(Proverbs 19:14 KJV) House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.
Marriage is always risky. It amazes me how many people we run into are divorced and remarried with all the challenges of blended families. From what we can see it looks like they are coping. I can’t picture what it is like being raised in a family where I have “brothers and sisters” that share no DNA with me. But it is necessary for many.
One aspect of marriage is how you end up with the spouse you have. In this verse it points out that material possessions are things we can figure out. When we bought our new home we had it inspected by someone who is supposed to find the flaws. When you buy stock you have a prospectus to consult. When it comes to a wife there is little you can be sure of. I read somewhere that women marry with the understanding they will be able to mold the man into what they want. Men marry expecting her to stay the way she is. Both are headed for disappointment. There is a divine element in choosing the right spouse.
So? There may be a reason here for Paul urging singles to stay single. At the same time, marriage is instituted by God.
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
Monday, February 18, 2019
The Mouth as a Trap
(Proverbs 18:7 KJV) A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
We read about the two edged sword in different contexts. Here we see that talking too much can cause a double disaster. The first is “destruction” (ruin NASB) (4288) in this life. We can get in fights, lose friends, damage our reputation and who knows what else by a careless word at the wrong time. That is bad enough.
But it seems to get worse. It can also damage your “soul” (5315). I don’t know how far to take this but it gives me the impression that an undisciplined mouth can eventually destroy my status before God. That has eternal consequences.
So? How much encouragement do we need to stop talking and be polite? Some need more than others.
We read about the two edged sword in different contexts. Here we see that talking too much can cause a double disaster. The first is “destruction” (ruin NASB) (4288) in this life. We can get in fights, lose friends, damage our reputation and who knows what else by a careless word at the wrong time. That is bad enough.
But it seems to get worse. It can also damage your “soul” (5315). I don’t know how far to take this but it gives me the impression that an undisciplined mouth can eventually destroy my status before God. That has eternal consequences.
So? How much encouragement do we need to stop talking and be polite? Some need more than others.
Sunday, February 17, 2019
Making God Bald
(Proverbs 17:21 KJV) He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
When I was teaching in middle school I would often look at kids who were bright and good looking and a total mess. It was heartbreaking if I let myself dwell on it. I often wondered how they would be different if I had been able to take them home and change their environment. We will never know. When I think of how awesome my children are I jokingly say it is one of two things: Heredity or environment. In reality I would add free will and the grace of God.
Are children born fools or do parents make them that way? I would imagine there are so many factors that the question is pointless. Everyone is unique in such a way that it takes an infinite God to be able to deal with us. I am sure that if God had hair He would be pulling it out.
So? Foolishness can be cured but the fool must want it. That makes it very hard. Each of us needs to concentrate on growing ourselves and pray that God can reach others.
When I was teaching in middle school I would often look at kids who were bright and good looking and a total mess. It was heartbreaking if I let myself dwell on it. I often wondered how they would be different if I had been able to take them home and change their environment. We will never know. When I think of how awesome my children are I jokingly say it is one of two things: Heredity or environment. In reality I would add free will and the grace of God.
Are children born fools or do parents make them that way? I would imagine there are so many factors that the question is pointless. Everyone is unique in such a way that it takes an infinite God to be able to deal with us. I am sure that if God had hair He would be pulling it out.
So? Foolishness can be cured but the fool must want it. That makes it very hard. Each of us needs to concentrate on growing ourselves and pray that God can reach others.
Saturday, February 16, 2019
Travel Agent
(Proverbs 16:9 KJV) A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
Some “plans” (2803) are easier to make than others. If I was making arrangements to drive to Los Angeles I could almost do it with my eyes closed. Of course the first thing I would do was have my head examined for going to California, but I still have a few friends there so bear with me. I could drive it without even consulting a map. I have driven it that many times. I am also starting to work on a trip to Japan to see the grandchild. That requires a lot of research.
Life has both types of preparation. In some areas God has so imprinted what is right and wrong that it can almost be automatic. Other decisions require a lot of prayer and study. As long as our hearts are listening we can count on our Travel Agent.
So? The longer we walk with Jesus the more comes automatically but we never get over the need to consult with the Lord for our day. Have a blessed one.
Some “plans” (2803) are easier to make than others. If I was making arrangements to drive to Los Angeles I could almost do it with my eyes closed. Of course the first thing I would do was have my head examined for going to California, but I still have a few friends there so bear with me. I could drive it without even consulting a map. I have driven it that many times. I am also starting to work on a trip to Japan to see the grandchild. That requires a lot of research.
Life has both types of preparation. In some areas God has so imprinted what is right and wrong that it can almost be automatic. Other decisions require a lot of prayer and study. As long as our hearts are listening we can count on our Travel Agent.
So? The longer we walk with Jesus the more comes automatically but we never get over the need to consult with the Lord for our day. Have a blessed one.
Friday, February 15, 2019
More Than Lip Service
(Proverbs 15:4 KJV) A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
We need to beware of smooth talking that is pretending to be “wholesome” (soothing NASB) (4832). We all know how politicians work, and this applies no matter which side you are on. They pay what we call “lip service” to a certain issue. Right now immigration is a hot button. At another time it might be changing clocks for Daylight Savings Time. Public figures have a way of saying things to pull the wool over the ears of listeners. It is very hard to get them to commit themselves in honesty. They want to calm the waters while they are passing through.
We need to beware of this. We need to avoid it ourselves. We are to be honest and not deceptive. We also need to watch for it in others. Does the guy running for city council tell you one thing and your neighbor another. We can never check with everyone but we can engage our memories and put a little effort into it.
So? Life requires participation. We need to engage our memories and our minds when we make decisions and when we deal with other people. Let the Holy Spirit work in your heart so your motives are pure and in your mind so your actions are positive.
We need to beware of smooth talking that is pretending to be “wholesome” (soothing NASB) (4832). We all know how politicians work, and this applies no matter which side you are on. They pay what we call “lip service” to a certain issue. Right now immigration is a hot button. At another time it might be changing clocks for Daylight Savings Time. Public figures have a way of saying things to pull the wool over the ears of listeners. It is very hard to get them to commit themselves in honesty. They want to calm the waters while they are passing through.
We need to beware of this. We need to avoid it ourselves. We are to be honest and not deceptive. We also need to watch for it in others. Does the guy running for city council tell you one thing and your neighbor another. We can never check with everyone but we can engage our memories and put a little effort into it.
So? Life requires participation. We need to engage our memories and our minds when we make decisions and when we deal with other people. Let the Holy Spirit work in your heart so your motives are pure and in your mind so your actions are positive.
Thursday, February 14, 2019
Weather Reports
(Proverbs 14:26 KJV) In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
I am a bit confused. If we have “strong” (5797) “confidence” (4009), why do we need to take “refuge” (4268)? It would seem to me that if I am confident, I will march out with boldness and face everything that comes my way. Spend some time in Proverbs. There are times when wisdom says to keep your mouth shut and your head down. We can still be confident in the midst of that.
We had just moved to Texas when a hurricane hit. Houston had a lot of damage and other cities were decimated. We were far enough north that all we got was a lot of rain and some very intense winds. At the time we did not know that was all that was coming. When it came we wondered if we would lose some roof or have a tree come down on us. There were a lot of things to worry about. We would have worried a lot more if we were living in a tent instead of a brick house. I would have had more concern is we had an old roof. Because I trusted my shelter, I was able to open the blinds and enjoy the weather.
So? Trust doesn’t mean no storms. Trust means a sense of peace when the rain in pelting and the branches are swinging.
I am a bit confused. If we have “strong” (5797) “confidence” (4009), why do we need to take “refuge” (4268)? It would seem to me that if I am confident, I will march out with boldness and face everything that comes my way. Spend some time in Proverbs. There are times when wisdom says to keep your mouth shut and your head down. We can still be confident in the midst of that.
We had just moved to Texas when a hurricane hit. Houston had a lot of damage and other cities were decimated. We were far enough north that all we got was a lot of rain and some very intense winds. At the time we did not know that was all that was coming. When it came we wondered if we would lose some roof or have a tree come down on us. There were a lot of things to worry about. We would have worried a lot more if we were living in a tent instead of a brick house. I would have had more concern is we had an old roof. Because I trusted my shelter, I was able to open the blinds and enjoy the weather.
So? Trust doesn’t mean no storms. Trust means a sense of peace when the rain in pelting and the branches are swinging.
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
Weathering Speed Bumps
(Proverbs 13:25 KJV) The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.
Do you notice the difference in priorities here? It is a bit covered up by the NASB because it uses “appetite” instead of “soul”. Both are the Hebrew nephesh (5315), which is most frequently translated “soul”. With that in mind you see that the “righteous” (6662) focuses on the inner man and the “wicked” (7563) on the outer.
There is a lot of confusion by the “name it and claim it” crowd. There are blessings for those who walk the straight road. No one can question that but the greatest blessings are those that touch our heart and soul and give us the stability to face whatever come.
So? Quote Proverbs 3:4-5 to yourself and spend some time applying it to the bumps in today’s road. You say you don’t know those verses? Then look them up. It will do you good.
Do you notice the difference in priorities here? It is a bit covered up by the NASB because it uses “appetite” instead of “soul”. Both are the Hebrew nephesh (5315), which is most frequently translated “soul”. With that in mind you see that the “righteous” (6662) focuses on the inner man and the “wicked” (7563) on the outer.
There is a lot of confusion by the “name it and claim it” crowd. There are blessings for those who walk the straight road. No one can question that but the greatest blessings are those that touch our heart and soul and give us the stability to face whatever come.
So? Quote Proverbs 3:4-5 to yourself and spend some time applying it to the bumps in today’s road. You say you don’t know those verses? Then look them up. It will do you good.
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