Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.
Proverbs 30:8 NIV
Much is encapsulated in Proverbs 30:8. With only a few words, a beautiful prayer is stated. The verse leads one to consider the truth, just compensation for work and God's grace or daily bread. One might also be led to consider fruits of the Spirit in reading Proverbs 30:8.
The proverb asks to be far from lies and falsehood. This would be answered by being removed from liars, false teachers, and having lies removed from one's self. One of the ways to get a concept from the mind to the heart is by having it pass over the lips. With lies and falsehood or sin removed, this leaves one to be drawing nearer to God, the truth, for one of God's attributes is truth.
The impoverished state has many needs: food, shelter, clothing, and relief from suffering come to mind. All of these needs might take one's eyes, heart and mind off of God. Worldly riches can lead one to feel self sufficient, become a source of comfort and as a result become an idol also taking one's eyes, heart and mind off of God.
The Proverb closes with the request for my daily bread, the 'stuff' needed to make it through each and every day. Think of the bread of life, God's abundant grace and Christ's suffering on the cross to redeem us from our sin, to redeem us from our lies and falsehoods!
Can you see how fruits of the Spirit could be planted and nurtured by this Proverb? God knows what you need and does give daily bread through the Gospel message. Consider this as you cross over to being a world changer.
Tell the story!
What kinds of things do you talk about?
Where do you turn for your daily bread?
Pray for the Spirit to draw you closer to God in your walk and to keep your eyes open to daily bread.
In Christ,
David P
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Friday, June 3, 2011
Answer, or Not! (June 4)
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself.
Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.
Proverbs 26:4-5 NIV
Today's verses illustrate what happens in light of contrasting behavior; an inaction, not answering, or an action, answering; in relation to a fool and his folly.
Discernment, wisdom and the Spirit's guidance are needed to direct our steps in dealing with a fool and his folly. The word 'fool' has more than one definition, it is a term that envelopes many behaviors, for Webster holds 12 definitions of a fool. Here are some examples: "a silly or stupid person; a person who lacks judgement or sense; a person who has been tricked or deceived into appearing or acting silly or stupid; an ardent enthusiast who cannot resist an opportunity to indulge an enthusiasm; weak minded or idiotic person."
We are all unique and have different gifts. As a result, we need to consider others gifts, personalities, situations and relationships in guiding us when we interact with others. This consideration is needed for dealing with fools and for dealing with others as we carry out the great comission.
As we journey through the Bible, we are reading of many individual's actions and results of those actions. One consistent, reoccuring concept is: Proverbs 1:7 -that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but fools despise learning and understanding. We have read of individual actions that honor and other actions that despise the Lord. The accounts clearly point to God's incomparable, unchanging nature: God honors those who honor Him (wise behavior) and disdains those who despise Him (foolish behavior).
What kind of responses do you give when you encounter a fool?
Where do you look for guidance in making your choice of response?
How can others tell by your response that you are a Christian?
Pray for the Spirit's guidance as you discern responses.
In Christ,
David P
Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.
Proverbs 26:4-5 NIV
Today's verses illustrate what happens in light of contrasting behavior; an inaction, not answering, or an action, answering; in relation to a fool and his folly.
Discernment, wisdom and the Spirit's guidance are needed to direct our steps in dealing with a fool and his folly. The word 'fool' has more than one definition, it is a term that envelopes many behaviors, for Webster holds 12 definitions of a fool. Here are some examples: "a silly or stupid person; a person who lacks judgement or sense; a person who has been tricked or deceived into appearing or acting silly or stupid; an ardent enthusiast who cannot resist an opportunity to indulge an enthusiasm; weak minded or idiotic person."
We are all unique and have different gifts. As a result, we need to consider others gifts, personalities, situations and relationships in guiding us when we interact with others. This consideration is needed for dealing with fools and for dealing with others as we carry out the great comission.
As we journey through the Bible, we are reading of many individual's actions and results of those actions. One consistent, reoccuring concept is: Proverbs 1:7 -that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but fools despise learning and understanding. We have read of individual actions that honor and other actions that despise the Lord. The accounts clearly point to God's incomparable, unchanging nature: God honors those who honor Him (wise behavior) and disdains those who despise Him (foolish behavior).
What kind of responses do you give when you encounter a fool?
Where do you look for guidance in making your choice of response?
How can others tell by your response that you are a Christian?
Pray for the Spirit's guidance as you discern responses.
In Christ,
David P
Character
The verse that caught my eye today is Proverbs 24:10:
If you falter in times of trouble,
how small is your strength!
how small is your strength!
I first ran across this about 10 years ago, right after 9-11 when I was looking for Bible verses that could give me some direction and insight. It's the hard times that define us, since anyone can smile when things are good. It's what we do when our backs are to the wall that define us.
There are people today who are risking their lives to spread the message of Christ, but I'm pretty certain none of them are reading this blog. Think about all the martyrs for Christ throughout history, and by this point, there has to be MILLIONS of them--they suffered horrible deaths, yet they didn't falter. I don't tell people how to live their lives for many reasons, but this simple verse is a pithy definition of character.
Let's dial it back a bit to situations we more readily see. Ever compete against someone who was all talk and blather while winning but became sullen when losing? They faltered in times of trouble. Know anyone who bragged about their grades until they found out yours were better and stopped talking to you? They faltered in times of trouble. How about the person who gloats of their success in life until the way they define success turns south on them? They faltered in times of trouble. These types of people talked the talk but didn't walk the walk. God doesn't care if we say we're Christians, but instead that we live as Christians, and if we claim to bear that name, he gives us no excuse for bailing on him at the first sign of adversity. Pray that when your times of trouble come, you don't falter.
Scott
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Lifestyle (June3)
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint.
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
From Proverbs 22 and 23 NIV
The above three verses comment on our values, on wisdom, and on the examples we show our children by our life and daily choices we make. In fewer words, they comment on our values, time and teaching. In one word, they comment on our lifestyle.
The statement, 'To be esteemed is of greater value than gold or silver,' places greater value on other's thoughts of high regard or admiration of one than one's own gold or silver. Certainly one who is admired by others has a community, a circle of care that in time of need will give more comfort than gold, silver, possessions or money in the bank.
The gift of wisdom to show restraint allows us free time to spend with/on family, interests, hobbies, worship, prayer or other pasttimes. That allowance of free time is such a blessing. Remember, God took a day of rest after His acts of creation. The Hebrew in Egypt took a day of rest. Do we in America take a day of rest? Are we wearing ourselves out?
Consider the first two verses as you read the third verse and reflect on how our children are such excellent observers of us and, believe it or not, want to reflect our examples in their lives.
A businessman gave advice one day that an enterprise should focus on service, quality and cleanliness to succeed. If the focus was on something else, eg. the bottom line...failure often followed. My father, as I was growing up, often commented on the value of being able to sleep at night.
Live Today was a short morning devotional program that was on TV in the Twin Cities some 49 years ago. The title encourages us to live today. Another phrase that encourages living today and uses monitary words to convey time has value is: Yesterday is a cancelled check, tomorrow is a promissary note, today is cash...Use it!
We, as Christians need to consider the businessman's advice as we live today, as we carry out the great commission and as we train up our children.
Two songs from the 70's also may come to mind that reflect a tone that in a way relates to the above thoughts: Dust in the Wind by Kansas, 1977; and Cat's in the Cradle by Harry Chapin, 1974.
What concepts encourage, motivate or support you as you go through the day? In other words, where do you look for your daily bread?
How can others tell by your actions where you find your daily bread?
What actions might you change to allow more fruit of the Spirit or things of eternal value to grow?
Pray for the Spirit to guide you to live a balanced Christian lifestyle that lights the path for others.
In Christ,
David P
Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint.
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
From Proverbs 22 and 23 NIV
The above three verses comment on our values, on wisdom, and on the examples we show our children by our life and daily choices we make. In fewer words, they comment on our values, time and teaching. In one word, they comment on our lifestyle.
The statement, 'To be esteemed is of greater value than gold or silver,' places greater value on other's thoughts of high regard or admiration of one than one's own gold or silver. Certainly one who is admired by others has a community, a circle of care that in time of need will give more comfort than gold, silver, possessions or money in the bank.
The gift of wisdom to show restraint allows us free time to spend with/on family, interests, hobbies, worship, prayer or other pasttimes. That allowance of free time is such a blessing. Remember, God took a day of rest after His acts of creation. The Hebrew in Egypt took a day of rest. Do we in America take a day of rest? Are we wearing ourselves out?
Consider the first two verses as you read the third verse and reflect on how our children are such excellent observers of us and, believe it or not, want to reflect our examples in their lives.
A businessman gave advice one day that an enterprise should focus on service, quality and cleanliness to succeed. If the focus was on something else, eg. the bottom line...failure often followed. My father, as I was growing up, often commented on the value of being able to sleep at night.
Live Today was a short morning devotional program that was on TV in the Twin Cities some 49 years ago. The title encourages us to live today. Another phrase that encourages living today and uses monitary words to convey time has value is: Yesterday is a cancelled check, tomorrow is a promissary note, today is cash...Use it!
We, as Christians need to consider the businessman's advice as we live today, as we carry out the great commission and as we train up our children.
Two songs from the 70's also may come to mind that reflect a tone that in a way relates to the above thoughts: Dust in the Wind by Kansas, 1977; and Cat's in the Cradle by Harry Chapin, 1974.
What concepts encourage, motivate or support you as you go through the day? In other words, where do you look for your daily bread?
How can others tell by your actions where you find your daily bread?
What actions might you change to allow more fruit of the Spirit or things of eternal value to grow?
Pray for the Spirit to guide you to live a balanced Christian lifestyle that lights the path for others.
In Christ,
David P
Zeal
Four verses caught my eye today. I'll write on one and possibly discuss it on Sunday, and I'll definitely cover the other three then. Today's verse is Proverbs 19:2:
It is not good to have zeal without knowledge,
nor to be hasty and miss the way.
nor to be hasty and miss the way.
As an aside, the new NIV Bible really changes this verse to:
Desire without knowledge is not good—
how much more will hasty feet miss the way!
how much more will hasty feet miss the way!
I only show this to show that while there are minor changes from NIV version to version, sometimes there are significant changes. Whichever you prefer, the basic message is one that has special meaning to me, given society's emphasis on "passion."
From time to time, people compliment me on a presentation and will mention how my "passion" really shows. I smile, thank them, and reply that I hope they liked the content of my message as much as my delivery. I could give a presentation on a subject on which I have no knowledge, camouflage (I did not know the correct spelling of that word prior to this, much to my chagrin) it with some fancy charts and graphs and deliver it flawlessly, but it would still be gibberish. All the passion in the world wouldn't cover up my complete lack of knowledge on a subject.
We've all heard people with vast knowledge that have no presentation skills (I sincerely hope you don't number me among them), and we know how difficult it is to sit through a bore-fest like that. Passion is an emotion, and emotions don't have to contain insight, thought or wisdom. Knowledge does, and Solomon is telling us to listen to what we hear, weigh it against what we know and not rush to judgment. In this day of near-instantaneous communication, haste can be a problem in that we can put forth bad information before we've had a chance to verify it. In the end, what we're being told is to not confuse the message with the messenger, and just like the rest of Proverbs, is still excellent advice for us today.
Scott
Why Did You Do What You Did? (June 2)
He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done.
The Lamp of the Lord searches the spirit of a man; it searches out his inmost being.
From Proverbs 19-20 NIV
Matthew 25:40-46 restates our first above verse nicely where Jesus says in verse 40, "The king will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine you did for me.' Jesus goes on to describe the contrast of eternal life for the righteous and eternal punishment for the others. What a stark contrast.
Our second verse today explains that the Lord is smarter than we are, for he 'knows our motives.' The heart is such a mysterious place and even the very wise, mature, experienced individual cannot be entirely certain of the heart's motives. We have original sin, life's darkness, and other distractions in this world that color, distort, or influence our perception of our heart's content, desire, or motive.
In contrast to our perception, God can clearly see what is in our heart and what role He has in our life. One might get clues to what God's role is in a life by looking at: how time is spent: Bible study, prayer, small group activities, or attending worship; how talents are spent: mission activities, serving others, feeding the poor, helping the homeless, prison ministry, or visitng the ill; how treasure is spent: by cheerful giving to church, ministries, or other organizations.
Even if one has many 'positive clues' from the above checklist, we still need to look to Christ's work on the cross and God's grace for our salvation. The heart is such an unclear, murky, hidden place to us that we really do not know if there is another reason besides a joyful response to what God has done for us. On the other hand, God does know our hearts perfectly, and despite that clear knowledge, loves us to death...the death of His Son, on the cross to forgive us our sins and to make us righteous.
What activites hold the most importance in your life?
How can others discern you are a Christian from your actions?
Are there any activites in your life that would lead others to discern you are not a Christian? (Carefully examine yourself)
What action will you take as a result of the above?
Pray to be a light as you cross over from wandering to commissioned.
In Christ,
David P
The Lamp of the Lord searches the spirit of a man; it searches out his inmost being.
From Proverbs 19-20 NIV
Matthew 25:40-46 restates our first above verse nicely where Jesus says in verse 40, "The king will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine you did for me.' Jesus goes on to describe the contrast of eternal life for the righteous and eternal punishment for the others. What a stark contrast.
Our second verse today explains that the Lord is smarter than we are, for he 'knows our motives.' The heart is such a mysterious place and even the very wise, mature, experienced individual cannot be entirely certain of the heart's motives. We have original sin, life's darkness, and other distractions in this world that color, distort, or influence our perception of our heart's content, desire, or motive.
In contrast to our perception, God can clearly see what is in our heart and what role He has in our life. One might get clues to what God's role is in a life by looking at: how time is spent: Bible study, prayer, small group activities, or attending worship; how talents are spent: mission activities, serving others, feeding the poor, helping the homeless, prison ministry, or visitng the ill; how treasure is spent: by cheerful giving to church, ministries, or other organizations.
Even if one has many 'positive clues' from the above checklist, we still need to look to Christ's work on the cross and God's grace for our salvation. The heart is such an unclear, murky, hidden place to us that we really do not know if there is another reason besides a joyful response to what God has done for us. On the other hand, God does know our hearts perfectly, and despite that clear knowledge, loves us to death...the death of His Son, on the cross to forgive us our sins and to make us righteous.
What activites hold the most importance in your life?
How can others discern you are a Christian from your actions?
Are there any activites in your life that would lead others to discern you are not a Christian? (Carefully examine yourself)
What action will you take as a result of the above?
Pray to be a light as you cross over from wandering to commissioned.
In Christ,
David P
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Fools
I've spent the better part of my life trying to not be a fool, and I leave it to others to determine how successful I've been. The verse that caught my eye today was Proverbs 18:2:
Fools find no pleasure in understanding
but delight in airing their own opinions.
but delight in airing their own opinions.
We all know these people, the people who'd rather flap their lips than understand a subject. I strive hard to not be that person, which is why I (hopefully) keep my opinions to myself unless specifically asked. I work under the assumption that no one is interested in what I think, and it's worked pretty well.
Unbelievers very much delight in airing their opinions on God, and I would argue that the absolute WORST thing that can be done when discussing God with these people would be to introduce Scripture--why would they accept anything from a source for which they have no respect or understanding? I don't argue with these people as much as explain why I believe what I believe. If a person is truly interested in understanding Christianity, the Holy Spirit will open their hearts and provide me or whomever with the proper message at the proper time. If I waste my time trying to bludgeon an unbeliever with the Bible, am I looking for understanding or airing my own opinion. The correctness of my message doesn't give me carte blanche to be boorish in presenting it.
A mild irony is that blogs such as this give me great freedom to delight in airing my own opinions, and it is a fine line. In this case, my input has been solicited, and no one is compelling anyone to read it. Part of the implicit deal I have with the readers is to keep my content interesting and grounded in augmenting our daily readings--anything more is likely beyond the scope of what this blog should be. In journalism, there are two broad categories--reporters who report the news (and don't comment on it) and commentators who will give their opinion on events. It seems that the line between the two (and I consider it to be a very important line) is being blurred. Personally, I tend more toward reporting--I can reach conclusions on my own and don't need to be told what to think. That's what I'm attempting to do in my posts--reporting on what we read, adding additional facts, information or context as I can and leaving you to reach your own conclusions. When you meet him, God's not going to ask you what Scott thought or did, which is why I don't tell you what to think--I'm just walking down the same road with you having a (mostly one-way) conversation.
I hope you'll keep walking with Pastor Fay, Dr. Pratt and me.
Scott
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