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, May 31, 2025

Outmoded Excuse

Proverbs 31:6 (KJV) Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

To be honest, there have been times in my life when if I have been reading through Proverbs and it come to this verse, I might have used it as an excuse to go out and get drunk.  I’ve never been drunk.  I have no idea what the experience is like.  I have been depressed.  I have been ready to get drunk, or so I thought.  I have never, though, been to the point where I was ready to go out buy a bottle of whiskey, and start doing some serious drinking.

So maybe I’ve never really been depressed.  Maybe I’ve never had a really heavy heart.

At this time in my life, it seems silly solution.  As I spend time on a daily basis with the Lord, I find that the heaviness in my heart, is lifted up and moved closer to glory.  It also becomes clear to me that I will not spend that daily time with the Lord unless I make it a priority.  It is a conscious choice that I must make to put other activities in second place.

So?  I’m aware it’s easy advice to give when you’re not dealing with a heavy heart.  I don’t know that I would respond well either if I were struggling in the depths.  But if you can reach out, expect God to meet you and move into the glory of His presence.  Blessings. 

Friday, May 30, 2025

Light Years or Days

Psalms 19:1 (KJV) [[To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.]] The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

(Proverbs 30 also read)

I was sitting here, contemplating the universe and God.  I was thinking about how I’m created in the image of God, with the ability to reason, and think, to interact with the Eternal One, and have free will.  And there are those who believe that the universe is billions of years old who will tell you that the entire universe is established and created to focus on the planet Earth to create an environment that we can exist in.

I find that even more on awesome than 7/24 hour day creation.  God is God.  He can do anything He wants.  The question is not whether God did it, but just speculating on what it all means.  Somehow, something in me says that God enjoys the process of creating, and although He exists outside of time, I think there is an element where He just really celebrated when He was making the novas and the galaxies and all the different types of stars.  I think He reveled in the variety that He was able to come up with.  I think He rejoices in all of this.

And He made us to be a part of this.  He gave us this universe to investigate and look into and it’s only the beginning and the first page of the book of eternity.

So?  Enjoy.  Celebrate.  Rejoice.  Look at the sky and remind yourself that this declares the glory of God and we can only see the tip of the iceberg. 

Thursday, May 29, 2025

Adding It Up

Psalms 71:15 (KJV) My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.

(Proverbs 29 also read)

You could have misunderstood this idea of numbers if you weren’t reading the whole Psalm. You might assume that these are the numbers of the days of your life.  In reality what he’s saying is that there is so many things to praise God about that he can’t add them up.  It’s beyond his mathematical ability.  It’s beyond his perception.

Notice he’s trying to speak about God’s “righteousness” and about God’s “salvation”.  He’s not moaning and groaning.  He’s not complaining about how God is not taking care of him.  He is really rejoicing.  What an attitude to have.

So?  Get a clearer idea of who God is.  Spend some time thinking about all of the possible catastrophes that could’ve happened in your life you were shielded you from.  If you can’t think anything, then just look at the lives of others and see what they are struggling with.  God is good beyond what we cannot only asking think, but what we can add up. 

Wednesday, May 28, 2025

The I Am Difference

Psalms 115:5 (KJV) They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:

(Proverbs 28 also read)

I think that when this was written there was a smile on the face of the author.  He is describing the local gods.  If you follow down through the next few verses, you’ll see a lot of body parts mentioned, which are useless.  They do nothing.

We need to contrast that with the name of the Lord.  I choose the word contrast deliberately because we are contrasting, not comparing.  There is no comparison.  In the first verse, it uses the word, LORD.  This is Yahweh.  This is the name which means, “I am.  That is such an essential and basic difference between our God, and the gods of the pagans.  Their gods have eyes, but cannot see.  Our God is a spirit.  He does not have eyes in my opinion, but He sees all.  He sees not only in the physical realm like we do, but also in the spiritual realm where we tend to be foggy.  In fact, He’s the one who designed our eyes with all the limitations that are built into them.

So rejoice.  God not only made the universe, but He maintains it.  He not only made you and I, but He maintains us.  Go ahead and spend a little time shouting about that if you want to. 

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Some Things Never Change

Proverbs 27:15 (KJV) A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.

Every time I read this I find it a bit amusing. I also find it a bit painful.  I’ll let you guess why it’s painful.

It’s amusing because for one thing it makes me feel the brotherhood of humanity.  Every once in a while I come across things which make me realize that I am not the only one who has experienced something, and when I have one of the great wisdom sources of history producing an idea like this it rings such a loud bell, I feel a oneness with humanity.  Isn’t it amazing how things that are so common today were common 3000 years ago.

So?  Is it any surprises the Bible can speak to us today?  If Solomon was wise enough to find something in common with us, how much more could God do the same?  Read with expectation.

Monday, May 26, 2025

They’re Everywhere

Proverbs 26:12 (KJV) Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.

This chapter has a long section on the subject of fools.  Think about the things that keep coming up in the book of Proverbs.  The foolishness of adultery.  Listening to your parents and to the wise adults around you.  Many topics, one of them is fools.

I think we get uncomfortable with us, because of what Jesus told us about calling someone a fool.  Keep in mind that Jesus was not addressing calling someone a fool. He was addressing anger and temper, and used calling people fools as an example.  He was not saying there are no fools around us.  The reason we know that is because this chapter repeatedly warns us about fools.

I understand that they are everywhere.  There was some cartoon character that had the phrase “He’s everywhere, he’s everywhere.”  Fools are everywhere.  That tells us two things. First of all be aware that you are surrounded by fools.  They deny the wisdom that God lays out in front of them.  They can’t tell truth when it bites them on the nose.  And the main reason that they can’t tell the truth is because they don’t want to know the truth.

Which brings me to the second issue and that is that we need to be very careful that we ourselves are not fools.  It is so very easy to fall into the trap of thinking we have the answers.  As Christians, we do have the answers.  That does not mean that we cannot twist them to our own advantage.

So?  Don’t get cocky.  Keep calling on the Lord and reading his word, and listening to his admonition to be obedient and humble.  Don’t be one of the crowd around you. 

Sunday, May 25, 2025

Blame Game

Psalms 80:6 (KJV) Thou makest us a strife unto our neighbours: and our enemies laugh among themselves.

(Proverbs 25 also read)

The statement by the Psalmist is a good example of why Israel had so much trouble in it’s history.  The context of the Psalm is that they are being laughed at by all the surrounding countries because they’re going through such hard times.  I assume that there are invasions and chaos in the culture.  It could be harvest failures.  It really doesn’t matter.  What matters is whom is to blame.

Notice that the Psalmist blames God for things.  His statement that God made the strife implies that God is the cause of the problem.  In reality, God is simply responding to Israel‘s rebellion and lack of obedience.  Who is the actual cause of the problem?

So?  We all have problems.  Some of those problems are caused by other people, by the weather, by government, or just by chance.  Many of those problems are caused by us.  We make decisions.  We have priorities.  We respond irrationally.  We need to be open and honest with that and instead of just asking God to bail us out, we ask Him to make us different, to change us.  That is part of the plan of salvation. 

Saturday, May 24, 2025

Watch Your Step

Jeremiah 10:23 (KJV) O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

(Proverbs 24 also read)

This is a reminder that needs to come to us on a regular basis.  We get into planning.  We make a list of priorities.  We set goals.  All of the self-help books tell us that this is what we’re supposed to do.

Perhaps in spiritual matters DIY is not the best path to follow.  Yes, we have to be involved.  Yes, we have to make decisions.  Yes, we have to set goals.  But ultimately we need to keep in mind that it is God who is guiding our steps and position in the world around us.  That should give us peace.  It should help us in our planning.

So?  This is not an excuse to be idle or irresponsible.  It is a call to obedience. 

Friday, May 23, 2025

Better Mercy


Psalms 86:15 (KJV) But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

(Proverbs 23 also read)

Notice the word in the KJV, “mercy”.  In the NASB this is translated “loving kindness”.  To me that is much more meaningful and richer than just mercy.  It stands out to me when I see it in the longer word.  The reason I look at it today is because this is the third time it is mentioned in this one Psalm.  David is rejoicing in God, but the thing that he keeps coming back to and mentioning over and over is this, loving kindness.

There are many words to describe God.  We know about His wrath.  We know about His holiness.  We know about His patience, or we should if we’re paying attention.  We need to rejoice in His loving kindness.

So?  It’s always good to just take a moment, and reflect on all of the ways in which God extends his love, and his kindness towards us.  Rejoice. 

Thursday, May 22, 2025

Portable Refuge

Psalms 91:9 (KJV) Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

(Proverbs 22 also read)

Twice in this Psalm we find reference to “refuge” (4268) as a noun.  Once in verse four we find the verb.  There is a lot of comfort found in this, that God is our refuge, our fortress, our hiding place.  I like the idea.  I find it giving me a sense of security.  I cling to it on a daily basis, when I am getting frustrated or moving towards fear.

However, it occurred to me based on the context, and all the other things being said, in this chapter that it is not just a passive fortress, but it is a portable refuge.  It’s not just a place that we can run into, and hide.  It is that, but it is also a matter of God going with us and being with us in these moments of trial.  Of course, the ideal way of looking at it is that we are going with God rather than He is traveling along behind us.

So?  Either way whether we run into it, or it travels with us the presence of God offers a refuge, a fortress, a sanctuary.  He Offers us a security that allows us to face the unknown future in the hands of the One who knows the future. 

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Loving Fish Eyes

Proverbs 21:15 (KJV) It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

Have you ever noticed how some people rejoice in certain situations, specific foods, different types of company?  Have you ever talked to someone who has a negative reaction to a common, over-the-counter, medication?  Have you ever met someone who likes fire and brimstone preaching?  We all tend to be very different.

I was talking with a lady whom I believe was born in China and is now an American citizen.  I asked her about the kind of Chinese food we have here in America and how it compared to the real thing.  In the course of the discussion, she commented on how when she was a child, they would fight over who got to eat the fish eyes.  Needless to say, I was not real enthused about the prospect.  The eyes of a fish are not exactly something that I would consider a delicacy, but for her, it was the best part of the whole feast.

Sadly, doing the right thing is the same.  There are some people who just rejoice in a being able to do that which is right.  Others can’t wait until they can get away with something.  We see this in young children.  It’s not just a matter of being compliant or easy to get along with, it’s a matter of where the heart is directed.

As children both the compliant and the difficult are lost in sin.  Both need the grace of God.  Both need to learn repentance and faith in Jesus.  I’m not sure which one has it easier.  The compliant child probably feels like they’re OK already.  The difficult child is hard to convince.

So?  Either way each of us has to come to that position of standing before the justice seat of God and repenting of our sins. 

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Anger Issues

Proverbs 20:3 (KJV) It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

This verse brings to mind other sections of scripture.  It makes me think of the Proverb that says a soft answer turns away wrath.  It reminds me of Jesus instructing us to turn the other cheek, and to go the extra mile.  None of these, though, indicate that we are going to be perfect, and totally resistant to strife.

Our goal, and our honor if we achieve it, is to avoid strife, or as this verse says to “cease” from strife.  This can have different meanings.  It can mean stopping after the first few punches or insults.  It can mean walking away from someone you know will be aggressive.  It can mean ignoring verbal attacks upon you.

The main point though is that it is not a sign of weakness, or lack of character to avoid conflict.

So?  Don’t let other people drag you into verbal or physical altercations.  Avoid them, both the situations and the people.  Refuse to be drawn in.  Keep in mind it is the highroad.

Monday, May 19, 2025

Wait for It

Proverbs 19:13-14 (KJV) 13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping. 14 House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.

One of the things I feel is true about the Bible is ultimately you see both sides to an issue.  You find balance if you keep reading.  It’s also very easy to miss the point.

Here we have a good example of two sides of the coin in successive verses.  You notice in verse 13 it talks about the nagging wife.  That sounds pretty negative.  Then in the next verse talks about how the prudent life comes from the Lord.  That is the other side of the coin.  The Bible does not simplify things to the point of being absurd.  It lets you know that life is complicated.

So?  As I have said many times, keep reading.  You’ll find what you need and you will find it more quickly the more you put into it.  God loves to meet with his people.

Sunday, May 18, 2025

The Long Run

Proverbs 18:10 (KJV) The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

I for one I’m so used to singing the song that goes with this verse that I have become a bit insensitive to its meaning.  My first thought this morning went to the name of Jesus.  Obviously this is talking about Yahweh and that is certainly a place that we can run for security, but as believers today, we tend to look more to the name of Jesus.  The name of Jesus is powerful, and we take refuge in the One who hears it.  It means Savior.

But I also noticed in looking at it today that the running is in the Hebrews imperfect tense.  That means it is an ongoing process.  We continue to run into the shelter of the name of the Lord.

So?  Make this your default setting.  You are running to Jesus on all things.  Do you have a decision to make?  Run to Jesus.  Are you feeling depressed?  Run to Jesus.  Do you want to shout for joy and dance in the streets?  Run to Jesus. 

Saturday, May 17, 2025

Suspended Curse

Proverbs 17:13 (KJV) Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

As I read this verse this morning, it started my mind down the rabbit trail of divided homes.  I think we all know situations were either the husband or the wife is a believer, and the other isn’t.  Sometimes that works relatively harmoniously, but occasionally you get a situation where a husband will be openly antagonistic towards his believing wife.  I think of one couple that we knew years ago where he absolutely forbid her even to go to church.  She chose to submit his authority.

How does this work out when you have this kind of conflict going on in a home?  Will evil predominate?  My thought went to another scripture,

1 Corinthians 7:14 (KJV) For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
So? Somehow, and ways that I don’t often see, God has promised to have His hand on the family that has a believer in it. 

Friday, May 16, 2025

Midnight Lemonade

Psalms 119:62 (KJV) At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.

(Proverbs 16 also read)

Have you ever had those times when you wake up in the middle of the night and you just can’t seem to get back to sleep?  This is the problem, evidently, even in the book of Psalms.  The author has experienced this and made good use of it.

It actually could be more than one benefit. An obvious one is that you spent more time with the Lord.  You can focus on Him, whom He is and what He wants from you.  In the quiet, it’s easier to listen, and there’s a good chance that your wife will not decide she has something to say to you.

It also can have a calming influence on you so that you can get back to sleep.  I guess if you want to extend that a little bit, it may lull you back into sleep.  Either way it’s a great benefit.

So?  If the Lord wakes you up and keeps you awake, respond to His leadership in a positive way.  Make use of the lemons He gives you at midnight and make midnight lemonade. 

Thursday, May 15, 2025

The Place of Pursuit

Proverbs 15:9 (KJV) The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

This is a place where the NASB has a better word.  The King James talks about following after righteousness.  Not bad, but it misses the point.  It’s not just a matter of the person who walks in the way of the righteous.  It’s a matter of who chases it.  The NASB uses the word “pursue” instead of “follow”.  It’s much more in line with the meaning of the Hebrew.

You can have the mind set of the wicked.  You can pursue righteousness.  These are two choices that we have in life in many of our decisions.  It is a choice that we have probably had in more decisions than we want to admit.  On a daily basis we are tasked with deciding which way we want to go, even before we come to faith.  I personally think they’re showing us in progress to point out that some people are more ready to come to faith because of these decisions that they make.

So? You will face decisions today. Make sure that you choose based on which path you really want your life to follow. 

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Be Flexible

Psalms 57:11 (KJV) Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.

This morning, all of my carefully laid plans, my daily routines, and all of the things that I try to do in order to prepare myself for the day were short circuited by the display that God gave me in the early morning light.  How glorious creation is.  How constantly full of unexpected blessings our God is.  I love these kind of surprises.

When will I get back to my routine?  I don’t know.  At the moment I am simply taking in all of the extravaganza that God is offering me.  I rejoice in His sharing.  I bask in His light.

S0?  Isn’t it great to worship a living God who is so full of surprises? 

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

A New Diet Plan?

Proverbs 13:25 (KJV) The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.

It always mystifies me when I am reading my NASB and it has a marginal footnote which tells me what something means literally.  Here we have that case.  What’s interesting is that when it tells me what it means literally and it’s pretty much exactly what the KJV is saying.  You see food that we eat is designed not for our appetites, but to satisfy our souls.

Would that not be a great topic for a diet book?  Actually, I think I have read such a book. It was called The Weigh Down Diet.  And the point of the book is that you eat in response to the built-in mechanisms that God has put into your body.  You respond to the body’s call is based on your contact with the Holy Spirit and not with your sinful appetites.  You eat to satisfy your soul.

So?  I wish I could say that I have this down.  I still struggle.  I am a glutton.  I can’t fix it.  I trust the Lord to somehow give me victory over this and to satisfy the crying out of my soul. 

Monday, May 12, 2025

Entitlement

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

As I thought about the meaning of this verse and seemed to find something, I looked a little further down and saw verse 11.

Proverbs 12:11 (KJV) He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain person is void of understanding.
They both seem to be heading in the same direction.  What kind of people are despised in our culture?  Generally people who work low-level jobs, who get dirty, work with their hands.  Of course the definitions of low-level would vary with the individual.  Working with your hands could be an artist or a toilet scrubber.  The point is that some people look down on them no matter how well off they are.

On the other hand, you have those who think very highly of themselves when they have no reason to.  We’ve all seen video clips of people who have degrees in such challenging topics as “women’s studies” and complaining because they can’t make six-figure incomes to start out.  They think that just because they are noble, wonderful people they deserve the best in life.  They honor themselves.  Unless they have parents letting them live in their basement, they lack bread.

So?  For most of us it’s a little late to change our direction in life.  We have established a course and are making progress.  At the same time maybe we need to evaluate our attitude towards others and their sense of entitlement.  Don’t feel guilty because you work hard and are able to support your family while the other person sleeps in and complains about how hard things are. 

Sunday, May 11, 2025

Segue

Psalms 101:1 (KJV) [[A Psalm of David.]] I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.

(Proverbs 11 also read)

As I started reading this Psalm, I noted it was written by David, and that he seemed to be rejoicing in the Lord.  That seems pretty obvious but after I got down a few verses it seemed to change, and I couldn’t figure out what was going on.  Then I realized that somewhere in this passage of scripture, it went from David talking about his joy to God expressing His perspective on His people.

If you have your Bible look down through it.  Toward the end, it is clear that it is God speaking.  Wouldn’t it be great if we could be so in tune in our worship, that God speaks to our hearts the way God spoke to David.  I don’t expect that we will start writing scripture, we are past that stage, but God can certainly speak to us.

So?  Worship.  Sing out.  Maybe write some things down.  Especially if you write things, it’s possible that God will go back and have you read it again later and again speak to your heart.  I wouldn’t advise publishing it as a new revelation.  God can speak to you through what He has already provided. 

Saturday, May 10, 2025

Unredacted

Psalms 87:4 (KJV) I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.

(Proverbs 10 also read)

At first after reading this Psalm I just kind of shook my head and said, “What was this all about?”  I closed my Bible and said that was kind of a waste of time but then as I kept thinking about it I thought, “Now it is in the Bible. There must be a significant reason.”

Call me rationalizing.  Call me stretching.  The thing is, as I read this again, I began to realize that it was still in the Bible.  One of the things that haters often pontificate about is that the Bible is inconsistent or contradicts itself.  I would admit there are things that need to be worked out.  There are things that are hard to understand.  There are mysteries that honestly we probably can’t understand.  All that adds to the genuine nature of this being a book written over centuries by real people as God spoke to them.

As we look at various documents that we want the government to turn over and open up we get angry when they give us an entire page where everything is blocked out.  It is redacted to the point of the ridiculous.  God did not go back and re-edit the Bible to make us happy.  He gave it to us the way He wants us to have it. It is a genuine expression of what prophets heard, what Paul understood, and what Matthew meant to say.

So?  Read with confidence.  You may not understand it the first time, or the 10th time.  You can rest and the fact that this is what God wanted said. 

Friday, May 9, 2025

Angle on Repentance

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

One of the trails my thinking is running down deals with salvation and what’s involved in it.  I’m thinking of words like justification, regeneration, faith, grace, and a word that I never thought was controversial, but evidently is, repentance.

Evidently there are some people that think that repentance is a work of the law and is not necessary.  I find that rather novel and naïve.  Why that comes to mind is that in looking at this verse I see an insight offered about what repentance involves.  Noticed that first word “Forsake”.  I always think of repentance as being a change in direction.  I believe that’s at part of the root of the word, turning.  This gives another view of it.  When you turn. when you change direction. you are forsaking things which have been important to you before.  You are forsaking your goals and possibly your dreams.

So?  Forsake in a sense means to let go.  I understand “let it go” as not just to release your hold upon the rope and sink into the sea but to transfer your grasp to something that will actually save you.  You’re letting go of your own ambitions, strength and wisdom, and instead trusting in God, and in the blood of Jesus.  Just another view of repentance. 

Thursday, May 8, 2025

What Is Missing?

Psalms 74:7 (KJV) They have cast fire into thy sanctuary, they have defiled by casting down the dwelling place of thy name to the ground.

(Proverbs 8 also read)

This is a Psalm written by Asaph.  It is not David speaking.  It’s not Solomon.  As I read over this verse, it almost seems like this is written after the southern kingdom is hauled off into exile.  Noticed that the sanctuary, the temple, has been destroyed.  That’s just my observation.  I don’t know what the scholars say.

Israel is in dire straits.  The whole Psalm reads as a desperate people crying out to their God for refuge.  We know that God offers refuge.  We know that God has promised a willingness to redeem his people.  We know all of that.  So do they.  What is missing in this Psalm?

Repentance.  Confession.

There are plenty of attempts to manipulate God, and a desire to appeal to His ego.  It didn’t work for them.  And my point today is, it won’t work for us.

So?  Seek the Lord with a heart willing to confess and willing to repent.  God will meet us, but He doesn’t meet us when our arrogance colors the meeting. 

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Mule Headed

Proverbs 7:11 (KJV) (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:

What got my attention in this verse was the NASB’s translation of “rebellious” for the KJV “stubborn”.  We have a common bit of wisdom in our culture that teenagers are rebellious. I must confess that my son went through a very difficult time and rebellious would be a good description.  My daughter never came close.  When I look at my three brothers and I, I don’t see any genuine rebellion in our modern sense.

This is where the older translation gives us an insight into the meaning.  When you look at the Hebrew background of the word, the idea of being stubborn and refusing to respond or move is much more in line with the word itself.  This would point out to us that, even though we have accepted Christ and entered the faith, there can be a refusal to grow that cripples us and forces us into paths that God does not want us to follow.

So?  Extreme flexibility makes us open to all kinds of nonsense.  Extreme rigidity can lock us into foolish behavior.  In between is that living response to a living God. Stay on the living edge. 

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

In a Quarter of a Mile…

Proverbs 6:22 (KJV) When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.

I don’t know if you’re one of those few Americans that have never used the GPS on your smart phone to help you get somewhere but what it does is talk to you.  When it’s working correctly, it will warn you ahead of time what is coming.  For instance, it will say, “In a quarter of a mile the road will split.  Stay in the right side and bear right.”  Now you have a choice to make.  You either follow those directions, or you don’t.  If you are totally ignoring the GPS then you have a 50-50 chance of getting the right direction but it’s pure chance.

If I’m playing a board game and rolling the dice, then pure chance is part of the game.  It throws in that unknown that brings excitement.  I don’t want to live my life that way, at least not in the important issues.  What this verse is saying is that God will give you the directions you need for the important decisions.  He will “lead” you.  Notice it doesn’t say force you, grab you by the nose and direct you, drag you kicking and screaming through the mud.  He says He will lead.

When you ignore the GPS or, for reasons unknown, go a different direction, the GPS will recalculate.  It will give you a new advice on how to get to where you said you were going.  God does the same thing.  Notice at the end it says when you get up He’s going to talk to you.

So?  Listen.  Decide.  God will give you the information you need.  The question is are you going to follow it?

Monday, May 5, 2025

Starving at Harvest

Proverbs 5:23 (KJV) He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.

This is a sad indictment on the condition of so many people.  The question I would have is how can you have no “instruction” in the midst of so much information.  You see, this person that is going to die and who has gone astray is not in that situation because there is a lack of knowledge available.  He is there because he has refused to consider it honestly.

While I would consider that there are probably some people isolated enough not to know anything about Jesus, I don’t think that applies to anybody you know.  I know it doesn’t apply to anyone I know.  The problem is not a lack of knowledge.  The problem is the lack of willingness to accept that knowledge.  I am struck by what Jesus says in John chapter 3.

John 3:19 (KJV) And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Jesus is talking about judgment and people being condemned.  The sad truth it shares is that people hate the light.

So?  You may have crossed over into the kingdom.  Praise God for that.  Pray for others around you that have not made that decision.  In your own life, keep seeking knowledge and wisdom, and allowing yourself to be instructing so that you can grow in grace. 

Sunday, May 4, 2025

Be a Hugger

Proverbs 4:8 (KJV) Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.

I had to take a moment to look back to who the “she” was in this verse.  It turns out to be wisdom, and there is a promise about wisdom doing something for us.  However, the promise is dependent upon us doing something.  The word is translated as “embrace” in this spot but there are other places where it uses the word “hug”.  So keep in mind that you are supposed to be hugging wisdom.

Now by nature, I am not a hugger.  I am more comfortable shaking your hand, however, I endure it because I’m in a church that’s full of huggers.  They just can’t seem to help themselves.  That’s the kind of people they are.  So I go along with it and consider it part of my attempt to develop the spiritual gift of helps.  The point is, that’s the way we’re supposed to be with wisdom.  When you see it, reach out and pull it to you.

Another interesting fact here as I looked at the software is that this verb “embrace” is in the imperfect tense.  In the Hebrew that means an ongoing event.  It’s not just a one time thing.  It’s not just a matter of reading through Proverbs once or Psalms on occasion.  It’s a matter of continually reaching out and grabbing wisdom into your clutches.

So?  Read and embrace the truth so that it saturates your being.  That works best when it gets a good hug. 

Saturday, May 3, 2025

Choices and Promises

Proverbs 3:3 (KJV) Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

Which is more important, grace or obedience?  I’m not sure that either one is optional or expendable.  Grace obviously is central.  It is only through the free gift of God that we can know salvation.  It is only through the free gift of His Holy Spirit that we can know power and direction.  But I use the word “free” loosely because there is always a condition attached.  Salvation is beyond our reach.  It’s something we cannot do so we trust in Him.  At the same time there are actions He expects from us.

That brings me to this verse and I see two very important words here.  First you chesed.  That is the word translated “mercy” or “kindness”.  Then you have “truth”.  These are two central words to the Old Testament and the concepts translate into the New Testament.  But notice that we are to “write them on our heart”.  God gives a gift.  We must apply it.  The verse starts off with “let not”.  That speaks vigilance.

So?  Don’t squander the gifts of God.  Draw close to Him.  Take the word, read it, understand it, and apply it.  That’s the only way you will get it onto the tablet of your heart. 

Friday, May 2, 2025

Eternal Hike

Proverbs 2:21 (KJV) For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.

A part of me knows that this is a crazy interpretation, but when I read this, it seems to imply that those who live righteous lives will continue to dwell in the land.  That brings to mind the New Jerusalem.

What we like to call “heaven” is really the New Jerusalem on earth.  That is where eternity will be spent.  It will be the center of our existence, and I somehow feel will be able to take long walks in that land.

So?  There are all kinds of hints about where the righteous will spend eternity as opposed to where the wicked will be.  Hints are not declarations.  They are simply indications of possibilities.  The reality will be much better. 

Thursday, May 1, 2025

One Way

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

Remember the gesture we used to make meaning “one way”?  Remember watching Billy Graham riding in a parade and holding up that index finger signifying, “one way”?  It was a glorious moment.  It meant the Jesus was the only way.  Unfortunately it was not something that the entire population adopted.  Tragically it wasn’t even something that the entire church adopted.

Notice the one way that the general population and the majority of Christians choose to follow.  It is called “their own way”.  There may be brief times where it seems to follow the path that God has laid out, but ultimately it branches off, and does its own thing.  It may even be so close to the actual “way” that you can’t tell the difference with a casual glance.  That is where you would look to the other verses in this chapter and get clarification.

So?  Are you walking in your way or His way?  Don’t settle for second best.  It is almost never too late to get on the right path.  I would say never too late, but I’m afraid I read the verses before this.