An Idea Borrowed

Years ago on a radio program someone shared that they read a chapter in Proverbs every day. Since there are 31 chapters and the longest month has 31 days it allows you to read through Proverbs on a regular basis. I use it as the launch pad for my personal worship time and branch out from there. On this blog I will try to share some of the insights I have in the Word. I will try to organize them in the archive by reference.

Saturday, February 15, 2025

What You See Is Not What You Get

Proverbs 15:8 (KJV) The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

I think it is natural for human beings to be impressed by what they see.  We see a shiny new car and we were impressed with the beauty and the power.  We might be impressed with the finances of the person owning it.  That’s our first reaction, or usually our first reaction.  My first reaction tends to be rather short, because my second thought is, “I wonder what his payment is?”

Recently, I was in a conversation where someone was talking about a person who made habitual bad choices.  Because of bad choices he had bought a new car, had it destroyed by someone with no insurance, and was now making $800 a month payments on a car that was junked.  At that point just about anyone would cease to be impressed.

The emphasis here is not on the outward expression, but on the condition of the heart.  On one side, you have the “wicked”.  On the other side, you have the “upright”.  Since this is the Old Testament, it is very possible that the upright was also giving a sacrifice, and the wicked might’ve added a few prayers.  The thing is that God looks at the heart of the person and not just the action.

So?  Is your heart right?  Is your motive right?  Your neighbors may not know the difference, but God does. 

Friday, February 14, 2025

Opinions Often Don’t Matter

Psalm 3:2 (KJV) Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.

(Proverbs 14 also read)

We are supposed to be open to counsel.  Wisdom means that we learn to take advice, and that we listen to other people who might be speaking the words that God wants us to hear.  That’s true, but not always true.

Here David hears what I was just saying.  I’m sure that if David were in one of his bad times, it would be easy for him to take these words seriously.  He tells us what everyone is saying.  I would guess that we have been there.  We’ve had people who question our motives and our whole spiritual demeanor.  Our first responsibility is to listen with an open heart.  Keep in mind when I say open heart I don’t mean the word that is used for simple or naïve.  It also means open. Your heart is not open in the sense that it’s so open everything will fall out and anything can come in.  Your heart is to be filled with the things of God and with His word.

Then when someone has something to say, you can filter it through the wisdom that you have stored up because you’ve been spending time with Him.  It may be that you need to hear what they’re saying.  It may be that you need to hear it and ignore it.  Only you know the answer to that.

So? Listen, but listen with the Holy Spirit guiding your heart in mind.  Hear what you need to hear.  Ignore the rest. 

Thursday, February 13, 2025

An Earful

Proverbs 13:1 (KJV) A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.

In comparing translations, we are reminded of the difference between hearing and listening.  In one sense they are the same but the conflict that comes out is that one produces an awareness and the other is simply a sensitivity to sound.

Think of the times where you have become aware of a sound that has been going on for a while.  Recently our heating system stopped working.  The house was getting colder, but still manageable.  There was nothing to freak out about.  The repairman were coming.  Suddenly I was aware that I was hearing the sound of the fan working.  It intruded in my consciousness, and I started listening, and I realize that the heater was on.  Once my attention was gained, I realized a few minutes later than it is stopped again.

The point is that my ears were capable of hearing.  They were working.  They just weren’t connected to my conscious brain.  Think about this in terms of spiritual truth.  We are surrounded by truth.  It appears in different ways and in different formats, but it is available.  Some people see it, some don’t.  The point that Proverbs is getting to is that it makes a difference in our lives if we’re paying attention or not.

So?  What is God trying to say to you?  Are you listening?  Are you not hearing simply because you don’t like with the message is?  Your choice. 

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

We Should All Be Pentecostals

Psalm 150:4 (KJV) Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.

(Proverbs 12 also read)

I may have touched on this before.  I won’t know until I look a little deeper into what I’ve written, but for now, as I look at this chapter in Psalms, I see a form of worship that I personally am uncomfortable with.  I see what I would consider a wild and crazy Pentecostal experience.  I picked this verse because in the translation I was reading it had tambourines and dancing.  I have seen Pentecostal services that have this as part of their worship.  I tend to stick my nose up at this and make note of how dignified I am.

Maybe I need to get over that.  This chapter illustrates the joy and enthusiasm that worship needs.  I tend to be more of a Presbyterian when it comes to my worship style.  I’m not sure that’s what God wants all the time, if ever.

So?  Feel free.  Feel free to worship.  Feel free to worship with enthusiasm, adoration and energy.  Based on this Psalm God seems to like that. 

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Rejecting the Perfect

Proverbs 11:5 (KJV) The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

If it weren’t for serious blindness, I would laugh at people who get all uptight at the word “perfect” (8549).  We see it being used in the KJV on a regular basis.  It even shows up in other translations.  The problem comes because we take a word in the English language, apply modern philosophy and sociology to it, say it is impossible, and reject what God’s word says.

A lot of the modern translations that I have on my software substitute the word “blameless”.  In reality, that’s just kicking the can down the road and refusing to look the issue in the eye.  The point that Solomon is making here, and that the rest of scripture makes, is that there are two basic attitudes towards life.  You have those who desire to live the way God wants him to live, and those who reject that.  The Bible is consistent with the teaching that we are expected to live righteous lives.  You may to find it different ways, but the demand is there.

If the Bible says we are to do it, then there must be a way to do it.  You can then get into conversations about the grace of God and the power of the spirit.  You cannot reject the expectation.

So?  The difference is there.  The expectation is real.  If you aren’t on board already, maybe it’s time to look a little closer. 

Monday, February 10, 2025

Spare Me the Paraphrase

Proverbs 10:2 (KJV) Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.

One reason I like the word for word translation philosophy is because it allows the Holy Spirit to stimulate my mind to greater understanding.  I don’t like translators deciding how to interpret God‘s word for me.  I accept the fact that there are times when that may be necessary because of the multiple meanings of a word, but here we have a simple, literal phrase “treasures of wickedness” which the NASB has decided to paraphrase as “ill-gotten gains”.  While it’s true, that that is the meaning it is not what it says.

I like the turn of phrase in the KJV.  It makes me think more than the modern phrase in the NASB.

So?  Opinions may vary.  I’m sure they do.  I still have this belief that God said things the way He did because He wanted them to be said that way.  I don’t think He was confused.

Sunday, February 9, 2025

Hidden in Hebrew

Psalm 149:4 (KJV) For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.

(Proverbs 9 also read)

What got me looking at this verse?  A little nudge was the NIV translation that substituted “victory” for the more common translation of “salvation” (3444).  There’s a difference between victory and salvation.  One is temporal and the other is eternal.  So I looked up the Hebrew behind the word for “salvation”.  I thought it and it’s transliteration looked familiar and, sure enough it is the Hebrew word for Joshua, or Jesus.  When the angel appeared to Mary and said he will save his people from their sins this was a word play on the name, Jesus.

So here hidden in the Psalms, we see the name of Jesus.  The KJV says that He will “beautify” (6286) the “meek” (6035).  Think of that in terms of the statement of Jesus where He said “blessed are the meek.”

So?  Jesus was named Jesus for a reason.  He was to be a savior.  We see this concept buried even in the book of Psalms.  Something to rejoice about. 

Saturday, February 8, 2025

Indicators

Proverbs 8:7 (KJV) For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

How do you know wisdom when it’s right in front of you?  There are several indications in this chapter and this verse has one of them.  This is a personification with wisdom, speaking and wisdom says, “my mouth….”

Notice that one of the elements of wisdom is truth.  That would seem to mean that people who do not tell the truth do not have wisdom.  That is a simple and obvious conclusion.  What may not be clear is that “wickedness” is not tied to wisdom.  And when wisdom speaks wickedness, it becomes an abomination, or not wisdom.

So?  You may not know everything.  Welcome to the human race.  But generally you know when something is true or you will find out soon whether it’s true, and you can know that if someone is pushing something that is not true, then they by definition are wicked.  Be on the side of righteousness.

Friday, February 7, 2025

Take the Antidote

Proverbs 7:21 (KJV) With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.

If you just read the second half of this chapter, you might have sympathy for this poor young man, who was seduced by the unfaithful wife.  She seems to have all the ammunition.  She seems to have the initiative.  He seems to be that which I like to call, “a helpless pawn in the hands of fate."

His failure is a choice, not predestination.  If you go back and look at the advice, at the beginning, it talks about taking wisdom, and making it a part of your heart.  It talks about the pupil of your eye, or the apple of your eye, being the place where God‘s commandments and laws should pass through, and then make your way into you.  There’s repeated reminders to spend time, knowing what God has told us to be into.  Obviously, this young man has chosen to ignore that advice.

So?  The problem wasn’t that she had such deep satisfying positions or arguments.  The problem is that he didn’t have the foundation that has been offered to him.  We can resist the wiles of the devil.  We can walk the path of truth.  But it only happens if we make the choices that lay the foundation.  Make this a day of wisdom. 

Thursday, February 6, 2025

Priority Excuses

(Pro 6:16 KJV)  These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

As you continue down in this chapter of Proverbs, you see the seven abominations that are listed.  Have you ever wondered if they are in order of priority or are they just listed as they came to Solomon’s mind?  When I see a list, I sometimes wonder about this.  For instance, when I look at the Love Chapter and it’s definition of love, I ask myself, “Is patience the most important thing because it’s listed first?”  And I say the same things when it comes to the gifts of the Spirit, and the fruit of the Spirit.

It is an interesting question, but the more important question is, “Why are you asking?”  Is there a desire in your heart to vindicate yourself over someone else because you’re less a sinner than they are?  Is there an awareness of multiple weaknesses in your life and you want to start working on one and perhaps are looking for the easiest to deal with?  Or is it just idle curiosity?

So?  It makes a difference what your motivation is.  If your life is controlled by sin, there is a sense in which it doesn’t matter which is the most important or most grievous.  What is needed is freedom from sin and forgiveness for the sins of the past.  Fortunately, both are offered by Jesus. That’s why He went to the cross. 

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Star Praise

Psalm 148:3 (KJV) Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.

(Proverbs 5 also read)

I can read this two ways.  The first way is obviously just read it with an attitude of worship and acceptance and glorifying God.

The second way is to have my skeptic hat on and ask myself, “How does the sun praise God?”  I can then go on, and substitute the moon and the stars.  In reality, those are just skeptical questions.  They are also questions asking for insight.  We can read in just an attitude of worship, and God will meet us.  We can read with a desire for deeper understanding, with skepticism, and God will also meet us.

So the question still stands:  “How do the celestial objects praise God?”

I don’t for a minute to think that the sun is an entity that is aware.  So, in the sense of conscious praise, it is impossible.  It’s possible that the answer to this is that we praise God, simply by being what He has made us to be.  That works for the sun, the moon, and the stars.  It’s harder for us to see in ourselves.

So?  Maybe we could start by just thanking God that He made us the way we are with our attributes in our personality.  Quit thinking we need to be like other people and just rejoice and what God has given us to do and be.  If nothing else think about it as star praise.

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Watch the Drift

Proverbs 4:5 (KJV) Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

My first inclination to stop and look at this verse came from the word in the KJV of “decline” (5186) (turn away, NASB).  How do you decline from the words of God?  That is a good question.  When I looked at the definition of the word and some of the early uses in Genesis I came across the idea of spreading out your attempt or pitching your tent.  At one point it seemed to talk about letting down your bucket deep for water.

What does this say about how we study the word?  We talk about digging.  We talk about searching and meditating.  Those are good concepts, and can probably be verified in scripture.  The problem we have is when we are so desperate for a great insights that we start wandering away from the central truth.  A nuance can be very beneficial, but when we are out looking for just that which is new and exciting, we tend to get into trouble.

So?  Start with the basics and as far as possible, stay with the basics.  We don’t need any exotic theology.  As I’ve said, and I possibly stole it from someone else, we don’t need something new until we get to the point where we are using what we have.  We don’t need new contemporary worship songs when we have hymnals full of songs we are not singing.  We don’t need new methods of outreach when we’re not witnessing or sharing. You get the idea. 

Monday, February 3, 2025

Considering Examples

Psalm 143:12 (KJV) And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.

(Proverbs 3 also read)

One of the words that brings the most joy to my reading is chesed (2617).  My favorite translation of this is “loving kindness.”  Here the KJV has “mercy”.  It’s such a broad word, and has such deep meaning that it warms my heart and put a new shine on the day.

Then I read it in a context like this, and David seems to feel that God’s mercy is going to “cut off” (6789) his “enemies”.  That seems a bit violent and I would assume rightfully so.  How does destroying and cutting off reflect loving kindness?

One of the answers would be, that God has a different attitude towards those who follow him as opposed to those who resist him.  You have God’s people on one side and the rebels on the other.  Just because we talk of Yahweh, as “God is love”, does not mean that love is stupid or unprincipled.

So?  Yes, God is love.  He is also holy, righteous, light, and a God of wrath.  Make a decision, which side of God do you want directed toward you?  Remember, Jesus died on the cross to save sinners, but there will be no mercy for those who die unrepentant. 

Sunday, February 2, 2025

One of Those Days

Psalm 142:6 (KJV) Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.

(Proverbs 2 also read)

There are times when I am aware of the saying “This too shall pass.”  I’m having one of those days when I’m feeling like the world is against me.  And this whole chapter kind of speaks to me.  It reminds me that this is nothing new.  I’ve had these days before.  I will have them again.

Much of the being brought low is in my mind.  Most of it is because I have been accosted in such a way that I tend to forget that the Lord is there watching and listening.  This reminds me.

As David, I will call upon the Lord and be reminded that He is there.   He never left.  I just got focused a little too much on me.  Of course they’re stronger than me . That’s the way life is.

So?  Refocus.  Remember.  Repent.  And, of course, rejoice. 

Saturday, February 1, 2025

A Simple Intersection

Proverbs 1:4 (KJV) To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

There is a time in life when being “simple” (6612a) is natural and not a sin.  There is another time in life were being simple is equated with rejecting the depth of God’s love and His plan for you.  The Christian walk is a journey not just a place to stand.

Proverbs begins with giving an explanation of the purpose of wisdom.  It’s trying to explain how it works and how you achieve it.  Here it says that it is to give “subtlety” (6195) according to the KJV.  The NASB uses “prudence”.  The idea is that God’s wisdom, if we embrace it, will take our innocence and give us the tools with which to live life productively.

As I have pointed out before one of the nuances of the word “simple” is open minded.  That is not a good place to be.

So?  It is time to stop resting on your laurels and get moving.  Make some progress even if it’s small.  Start closing your mind to the vapid values of your contemporaries and build strong walls based on the foundations of God’s word, and what He’s done for you in Jesus. 

Friday, January 31, 2025

Another Day, Another Crisis

(Psa 138:3 KJV)  In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.

It was a rough day.  Things were said that made me want to crawl back into my hole, pull the rug over the entrance, and just hide myself from creation.  I don’t know if you have those days.  I have my share.  And in the midst of this time, when I am ready to give up and turn in my man card, the Lord reaches out to me, and “strengthens” (5797) my soul.

A couple of things are necessary for this miracle to take place.  What I find is that I need to be willing to reach out, to extend myself toward God himself.  Another is I need to be willing to listen.  Now God is able to overcome both of these, but it certainly makes it quicker if I open myself up.  Above all I have to believe that He is going to meet with me and since He has done it many times it tends to get a little bit easier each time.

So?  I rejoice in the knowledge that He has answered, and in the assurance that He will answer.  As a result, I am again able to hold my head up, step out, and face the day in the confidence that God is not done with me yet.

Thursday, January 30, 2025

Deal with It

(Psa 123:2 KJV)  Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.

(Proverbs 30 also read)

There is a biblical concept that is very unpopular today.  It is the concept of being a slave of God.  This is rejected in our popular culture, which includes many churches, really, for two reasons.

One reason is spiritual.  Actually this is the root reason.  Our sinful nature, our self-centeredness, our need to be in charge, and wanting to be as gods rejects the idea that we are inadequate.  We know it.  We feel it.  But intellectually we reject it, especially as Americans.  Americans take equality seriously.  And it gets into our spiritual walks.  Submission is very difficult and slavery speaks of total submission.  That is why it is there as a biblical concept.

The second reason is social or political.  We live in a day and age where people make a lot of money by administrating guilt over the slavery of the past.  The politically correct crowd likes to make you think that the United States of America was unique in having slavery as a part of its culture at one point.  They overlook the fact that slavery has been common in human history from the very beginning.  They ignore the fact that during the slave trade Africa was not the only source of slaves, more slaves went to the Caribbean and South America than ever came to North America, and the survival rate of slaves in North America was much higher than anywhere else in the world.

So?  Get over the hangups imposed upon us by our own sin and the sinful attitude of our culture.   Submit yourself to God as Lord, King, and yes, Slave Master. 

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

The Coin Again

Proverbs 29:23 (KJV) A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

The King James translation is fine.  It is accurate.  I noticed, though, when I looked at the NIV that there was a play on words that didn’t come through in the KJV.

Proverbs 29:23 (NIV) Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.
The KJV uses “low” and “humble”.  Both are basically the same word; one a noun, the other an adjective.  That’s fine for grammar, but what struck me was the same concept and one place was praised and the other was condemned.  

It is always interesting when you see a place where the same word can have totally different meanings based on context.  It is like the two sides of a coin.  I don’t think any of us have any trouble telling the difference here, but someone who doesn’t know the language and was trying to translate might shake his head.  The KJV does a good job in breaking down the confusion by using a different word, which has a similar meaning but makes it richer.

So?  As I’ve said, before, always read the Bible with your brain turned on.  Expect to see things that you didn’t see before.  That’s one of the miracles of having the Holy Spirit in our lives, he pointed things out to us.

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Dangers of Paraphrase

(Pro 28:2 KJV)  For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.

As I have said, I am reading Proverbs in the NIV this month.  Often what I read sounds good and speaks to me as well as the King James.  At other times I read something in it jumps out, bites me on the nose and I say, “What?”  This verse today is one of those. Notice what the NIV says,

Proverbs 28:2 (NIV) When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order.
My first reading, which may be all some people give, is that the rebellion is against the rulers, or against the government.  That is one possibility from this translation.  But that’s not what it’s talking about.  How much better word is that used in the King James and other translations of “transgression.”

This is not a warning against starting a revolution.  You can go other places to find that.  This is a warning that if the people of a nation refuse to follow the laws of God and live in righteousness, then chaos will be our reward.

So?  We are called to live righteous lives.  We need to understand that it makes a difference, not only in our salvation, but in the society in which we live. 

Monday, January 27, 2025

Synonyms

(Psa 119:2 KJV)  Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

(Proverbs 27 also read)

As I dwell upon the place and the meaning of the law of God, I come across numerous synonyms.  The generic would be “Law”.  Then there are the words that seem to go along with it: commandment, statute, ordinance, and the one that we see here “testimonies.  Are they the same?  Are they slightly different?  Is there overlap?

I still really don’t know.

When I looked at the resources I have on this word “testimonies”, I found that the first reference said that it referred to the “10 words”, which I assume means the 10 Commandments.  It talks about putting the testimony into the ark, and then refers to the ark as the ark of testimony.

So?  Regardless of what turns up eventually, we can safely say that the 10 Commandments are the basis of Law.  Even if you take what Jesus had to say about the greatest of the commandments, you find that the first part is summarized at the beginning of the Decalogue, and the second part is summarized in the second part.  The Bible interprets the Bible. 

Sunday, January 26, 2025

Trigossipides

Proverbs 26:22 (KJV) The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

This verse is about gossip and how it affects the person who is passing it on.  When I read it, it struck me as reflecting on how we get fat.  My wife got some See’s candy for Christmas.  It’s almost a sin for us to buy it for her, but she asked for a very little.  This morning she casually stated that she had eaten five pieces.  I don’t need to tell you where all of those calories go.  They don’t go into a little cup beside the bed that you can throw away.  I know this because if you put a bag of potato chips within my reach it goes straight from the bag to my belly and from my belly to my belly fat.

We know that “triglycerides” is a fancy name for fat.  We know that too much fat resides in our body for too long and causes long-term damage.  The same is true of gossip, but today I was reminded about how the damage settles in and resides in the person doing the gossiping.  Possibly the damage to the poisoner is worse than the one poisoned.

So?  If you are the one being poisoned, then lean on the Lord for the antidote.  If you are the one passing on the gossip, then you need to repent and ask God for forgiveness.  It’s dangerous. 

Saturday, January 25, 2025

Long Live the King

Proverbs 25:5 (KJV) Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

We have just gone through a changing of the guard, or at least I hope so.  I am writing this a month ago.  I’m also aware that Donald Trump is not the king.  He is, however, the head of state which is the equivalent.  I think we need to be praying specifically that this verse might somehow impress itself on his mind, even if he never reads it.

Our leadership needs to be purged.  We need the “wicked” (7563) to be removed. We need to have the oval office established in “righteousness” (6664).  If we hope to have a future, this has to happen.  I don’t think that any politician will do this voluntarily or even if he wants to he’ll be able to do it on his own.  He will need the power of God behind him.

So?  Pray that God would find a way to get our leadership focused on righteousness, and serving the God of the universe.  This is a great time to pray without ceasing. 

Friday, January 24, 2025

Solomon, Plagiarist

(Psa 111:10 KJV)  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

(Proverbs 24 also read)

I am sure that I have read this verse in Psalms before.  Today, when I read it, I said to myself, “I have heard this before.”  It was actually pretty obvious, because when we quote this, we generally quote the words of Solomon from the book of proverbs,

(Pro 9:10 KJV)  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
The first half of the verses are identical.  Now one reason you would have that is because the Holy Spirit inspired each of these writers to put this down.  Another is that it was one of those bits of wisdom that grandmothers had been sharing with their grandchildren for centuries.  Another is that Solomon heard his father say it repeatedly.  It could be also that Solomon was reading the Psalms that David written, and liked what he saw.

If you are serious about Bible study, and were wondering how this worked out you might also noticed that this is one of those Psalms that is unattributed, it doesn’t tell us who the author was.  We tend to fall into the default of saying David, but it doesn’t say.  It’s very possible that this was written after Solomon.

So?  Anyway you look at it you have to accept one basic point, this is scripture.  That means it is truth from God.  Read.  Contemplate.  Apply.  Repeat as needed. 

Thursday, January 23, 2025

Rolex Friends

(Pro 23:7 KJV)  For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

I am not a big fan of the NIV, but I am reading it this month as part of my discipline in reading Proverbs.  Occasionally I see something that peaks my interest and gets me thinking.  Today I saw this in the paraphrase,

Proverbs 23:7 (NIV) for he is the kind of person who is always thinking about the cost. “Eat and drink,” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.
Do you have any friends, family, members or acquaintances that are always looking at the price tags of life?  I know I have a friend who took his daughter out to dinner, and when she realized that he was paying she very pointedly order the most expensive item on the menu.  Do you know people who think that something is more valuable just because it has a higher price tag?  Have you been around people who tell you what everything costs including gifts that are given to you on a special day?

I guess the big question is, “Are you one of those kind of people?”  I don’t think it’s presented here as a positive attribute.  I would imagine that sometimes it expresses itself in the opposite way.  Instead of bragging about how much you paid you brag about how little you paid.  You can go either way

So?  Don’t be that person.  Salvation is a gift that you cannot earn.  It was paid for by the blood of Jesus.  It is nothing to brag about, but it is something to celebrate.  Rejoice.

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Foundations

(Pro 22:15 KJV)  Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

My first thought on reading this morning was to ask myself if I learned enough as a child to make wise decisions as an adult.  And then I wondered if I would still need to be disciplined now.  What would that rod be like in current circumstances.  It could be simply someone losing their temper with you.  It could be many things, and we need to be aware of the possibility that we are going to be corrected or that we are being corrected.

At the same time I look at what’s going on with the young people of today, who seem to have no common sense, and no understanding of how things work.  Much of that can be laid at the feet of their parents.  They were never taught.  They never saw examples of wise behavior and ethical standards.  It’s no wonder they’re such a mess.

Then after that what you see going on in the schools and the lack of example in our political leaders and entertainers and you have a formula for disaster.

So?  There’s very little you can do about the follies of other peoples parenting.  If they don’t ask you then you seem to have no right to really speak to them.  I would suggest simply being ready to talk to people as they get older about foundations that you have.  Foolishness versus wisdom.  I don’t think we are locked into our path either way.  Keep growing.  Try to help others grow. 

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Scientific Method

(Pro 21:2 KJV)  Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

As I was looking into what it meant for God to ponder our hearts, I first looked at the different translations.  I checked out the word for ponder in the Blue Letter Bible.  And then, looking at the word, it seemed to me that it almost had the nuances of a serious scientist, examining the evidence for a theory, or some unknown substance.

The keyword here is serious, or you might say, legitimate.  There are a lot of scientists, who are looking for what they want to find rather than looking for objective truth.  When God examines our hearts, He is not overly influenced by what we see as our motives or our principles.  He looks beyond our own eyes and our own perceptions, and looks down deep into whom we are.

This can bring us comfort or it can bring us an alarm.  What is the motive of our Heart?  What makes us tick?  What are we really trying to accomplish?

So?  I don’t know about you, but I find comfort in the fact that God knows my inner heart.  Much of that is because I often feel like a total failure in achieving what I want even when I have the best of intentions.  I can relax and know that He is the ultimate honest broker. 

Monday, January 20, 2025

Read with Gestalt

(Psa 108:1 KJV)  A Song or Psalm of David. O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.

(Proverbs 20 also read)

Keep in mind that one part of scripture can illuminate other verses.  One of the times that stands out in my mind is when Moses was talking to God and asking for a special privilege.

(Exo 33:18 KJV)  And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.
Guy told him that was not going to happen.
(Exo 33:20 KJV)  And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.
This stood out to me because I saw the word in one place and it stirred in memory of another place. Other translations show in a bit of illumination.
Psalms 108:1 (CSB) My heart is confident, God; I will sing; I will sing praises with the whole of my being.
God’s glory involves His whole being.

So? Read with your mind turned on. Look for understanding of one scripture to be given to you in another. What an adventure. 

Sunday, January 19, 2025

Literary Devices

(Psa 104:5 KJV)  Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.

(Proverbs 19 also read)

As I read this verse or this chapter, I became aware that this is a poetic device.  The author of this is waxing strong on his creative imagination, trying to express the depth of his God’s glory.  He works overtime.  Since I tend to not like poetry, I got a little bit bored.  But then I saw this first and remembered what John Lennox had to say, about a literal view of creation.

He said that there was a time in history when Christians accepted the idea that the Earth did not move in space.  I think he quoted a different verse that says that more specifically but here you get an indication of the idea.  He said, with greater understanding of the physical world we live in, we came to realize that the Earth rotated around the sun, and that it did move.  With a greater understanding we were going to see that this was a literary device, trying to tell us something about the nature of God and his creation.

So? Read with discernment. Keep in mind that if modern authors can come up with things like hyperbole, that God is quite capable of doing the same thing.  Don’t limit him to your own boundaries. 

Saturday, January 18, 2025

Three Possibilities

(Psa 100:4 KJV)  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

(Proverbs 18 also read)

I have sung the song that goes along with this.  I thought about entering His gates.  This morning as I was reading over this in worship and meditation, I found myself wondering what “gates” (8179) we were talking about.  I come up with three possibilities.

If it were the gates of the Temple that would be wonderful thought.  The question I would have, though is when this Psalm was written.  People traditionally think of the Psalms is being written by David.  We know that some were not written by him because they say so.  Similar for the situations which would not have been around during David‘s time.  If David wrote this Psalm, the gates cannot be to the temple, because there was no temple at that time and to my knowledge the tabernacle did not have gates.

A second possibility is the gates of Jerusalem.  I would think of ceremonial processions winding their way up the hill, and into the city of God.  Think of the story of David dancing before the Lord.  That would work.

There a possibility that comes to me is that these are the gates of the New Jerusalem.  That would make this a form of prophecy, looking into the dim future.

So? We know they are gates. We know that we can enter them. We know that as we enter them we celebrate the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It doesn’t really matter when or where; we can worship now. 

Friday, January 17, 2025

A Coin of Two Sides

Psalm 99:8 (KJV) Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.

(Proverbs 17 also read)

How do these two concepts go together?  On the one side, we have forgiveness.  Flip the coin and you have vengeance.  Both of these come from the same God.  Both of them seem to be directed toward the same people.  I’m trying to put them together in my head.

If god forgives, what is there to avenge?  Is there a difference between forgiveness and atonement?  Which takes precedence?  Is there a way to avoid the vengeance and still be forgiven?

I think this is where Jesus comes in.  One of the points that William Lane Craig makes about the difference between Yahweh and Allah is that our God requires justice in the working of the law.  Yahweh cannot administer forgiveness and mercy and let the sin go unpunished.  Here’s where the gestalt comes in.  This is where you must take into consideration the entire scripture.  Jesus became sin on our behalf.  Jesus took the curse.  Jesus is the one who paid the price of the vengeance of God again sin.

So?  Jesus paid the price.  We get the forgiveness.  It requires that we trust him and believe that His blood was enough of an atonement to pay for our sins.  It’s not enough that He died for the sins of the world.  The world is incapable of believing. You, however, can believe and trust.  Rejoice.

Thursday, January 16, 2025

Getting Personal

Psalm 96:2 (KJV) Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.

(Proverbs 16 also read)

I was reading Psalms in the LSB and I noticed a difference between it and the other translations.  The LSB has taken the places where the Hebrew word Yahweh is used, and actually transliterated into the English, instead of using the LORD.  As I was looking at the two ways of translating it, I got this feeling that using the Hebrew and dropping the word “the” made it much more personal.  Compare

Psalm 96:2 (LSB) Sing to Yahweh, bless His name; Proclaim good news of His salvation from day to day.
Picture if I were talking about my firstborn and always talked about “the son.”  That might be OK when I was talking to someone else but if I were addressing him, I would want to just simply say, “Son.”

So?  Our God is not only real, but He is a personal God.  He wants to speak to us and He listens to us.  Rejoice in that on this glorious day.

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Live in the Eye

Psalm 94:13 (KJV) That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.

Psalm 94:19 (KJV) In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.

(Proverbs 15 also read)

We sometimes think that we are the only ones who ever lived in times of adversity.  Maybe you heard the term “first world problems.”  We tend to think it’s the end of the world, or worry that it might be the beginning of the end of the world, when the power goes out for a few minutes.  We think we are suffering irreparable harm when the air-conditioning breaks down.  Relax.  It can get much worse.  It may get much worse.

Think of the kind of adversity that the people being described in this chapter are going through.  Repeated raging hordes of barbarians sweeping through and killing and murdering.  We’re talking about real adversity.  And in the midst of that real adversity, we have assurances.  I picked out two verses here and the other translations I have reveal aspects that are a little deeper than the King James.

For instance in verse 13 the LSB calls for calm instead of rest.  Both are probably in the original Hebrew, but the assurance that we are not going to get swept away should make you a little bit less agitated.  Then, in verse 19 it talks about anxious thoughts.  In both cases we have the insurance that God is in charge and that He knows we’re here and that He still cares about us.

So?  Is society falling apart?  Do you have a toothache?  Take whatever extreme or whatever spot in the middle you like, and be assured that God is there with you.  Live in the eye of the storm, in the eye of God, and not on the frantic fringes. 

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Worship Guide

(Psa 92:1 KJV)  A Psalm or Song for the sabbath day. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:

(Proverbs 14 also read)

If you were looking for some guidance on how to worship the Lord this chapter is a gold mine.  It starts off by telling you that it is for the Sabbath day.  Not being Jewish, not celebrating the Sabbath like I should, I automatically translate that in my mind to the Lord’s day.  I think the principles are the same.

Right here we see that singing is a part of worship.  Also, we see giving thanks and giving praise.  If you follow down through the rest of the chapter, you find it mentions different musical instruments and so forth.  This could be taken as individual worship or as group worship.  I would go with group worship, primarily because it’s kind of hard to play three different musical instruments at the same time.  At the end it talks about “they” instead of “I”.

So, if you’re feeling dry, without inspiration, or as a missionary said in a book “the heavens were as brass,” try this formula, start out with thanks and praise, find someway to sing His praises, work your way through.  I can almost guarantee that God will meet with you and make His presence known.

Monday, January 13, 2025

Shields Up

Psalms 91:7 (KJV) A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

(Proverbs 13 also read)

My mind turns to Star Trek and other similar sci-fi.  When certain dangers are coming your way, Captain Kirk will order the shields turned on, and maybe raised to maximum.  That seems to be what this verse about.  After talking about all of the dangers to worry about this one soldier says basically that they’re gonna be falling all around him, but he will be safe.

Is this a promise or principle?  Is this something just for this one person back in the days of Israel or is it for all of us today?  Is it a sometimes thing or an always thing?  Anyway you want to look at it this is a word of assurance.  As the vernacular goes, God has your back.

So?  Got wild and crazy times?  Worried about rioting in the city and insurrection?  Concerns about the deep state?  Wonder what that noise is under the hood?  Keep in mind that ultimately God is going to see to it that you come through with shining colors.  Those colors should shine all the way into eternity. 

Sunday, January 12, 2025

What Did You Expect?

(Pro 12:9 KJV)  He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.

As I read this verse this morning, my mind went several directions.  One went back to a book I read years ago, called The Millionaire Mind.  It was either that one or the other that went along with it called The Millionaire Next Door.  One of the points he made in those books was that there are more teachers who become millionaires then there are doctors.  The reason was that all those doctors made more money but needed to look more affluent.  They had to spend that money keeping up the image of being well-off.  Teachers on the other hand are expected to be poor and so they didn’t necessarily need to buy the flashy cars or the designer clothes.

Another rabbit trail was a memory of a fund raiser in the church I was attending years ago.  My wife and I were not invited to the fund raiser.  Our friends were.  Since I didn’t really want to go to a fund raiser that in itself didn’t bother me.  What bothered me was the way in which the church was kissing up to people they thought had money.  My friend tended to exude opulence.  I drove an old car and dressed in clothes that weren’t exactly cutting edge.  The irony of the situation is that we probably could have contributed more than they could but we were not invited to the steak dinner on China and white table cloths.

A third tangent had to do with a discussion in which people talked about how the elderly poor are having a hard time paying their bills and even putting food on the table.  The same time I’m aware that most of the equity in the country is in the hands of the elderly because they learned to be thrifty.  How that will work out I don’t know.

So?  What kind of a steward are you?  God has given you certain resources.  I believe that the providence of God will provide for His people.  I often wonder if a lack of resources is not the result of lack of discipline rather than oppression.  I have to be careful not to be judgmental here, but it is an observation based on this verse. 

Saturday, January 11, 2025

That’s Righteous

Proverbs 11:31 (KJV) Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

I often shake my head in amazement at how the youth culture who claims to not understand words will reach down into the broader world, pull out a word, and use it in a way that is interesting.  One of the words that I’ve heard used over the years is “righteous.”  Some degenerate person who rejects all the values of God would say, “Man, that’s righteous.”

Does this person understand righteousness?  No way.  They would reject the concept that righteousness as defined even existed.  What they’ve done is they put their own definition on the word because it sounds cool and have used it to their own advantage.

I think we often do that in the church.  Instead of looking at words, and considering how they are used in the entire Bible, we will lift out a verse that reinforces our presuppositions and our theological system and give it that definition.  People love to quote Paul,

Romans 3:10 (KJV) As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
The problem is they not only ignore the context of what Paul is saying, but they also ignore the context of the scripture he’s quoting.  Just look at the verse I’m referring to this morning, and that will give you an idea.  If you look back over the entire chapter and proverbs, you will see this concept of righteousness being used again and again.

So?  Righteousness and the possibility of living an upright life are a vital part of our faith.  We are not called to live in futility and wickedness.  We are called to holiness and sanctification.  It does not come through our strength or cleverness.  God will give us the power through His Holy Spirit. Trust Him for it. 

Friday, January 10, 2025

Not a Good Idea

Psalm 129:5 (KJV) Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion.

(Proverbs 10 also read)

I think that we often hear that we should pray for Jerusalem and that God will bless those who do so.  I’m not going to be looking up that verse.  What I want to look at is this specific statement in Psalms.  This is specifically stating how God reacts to people who hate Jews.  Zion in this case is referring to the mountain, where the temple is, the place where God has said He would sit in judgment.  It is also significant in the end times.  But for our purposes, it means anyone who hates God’s people, the Jews.

Anti-Semites will be “confounded.”  They will be “turned back.”  I’m sure that has many applications, many understandings.  None of them could be good.

So?  How does this apply to your individual life.  It’s not a matter of you sending an army out to attack the Golan Heights.  It’s a matter of you making personal decisions about the people of Israel, and how God will influence your life because of that.  Be wise.

Thursday, January 9, 2025

Time to Grow Up

Proverbs 9:6 (KJV) Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

The word “foolish” here is one that we might want to avoid, but there is a sense in which we all start there.  Some of the synonyms for this are “simple”, “naïve” and so forth.  When we are young, we tend to be simple.  When we are new converts to Jesus and followers of Him, we don’t know much and so we tend to go with what is basic.  That in itself is not a problem.

The problem comes when we refuse to grow.  We are to “forsake” our foolishness.  Part of what that means to me today is that we are to study our Bibles in such a way as to find the deeper meanings that God has given us.  Yes, we can start with the basics.  It’s always good to have a solid foundation of simple truth.  But the thing about the Bible is it meets people at all levels.  Children can sing “Jesus loves me this I know.”  Someone with a PhD in physics can sing the same song, but he will eventually want to go deeper and further and understand it better.

So?  Keep growing.  The other part of the Bible is that it is so deep that we will be able to study it in eternity, and keep finding new gems.  Rejoice.  And study.

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Literary Devices

Proverbs 8:22 (KJV) The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.

One of the challenges in reading scripture is to discern whether you should be reading literally or figuratively.  Here we see one of the tools of literature called “personification.”  Personification is where you have an inanimate object taking on the characteristics of a person.  In this case, we have a body of knowledge, called wisdom, which is pretending to be aware and interacting with us.

The point being made in this verse, and actually through the passage, is that this body of knowledge called wisdom was created by God for the universe that we live in.  Wisdom is an application of the attributes of God, who is eternal, to the physical world, which is not.

The significance of this is that God’s principles are designed to work in the world we live in.  Are they eternal?  Yes, in the sense that God is eternal, and they reflect His character.

So?  We learn about God.  We learn about the universe.  The two will work together because one was designed by the other in the light of who He is.  That means that science should be consistent with the universe that God made.  We run into problems when the scientists reject that God and the principles He established.  We see that in things like nuclear weapons and GMO.  One of the questions that science refuses to answer is, “Just because we can, does that mean we should?”  Wisdom answers that.  Science is clueless. 

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Peace

Proverbs 7:14 (KJV) I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows.

This month I am reading the book of Proverbs from the NIV translation.  I am not a big fan of the NIV, because of it’s philosophy of translation, but like any paraphrase, it has value in giving insights into the nuances of words.  What got my attention in this chapter was this verse,

Proverbs 7:14 (NIV) “Today I fulfilled my vows, and I have food from my fellowship offering at home.
Notice that the NIV calls, the “peace offering” a “fellowship offering.”  Peace offering is the most common translation, and probably will do in most cases however, the aspect of the peace offering that is brought out by the word “fellowship” is helpful to us I think.

The offering of peace is a statement of restoring relationships with God.  There is a sense in which that involves fellowship.  If we were in the New Testament and we’re talking about fellowship, we might use the word koinonia.

In the case of this young woman her offering was meaningless, because as she was claiming to have fellowship with God, she was pursuing an avenue of moral decadence.  That is not acceptable to God.  She’s living in a fantasy.

So?  Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that you can live in sin and because you go through some ritual or prayed a prayer somewhere in the past that God will just kind of smile in a benign way and say, “How cute.”  Don’t forget that the God of love and mercy is also a holy God who demands justice.  He does not play games. 

Monday, January 6, 2025

No, All Sin Is Not the Same

Proverbs 6:30 (KJV) Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;

Proverbs 6:32 (KJV) But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.


One concept that I have heard often through my life is that all sin is the same.  I believe James says that if you break one law you have broken them all.  His point is that if you sin then punishment can be expected.  Of course, that does not close the door to repentance, confession and forgiveness.  That is not James point.

This verse gives one of the places in the Bible, where it is demonstrated that some sins are much more serious than others.  This approach is it from the point of view of how we as humans feel.  Other places talk about God’s view.  Both of them agree on the fact that some sins are just more damaging than others.

Here it says that people can understand you stealing to feed your family in times of hardship.  Making the same claim when you commit adultery is silly.  No one will buy that.  There is something about sexual sin that goes down into the soul.

So?  If you’re looking for excuses, there’s nothing anyone can say to you.  We have great ability to rationalize.  Just file away that God wants you to live above sin.  He wants you to live righteously.  He wants you to be upright.  Jesus did not say to the woman caught in adultery, “Oh, well,” but “Go and sin no more.”

Sunday, January 5, 2025

Visions

Psalms 90:16 (KJV) Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children.

(Proverbs 5 also read)

One of the realities that strikes me in the morning as I worship and contemplate God is that the task is far beyond my ability to comprehend.  With that in mind, I read this verse where the author in this case, I believe Moses, is calling for God’s work to be obvious to us.  As I contemplate God’s nature, I know that it is impossible to get an accurate assessment and yet I get a glimpse.  I get a glimmer.  I get a feel, for which way the wind is blowing even though I can’t see the wind.

Part of the work that we cannot see is the work of creation.  We can see is far as we can see, which, in my case might be 20 miles on a very clear day.  That’s a long way from seeing Mars or Pluto.  If we contemplate the far galaxies I need a telescope.  Yet the call is that God will show us His works and notice it says His glory.

So?  Contemplate His glory as you contemplate the morning sky.  Think about it as you drive to work and whiff the exhaust of a car in front of you.  Meditate on it as you stir your oatmeal.  Let Him guide your imagination and increase your sensitivity. 

Saturday, January 4, 2025

Expensive

(Pro 4:7 KJV)  Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.


This month in Proverbs, I am reading from the NIV.  The NIV puts in a phrase here that made me look at how others translated.

Proverbs 4:7 (NIV) The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
The NIV seems to have the idea that everything you have financially, emotionally, socially, should be invested in achieving wisdom and understanding.  As I look at other translations, I see nuances of this idea.

As you look at this, you need to understand a couple of things that are repeated in the book of Proverbs.
(Pro 1:7 KJV)  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
(Pro 9:10 KJV)  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Noticed that both of these began with the fear of the Lord.  I understand that to mean not the craven fear of phobias, but the fear of respect and awe, and being overwhelmed with grandeur and holiness.

So?  The message of Proverbs , repeated time and again, is that wisdom is something we must have.  It also implies that it is available.  This might be a good day to start your search you have not already. 

Friday, January 3, 2025

Pick a Card

Proverbs 3:33 (KJV) The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.

This chapter in Proverbs is loaded with the reality of getting rewards for our actions and our choices expressed in many different ways.  You could preach a sermon on tithing, you could teach about creation, you could talk about the blessings of wisdom and foolishness of sin.  There are all kinds of contrast here.

I finally settled on this first because it is a way in which we can look at the year to come and make decisions now about what we expect from this year.  He talks hear about your “house” or later in the verse “habitation”.  What this means is not just your building, but your family, your friends, and possibly even your neighborhood.  What kind of influence is going to be radiating from you?

So?  When we begin the year is a bit arbitrary, but for most of us it’s the time to stop, think, and plan.  Why not plan for a year of being blessed by God by living a life that blesses him? 

Thursday, January 2, 2025

Day Two

Proverbs 2:1 (KJV) My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

I wonder how many people in the United States have January 2 off this year.  If you were a student or a teacher, then you were still on the Christmas break most likely.  If you work in certain places they might say just take the whole week off.  If you’re self-employed, your wife may have things for you to do.  Anyway you look at it you should have a bit of leisure to stop and think about the coming year.  That is where Solomon comes in.

As you begin the year, get ready to receive the things that God has to say to you.  Keep in mind that often you won’t be able to receive it unless you are looking for it.  I can have a mailbox full of mail down by the street, but if I don’t go down and open the door and look inside, I will never find it.  Of course, with a mailbox, the day comes when it gets so full that the mail starts falling out and piling up on the ground making it easier to see.  I’m not sure of God’s wisdom works that way.

And then we have to take that wisdom and make it our own.  We need to hide it.  We need to take it away.  I was talking to a guy this week and we were commiserating on how we can’t remember names.  One of the reasons that we can’t remember them is because it is not a priority.  The only way I can remember names is if I consciously work at it, and keep repeating it until it sticks.  Sometimes I will look for a clue to remind me, for instance, a guy name Byron reminds me of the poet, Lord Byron.

So?  You can’t make a withdrawal from an account unless you made a deposit.  In one sense God has made the deposit in His written word.  We can withdraw from that account, but we need to apply it into the account of our soul so that it will be available when we need it.  Happy new year.

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

The Year of the Ear

(Pro 1:33 KJV)  But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

I’m going to assume something.  I assume that you were not born yesterday.  I know I wasn’t.  That means that I have a pool of knowledge and experience to draw on.  Having said that, I still need to be reminded of some common basic things.  If you’re a man, you know what it is to have somebody remind you that you forgot to zip up your fly.  It pays to listen.  I find myself sitting behind men in church who have not adjusted their collar and need to listen to my advice about that bit of fashion.  My wife likes to tell me that we have high winds coming and I know I need to move the furniture on the porch.

It doesn’t matter how much you know, you still need to listen.

So?  As we begin a new year, I assure you that God will be speaking to you.  If you’re like me, you need to listen.  I will try to follow my own advice.  You can re-read the verse and decide what it says to you.