Say Goodby to Eden

(Psa 106:8 KJV)  Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.

(Proverbs 14 also read)

This is a hard lesson for us to get down.  God does not exist for our purposes.  We exist for His.  One of the basic tenets of sin is self-centeredness.  Remember Satan’s appeal to Eve that she could be as a god if she would ignore the word of the Lord.  How did that work out?

When we get our priorities reversed we can count on it working out the same for us.  I don’t know what Eden you might be kicked out of or what potential you might be denied but it will not be what you thought it would be.  God is God.  He is the Creator.  We are created.  We are created in His image, yes, but we are still created.

So?  The glory is His.  We need to be grateful that He is willing to let us join Him.

A Key Definition

(1Jn 4:8 KJV)  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

(Proverbs 13 also read)

 This is a proclamation about God that deserves to be trumpeted more often.  We have a simple statement, repeated in verse 16, that “God” (2316) is “love” (25) [agape].  It is important for us to understand this in order to understand God.  

This is agape love.  It is a special category in the New Testament.  It summarizes all of the attributes of God and gives them a context.  We need to be careful that we do not limit God by having a false understanding of what agape is.  It is not Hollywood love.  It is not warm fuzzy love.  It is not an emotion.  It is a decision.  It is a condition.  It is something that not only helps us understand God but reminds us of the kind of person we are supposed to be.

So?  Spend some time thinking about the Biblical definition of love.  Maybe you could get out a concordance and do a word study.  Be one who knows God because you love. 

Rotten Choices

(Pro 12:4 KJV)  A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

How locked in are we to the way people treat us?  Like so many parts of life, we make choices.  When someone “shames” (954) us we can respond in many ways.  We can internalize it and let it fester.  I think that is the situation this verse refers to.  I have noticed in my life that the criticism that bothers me the most is from someone I let past my defenses.  When a beggar at the door of the 7/11 tells me I am cheap it doesn’t bother me.  When my wife says it, “Ouch.”

The solution is not to refuse to listen but to consider.  Consider the source.  Consider the object of the criticism.  It is very possible that the comments are valid and we need to take another look at how we are living.

So?  Don’t let it get you down.  Isn’t that easy to say but hard to live.  Focus on Jesus and grow in grace.  The criticism can be the making of you. 

A Life in Balance

(Pro 11:1 KJV)  A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.

Put your discussions of the trinity on the back burner.  Let the substitutionary atonement wait for another day.  God is concerned about your scales.  We tend to forget this.  God is very practical.  Living a righteous life is very basic.  It comes down to simply not cheating in your daily life.

Obviously most of us do not use a balance beam scale on a regular basis, but I think you get the point.  God’s call to holiness touches every area of our lives, not just our doctrine.

So?  Take a moment to consider your day.  Look back for 24 hours.  Are you applying God to all you do?  Now is a good time to start. 

Glory!

(Psa 100:1 KJV)  A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

(Proverbs 10 also read)

 How should we express our love and awe at the thought and experience of Almighty God?  This verse has two sides expressed in one Hebrew word.  “Make a joyful noise” (Shout joyfully NASB) (7321) is a word that speaks of a loud expression.  In some of the Hebrew usages it has the idea of joy.  Put together the KJV and the NASB and you get an act of worship.  

Our worship is a bit inhibited.  Some of that is personality.  Some of it is training.  Too much of it is lack of awareness of the glory of God and the privilege of knowing Him.  Somehow the creator of the universe has a spot in His being that desires our input, our love.  Moses received the law to help mold these beings.  Jesus went to the cross to make the relationship available to all.  

So?  Think about it.  It is something to shout about.  I occasionally do it in private.  Maybe someday I will shout out in public.  I know I will do it before the throne.

Grandma’s or Fast Food

(Pro 9:4 KJV)  Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

Again I point out that this verse is identical to verse 16.  Every time I go through this chapter I try to put my finger on the differences built around two identical statements.  One leads to wisdom and the other to death.  How can we know which we are listening to?  Today I am noticing the element of preparation.

The first woman spends a lot of time preparing the banquet.  The second sits down and calls.  Think of the difference between dinner at grandma’s and a drive through where the tacos are prepared from the freezer to the fryer to the window.  When it comes to a meal we can tell the difference.  When it comes to Bible teachers I think we can also tell the difference.  The question is, “Do you want to know?”

So?  Consider to whom you listen.  Do their words reflect serious study, contemplation and thought or is it just the current popular jargon of the day.  Partake cautiously.

Difficult Birth

(Pro 8:24 KJV)  When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.

In looking at the explanation of “brought forth” (2342a) it seemed like it was a real struggle.  Without getting into whether wisdom is eternal or not we have here a statement that is seems to have been a real difficult move for wisdom to be moved from the nature of God into the universe He created.

It struck me that it is sometimes just as difficult for Him to move that wisdom from the abstract to the concrete in our lives and minds.  Think of trying to stuff a pillow into a case that is a bit small.  Think of herding cats.  Think of imparting wisdom to us.

So?  I want to make it as easy as possible for God to teach me.  He is the power but I am the consent.