(Pro 10:21 KJV) The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
One of the points made to push people to witness and evangelize is that you may be the only source of contact the non-believer has with the gospel. I think there is a bit of cotton candy theology mixed in with that. Cotton candy is formed by taking a small amount of sugar and adding a lot of air to make it look a lot bigger. I think it is safe to say that just about everyone we come in contact with has been touched by either the gospel or some kind of pre-gospel presentation. Notice in the verse that there seems to be plenty of wisdom available but the fools are not accessing it.
Think about the presentation points. Most traditional Christmas carols have the redemption story worked in. We have holidays that are based on the concept of saints. Valentine and Patrick come to mind. Many cartoons strips make reference to spiritual things. The information is out there, just ignored or deliberately avoided.
So? Be ready to make a defense of your hope as Peter tells us. Don’t get trapped into thinking it all depends on how many verses you have mastered in the right order. They need to be willing to listen and prepared by the Holy Spirit.
Friday, April 10, 2020
Thursday, April 9, 2020
Are You Hearing Voices?
(Pro 9:15 KJV) To call passengers who go right on their ways:
Let’s assume for a moment that we are part of those who are trying to walk in righteousness. That is the group referred to at the end of this verse. Also assume that evil forces are trying to get us to listen to their sales pitch. Should we? I would say that we need to listen as long as it takes us to find out if they are a voice of righteousness or a voice of sin.
That is going to be different for each of us. If you are well versed in scripture it might not take you long to pick up the twists of the lies. It might even be necessary to listen longer because you are trying to understand them so you can defend against them. Each of us is going to have to decide what we can handle. I am trying to work through the Koran again because I want to understand Islam. At the same time I quit reading a commentary on Isaiah that was written by a lock step Calvinist. The difference is that the Koran is not being read for spiritual enlightenment and the commentary was. I assume I can’t trust the Koran. I can’t afford that in a commentary.
So? We can’t shut the world out but we can filter what gets our attention. Following the Living God means having a living brain.
Let’s assume for a moment that we are part of those who are trying to walk in righteousness. That is the group referred to at the end of this verse. Also assume that evil forces are trying to get us to listen to their sales pitch. Should we? I would say that we need to listen as long as it takes us to find out if they are a voice of righteousness or a voice of sin.
That is going to be different for each of us. If you are well versed in scripture it might not take you long to pick up the twists of the lies. It might even be necessary to listen longer because you are trying to understand them so you can defend against them. Each of us is going to have to decide what we can handle. I am trying to work through the Koran again because I want to understand Islam. At the same time I quit reading a commentary on Isaiah that was written by a lock step Calvinist. The difference is that the Koran is not being read for spiritual enlightenment and the commentary was. I assume I can’t trust the Koran. I can’t afford that in a commentary.
So? We can’t shut the world out but we can filter what gets our attention. Following the Living God means having a living brain.
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
Long Term Investments
(Pro 8:25 KJV) Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
I have an ongoing debate with a friend about something called dispensationalism. It is an interesting conversation that forces me to think about what I believe and why I believe it. I went to a website that he uses for reference and looked around a bit. One of the things that I found was a claim that the Christian church had been missing this important insight that they had. This new idea changed everything. That is my paraphrase but I think it is honest.
Someone older and wiser once said that if it is new it probably isn’t true and if it is true, it probably isn’t new. That again is a paraphrase. It is a good bit of advice. That is double true when it comes to theology or understanding in the Bible. There are no great new truths to be uncovered. We can be reminded, renewed and redirected but not given a whole new message.
So? Don’t waste a lot of time with popular new gurus. Invest in that which has been around for the ages. It will still be there tomorrow.
I have an ongoing debate with a friend about something called dispensationalism. It is an interesting conversation that forces me to think about what I believe and why I believe it. I went to a website that he uses for reference and looked around a bit. One of the things that I found was a claim that the Christian church had been missing this important insight that they had. This new idea changed everything. That is my paraphrase but I think it is honest.
Someone older and wiser once said that if it is new it probably isn’t true and if it is true, it probably isn’t new. That again is a paraphrase. It is a good bit of advice. That is double true when it comes to theology or understanding in the Bible. There are no great new truths to be uncovered. We can be reminded, renewed and redirected but not given a whole new message.
So? Don’t waste a lot of time with popular new gurus. Invest in that which has been around for the ages. It will still be there tomorrow.
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
Planning to Fall
(Pro 7:9 KJV) In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night:
For most of us the times listed in this verse are our times of most vulnerability. We are tired and unfocused. If there is a part of the day when we are least attentive, these qualify. This is when the young man in question is moving toward tragedy. He is moving step by step. He has plenty of opportunity to change or withdraw, but onward he goes.
So? Most of our great sins were seen a long way off. They are the ones that are harder to have forgiven because they were not moments of weakness but the result of planning and choice. The time to avoid sin is when it first occurs to us.
For most of us the times listed in this verse are our times of most vulnerability. We are tired and unfocused. If there is a part of the day when we are least attentive, these qualify. This is when the young man in question is moving toward tragedy. He is moving step by step. He has plenty of opportunity to change or withdraw, but onward he goes.
So? Most of our great sins were seen a long way off. They are the ones that are harder to have forgiven because they were not moments of weakness but the result of planning and choice. The time to avoid sin is when it first occurs to us.
Monday, April 6, 2020
What a Bargain
(Pro 6:31 KJV) But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.
On the eternal standard, sin must be punished. Wrong must be righted. It goes along with the science fiction concept TANSTAAFL. That stands for “there ain’t no such thing as a free lunch”. Eventually all of the things people think they are getting away with will be rewarded. The only difference between people is where and when.
The good news of the gospel is that God has made provision for our sins. There is a way to balance the scale without spending an eternity in hell. Jesus did that on the cross. He is called The Perfect Lamb of God because He was a sacrifice worthy of paying the price for our sin. He was the price. In Proverbs the thief is to pay seven times. In eternal terms there is no way we can pay. Jesus can.
So? The key is when and where. If we wait too long then the deal is off.
On the eternal standard, sin must be punished. Wrong must be righted. It goes along with the science fiction concept TANSTAAFL. That stands for “there ain’t no such thing as a free lunch”. Eventually all of the things people think they are getting away with will be rewarded. The only difference between people is where and when.
The good news of the gospel is that God has made provision for our sins. There is a way to balance the scale without spending an eternity in hell. Jesus did that on the cross. He is called The Perfect Lamb of God because He was a sacrifice worthy of paying the price for our sin. He was the price. In Proverbs the thief is to pay seven times. In eternal terms there is no way we can pay. Jesus can.
So? The key is when and where. If we wait too long then the deal is off.
Sunday, April 5, 2020
The Baby Monitor
(Pro 5:21 KJV) For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.
As I write I am in the sight of a security monitor. I have no idea if anyone is watching, but it is possible. It is in my room to monitor the baby crib during nap time but it can be accessed whenever someone once to take the time. I tend to forget about it. I was reminded of it one day when my wife spoke to me through its little speaker. You see it also has the ability to let the parent tell the kid to lay down. It is a bit startling to have the walls start talking to you.
It is easy to forget that God is watching. He knows what color underwear you have on. He sees you sneak that extra cookie. It even goes further, He knows what you are thinking.
So? Live like someone is taking notes because Someone is.
As I write I am in the sight of a security monitor. I have no idea if anyone is watching, but it is possible. It is in my room to monitor the baby crib during nap time but it can be accessed whenever someone once to take the time. I tend to forget about it. I was reminded of it one day when my wife spoke to me through its little speaker. You see it also has the ability to let the parent tell the kid to lay down. It is a bit startling to have the walls start talking to you.
It is easy to forget that God is watching. He knows what color underwear you have on. He sees you sneak that extra cookie. It even goes further, He knows what you are thinking.
So? Live like someone is taking notes because Someone is.
Saturday, April 4, 2020
High Ways
(Pro 4:8 KJV) Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
I know you wish this was your wife being spoken about. It would be a great proof text for marital relations. It would be so easy. Unfortunately it is referring to wisdom.
We are to “exalt” (prize NASB) (5549) wisdom. I think the KJV gets more of the nuance here. As I was looking at the definitions I saw “to cast up a highway”. If you have ever needed to drive on a road during a massive storm you know how grateful you can be when the engineers designing it paid attention to drainage patterns in the area. To keep clear the road must be above possible water levels in a time of flood. The same is true of wisdom. It must be above the churning floods of life. We must keep it high and dry.
So? One point of wisdom is to lift us out of the mud. Build the highway of your life well.
I know you wish this was your wife being spoken about. It would be a great proof text for marital relations. It would be so easy. Unfortunately it is referring to wisdom.
We are to “exalt” (prize NASB) (5549) wisdom. I think the KJV gets more of the nuance here. As I was looking at the definitions I saw “to cast up a highway”. If you have ever needed to drive on a road during a massive storm you know how grateful you can be when the engineers designing it paid attention to drainage patterns in the area. To keep clear the road must be above possible water levels in a time of flood. The same is true of wisdom. It must be above the churning floods of life. We must keep it high and dry.
So? One point of wisdom is to lift us out of the mud. Build the highway of your life well.
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