(Pro 19:21 KJV) There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
I like the use of “devices” (4284) in the KJV for “plans” in NASB. It isn’t more a matter of it being accurate but because it emphasizes the weakness of our ability to scheme and manipulate. It is amazing the Rube Goldberg moments that we can produce instead of just getting on the with job at hand. I don’t know how many projects I have waiting for me to pick up a hammer or screwdriver. Until that happens, nothing happens.
And the ultimate mover will be God Himself. God seems to enjoy confounding us. Think of picking David as a teenager to confront Goliath. Picture how weak the twelve disciples were before Pentecost. Study how the worship of Jesus spread through the Roman world as a religion of slaves and women. Be amazed that the squabbling colonies of North America defeated the strongest military of its day.
So? Be prepared for what He wants to do with your day.
Thursday, September 19, 2019
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
Unbroken
(Pro 18:14 KJV) The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
What is an unbroken spirit like? Sometimes you can define things by saying what it is not. An unbroken spirit is not a Pollyanna foolishness that sees everything as wonder and ignores evil. An unbroken spirit does not radiate strength and confidence. It has tremendous strength but it is not the strength that is recognized by the pagan world around it. It is an endurance runner or a construction worker carrying heavy loads all day, not a bulky weightlifter that can put massive amounts of iron over his head a few times. And there is a quiet confidence that does not go running to the basement to hide in a corner every time a car backfires on the street.
I think one of the requirements of an unbroken spirit is a constant flow of maintenance from the Holy Spirit. A bit of lubrication can keep a lock from getting sticky. A change of oil keeps an engine running in an old clunker.
So? Left to itself, you spirit will break. Kept in constant contact with the living God it will “endure” (3557). Your choice. Your spirit.
What is an unbroken spirit like? Sometimes you can define things by saying what it is not. An unbroken spirit is not a Pollyanna foolishness that sees everything as wonder and ignores evil. An unbroken spirit does not radiate strength and confidence. It has tremendous strength but it is not the strength that is recognized by the pagan world around it. It is an endurance runner or a construction worker carrying heavy loads all day, not a bulky weightlifter that can put massive amounts of iron over his head a few times. And there is a quiet confidence that does not go running to the basement to hide in a corner every time a car backfires on the street.
I think one of the requirements of an unbroken spirit is a constant flow of maintenance from the Holy Spirit. A bit of lubrication can keep a lock from getting sticky. A change of oil keeps an engine running in an old clunker.
So? Left to itself, you spirit will break. Kept in constant contact with the living God it will “endure” (3557). Your choice. Your spirit.
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Snappy Comebacks
(Pro 17:28 KJV) Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
It always amuses me when a certain someone tells me I always need to get the last word. It never seems to occur to them their statement becomes the last word. I will admit one of my personality flaws is the one liner. I can usually think of a snappy comeback. So you might say the criticism is justified. Justified criticism is always hard to take. I am working on it.
So? Just because you don’t like what someone says or can find a logical reason why it is nonsense does not mean that you can’t learn from it. Yes, I always like to get the last word but if I keep trying for it then we are engaged in a non-musical version of the song that never ends.
It always amuses me when a certain someone tells me I always need to get the last word. It never seems to occur to them their statement becomes the last word. I will admit one of my personality flaws is the one liner. I can usually think of a snappy comeback. So you might say the criticism is justified. Justified criticism is always hard to take. I am working on it.
So? Just because you don’t like what someone says or can find a logical reason why it is nonsense does not mean that you can’t learn from it. Yes, I always like to get the last word but if I keep trying for it then we are engaged in a non-musical version of the song that never ends.
Monday, September 16, 2019
A Hard Lesson
(Pro 16:16 KJV) How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
I am not so sure that we believe this. We say we do. We might even say a hearty “Amen!”, but when the choice is before us we hesitate. Really, Lord? Did you mean this? After all I can use the money now but we all know that no one will listen to wisdom when we dispense it.
God does not give up. He keeps trying to speak to us. He works on us constantly to pound this in.
So? I wish I had an easy way to learn the lesson myself. If I did, I would bottle it and sell it on line and make a fortune. Of course that might not be wise.
I am not so sure that we believe this. We say we do. We might even say a hearty “Amen!”, but when the choice is before us we hesitate. Really, Lord? Did you mean this? After all I can use the money now but we all know that no one will listen to wisdom when we dispense it.
God does not give up. He keeps trying to speak to us. He works on us constantly to pound this in.
So? I wish I had an easy way to learn the lesson myself. If I did, I would bottle it and sell it on line and make a fortune. Of course that might not be wise.
Sunday, September 15, 2019
Endings
(Pro 15:11 KJV) Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
How can a loving God send people to Hell? It is a good question and has answers but before you can be concerned about such answers you need to wrap your acceptance around something: Hell exists. There are graphic pictures throughout scripture. It isn’t important to me if you want to call the lake of fire a literary devise or a literal description. What is vital is that you wrap your mind around the teaching that after death most people will end up in Hell.
If you can’t accept that jump from Proverbs then listen to the words of Jesus,
How can a loving God send people to Hell? It is a good question and has answers but before you can be concerned about such answers you need to wrap your acceptance around something: Hell exists. There are graphic pictures throughout scripture. It isn’t important to me if you want to call the lake of fire a literary devise or a literal description. What is vital is that you wrap your mind around the teaching that after death most people will end up in Hell.
If you can’t accept that jump from Proverbs then listen to the words of Jesus,
(Mat 7:13-14 KJV) Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.So? You don’t need to dwell on it all the time but be aware that the people around you do not live stories that have happy endings. Be sensitive to chances to share the hope that is in you.
Saturday, September 14, 2019
Errors
(Pro 14:33 KJV) Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.
Always check your sources. My NASB from 1977 uses “bosom” for the “midst” of the KJV. Both are from the Hebrew word with the Strong’s number (7130). When I checked my software which ties the numbering in the NASB Updated the word is changed to “hearts” and gives a number of (7310). The word is okay. The reference is the kind of thing that the hand copied manuscripts were supposed to be susceptible to. Someone switched the numbers in the middle.
Is this an error in the Bible? No. It is a technical problem. Could it be serious? Only if you refuse to do your homework, keep your mind in gear and trust that there are answers.
So? Be responsible for your own spiritual growth and always be willing to check things out.
Always check your sources. My NASB from 1977 uses “bosom” for the “midst” of the KJV. Both are from the Hebrew word with the Strong’s number (7130). When I checked my software which ties the numbering in the NASB Updated the word is changed to “hearts” and gives a number of (7310). The word is okay. The reference is the kind of thing that the hand copied manuscripts were supposed to be susceptible to. Someone switched the numbers in the middle.
Is this an error in the Bible? No. It is a technical problem. Could it be serious? Only if you refuse to do your homework, keep your mind in gear and trust that there are answers.
So? Be responsible for your own spiritual growth and always be willing to check things out.
Friday, September 13, 2019
Pretend Money
(Pro 13:7 KJV) There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
This verse is not about money. It is about attitude. The second reference “poor” (7326) is the clue. It generally means poor in the sense that we think of it but in this form of the Hebrew, called the Hithpolel, evidently means to “impoverish himself”. It is a deliberate act. That is why the translations include “pretends” in the NASB And “maketh himself” in the KJV.
I would take from this that if money is your god and you set your cap on it, the attitude will eventually ruin your life. If you use your wealth to serve others without being consumed by dollar signs, you will be blessed.
So? I am not sure how that works out in our mortgaged, car payment, college tuition world, but I think we need to do some serious thinking as Americans about what our priorities are.
This verse is not about money. It is about attitude. The second reference “poor” (7326) is the clue. It generally means poor in the sense that we think of it but in this form of the Hebrew, called the Hithpolel, evidently means to “impoverish himself”. It is a deliberate act. That is why the translations include “pretends” in the NASB And “maketh himself” in the KJV.
I would take from this that if money is your god and you set your cap on it, the attitude will eventually ruin your life. If you use your wealth to serve others without being consumed by dollar signs, you will be blessed.
So? I am not sure how that works out in our mortgaged, car payment, college tuition world, but I think we need to do some serious thinking as Americans about what our priorities are.
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