(Proverbs 21:8 KJV) The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.
In old movies about gangsters one of the labels used is “crooks”. At some time in my life I came to understand that it was a variation on “crooked”. When an ex-con would get his act together it was said he was going “straight”. Those are the root meanings of the two descriptions here.
Life is full of choices with a wide range of consequences. In some areas most people are straight and true. You don’t last long if you drive on the wrong side of the road. In some areas a lot of people fudge. What do most people say when asked how much they weigh? It is in the more significant areas that we find out what kind of people we are. That is why Proverbs talks a lot about such things as honest weights and measures. It reminds us constantly about telling the truth.
So? It makes a difference. Those who refuse to be straight are setting their sails for an eternity in Hell. It is clear. It is ignored and denied. It is still true. Consider.
Friday, December 21, 2018
Thursday, December 20, 2018
The Mundane
(Proverbs 20:14 KJV) It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
I have read very little in the writings of Buddhism and Hinduism. I have read the Koran enough to have a feel but not enough to remember the possible stories. Somehow I don’t think any of them have little nuggets like this. The Bible has all kinds of passages that touch life in a very familiar way, that make us say, “I have been there.” If you have ever been to a yard sale or bought a used car you know what is going on here. It is the way we function.
I say that to point out that the Bible is a very real connection between the eternal and the temporal, between the divine and the mundane. Jesus did not say He was the transcendent epitome of the categorical imperative, whatever that is. He said, “I am the bread of life.”
So? God reaches out to us where we are. Jesus has walked in our shoes. We have a God who cares about the small things because they are the only things we can really understand. Rejoice as we move toward the celebration of the incarnation. God intrudes in our lives when we change diapers and when we hit the garage sales.
I have read very little in the writings of Buddhism and Hinduism. I have read the Koran enough to have a feel but not enough to remember the possible stories. Somehow I don’t think any of them have little nuggets like this. The Bible has all kinds of passages that touch life in a very familiar way, that make us say, “I have been there.” If you have ever been to a yard sale or bought a used car you know what is going on here. It is the way we function.
I say that to point out that the Bible is a very real connection between the eternal and the temporal, between the divine and the mundane. Jesus did not say He was the transcendent epitome of the categorical imperative, whatever that is. He said, “I am the bread of life.”
So? God reaches out to us where we are. Jesus has walked in our shoes. We have a God who cares about the small things because they are the only things we can really understand. Rejoice as we move toward the celebration of the incarnation. God intrudes in our lives when we change diapers and when we hit the garage sales.
Wednesday, December 19, 2018
The Roar and the Reality
(Proverbs 19:12 KJV) The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
Recently in a conversation I stated that I was not sure democracy could be justified from the Bible. The Bible seems to assume a king and a noble class. As Americans we tend to react to that and much of the reaction is based on a lack of understanding about monarchies. We tend to think of kings as having absolute power. That is usually not the case. There is always something to limit their influence and make them a bit cautious. If they are not sensitive to those forces they will move to the history books instead of staying on the thrones.
Thus kings can roar and they do have a bite but the two are not the same. If you are the one in sight at the time of the displeasure, you can suffer. Further away, not so much. The lesson of Proverbs and the Bible is that we owe some allegiance to the political authority but ultimately we are responsible to God. So we vote and petition. It is our responsibility in the style of government that we have. We need to realize that even in a dictatorship where we do not have those rights we still can live in the freedom of knowing God is in charge.
So? Whatever your political arrangements, have hope and a confidence in the future. My hope is not based on a majority in the halls of congress but in a King on the throne of the universe. Keep that in mind as we begin to watch the campaigns for the elections of 2020.
Recently in a conversation I stated that I was not sure democracy could be justified from the Bible. The Bible seems to assume a king and a noble class. As Americans we tend to react to that and much of the reaction is based on a lack of understanding about monarchies. We tend to think of kings as having absolute power. That is usually not the case. There is always something to limit their influence and make them a bit cautious. If they are not sensitive to those forces they will move to the history books instead of staying on the thrones.
Thus kings can roar and they do have a bite but the two are not the same. If you are the one in sight at the time of the displeasure, you can suffer. Further away, not so much. The lesson of Proverbs and the Bible is that we owe some allegiance to the political authority but ultimately we are responsible to God. So we vote and petition. It is our responsibility in the style of government that we have. We need to realize that even in a dictatorship where we do not have those rights we still can live in the freedom of knowing God is in charge.
So? Whatever your political arrangements, have hope and a confidence in the future. My hope is not based on a majority in the halls of congress but in a King on the throne of the universe. Keep that in mind as we begin to watch the campaigns for the elections of 2020.
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Expert Advice
(Proverbs 18:5 KJV) It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
There are a few areas where I value the expertise of others. If I am experimenting in the kitchen then I ask questions of people who have demonstrated they know how to produce masterpieces. I do not ask my son in law. And depending what my question was, I might even listen because some people know what they are talking about. Other areas I prefer my own thought processes.
An example might be looking for insight in my Bible commentaries. Over the years I have used them less and less, not because the authors are “wicked” (7563) but because I know the Bible well enough to consult it and if the answer isn’t there then the odds are the experts are just giving their opinions. I have a few study Bibles but I rarely read the comments because I know ahead of time what the slant is going to be.
So? Be careful whom you listen to. It is possible that the “expert” is one of those old drips under pressure that you hear so much about and too much from. Keep checking the manual for directions.
There are a few areas where I value the expertise of others. If I am experimenting in the kitchen then I ask questions of people who have demonstrated they know how to produce masterpieces. I do not ask my son in law. And depending what my question was, I might even listen because some people know what they are talking about. Other areas I prefer my own thought processes.
An example might be looking for insight in my Bible commentaries. Over the years I have used them less and less, not because the authors are “wicked” (7563) but because I know the Bible well enough to consult it and if the answer isn’t there then the odds are the experts are just giving their opinions. I have a few study Bibles but I rarely read the comments because I know ahead of time what the slant is going to be.
So? Be careful whom you listen to. It is possible that the “expert” is one of those old drips under pressure that you hear so much about and too much from. Keep checking the manual for directions.
Monday, December 17, 2018
The Obvious
(Proverbs 17:19 KJV) He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
What is your basic motivation? It makes a difference. So often the results differ according to the heart sense that causes the action. Two people can go through the same situation and come out with totally different results.
Sometimes the difference is because of what people sense in us. This can be subtle or overt. The result is the same. Arrogance can announce itself in the way we walk or in a tone of voice. We are not as good at acting as we think and often we don’t bother to cover up what our motivation is. In a yard sale I will let something go cheaper to someone who seems to appreciate it as opposed to an obvious dealer who just plans to make a profit.
Sometimes the difference is because of what God sees in our hearts. We can fool our friends. We can fool ourselves. We cannot fool God. This is why we will be surprised about who makes it to heaven and who is absent.
So? Start by being honest with yourself. That can be a real challenge. Then be honest with God. Remember, He knows anyway.
What is your basic motivation? It makes a difference. So often the results differ according to the heart sense that causes the action. Two people can go through the same situation and come out with totally different results.
Sometimes the difference is because of what people sense in us. This can be subtle or overt. The result is the same. Arrogance can announce itself in the way we walk or in a tone of voice. We are not as good at acting as we think and often we don’t bother to cover up what our motivation is. In a yard sale I will let something go cheaper to someone who seems to appreciate it as opposed to an obvious dealer who just plans to make a profit.
Sometimes the difference is because of what God sees in our hearts. We can fool our friends. We can fool ourselves. We cannot fool God. This is why we will be surprised about who makes it to heaven and who is absent.
So? Start by being honest with yourself. That can be a real challenge. Then be honest with God. Remember, He knows anyway.
Sunday, December 16, 2018
Power Plays
(Proverbs 16:7 KJV) When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
We really need to be reminded of this in our current toxic political climate. If you are a genuine follower of Jesus Christ, you are out of sync with your environment. Really. There are very few positions you can take that will not be offensive to the servants of Satan. At the current time they seem to be in control of most popular voices be it fiction or the nightly news. They have enough power that they can mess your life up if they want.
Or so they think. What we need to realize is that God can control their actions and even their thoughts. These are people who have already rejected the God of the universe so why would He respect their privacy? Think of historic leaders who have done things that were either not in their best interests or were really stupid. Go back to Pharaoh when he released Israel. Go forward to Hitler when he gave the order to back off at Dunkirk or to invade the Soviet Union. You really think He can’t influence your neighbor?
So? Keep in mind that your destiny, and your day, are in the hands of God. He may not follow your plan for the day but He will move.
We really need to be reminded of this in our current toxic political climate. If you are a genuine follower of Jesus Christ, you are out of sync with your environment. Really. There are very few positions you can take that will not be offensive to the servants of Satan. At the current time they seem to be in control of most popular voices be it fiction or the nightly news. They have enough power that they can mess your life up if they want.
Or so they think. What we need to realize is that God can control their actions and even their thoughts. These are people who have already rejected the God of the universe so why would He respect their privacy? Think of historic leaders who have done things that were either not in their best interests or were really stupid. Go back to Pharaoh when he released Israel. Go forward to Hitler when he gave the order to back off at Dunkirk or to invade the Soviet Union. You really think He can’t influence your neighbor?
So? Keep in mind that your destiny, and your day, are in the hands of God. He may not follow your plan for the day but He will move.
Saturday, December 15, 2018
Common Language
(Proverbs 15:2 KJV) The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
Here is a real challenge. We have a responsibility to make the truth of God “aright” (acceptable NASB) (3190). I really don’t think that means to water it down with pablum or sweeten it up with processed sweetness. It does mean presenting it in such a way that it will be listened to. One of the big keys to communicating is our attitude. I would say the listener’s attitude but there often is little we can do about that problem which does not involve ours.
This probably involves listening and paying attention. If we are talking to someone who is into fast cars then we probably should not dwell on historical issues. If they are into opera, don’t try to discuss rap. Jesus was known for his communication and he talked about the things people were familiar with. He talked of farming and sheep. He did not spend a lot of time discussing the current fashions in Rome.
So? Don’t abandon truth but try to put it in words that others can understand. Seems simple but it isn’t.
Here is a real challenge. We have a responsibility to make the truth of God “aright” (acceptable NASB) (3190). I really don’t think that means to water it down with pablum or sweeten it up with processed sweetness. It does mean presenting it in such a way that it will be listened to. One of the big keys to communicating is our attitude. I would say the listener’s attitude but there often is little we can do about that problem which does not involve ours.
This probably involves listening and paying attention. If we are talking to someone who is into fast cars then we probably should not dwell on historical issues. If they are into opera, don’t try to discuss rap. Jesus was known for his communication and he talked about the things people were familiar with. He talked of farming and sheep. He did not spend a lot of time discussing the current fashions in Rome.
So? Don’t abandon truth but try to put it in words that others can understand. Seems simple but it isn’t.
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