPE

Back in my bc days I used to say (and mean), "Ain't no hope without the dope!"

Despite what most of the tbn crowd and the pastor of that big church in the former basketball arena say, it is not about health and wealth and your best life now. The Christian life is marked by sacrifice and inconvenience, yet laced with great joy.

But even in that joy there are the valleys of life...and like most things, those valleys are relative, but if you are in one your valley seems awfully dark, and awfully deep.

Perhaps that's why this verse jumped into my skull:

"Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off." Proverbs 23.18

My acronym for hope:

He Oversees People and Events.

As Peter Kuzmic wrote, "Hope is the ability to hear the music of the future; faith is having the courage to dance to it today."

Even if you think it is "bad,"...brother or sister, make some time to dance today!

Action Verbs

Thank God we are not saved by works, but our salvation results in works. We are commanded to "work out our salvation with fear and trembling" and are told that we are "created in Christ Jesus for the purpose of bringing forth good works..."

In today's chapter this stood out:

"Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge." Prov 22.17

It takes work, effort, and discipline to "incline," "hear," and "apply."

How are you doing?

ZIP IT!

Everytime I read Proverbs I'm struck by how many of them comment on the tongue or mouth.

For instance, Proverbs 21.23:
 
"Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble."

Sunday a student talked about the trouble he keeps getting into at school...I shared this proverb with him, He shrugged it off.

Sad. It is a promise of God (keep out of trouble). But it is a conditional promise. You can "claim it" all you want, but unless you are meeting the condition (keep your mouth/tongue) it is all for naught.

Why do we have so many problems with our mouths?

What are you doing to "keep" your mouth/tongue?

A Non-Controversial Subject...NOT!

Proverbs 20:1, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise."

I am an alcoholic. Dry for well over thirty years, but an alcoholic nonetheless. I hate alcohol as only an alcoholic can..or someone whose life has been shattered by a drunk.

And I wish the Word condemned drinking.

It does not. It condemns drunkenness.

Many friends who were involved in ministry with me when they were teens are now what used to be called "social drinkers." Some of them seem to take every opportunity to broadcast that over the internet.

I wish they wouldn't. And I wrote them an open letter about it on another blog. Uf you care to read it
CLICK HERE.

What do you think?

Slow Down!

Proverbs 19.2b "...whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way."

The move from New York (after 21 years) to Missouri 14 months ago was epic, of course. Moreso for my wife and kids than for me, but still a huge undertaking.

For more than a year I struggled with the "fit" here. Doors were slow in opening; minor philosophical differences with surroundings were chewing on me. But the Lord gave me the grace to wait. I'd constantly repeat, "Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength..."

Had I "made haste" I may have changed ministries, gone to a different location...and I often was sorely tempted. But I waited, by His grace.

And in the last few weeks door after door has blasted open. I will soon be an "official" volunteer chaplain at a prison here in St Joseph, an opportunity that, in some way or other, I'd be praying for since walking out of prison myself in 1977. From April 29 - May 2 I and a team of 29 men will go into Crossroads Maximum Security Prison in Cameron, Mo to minister to 30 men, most of whom will never see the streets.

Other doors are open, and after all the waiting the difficulty now will be to discern which doors should be entered, and which should be passed over.

I am so grateful God nudged me to "wait," and thankful the Spirit allowed me to obey.

Got any "waiting" stories? Or need prayer as you are currently "waiting"? Comment:

Don't Be Like Destroyer

No matter how mundane the job, no matter how tedious, no matter with whom you work,

Proverbs 18.9 "Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys."

I think followers of Christ too often forget that "work" was a gift from Abba before the fall. Adam took care of the garden before the fall. God worked, works, and will work...and, if we want to be like Him...well, duh, we work, "as unto Him."

Every task, every chore, every (ethical, honest) job provides us the opportunity to reflect well on our Lord, to do our work "as unto Him," and to do it consistently in such a way that others notice...and...perhaps...ask why we don't sluff off, gripe, and whine the way they do.

Maybe that would be an opportunity to brag on Jesus?

Don't Mock God's Creation

Proverbs 17.5a, "Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker..."

Dare I make jokes about the homeless person I see stumbling along? Do I belittle the shoddily-dressed kid in youth group?

The above portion of Proverbs 17.5 tells me that by so doing I insult the Creator of all....

Stay Alert! Stay Alive!

My commanding officer in Vietnam was Colonel George S. Patton, Jr...yes, the son of "Blood & Guts." He commanded respect and was loved by his men simply because he never commanded us to do anything he would not do.

His mantra was "stay alert, stay alive." In physical combat, a life-saver. In spiritual combat, a life-saver.


Proverbs 16.17, "The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life."

Scripture reveals the life of a disciple is one of combat. The proverb instructs us to turn aside from evil. I picture our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan watching out for I.E.D.'s (Improvised Explosive Devices), and turning away from them.

As a follower of Christ I must "stay alert" to I.E.D.'s that try to exploit my weaknesses. I need to guard my ways by not relaxing in the disciplines of Bible reading and prayer.

In so doing I preserve my life...which isn't mine anyway, because I've been bought with a price!

A Start

For years I have followed advice long-ago-given to strive to read a chapter of Proverbs daily. Since the Spirit of God was gracious enough to supply 31 chapters in the sacred book, heeding this guidance takes me through the book monthly.

Why so important? Psalms teach us how to worship; Proverbs teach us how to live. This blog shall try to be a reflection of insights gained.

My goal is to post daily, to ask questions, seek comments for mutual growth, etc.

It is also a way to stay connected with those to whom I have the opportunity to minister.