(Pro 3:5 KJV) Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
"Understanding" (998) ultimately must be based on God's view of things, not on ours. We are forced into mystery here. Some truth we will see. Some truth is currently beyond us. I think of what it is like living with an inquisitive toddler in the house. She wants to examine everything. Sometimes I tell her “no” because I know if she opens a drawer she will see the tissue and decide that she needs to blow here nose, again and again. Her understanding makes it a priority. Other times I might forbid a sharp knife to her because I know what it can do and she doesn’t have a clue.
So? Face it. There are many times in life when we don’t have a clue. This can be when we can’t see a clear choice. It can also be when a resounding “no” is to save us from unseen danger.
Friday, April 3, 2020
Thursday, April 2, 2020
Heroic Choices
(Pro 2:20 KJV) That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.
Recently the untimely death of a famous athlete was in the news. It really doesn’t matter who he was. I knew the name but nothing about him. As expected, some of the headlines were about the glowing and tear rendering praises heaped upon him at the funeral and memorial services. Were they deserved? I have no idea. What bothered me more was the number of people who talked about him as if he were a great hero, someone to be emulated.
He was an athlete. He had a combination of specific skills that made him a whiz at playing a sport. Those skills might have made him useless in another sport. Either way this is not enough to make him a hero. We need to get over spending so much time praising quarterbacks, forwards and short stops. They make the world a better place by taking people’s minds off of the struggles of life but they don’t really improve anyone’s life.
So? Look for heroes among those who model goodness and righteousness. We don’t need more great pitchers, we need more great fathers. You also have a much better chance of being the latter, unless you are a woman, of course.
Recently the untimely death of a famous athlete was in the news. It really doesn’t matter who he was. I knew the name but nothing about him. As expected, some of the headlines were about the glowing and tear rendering praises heaped upon him at the funeral and memorial services. Were they deserved? I have no idea. What bothered me more was the number of people who talked about him as if he were a great hero, someone to be emulated.
He was an athlete. He had a combination of specific skills that made him a whiz at playing a sport. Those skills might have made him useless in another sport. Either way this is not enough to make him a hero. We need to get over spending so much time praising quarterbacks, forwards and short stops. They make the world a better place by taking people’s minds off of the struggles of life but they don’t really improve anyone’s life.
So? Look for heroes among those who model goodness and righteousness. We don’t need more great pitchers, we need more great fathers. You also have a much better chance of being the latter, unless you are a woman, of course.
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Rejoice in Reproof
(Pro 1:23 KJV) Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
Which comes first, the “turn” (7725) or the “pour” (5042)? Is the pouring out of the Holy Spirit a cause or an effect of repentance? I would say both.
If we refuse to admit we are sinners and have no desire to change course, there is little point in sending the Holy Spirit to do a work in us. Few Christians, except die-hard, five point Calvinists, believe that God coerces people into belief. If there is no buy-in on the part of the sinner the path of salvation runs into a wall.
As we walk with Jesus there are numerous corrections that will need to be made. Some of it is just part of the learning curve. Some will be the result of sin. We will become aware of the need for repentance. It can come from the simple inner conviction given by the Holy Spirit and run a spectrum to being confronted by someone who knows you well.
So? Being corrected is part of the spiritual path we all walk. Count is a progress.
Which comes first, the “turn” (7725) or the “pour” (5042)? Is the pouring out of the Holy Spirit a cause or an effect of repentance? I would say both.
If we refuse to admit we are sinners and have no desire to change course, there is little point in sending the Holy Spirit to do a work in us. Few Christians, except die-hard, five point Calvinists, believe that God coerces people into belief. If there is no buy-in on the part of the sinner the path of salvation runs into a wall.
As we walk with Jesus there are numerous corrections that will need to be made. Some of it is just part of the learning curve. Some will be the result of sin. We will become aware of the need for repentance. It can come from the simple inner conviction given by the Holy Spirit and run a spectrum to being confronted by someone who knows you well.
So? Being corrected is part of the spiritual path we all walk. Count is a progress.
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
The Boardwalk Principle
(Pro 31:9 KJV) Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
It is important that we notice the modifying term “righteously” (6664). This is a concept that does not fit into the recipe of modern culture. It is like adding cayenne as you make a creme brulee. Righteousness is a concept that brings our modern world to a screaming halt. It says “No”, which is not the big problem, although it is problem enough. What is rabidly rejected is, “Because God said so.”
Take for instance the current sexual revolution. In most sectors it is still frowned upon to cheat on your spouse. Adultery is still considered wrong, unless of course, she deserves it. Everything else is a go. God says, “Not so fast.” The secular forces keep running into this.
So? If you are going to play a board game you need to know the rules. In life, God is the one who makes the rules. You can kick and scream all you want it doesn’t change the fact that landing on Boardwalk with hotels will probably wipe you out.
It is important that we notice the modifying term “righteously” (6664). This is a concept that does not fit into the recipe of modern culture. It is like adding cayenne as you make a creme brulee. Righteousness is a concept that brings our modern world to a screaming halt. It says “No”, which is not the big problem, although it is problem enough. What is rabidly rejected is, “Because God said so.”
Take for instance the current sexual revolution. In most sectors it is still frowned upon to cheat on your spouse. Adultery is still considered wrong, unless of course, she deserves it. Everything else is a go. God says, “Not so fast.” The secular forces keep running into this.
So? If you are going to play a board game you need to know the rules. In life, God is the one who makes the rules. You can kick and scream all you want it doesn’t change the fact that landing on Boardwalk with hotels will probably wipe you out.
Monday, March 30, 2020
A Curse Caused
(Pro 30:11 KJV) There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.
One of the joys of my life is having the “kind” (1755) of kids that are willing to spend time with their parents. KJV uses “generation”. We do not embarrass them, at least not yet. It is one of the things that I think can be passed down and taught. I have two living brothers and they have a lot more children than I do. One thing I notice is that they get together a lot and enjoy being family.
Part of that is because of geography, they live close together. Part is the decision of the children. A large part is the atmosphere created by the parents. It is an atmosphere that started years ago and remains in force.
So? It is possible to have the generations enjoying each other. Let it start with you.
One of the joys of my life is having the “kind” (1755) of kids that are willing to spend time with their parents. KJV uses “generation”. We do not embarrass them, at least not yet. It is one of the things that I think can be passed down and taught. I have two living brothers and they have a lot more children than I do. One thing I notice is that they get together a lot and enjoy being family.
Part of that is because of geography, they live close together. Part is the decision of the children. A large part is the atmosphere created by the parents. It is an atmosphere that started years ago and remains in force.
So? It is possible to have the generations enjoying each other. Let it start with you.
Sunday, March 29, 2020
Target Practice
(Pro 29:22 KJV) An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
I don’t see any qualifiers on “angry” (639). We don’t see the source of it. We have no idea if it is righteous or not. Having said that we see how it is interpreted. It is sin.
How do we know that this anger is sin? Look at the target of the anger. It is stirring things up. It seems that it is multiplied in other behaviors. This is not the anger at injustice that makes you go on long walks and ponder on how you can work on a problem in your city. This is not the emotion that drives you to read your Bible more carefully to seek truth. This is a self centered lashing out for personal gratification.
So? What is the result of our response? When I get angry on the spur of the moment I tend to want to justify myself or win some points. That is certainly not in the category of righteous.
I don’t see any qualifiers on “angry” (639). We don’t see the source of it. We have no idea if it is righteous or not. Having said that we see how it is interpreted. It is sin.
How do we know that this anger is sin? Look at the target of the anger. It is stirring things up. It seems that it is multiplied in other behaviors. This is not the anger at injustice that makes you go on long walks and ponder on how you can work on a problem in your city. This is not the emotion that drives you to read your Bible more carefully to seek truth. This is a self centered lashing out for personal gratification.
So? What is the result of our response? When I get angry on the spur of the moment I tend to want to justify myself or win some points. That is certainly not in the category of righteous.
Saturday, March 28, 2020
A Difference of One
(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.
One “man” (120) [adam] can make a difference. It would do us well to remember that. History is full of individuals who have been the pivot point of a nations destiny. While there are many vying for positions of power and influence they seem to be part of the sin of the land, the problem rather than the solution.
The one supreme example of the exception would be Jesus. While He lived few knew who He was or what He was doing. He certainly made a difference. Through the Bible you see others like Moses or the apostle Paul. Today we have people hailing Barak Obama or Donald Trump. History will need to be the judge of people alive today. We know that if George Washington had been like most modern politicians the United States would have been stillborn.
So? I am not going to turn the country around. I might, however, have influence in my neighborhood, church or workplace. I definitely will leave a mark on my family. Sobering.
One “man” (120) [adam] can make a difference. It would do us well to remember that. History is full of individuals who have been the pivot point of a nations destiny. While there are many vying for positions of power and influence they seem to be part of the sin of the land, the problem rather than the solution.
The one supreme example of the exception would be Jesus. While He lived few knew who He was or what He was doing. He certainly made a difference. Through the Bible you see others like Moses or the apostle Paul. Today we have people hailing Barak Obama or Donald Trump. History will need to be the judge of people alive today. We know that if George Washington had been like most modern politicians the United States would have been stillborn.
So? I am not going to turn the country around. I might, however, have influence in my neighborhood, church or workplace. I definitely will leave a mark on my family. Sobering.
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