Happy Days Are Here

(Pro 3:13 KJV) Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

I believe that the mental attitude and general outlook on life is different for Christians than it is for others.  When we allow the “wisdom” (2451) of God to permeate our being, our view of life changes.  The year 2020 has been a year of one blow after another for our country and many individuals.  It has the potential for gloom and doom as an appetizer for every meal.  That is why we need to seriously think about this word, “blessed” (835).  Being blessed is not just a matter of emotion.  It is definitely not a matter of luck.  It isn’t even being in good circumstances.  It is an approach to life rooted in a confidence in providence.  

This is the reason that people in lower income groups are reported to be more giving than the rich.  They realize that God is in charge and they can share without destroying themselves.

So?  Rejoice is the knowledge that Christmas isn’t about Santa Claus and presents under a tree.  Add to that an awareness that Easter is not about bunnies or new clothes.  A providential view of life gives a blessed response.

The Living Word

(Pro 2:6 KJV) For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

I have not kept a written record but my memory tells me that serious Christians have times when a verse in the Bible will take on new meaning.  They may have read it frequently and heard others quote it but suddenly there is a time when it jumps out at them and grabs them by the essentials.  That is because the inspiration is not tied to ink on a page or the insights of a translator but the result of the Holy Spirit breathing into it and us.  

This is why it is important to keep a steady diet of basic truth.  It is like getting plenty of sleep and washing your hands regularly.  You never know when you are going to need that extra bit of energy or when a bug is waiting to invade your body.  

So?  Take some time to give God a chance to speak to you.  He may be trying and you are not paying attention. 

Exposure

 Pro 1:31 KJV) Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

It is amazing to me how we can convince ourselves that we are right.  I can see it very clearly in others.  I need to be aware that I am guilty of the same behavior.  We know all of our excuses just as they know theirs.  We must be different.  Notice I did not say we should, but we must.

How can we be sure?  The average person in the world around us sets their values by what they see and hear on social media and the products of the entertainment industry.  That is why we have a constant changing in the cool styles.  Back when people wore suits you could tell who was with it by the width of their lapels.  Now it involves the latest technology and hip vocabulary.  We on the other had have an unchanging source in the written word of God.  Even with the new translations the standards are the same.  

So?  Expose yourself to the source.  It can happen by accident but God is not promising that.  He gave us Bibles, hymnals and sermons.  You might want to examine the church you go to and ask yourself if you are getting all three. 

Bread and Circuses

(Pro 30:22 KJV) For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;

How do the ruling elites control the masses?  I guess there are different methods depending on the variables of numbers, awareness, ability and weapons available.  Pharaoh kept them so poor and hungry that they worked as slaves.   Islam has at times used the terror approach.  Look at the Armenian Holocaust as an example.  Rome, facing a massive group who knew how to use weapons went for bread and circuses.  People can be controlled.

What do the elites of America use?  I would suggest the Roman approach.  Our bread and circuses are wrapped up in social media, sports, alcohol, ignorance and drugs.  By drugs I don’t just mean the illegal kind.  I don’t know how many children I worked with who were tanked up on medications to make them pliable.

So?  As Christians we need to be aware that there are godless groups trying to separate us from the joy of the Lord.  Sadly some of those people are in leadership in the organized church.  It is up to you as a child of God to seek His face so that He can remind you of who He is and quicken your spirit.  (Posted, November 30, 2020, PP)

Wasting Promise

(Pro 29:3 KJV) Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.

Certain types of people suck the life out of you.  Here the reference is to “harlots” (2181).  It brings to my mind the prodigal son who “wasted his substance with riotous living”.  There are many ways in which you can throw away your inheritance.  We hear about young people going into a business with no idea of how to make it work and losing a fortune.  We know of people who spend too much on fast cars and expensive bistros.  This is the opposite of “wisdom” (2451).

So?  Proverbs seems to say that our needs will be met but I don’t think that promise applies if we waste what God provides us. 

Happy Endings

(Pro 28:10 KJV) Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.

“And they lived happily ever after.”  So end the many stories we heard as children.  As a child I accepted that as a good ending.  I wanted to think that life had one big problem, which solved left the future a time of unicorns and rainbows.  I probably kept wondering how come it didn’t work out that way.  Actually, it will.

As Christians we are promised a happy ending.  The problem is that we don’t set the time or place.  That is in God’s hands.  But the assurance is there.  I don’t know how many times I have used the mantra, “I have read the book and we win.”  There will be stumbles along the way.  I may not be one of those destined to arrive at the earthly destination.  Think of the Pilgrims who came to Plymouth.  I think around half of them died the first winter.  They did not live to see the next chapter of the story, but it was there.

So?  We have a promise.  We may not see it in our three score and ten but we will see it in eternity. 

Mine

 Pro 27:20 KJV) Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

A misconception of our society is that sincerity is a deciding factor.  Thus if we really want something, it must be good.  Not necessarily.  This verse reminds us of the carnal nature that we are all born with.  My granddaughter is with us for a few weeks and she is in the “mine” phase.  She probably won’t get out of it until she is saved and the Spirit takes control.  It is amazing how many things are hers.  The reason?  Because she says so, or as this verse would put it, her eyes say so.

When we are redeemed and the Holy Spirit has worked on the inner man our choices become more righteous.  

So?  There are three levels of spiritual life mentioned at the end of I Corinthians 2 and the beginning of chapter three.  The natural man is unsaved.  The fleshly man is saved but not mature.  The spiritual man is ready to make decisions in confidence.  Strive to be the spiritual man.