(Pro 30:12 KJV) There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
One of the qualities that seems universal is the inability to see ourselves as we are. Some people don’t try. They assume they are the measuring stick for mankind. They don’t seem to be aware that others feel differently. And then we tend to gather with people of like mind. It is like adding green onions to my salad. They are really good. I like the taste. If everyone else eats the salad, all is good, but when you get around someone who hasn’t indulged they ask, “What is that smell?”
It must get really bad for me to smell it. When I do I start looking around trying to find what is stinking. Eventually I realize it is me.
So? Identify the onions of life and avoid them. Be alert for new sources such as Mongolian barbecue or certain types of chili peppers. Listen to what others tell you. Life does not need to be full of the stink of arrogance.
Saturday, November 30, 2019
Friday, November 29, 2019
Delayed Gratification
(Pro 29:17 KJV) Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
As I parent I would like to add a footnote here. The “delight” (5474) might not be obvious at the time of correction. In fact I would say that it will be well hidden. Disciplining children is not fun. It is not affirming. It does build character both in the child and the parent. It is necessary.
Currently I am reliving experiences of 38 years ago when our firstborn was a toddler. I am not getting a refresher course in toddlerhood with my granddaughter. The good part of it is that the real responsibility belongs to my daughter. Since we did a good job on her years ago we can now delight in her doing a good job with the next generation.
So? Sometimes the gratification is delayed no matter what you do. If you are still in the early years of training you have my sympathy but hang in there, pay the price, go the extra mile and delight in the results. Sometime. Better than my promise is God’s promise.
As I parent I would like to add a footnote here. The “delight” (5474) might not be obvious at the time of correction. In fact I would say that it will be well hidden. Disciplining children is not fun. It is not affirming. It does build character both in the child and the parent. It is necessary.
Currently I am reliving experiences of 38 years ago when our firstborn was a toddler. I am not getting a refresher course in toddlerhood with my granddaughter. The good part of it is that the real responsibility belongs to my daughter. Since we did a good job on her years ago we can now delight in her doing a good job with the next generation.
So? Sometimes the gratification is delayed no matter what you do. If you are still in the early years of training you have my sympathy but hang in there, pay the price, go the extra mile and delight in the results. Sometime. Better than my promise is God’s promise.
Thursday, November 28, 2019
Lack Not, Want Not
(Pro 28:27 KJV) He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
As I compare translations, before looking at the Hebrew, I find that I like the implication of the KJV better than the NASB. It isn’t that the more contemporary translation is wrong, it is just more in the tradition of the KJV and using somewhat archaic language. In modern times “want” (4270) has become the mantra of the selfish generation. How many times have you seen cartoons with the theme of “I want, I want”? If you remember the saying, “Waste not, want not” you come closer to the “lack” of the KJV.
I have come close to being in want. Once in seminary I was down to my last can of tomato soup before the Lord made a grocery run. During our first pregnancy we traveled across country and arrived in California with no job and ten dollars in our pockets. But in spite of the fact that I might have wanted more, I have never lacked what I needed.
So? Need something to be thankful for? You should not have to look very far.
As I compare translations, before looking at the Hebrew, I find that I like the implication of the KJV better than the NASB. It isn’t that the more contemporary translation is wrong, it is just more in the tradition of the KJV and using somewhat archaic language. In modern times “want” (4270) has become the mantra of the selfish generation. How many times have you seen cartoons with the theme of “I want, I want”? If you remember the saying, “Waste not, want not” you come closer to the “lack” of the KJV.
I have come close to being in want. Once in seminary I was down to my last can of tomato soup before the Lord made a grocery run. During our first pregnancy we traveled across country and arrived in California with no job and ten dollars in our pockets. But in spite of the fact that I might have wanted more, I have never lacked what I needed.
So? Need something to be thankful for? You should not have to look very far.
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Hide
(Pro 27:12 KJV) A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.
The Bible has a lot of different things to say about how we respond to danger. Jesus talked about turning the other cheek. This would seem to go with that. Israel fought a lot of wars. The government is to use the sword against evil. It would seem that we need to look to the principles and keep our minds in gear.
Our general mind-set as Christians is non-violent. That is what is being presented here. Use you head. Don’t think you are Bruce Lee or Chuck Norris. Life is not a Louis L’Amour Western where the good guys eventually win. We are not to view evil as a challenge to our manhood. We are to look at it as a chance to trust God. Will there be times to stand up? Yes, but not over the issues that usually get our blood boiling.
So? God claims vengeance as His. We are to be witnesses. That should bring enough adventure for the day.
The Bible has a lot of different things to say about how we respond to danger. Jesus talked about turning the other cheek. This would seem to go with that. Israel fought a lot of wars. The government is to use the sword against evil. It would seem that we need to look to the principles and keep our minds in gear.
Our general mind-set as Christians is non-violent. That is what is being presented here. Use you head. Don’t think you are Bruce Lee or Chuck Norris. Life is not a Louis L’Amour Western where the good guys eventually win. We are not to view evil as a challenge to our manhood. We are to look at it as a chance to trust God. Will there be times to stand up? Yes, but not over the issues that usually get our blood boiling.
So? God claims vengeance as His. We are to be witnesses. That should bring enough adventure for the day.
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Handicap Compensation
(Pro 26:7 KJV) The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
What kind of handicap do you labor under? It doesn’t take much looking to find some area in which we are weak or totally helpless. When I think about what we call “heaven” I often think about the physical limitations I have that I expect to disappear. Just in my eyes I will gain stereoscopic vision, real colors, no glasses and who knows what else that I am not even aware of. We all have limitations.
We should expect to be able to function in spite of those things. I went to get a haircut. That in itself is not big deal. What is shocking is I did it before my wife started nagging. There is a guy who hangs around the barber shop who is missing a leg. He has a prosthetic that seems to work just fine for him. I have never heard him complain or hesitate to get into action.
So? If you are a fool don’t expect God to use you as a spokesman but you might clean a mean toilet. Come to think of it there is even hope for fools to abandon their state and move forward.
What kind of handicap do you labor under? It doesn’t take much looking to find some area in which we are weak or totally helpless. When I think about what we call “heaven” I often think about the physical limitations I have that I expect to disappear. Just in my eyes I will gain stereoscopic vision, real colors, no glasses and who knows what else that I am not even aware of. We all have limitations.
We should expect to be able to function in spite of those things. I went to get a haircut. That in itself is not big deal. What is shocking is I did it before my wife started nagging. There is a guy who hangs around the barber shop who is missing a leg. He has a prosthetic that seems to work just fine for him. I have never heard him complain or hesitate to get into action.
So? If you are a fool don’t expect God to use you as a spokesman but you might clean a mean toilet. Come to think of it there is even hope for fools to abandon their state and move forward.
Monday, November 25, 2019
Slippery Humility
(Pro 25:7 KJV) For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.
Humility is a very slippery virtue. How do you seek something like this? How do you develop it. Success tends to breed pride. Recognition tends to inflate egos. I guess one thing you can do is develop habits that do not put you first. That is part of what this verse is about.
The other part of the verse is to avoid embarrassment. When we seek the limelight we might get more than we bargain for.
So? If God wants you to stand out He will make the arrangements. We need to be ready to step into the gap but also willing to step aside.
Humility is a very slippery virtue. How do you seek something like this? How do you develop it. Success tends to breed pride. Recognition tends to inflate egos. I guess one thing you can do is develop habits that do not put you first. That is part of what this verse is about.
The other part of the verse is to avoid embarrassment. When we seek the limelight we might get more than we bargain for.
So? If God wants you to stand out He will make the arrangements. We need to be ready to step into the gap but also willing to step aside.
Sunday, November 24, 2019
Not Puppy Feet
(Pro 24:2 KJV) For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
This is one of those places in Proverbs where context is needed. The people being talked about here are a group called “evil men”. We often do not like to admit that they exist. If we do accept that some people are evil we usually don’t want to include anyone we like or support. We need to get over it and begin looking at society through God crafted eyes.
In truth the majority of people fall into this category. Their “violence” (7701) may be mild or of the type that does not effect you, but it is still evil. Think of all the mob actions you see on the news. It hasn’t come to your neighborhood so it goes in one ear and out the other. It is still the results of evil people. The KJV talks about “mischief” instead of “trouble” (5999). An insight into the meaning of this word in Proverbs might be,
This is one of those places in Proverbs where context is needed. The people being talked about here are a group called “evil men”. We often do not like to admit that they exist. If we do accept that some people are evil we usually don’t want to include anyone we like or support. We need to get over it and begin looking at society through God crafted eyes.
In truth the majority of people fall into this category. Their “violence” (7701) may be mild or of the type that does not effect you, but it is still evil. Think of all the mob actions you see on the news. It hasn’t come to your neighborhood so it goes in one ear and out the other. It is still the results of evil people. The KJV talks about “mischief” instead of “trouble” (5999). An insight into the meaning of this word in Proverbs might be,
(Pro 31:7 KJV) Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery (5999) no more.So? We need to recognize the actions of evil men and speak up for righteousness. That means speaking clearly. When playing cards my wife calls spades “puppy feet”. That is cute but it does not speak clearly to the card playing world.
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