(Pro 29:18 KJV) Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
Modern Americans tend to think that being “unrestrained” (perish KJV) (6544a) is a good thing. They would think of it as a synonym of liberty. That reflects a willing misunderstanding of what liberty is. Dennis Prager makes a presentation on the difference between freedom and liberty. It has been a long time since I have heard it but one of the things he points out is that our coins have the word “liberty” and not “freedom”. The difference is this idea of being restrained. To use a definition applied in other areas, my liberty stops when it treads on your liberty.
In a world based on Biblical values and principles, liberty has limits. It is restrained. Because of that we are saved from the terror of driving off cliffs and the horror of sexually transmitted disease. Because we accept the limits that God has put on living we are able to live life to its fullest. That is fullest joy and sense of purpose, not fullest suffering and despair.
So? Yes, there are restraints. Like the rail on the edge of Suicide Point they are there to keep you from self destruction. Buckle up and enjoy the ride.
Saturday, February 29, 2020
Friday, February 28, 2020
Toddlers and Scorpions
(Pro 28:1 KJV) The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
Fear is a state of mind based on assumptions and experience. With a toddler in the house we have often noticed how little fear she has. In Texas we have scorpions. It is a way of life. It gives us a reason to practice our stomping and work on our reflexes. A baby will often have no fear of this vicious little pest. One of the concerns we have is that the granddaughter will try to pick up this moving object that caught her attention. She is not aware that sin has polluted the world.
At the other end you have people who jump when they see a shadow that looks like a spider. Maybe you have done a little practical joking in your life with plastic bugs or judiciously applied feathers. Sometimes there is a reason for that. If you know you are allergic to bee stings then you tend to be a little more proactive when you see those little pollinators. Those who know they are righteous, so to speak, don’t worry about it so much.
So? God has promised His blessings on the righteous. We don’t always know what form that will take or if there will be some tangents built into the path. What we do know is that we have read the book and we know who wins.
Fear is a state of mind based on assumptions and experience. With a toddler in the house we have often noticed how little fear she has. In Texas we have scorpions. It is a way of life. It gives us a reason to practice our stomping and work on our reflexes. A baby will often have no fear of this vicious little pest. One of the concerns we have is that the granddaughter will try to pick up this moving object that caught her attention. She is not aware that sin has polluted the world.
At the other end you have people who jump when they see a shadow that looks like a spider. Maybe you have done a little practical joking in your life with plastic bugs or judiciously applied feathers. Sometimes there is a reason for that. If you know you are allergic to bee stings then you tend to be a little more proactive when you see those little pollinators. Those who know they are righteous, so to speak, don’t worry about it so much.
So? God has promised His blessings on the righteous. We don’t always know what form that will take or if there will be some tangents built into the path. What we do know is that we have read the book and we know who wins.
Thursday, February 27, 2020
Too Much of a Good Thing
(Pro 27:7 KJV) The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
This is a verse about attitude. It is not the taste of the food that changes. It is the condition of the eater that makes the difference. “Honey” (5317) is praised in other verses. It is recognized as a good part of the diet. There is no problem with the honey and yet it is being pushed away.
Have you ever met someone who is seething with rage at God? Of course you have. It is possible that you are there or have been there. Did God suddenly change? Did you change?
So? It usually seems to us that we can do little about our deep felt emotions, our attitudes. Without trying to point any fingers except at myself I would say that it is often because we don’t want to change. I pray that the Holy Spirit would be patient with us until we get hungry enough to be grateful for what He has to offer.
This is a verse about attitude. It is not the taste of the food that changes. It is the condition of the eater that makes the difference. “Honey” (5317) is praised in other verses. It is recognized as a good part of the diet. There is no problem with the honey and yet it is being pushed away.
Have you ever met someone who is seething with rage at God? Of course you have. It is possible that you are there or have been there. Did God suddenly change? Did you change?
So? It usually seems to us that we can do little about our deep felt emotions, our attitudes. Without trying to point any fingers except at myself I would say that it is often because we don’t want to change. I pray that the Holy Spirit would be patient with us until we get hungry enough to be grateful for what He has to offer.
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Beware Fools and Italics
(Pro 26:10 KJV) The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
The difference between the KJV and all the other translations I have available is jarring. You will notice that the KJV has “God” and I hope you will notice that it is italics. Again I remind you that italics in the KJV are not for emphasis but to let you know that the word is not in the original language. I also remind you that reading the Bible always requires an alert mind and a seeking heart.
The context of this verse is to warn us about the “fool” (3684). Don’t get distracted.
So? Fools are dangerous. Beware.
The difference between the KJV and all the other translations I have available is jarring. You will notice that the KJV has “God” and I hope you will notice that it is italics. Again I remind you that italics in the KJV are not for emphasis but to let you know that the word is not in the original language. I also remind you that reading the Bible always requires an alert mind and a seeking heart.
The context of this verse is to warn us about the “fool” (3684). Don’t get distracted.
So? Fools are dangerous. Beware.
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
The Mark of Cain
(Pro 25:10 KJV) Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
You may have heard of the “mark of Cain”. It has been used for a lot of things from racist opinions to cookie crumbs on our chin. It is a sign that you have gone beyond the pale. In this verse we get the warning that being a gossip or character assassin can be the mark of Cain for you. Who is willing to listen to a gossip? Probably other gossips. Some might listen for a moment but once the gist of the conversation becomes clear they tune you out.
So? Although there is a time to stand up and point out the king has no clothes it will probably not happen in a “private” conversation when the person being discussed is not present. They may not hear but God will.
You may have heard of the “mark of Cain”. It has been used for a lot of things from racist opinions to cookie crumbs on our chin. It is a sign that you have gone beyond the pale. In this verse we get the warning that being a gossip or character assassin can be the mark of Cain for you. Who is willing to listen to a gossip? Probably other gossips. Some might listen for a moment but once the gist of the conversation becomes clear they tune you out.
So? Although there is a time to stand up and point out the king has no clothes it will probably not happen in a “private” conversation when the person being discussed is not present. They may not hear but God will.
Monday, February 24, 2020
Wisdom Intersects the Real World
(Pro 24:5 KJV) A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.
We are currently working through the joy and stress of a newborn grandchild. He is going through a lot of issues. None are crisis life threatening types but could be serious is not dealt with. Our granddaughter went through a lot of the same drama but it is better this time. What is the difference? Wisdom.
Both births were overseen by professional medical staff. They had all the certificates and diplomas necessary to be medical doctors. They did their specialty training. What they lacked was enough experience to really know what they were talking about. They did not have the real world experience that let them separate the sterile lessons of the text book and classroom from the world of flesh and bone.
So? We can study and memorize. We can be certified and certificated. We can have the right to speak but if we have not worked at putting the whole picture together we are often doing more damage than repair. We need to apply what we are reading with what we are living. That means living an upright life in a real world.
We are currently working through the joy and stress of a newborn grandchild. He is going through a lot of issues. None are crisis life threatening types but could be serious is not dealt with. Our granddaughter went through a lot of the same drama but it is better this time. What is the difference? Wisdom.
Both births were overseen by professional medical staff. They had all the certificates and diplomas necessary to be medical doctors. They did their specialty training. What they lacked was enough experience to really know what they were talking about. They did not have the real world experience that let them separate the sterile lessons of the text book and classroom from the world of flesh and bone.
So? We can study and memorize. We can be certified and certificated. We can have the right to speak but if we have not worked at putting the whole picture together we are often doing more damage than repair. We need to apply what we are reading with what we are living. That means living an upright life in a real world.
Sunday, February 23, 2020
Older Children Still Need Guidance
(Pro 23:13 KJV) Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.
By any measure my children are now adults. How does this apply to me at this stage of parenting? We have done the groundwork. To me the admonition of Proverbs,
I think if we have done our foundational work our children will feel free to ask for our input when they get older. I doubt we still have the right to corporal punishment but there will always be a responsibility to share from our greater experience and hopefully, wisdom.
So? Since we don’t know what the questions will be before they are asked we cannot cram for the exam. All we can do is live in constant preparation by studying the word and living the life. Then we can trust the Holy Spirit to help us get the right answers.
By any measure my children are now adults. How does this apply to me at this stage of parenting? We have done the groundwork. To me the admonition of Proverbs,
(Pro 22:6 KJV) Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.is past tense. But I am still a parent. There is still a danger if I “hold back” (4513).
I think if we have done our foundational work our children will feel free to ask for our input when they get older. I doubt we still have the right to corporal punishment but there will always be a responsibility to share from our greater experience and hopefully, wisdom.
So? Since we don’t know what the questions will be before they are asked we cannot cram for the exam. All we can do is live in constant preparation by studying the word and living the life. Then we can trust the Holy Spirit to help us get the right answers.
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