(Proverbs 7:2 KJV) Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.
Literal translation has a lot to say for it. Unfortunately the translators of the Bible like to interpret and expand on the simple Hebrew. The most common translation of this verse includes the word “apple” (380) when the literal meaning is “pupil”. The NASB at least has the decency to give that in the margin. I think the word “apple” is simplistic and condescending. It is cute but ignores the depth of the meaning.
The “commandments” (4687) of God are not something you make a pie out of or get a little twinkle going about. It is not a fruit that comes in many varieties and has a sweet flavor. They are the gateway through which everything we see and read must pass. The pupil may get larger or smaller depending on the amount of light but it is still the only way for light to get into a healthy eye.
So? If you hand an orange to someone who has never seen any fruit and say, “Would you like an apple?” They will thank you and take it. If you try to pass off deceit as truth to someone who filters everything through the established word of God, at best you get laughed at. Build your filters, one verse at a time.
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
Drive the Devil Crazy
(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.
My knowledge of hypnotism is limited to popular myth in fictional literature and media. That means I am not even sure if it exists. One of the “rules” of hypnotism I have heard is that even under hypnosis a person will not do things that they normally consider wrong. Let’s accept that for today’s thinking. My wife listens to a lot of conspiracy folks and one of their themes is that a lot of these people shooting up public spaces claim to be hearing voices. Her sources say this is the result of the CIA experimenting with mind control. Putting these things together it makes you wonder how many of these shooters were already open to mass murder.
Now to today’s verse and its context. I think that we tend to act and respond based on what we have internalized. If we have spent time reading and meditating on the wisdom of God then we are told that it will “guide” (5148) us and “talk” (7878) to us. That means that when a shiny offers itself up to us we may begin to reach but then moral values that we have built up will stop the hand. Often the temptation will simply slide by unnoticed because it has been bared from our list of possibilities. I bet that drives the devil crazy.
So? Drive the devil crazy. Get busy building an internal source file of all the wonderful things God has to teach you. Then when you hear voices it will be the voice of Wisdom and the whisper of the Holy Spirit.
My knowledge of hypnotism is limited to popular myth in fictional literature and media. That means I am not even sure if it exists. One of the “rules” of hypnotism I have heard is that even under hypnosis a person will not do things that they normally consider wrong. Let’s accept that for today’s thinking. My wife listens to a lot of conspiracy folks and one of their themes is that a lot of these people shooting up public spaces claim to be hearing voices. Her sources say this is the result of the CIA experimenting with mind control. Putting these things together it makes you wonder how many of these shooters were already open to mass murder.
Now to today’s verse and its context. I think that we tend to act and respond based on what we have internalized. If we have spent time reading and meditating on the wisdom of God then we are told that it will “guide” (5148) us and “talk” (7878) to us. That means that when a shiny offers itself up to us we may begin to reach but then moral values that we have built up will stop the hand. Often the temptation will simply slide by unnoticed because it has been bared from our list of possibilities. I bet that drives the devil crazy.
So? Drive the devil crazy. Get busy building an internal source file of all the wonderful things God has to teach you. Then when you hear voices it will be the voice of Wisdom and the whisper of the Holy Spirit.
Monday, November 5, 2018
Pay Attention
(Proverbs 5:23 KJV) He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.
A question I used to hear when people were more concerned was, “What about the people who have never heard the gospel?” They are in the same situation as people who have heard the gospel and refused to listen: They are going to “die” (4191). This obviously is talking about an eternal, spiritual death. The sad part of this truth is that there is actually more hope for people who have never been in a location to hear the gospel than there is for the church member who has heard it repeatedly and will not listen. God is not out looking for ways to send people to hell. They have already made that choice but,
So? Pay attention. If you find that you are not hearing anything it may be because you are listening to the wrong people and places. It could be that you are reading too much at your favorite gossip column and not in the Word. Adjust accordingly.
A question I used to hear when people were more concerned was, “What about the people who have never heard the gospel?” They are in the same situation as people who have heard the gospel and refused to listen: They are going to “die” (4191). This obviously is talking about an eternal, spiritual death. The sad part of this truth is that there is actually more hope for people who have never been in a location to hear the gospel than there is for the church member who has heard it repeatedly and will not listen. God is not out looking for ways to send people to hell. They have already made that choice but,
(Romans 2:14 KJV) For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:But back to our verse. If you read through this chapter and the book of Proverbs you find a theme of being careful that you pay attention to what you are being taught. This chapter is full of warnings about not listening and following what you hear. It is not a warning that someone else is not listening. It is meant for you and for me.
So? Pay attention. If you find that you are not hearing anything it may be because you are listening to the wrong people and places. It could be that you are reading too much at your favorite gossip column and not in the Word. Adjust accordingly.
Sunday, November 4, 2018
Follow the Path
(Proverbs 4:18 KJV) But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
There is a “path (734) of “the just” (righteousness NASB) (6662). I need that reminder this morning. As I skim through the major news stories today and see what is covered along with what is ignored I see the forces of evil and lethargy running the show. Or so it seems. The gurus of subjectivism and the prophets of socialism seem to control the seats of power and communication. Solomon was not ignorant of such things even in his day. Evil thrives but the path is still there.
The theme is victory in the face of onslaught. The key is keeping our eyes and our feet on the path. There will be distractions. Those are only dangerous if we pay too much attention. It is hard to ignore a sudden scream but we don’t need to go chasing or fleeing just because we are startled. We need to keep focused on the wisdom that is offered.
So? Yes, the bad guys are out there. They don’t all wear black hats. None of them will be on the path to life and that is our goal. Trust and obey are such important guidelines.
There is a “path (734) of “the just” (righteousness NASB) (6662). I need that reminder this morning. As I skim through the major news stories today and see what is covered along with what is ignored I see the forces of evil and lethargy running the show. Or so it seems. The gurus of subjectivism and the prophets of socialism seem to control the seats of power and communication. Solomon was not ignorant of such things even in his day. Evil thrives but the path is still there.
The theme is victory in the face of onslaught. The key is keeping our eyes and our feet on the path. There will be distractions. Those are only dangerous if we pay too much attention. It is hard to ignore a sudden scream but we don’t need to go chasing or fleeing just because we are startled. We need to keep focused on the wisdom that is offered.
So? Yes, the bad guys are out there. They don’t all wear black hats. None of them will be on the path to life and that is our goal. Trust and obey are such important guidelines.
Saturday, November 3, 2018
Healthy Blessings
(Proverbs 3:8 KJV) It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
“Health” (healing NASB) (7500) is a great blessing. I tend to take it for granted. That is why it is good for me to get out and see more people. Walking through a store and seeing so many leaning heavy on their shopping carts reminds me that I have little pain. Seeing people argue over the electric carts reminds me that I am still mobile. Watching others my age taking handfuls of pills makes me thankful I only have one.
So I don’t know what to make of a verse like this. It seems to be saying that by listening and applying the wisdom of God we will be healthier. It seems to be saying that our physical and financial well being are tied to our seeking wisdom. I struggle with that, not because I am so blessed so this would make me wise, but because I know I am not as wise as others who have more issues than I do.
So? This is a good place to “judge not” because it crosses into areas that we are not equipped to go. I can never know someone else’s heart. I can know that God is calling each of us to seek Him and listen to what He is trying to say. I can know that it will make a difference.
“Health” (healing NASB) (7500) is a great blessing. I tend to take it for granted. That is why it is good for me to get out and see more people. Walking through a store and seeing so many leaning heavy on their shopping carts reminds me that I have little pain. Seeing people argue over the electric carts reminds me that I am still mobile. Watching others my age taking handfuls of pills makes me thankful I only have one.
So I don’t know what to make of a verse like this. It seems to be saying that by listening and applying the wisdom of God we will be healthier. It seems to be saying that our physical and financial well being are tied to our seeking wisdom. I struggle with that, not because I am so blessed so this would make me wise, but because I know I am not as wise as others who have more issues than I do.
So? This is a good place to “judge not” because it crosses into areas that we are not equipped to go. I can never know someone else’s heart. I can know that God is calling each of us to seek Him and listen to what He is trying to say. I can know that it will make a difference.
Friday, November 2, 2018
Activate Shields
(Proverbs 2:7 KJV) He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
I noticed today the different words that are used about God’s protection of His people. In this verse we have the “buckler” (shield NASB) (4043). Here it is a noun but it can also be a verb. As you read through the chapter you find other concepts: Guard, preserve, deliver. This is an important reminder. If you look at the headlines you will find that the world is coming apart around you. Not only do you have violent crime and corruption in government but also hurricanes, typhoons and earthquakes. And don’t forget wasps and scorpions.
What is a person to do? At one level use common sense. Keep some food and water on hand. Lock your doors. Vote responsibly. Count your change. You can read about those on all the on-line sites about preparing. Proverbs takes it to a new level. Be “righteous” (upright NASB) (3477). Walk “uprightly” (in integrity NASB) (8537). You see, those are the conditions that activate providence.
So? It is not a matter of God helping those who help themselves. It is a matter of God helping those who trust and obey.
I noticed today the different words that are used about God’s protection of His people. In this verse we have the “buckler” (shield NASB) (4043). Here it is a noun but it can also be a verb. As you read through the chapter you find other concepts: Guard, preserve, deliver. This is an important reminder. If you look at the headlines you will find that the world is coming apart around you. Not only do you have violent crime and corruption in government but also hurricanes, typhoons and earthquakes. And don’t forget wasps and scorpions.
What is a person to do? At one level use common sense. Keep some food and water on hand. Lock your doors. Vote responsibly. Count your change. You can read about those on all the on-line sites about preparing. Proverbs takes it to a new level. Be “righteous” (upright NASB) (3477). Walk “uprightly” (in integrity NASB) (8537). You see, those are the conditions that activate providence.
So? It is not a matter of God helping those who help themselves. It is a matter of God helping those who trust and obey.
Thursday, November 1, 2018
Election Preparation
(Proverbs 1:5 KJV) A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
As I continue to get older I can tell that I am going down hill. I am doing well for my age. I am not sure if my mind is still undull, but I am at least aware that I don’t know as much as I used to. This verse reminds us that we can always learn and add to our pool of wisdom and knowledge. That applies whether we are young, fresh and in an advanced Ph.D. program or whether we are having trouble remembering where we parked our car. We can “hear” (8085) and “increase” (3254).
I guess at my age I should rejoice that there is so much more to learn than when I was at my sharpest. It is like reading an old book that we have read before. The story can still be fresh and uplifting.
So? Learn something today. Practice a new song or relearn an old one. Keep moving down that road. I remind myself I am not only preparing myself to vote because there is an election coming but preparing myself for eternity because there is an election coming.
As I continue to get older I can tell that I am going down hill. I am doing well for my age. I am not sure if my mind is still undull, but I am at least aware that I don’t know as much as I used to. This verse reminds us that we can always learn and add to our pool of wisdom and knowledge. That applies whether we are young, fresh and in an advanced Ph.D. program or whether we are having trouble remembering where we parked our car. We can “hear” (8085) and “increase” (3254).
I guess at my age I should rejoice that there is so much more to learn than when I was at my sharpest. It is like reading an old book that we have read before. The story can still be fresh and uplifting.
So? Learn something today. Practice a new song or relearn an old one. Keep moving down that road. I remind myself I am not only preparing myself to vote because there is an election coming but preparing myself for eternity because there is an election coming.
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