Posts
timewithgod.blog-city.com — November 2009
Proverbs 8 & 9 -- Where Wisdom Began and Begins
Chapter 8 talks about wisdom from God, yet also we can plainly see Christ in all of this, stated just as clearly as in John 1:1 - "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was God, and the Word was with God." There is an amazi
Chapter 8 talks about wisdom from God, yet also we can plainly see Christ in all of this, stated just as clearly as in John 1:1 - "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was God, and the Word was with God."
There is an amazing family portrait painted in verse 30. Speaking as Christ about God at creation: "Then I was beside Him as a master workman; And I was daily HIS delight, rejoicing ALWAYS before Him."
My commentary tells us what that shows:
Chapter 9, verse 10 has priceless advice for us: "Wisdom begins with respect for the Lord, and understanding begins with knowing the Holy One."
For humans to try and build on any other foundation is an exercise in futility. Any supposed knowledge and wisdom we think we have attained without God is utter foolishness.
Father, I've seen in my own life how absolutely stupid and ignorant I was when I refused to include You in my decisions. Other ideas may sound tempting, but they are only Satan's hollow echoes of lies, striving to pull me from You. Help me to always start first with You, knowing that I can't possibly go wrong by doing so.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
There is an amazing family portrait painted in verse 30. Speaking as Christ about God at creation: "Then I was beside Him as a master workman; And I was daily HIS delight, rejoicing ALWAYS before Him."
My commentary tells us what that shows:
- 1) His activity in creation ... The Lord Jesus was the active agent of creation.
- 2) His position of affection and delight before God. The eternal and infinite love of the Father for His Son increases the marvel that He would ever send that Son to die for sinners.
- 3) Jesus' personal delight before God. This magnifies the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ - that He would ever leave that scene of pure and perfect joy to come to this jungle of shame, sorrow, and suffering."
Chapter 9, verse 10 has priceless advice for us: "Wisdom begins with respect for the Lord, and understanding begins with knowing the Holy One."
For humans to try and build on any other foundation is an exercise in futility. Any supposed knowledge and wisdom we think we have attained without God is utter foolishness.
Father, I've seen in my own life how absolutely stupid and ignorant I was when I refused to include You in my decisions. Other ideas may sound tempting, but they are only Satan's hollow echoes of lies, striving to pull me from You. Help me to always start first with You, knowing that I can't possibly go wrong by doing so.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Proverbs 10 -- The Words We Use
In this morning's sidebar, Max Lucado is actually addressing careless words and insensitive slurs that people often think little of, but which do a tremendous amount of hurt. He says they are the result of egotism, which leads to dis
In this morning's sidebar, Max Lucado is actually addressing careless words and insensitive slurs that people often think little of, but which do a tremendous amount of hurt. He says they are the result of egotism, which leads to disregard, disrespect, and disappointment. Among the weapons Satan uses to cause the hurt are gossip, accusations, resentment, and impatience. Max said, "God's word has strong medicine for those who carelessly wag their tongues. The message is clear: He who dares to call himself God's ambassador is not afforded the luxury of idle words."
In applying this to our lives, it says, "Evaluate the words you have spoken in the past week. What statements have been sinful or harmful? Did your words build up or tear down? Were they critical? Were they vulgar? If so, ask for God's forgiveness and seek the forgiveness of anyone you have offended. Ask for God's help to use words wisely."
As I noted up front, Max was talking about snide comments, cruel jokes, slurs, etc. But I'm having to deal with this on a different level. Progress reports from different classes at school began coming home this week, and several grades were less than acceptable. When I inquired as to what was the problem, the answer was equally unacceptable - "I don't know." Before the night was over, tears had been shed and reprimands and threats of loss of privileges had been given and no one felt like praying. To top it off, more grade alerts arrived by email this morning. All of Solomon's wise words about foolish men and laziness made tempting targets this morning. His warnings about saying too much stuck out as well. Yet sometimes things take time. This morning, God seems to be saying, "This one will be a battle. But here are your rules of engagement." He seems to want to make certain that when all this is resolved my boys and I will still be friends. I do, too.
Father, help me to fight this battle WITH my sons and not against them. Give me wisdom and understanding and discernment. Help us to fix the problem and not the blame.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
In applying this to our lives, it says, "Evaluate the words you have spoken in the past week. What statements have been sinful or harmful? Did your words build up or tear down? Were they critical? Were they vulgar? If so, ask for God's forgiveness and seek the forgiveness of anyone you have offended. Ask for God's help to use words wisely."
As I noted up front, Max was talking about snide comments, cruel jokes, slurs, etc. But I'm having to deal with this on a different level. Progress reports from different classes at school began coming home this week, and several grades were less than acceptable. When I inquired as to what was the problem, the answer was equally unacceptable - "I don't know." Before the night was over, tears had been shed and reprimands and threats of loss of privileges had been given and no one felt like praying. To top it off, more grade alerts arrived by email this morning. All of Solomon's wise words about foolish men and laziness made tempting targets this morning. His warnings about saying too much stuck out as well. Yet sometimes things take time. This morning, God seems to be saying, "This one will be a battle. But here are your rules of engagement." He seems to want to make certain that when all this is resolved my boys and I will still be friends. I do, too.
Father, help me to fight this battle WITH my sons and not against them. Give me wisdom and understanding and discernment. Help us to fix the problem and not the blame.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Proverbs 11 -- Hitting Us Where We Work And Spend
"Doing right brings freedom to honest people, but those who are not trustworthy will be caught by their own desires." One thing we are taught in banking to keep an eye on is the lifestyle of employees and customers.
"Doing right brings freedom to honest people, but those who are not trustworthy will be caught by their own desires."
One thing we are taught in banking to keep an eye on is the lifestyle of employees and customers. Because we are privy to income data, we can compare lifestyle to income and determine whether the two match up. Why would we do that? Because spending that exceeds income will lead to ruin and possibly to bank losses if loan defaults occur. Also, if reported income couldn't possibly maintain the lifestyle we witness, that's either an indication of underreported income or possibly illicit income, both of which point to character problems that might eventually catch up with the person in the form of IRS levies or trouble with the law. You can imagine what would happen to loan repayments then.
As this verse says, honest people have freedom from worry about these things. There's never the worry about when the other shoe will drop. But note what the second half of that verse says - they'll be caught by their own DESIRES. Desires most often express themselves in our purchases and lifestyles, and with so much of today's spending occurring electronically, the paper trail will be there to catch them.
The sidebar in my Bible this morning, from Enjoying The Closeness Of God, talks of two men working for a nonprofit charity helping people in need. Both started out on mission and with high goals. But one soon bowed to the pressure of others working there to use his expense accounts to his advantage while on business trips, such as ordering steaks for most meals rather than less costly items. His fellow workers had complained to him that his expense reports were making theirs look bad, so he caved. The other man "just goes on, one day at a time, trying to do what is expected of him by God," keeping costs down so the money could be used as the donors expected. Once someone said to him, "You work hard; you've earned it." He answered, "I'm paid to work hard. I am not paid to exploit."
We live in a world where we all too often hear the whispers of Satan in areas like this. How very important it is for us to know that God is listening too, and He's very interested in just how we will answer. For we are to be light to the world.
Father, continue to help me remain keenly aware that any dishonesty on my part robs me first - of my character and of my closeness to You. Help me to always so no to Satan's whispers.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
One thing we are taught in banking to keep an eye on is the lifestyle of employees and customers. Because we are privy to income data, we can compare lifestyle to income and determine whether the two match up. Why would we do that? Because spending that exceeds income will lead to ruin and possibly to bank losses if loan defaults occur. Also, if reported income couldn't possibly maintain the lifestyle we witness, that's either an indication of underreported income or possibly illicit income, both of which point to character problems that might eventually catch up with the person in the form of IRS levies or trouble with the law. You can imagine what would happen to loan repayments then.
As this verse says, honest people have freedom from worry about these things. There's never the worry about when the other shoe will drop. But note what the second half of that verse says - they'll be caught by their own DESIRES. Desires most often express themselves in our purchases and lifestyles, and with so much of today's spending occurring electronically, the paper trail will be there to catch them.
The sidebar in my Bible this morning, from Enjoying The Closeness Of God, talks of two men working for a nonprofit charity helping people in need. Both started out on mission and with high goals. But one soon bowed to the pressure of others working there to use his expense accounts to his advantage while on business trips, such as ordering steaks for most meals rather than less costly items. His fellow workers had complained to him that his expense reports were making theirs look bad, so he caved. The other man "just goes on, one day at a time, trying to do what is expected of him by God," keeping costs down so the money could be used as the donors expected. Once someone said to him, "You work hard; you've earned it." He answered, "I'm paid to work hard. I am not paid to exploit."
We live in a world where we all too often hear the whispers of Satan in areas like this. How very important it is for us to know that God is listening too, and He's very interested in just how we will answer. For we are to be light to the world.
Father, continue to help me remain keenly aware that any dishonesty on my part robs me first - of my character and of my closeness to You. Help me to always so no to Satan's whispers.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Proverbs 12 -- Which Whispers Are YOU Listening To?
The last verse has become a Christian warning post: "Doing what is right is the way to life, but there is another way that leads to death." And how well Max Lucado states it in the sidebar today: "I do have some
The last verse has become a Christian warning post: "Doing what is right is the way to life, but there is another way that leads to death." And how well Max Lucado states it in the sidebar today:
"I do have something against the lying voices that noise our world. You've heard them. They tell you to swap your integrity for a new sale. To barter your convictions for an easy deal. To exchange your devotion for a quick thrill. They whisper. They woo. They taunt. They tantalize. They flirt. They flatter. ‘Go ahead, it's OK...' ‘Just wait until tomorrow...' ‘Don't worry, no one will know....' ‘How could anything that feels so right BE so wrong??' "
I've heard plenty of those, and unfortunately I've listened to a few, as most people have. But Max says we need to listen instead to God's whispers:
" ‘Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.' ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.' There is no chorus so loud that the voice of God cannot be heard .... If we will but listen."
Father, whisper louder when I've let my ears be dulled by the words of this world. Guide me to remember that forbidden fruit is never as sweet as it looks, for Satan dresses up sin to tantalize, never to satisfy. Only You can do that for me.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
"I do have something against the lying voices that noise our world. You've heard them. They tell you to swap your integrity for a new sale. To barter your convictions for an easy deal. To exchange your devotion for a quick thrill. They whisper. They woo. They taunt. They tantalize. They flirt. They flatter. ‘Go ahead, it's OK...' ‘Just wait until tomorrow...' ‘Don't worry, no one will know....' ‘How could anything that feels so right BE so wrong??' "
I've heard plenty of those, and unfortunately I've listened to a few, as most people have. But Max says we need to listen instead to God's whispers:
" ‘Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.' ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.' There is no chorus so loud that the voice of God cannot be heard .... If we will but listen."
Father, whisper louder when I've let my ears be dulled by the words of this world. Guide me to remember that forbidden fruit is never as sweet as it looks, for Satan dresses up sin to tantalize, never to satisfy. Only You can do that for me.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Proverbs 13 -- When We REFUSE Healing
I read once that we will never know until we reach heaven the total amount of evil God has protected us from. The truth in His word is to be used by us as part of that protection. Verse 3 says, "Those who are careful about wha
I read once that we will never know until we reach heaven the total amount of evil God has protected us from. The truth in His word is to be used by us as part of that protection. Verse 3 says, "Those who are careful about what they say PROTECT THEIR LIVES." While we could certainly see that happening when we don't, for instance, mouth off to a bully, I think we should go to the other extreme to realize that persons who, say, willfully gossip to the point of even inventing stories in order to watch with glee the resulting havoc their words cause are endangering themselves with God.
I noticed there was a lot about rejecting or accepting good teaching and obeying what we know is right. Verse 13 says, "Those who reject what they are taught will pay for it, but those who obey what they are told will be rewarded." Any part of God's truth that we refuse to accept - that we think might not apply to us - will become light denied. Perhaps we don't want to hear that we are doing something that God considers a sin, and we either don't quit doing it, or we allow ourselves to, say, think about it rather than doing it. Either way, willfully going against God's truth only serves to build up our reserves against stopping it. This action may even cauterize the moral wound that God has opened up as the Great Physician, exposing it to His healing light. Without agreeing with His healing, we refuse it and thus allow spiritual gangrene to set in. I saw that reinforced in verse 18: "A person who refuses correction will end of poor and disgraced, but the one who accepts correction will be honored." The last part of verse 19 really rubbed it in: "Fools hate to stop doing evil." The operative word there is fools, for that is what God is calling us when we hate to give up what He does not want us to hold next to our hearts.
Father, continue to examine my heart. Show me those areas where my stubborn, foolish refusal to give up sinful ways is impeding the healing You so want to bring to me. With Your Word - Your sword - open up those wounds, expose them to me, and shine Your truth upon them. Show me the utter foolishness of refusing Your treatment. I need Your protection over all my life.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
I noticed there was a lot about rejecting or accepting good teaching and obeying what we know is right. Verse 13 says, "Those who reject what they are taught will pay for it, but those who obey what they are told will be rewarded." Any part of God's truth that we refuse to accept - that we think might not apply to us - will become light denied. Perhaps we don't want to hear that we are doing something that God considers a sin, and we either don't quit doing it, or we allow ourselves to, say, think about it rather than doing it. Either way, willfully going against God's truth only serves to build up our reserves against stopping it. This action may even cauterize the moral wound that God has opened up as the Great Physician, exposing it to His healing light. Without agreeing with His healing, we refuse it and thus allow spiritual gangrene to set in. I saw that reinforced in verse 18: "A person who refuses correction will end of poor and disgraced, but the one who accepts correction will be honored." The last part of verse 19 really rubbed it in: "Fools hate to stop doing evil." The operative word there is fools, for that is what God is calling us when we hate to give up what He does not want us to hold next to our hearts.
Father, continue to examine my heart. Show me those areas where my stubborn, foolish refusal to give up sinful ways is impeding the healing You so want to bring to me. With Your Word - Your sword - open up those wounds, expose them to me, and shine Your truth upon them. Show me the utter foolishness of refusing Your treatment. I need Your protection over all my life.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Proverbs 14 -- A Word To The Wise
Solomon really had a lot to say about how we let foolishness overtake us spiritually: "Fools don't care if they sin ... Fools will believe anything .... Fools are careless and quick to act ..." (It makes a good test to
Solomon really had a lot to say about how we let foolishness overtake us spiritually:
"Fools don't care if they sin ... Fools will believe anything .... Fools are careless and quick to act ..." (It makes a good test to insert our own names in place of the word fools to see if any of these apply.) I think it all comes down to verse 12: "Some people think they are doing right, but in the end it leads to death."
The very idea of foolishness implies not knowing what one is doing. That especially includes not knowing that one is BEING foolish, and I think after committing a sin, most of us feel like fools. We've let ourselves be led by the nose straight into it, we had our blinders on, and we swallowed it - hook, line, and sinker.
So as I read this chapter, I wasn't thinking about the one-half of the population with IQ's of less than 100. More than likely, it's those with greater natural ability to reason who end up feeling like fools. I often marvel at my own stupidity in not seeing Satan's clever little tricks and lies.
"People who live good lives respect the Lord ... The words of the wise will protect them.... Honest people work at being right ... The wise think about what they do ... Wise people are careful and stay out of trouble ... Someone with understanding remains calm ... Those who respect the Lord will have security and their children will be protected. Respect for the Lord gives life ... Patient people have great understanding...."
I think what Solomon is trying to say is that we need to be vigilant in analyzing what is happening in our lives. We need to constantly be asking, "What's wrong with this picture?" if our conscience becomes alerted. That may be the difference that's made by having the Holy Spirit inside our hearts. Without Him, our consciences may sense that something's going on, but having the mind of Christ enables us to set the blinders aside and really see what's going on. The Holy Spirit gives us the X-ray vision to see through Satan's flashy sales pitches and tempting out wrappings, and He reveals to us the potential harm that awaits our souls if we proceed.
Father, I know from experience that my conscience is easily overridden. I'm therefore thankful for that extra layer of protection that Your Holy Spirit affords me. Help me never to try and stifle those whispers. Keep me on a diet of the mind that strictly limits the stuff I allow into my head. Let them only be from You.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
"Fools don't care if they sin ... Fools will believe anything .... Fools are careless and quick to act ..." (It makes a good test to insert our own names in place of the word fools to see if any of these apply.) I think it all comes down to verse 12: "Some people think they are doing right, but in the end it leads to death."
The very idea of foolishness implies not knowing what one is doing. That especially includes not knowing that one is BEING foolish, and I think after committing a sin, most of us feel like fools. We've let ourselves be led by the nose straight into it, we had our blinders on, and we swallowed it - hook, line, and sinker.
So as I read this chapter, I wasn't thinking about the one-half of the population with IQ's of less than 100. More than likely, it's those with greater natural ability to reason who end up feeling like fools. I often marvel at my own stupidity in not seeing Satan's clever little tricks and lies.
"People who live good lives respect the Lord ... The words of the wise will protect them.... Honest people work at being right ... The wise think about what they do ... Wise people are careful and stay out of trouble ... Someone with understanding remains calm ... Those who respect the Lord will have security and their children will be protected. Respect for the Lord gives life ... Patient people have great understanding...."
I think what Solomon is trying to say is that we need to be vigilant in analyzing what is happening in our lives. We need to constantly be asking, "What's wrong with this picture?" if our conscience becomes alerted. That may be the difference that's made by having the Holy Spirit inside our hearts. Without Him, our consciences may sense that something's going on, but having the mind of Christ enables us to set the blinders aside and really see what's going on. The Holy Spirit gives us the X-ray vision to see through Satan's flashy sales pitches and tempting out wrappings, and He reveals to us the potential harm that awaits our souls if we proceed.
Father, I know from experience that my conscience is easily overridden. I'm therefore thankful for that extra layer of protection that Your Holy Spirit affords me. Help me never to try and stifle those whispers. Keep me on a diet of the mind that strictly limits the stuff I allow into my head. Let them only be from You.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Proverbs 15 -- Despising Ourselves By Our Choices??
The word accepts keeps popping up - the thought that we have to make a conscious and willful decision to imbed in our own hearts and minds as hard and fast rules the things that God says about how we are to live our lives. Here in this c
The word accepts keeps popping up - the thought that we have to make a conscious and willful decision to imbed in our own hearts and minds as hard and fast rules the things that God says about how we are to live our lives. Here in this chapter, I found "Anyone who accepts correction is wise." In the opposite vein, I found four references to those who refuse to accept correction - who willfully choose not to agree with God on such issues:
"Fools reject their parents' correction ... One who hates to be corrected will die ... Those who make fun of wisdom don't like to be corrected ... Those who refuse correction hate themselves...."
It goes on to say, "If you listen to correction to improve your life, you will live among the wise," and "Those who accept correction gain understanding."
Something my commentary said went right to the heart of the matter: "If a man won't listen to godly instruction, it means that he DESPISES himself..." Our willful turning-away-from God's teaching is not so much rooted in rebellion, it seems, as it is in despising ourselves. We hate what we think or do, yet we find ourselves unwilling to change, which leads us to despise our own weakness. It's when we come to that point where we say, "I can't take this any longer!" that we seem willing to finally accept what God has for us as the best for our lives. What a shame that we cause Him to have to take us to that point because of our stubbornness rather than accepting His teachings at the outset.
Father, I know I've taken far too many detours in my life from the road You'd have me on. I've come to accept Your guidance rather than to stupidly fight my own best interest that You have planned for me. Help me not to despise the one who You are making holy.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
"Fools reject their parents' correction ... One who hates to be corrected will die ... Those who make fun of wisdom don't like to be corrected ... Those who refuse correction hate themselves...."
It goes on to say, "If you listen to correction to improve your life, you will live among the wise," and "Those who accept correction gain understanding."
Something my commentary said went right to the heart of the matter: "If a man won't listen to godly instruction, it means that he DESPISES himself..." Our willful turning-away-from God's teaching is not so much rooted in rebellion, it seems, as it is in despising ourselves. We hate what we think or do, yet we find ourselves unwilling to change, which leads us to despise our own weakness. It's when we come to that point where we say, "I can't take this any longer!" that we seem willing to finally accept what God has for us as the best for our lives. What a shame that we cause Him to have to take us to that point because of our stubbornness rather than accepting His teachings at the outset.
Father, I know I've taken far too many detours in my life from the road You'd have me on. I've come to accept Your guidance rather than to stupidly fight my own best interest that You have planned for me. Help me not to despise the one who You are making holy.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Proverbs 16 -- Free Will vs. Sovereignty?
Boy, there's a lot of sovereignty of God stuff in here. It can be seen as either our mind vs. God's mind (certainly a losing proposition) or our mind in synch with God's mind: "People may make plans in their minds,
Boy, there's a lot of sovereignty of God stuff in here. It can be seen as either our mind vs. God's mind (certainly a losing proposition) or our mind in synch with God's mind:
"People may make plans in their minds, but only the Lord can make them come true. You may believe you are doing right, but the Lord will judge your reasons (motives). Depend on the Lord in whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. The Lord makes everything go as He pleases ... When people live so that they please the Lord, even their enemies will make peace with them ... People may make their plans in their minds, but the Lord DECIDES what they will do."
This ties in nicely with another verse: "The Lord gives you the desires of your heart."
In His sovereignty, God has ordained paths for our lives that will honor Him, give Him glory, and be for our own ultimate good. He plants in our hearts a desire for Him. How we react to this awesome gift says much about how much we love ourselves, for if we move away from His best for us, then we are cheating ourselves.
We can make plans in our own minds - that's part of free will. God can choose whether they come true or not. Every step we take away from His path doesn't mean that He is not sovereign, for He has already determined His best, IN LIGHT OF OUR OWN DECISION TO STRAY, for the REST of our lives.
Our motives are so important, too. We may be doing Christian service, but for all the wrong reasons, and God, in His omniscience, knows our hearts. Service done for the wrong motives is service not done for Him. "The Lord judges your reasons."
When instead we act on desires of our hearts given by God - when we love what we're doing because it's what He made us to do - we will find our fulfillment in this life, and our hearts will find rest because they will be resting in Him.
Father, thank You for making a return path back to You and for never giving up on me! I'm so thrilled that You allowed me to discover those desires of my heart planted by You and that You led me to a life that's based on those desires and which honors You. Keep me on the path!
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
"People may make plans in their minds, but only the Lord can make them come true. You may believe you are doing right, but the Lord will judge your reasons (motives). Depend on the Lord in whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. The Lord makes everything go as He pleases ... When people live so that they please the Lord, even their enemies will make peace with them ... People may make their plans in their minds, but the Lord DECIDES what they will do."
This ties in nicely with another verse: "The Lord gives you the desires of your heart."
In His sovereignty, God has ordained paths for our lives that will honor Him, give Him glory, and be for our own ultimate good. He plants in our hearts a desire for Him. How we react to this awesome gift says much about how much we love ourselves, for if we move away from His best for us, then we are cheating ourselves.
We can make plans in our own minds - that's part of free will. God can choose whether they come true or not. Every step we take away from His path doesn't mean that He is not sovereign, for He has already determined His best, IN LIGHT OF OUR OWN DECISION TO STRAY, for the REST of our lives.
Our motives are so important, too. We may be doing Christian service, but for all the wrong reasons, and God, in His omniscience, knows our hearts. Service done for the wrong motives is service not done for Him. "The Lord judges your reasons."
When instead we act on desires of our hearts given by God - when we love what we're doing because it's what He made us to do - we will find our fulfillment in this life, and our hearts will find rest because they will be resting in Him.
Father, thank You for making a return path back to You and for never giving up on me! I'm so thrilled that You allowed me to discover those desires of my heart planted by You and that You led me to a life that's based on those desires and which honors You. Keep me on the path!
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Proverbs 17 -- Expecting More Of Us
Expecting more of us seems to be God's target this morning. In verse 7, my commentary says, "Noble and excellent speech seems out of place" coming from a fool. "Even more unsuitable are lying lips to a prince.&nb
Expecting more of us seems to be God's target this morning. In verse 7, my commentary says, "Noble and excellent speech seems out of place" coming from a fool. "Even more unsuitable are lying lips to a prince. You expect more from a prince. The WORLD expects more from those of us who are children of God. They have higher standards for us than they do for themselves." Because of these expectations, we should be forever on our guard to be sure that, as representatives of Christ, we do not cause Him shame or dishonor.
Speaking about verse 9, my commentary said, "The man who refuses to remember an offense against him seeks love and friendship. The one who insists on digging up past grievances only succeeds in alienating friends. ‘When we learn to love, we also learn to cover, to forget, and to overlook many faults in others.' One person said to another, ‘Don't you remember the mean thing she said about you?' The other said, "I not only don't REMEMBER; I distinctly remember forgetting!' " That's the kind of response the world can't understand, but still has come to expect from Christians.
Finally, about verse 17, it talks about God's expectation of more from us in another area: "A true friend loves in adversity as well as in prosperity. Often it takes hard times to show which friends are genuinely loyal. ‘A true friend is like ivy - the greater the ruin, the close he clings.' A brother is born for adversity; that is, one of the greatest privileges of brotherhood is to be at your side when you need him most. It's not hard to find the Lord Jesus in this verse."
When we are called to be Christians, we are called to forgive more, forget more, love more, and endure more than anyone else. Unfortunately, we have to watch out that we don't feel put upon and slighted by all that sacrifice. The way we set aside those selfish feelings is by remembering that we are doing it for Jesus, as His ambassador, and anything done for Him should be done out of love for Him and never out of duty.
Father, help me to go the extra mile. Don't let me ascribe motives to others when I don't know what's really going on. Help me to forgive and forget. Let me love like You do.
Your Brother
Speaking about verse 9, my commentary said, "The man who refuses to remember an offense against him seeks love and friendship. The one who insists on digging up past grievances only succeeds in alienating friends. ‘When we learn to love, we also learn to cover, to forget, and to overlook many faults in others.' One person said to another, ‘Don't you remember the mean thing she said about you?' The other said, "I not only don't REMEMBER; I distinctly remember forgetting!' " That's the kind of response the world can't understand, but still has come to expect from Christians.
Finally, about verse 17, it talks about God's expectation of more from us in another area: "A true friend loves in adversity as well as in prosperity. Often it takes hard times to show which friends are genuinely loyal. ‘A true friend is like ivy - the greater the ruin, the close he clings.' A brother is born for adversity; that is, one of the greatest privileges of brotherhood is to be at your side when you need him most. It's not hard to find the Lord Jesus in this verse."
When we are called to be Christians, we are called to forgive more, forget more, love more, and endure more than anyone else. Unfortunately, we have to watch out that we don't feel put upon and slighted by all that sacrifice. The way we set aside those selfish feelings is by remembering that we are doing it for Jesus, as His ambassador, and anything done for Him should be done out of love for Him and never out of duty.
Father, help me to go the extra mile. Don't let me ascribe motives to others when I don't know what's really going on. Help me to forgive and forget. Let me love like You do.
Your Brother
Proverbs 18 -- The Hazards Of Self
Once we had a personality analyst who came to the bank and his Personality Style 4 was the nonconformist - the one who would be going south when everyone else was going north, just to be different. I was the only #4 in the bank, and righ
Once we had a personality analyst who came to the bank and his Personality Style 4 was the nonconformist - the one who would be going south when everyone else was going north, just to be different. I was the only #4 in the bank, and rightly so. Verse 1 speaks of such a person, and it isn't too flattering: "A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; he rages against wise judgment." My commentary speaks of such a man's self-assertion - having his own way even if it conflicts with tested knowledge.
I particularly noted the part about seeking his own desire. Anytime we become that self-absorbed, we can begin to feel entitled to the fulfillment of our own desires, above those of others. We can become unwilling to compromise, and such behavior can further isolate us. It's almost as if we're becoming our own idol, or our own god. Such an entitlement mentality can lead us to believe that our sin is okay, that we can handle it, and that we're the exception to the rule. This brings about "inward wickedness and baseness," which will reveal itself outwardly eventually as "shame and reproach" when our sins finally catch up with us, I found in my commentary.
What's the remedy for this? My sidebar says, "It's better to be humble and discerning..." and that "There is an eclipse of a man's glory when he dotes upon his own greatness."
Temptations are likely to come flooding into anyone who believes he's the exception to the rule. But we have help. Verse 10: "The Lord is like a strong tower; those who do right can run to Him for safety." My commentary says, "The Lord is a place of refuge and protection [even from ourselves - gf], for those who trust in Him. Therefore, in the moment of fierce temptation, call upon the name of the Lord, and He will preserve you from sinning."
Father, I've so often faced such circumstances. It could be as simple as something on TV stirring up sinful thoughts. Immediately, my earthly self wants to know more. Yet my spiritual self KNOWS what's better for me, and I cry out to You, just as this verse says. Your protection and refuge give me the willpower to say no to myself. I can turn off the TV or delete a timer I've set to record a show, and then gratitude for Your intervention overwhelms me. I know You want the very best for me, and though at times I grudgingly say, "Okay, I give..." I want You to know that, when my earthly body is defeated, my soul sings Your praises.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
I particularly noted the part about seeking his own desire. Anytime we become that self-absorbed, we can begin to feel entitled to the fulfillment of our own desires, above those of others. We can become unwilling to compromise, and such behavior can further isolate us. It's almost as if we're becoming our own idol, or our own god. Such an entitlement mentality can lead us to believe that our sin is okay, that we can handle it, and that we're the exception to the rule. This brings about "inward wickedness and baseness," which will reveal itself outwardly eventually as "shame and reproach" when our sins finally catch up with us, I found in my commentary.
What's the remedy for this? My sidebar says, "It's better to be humble and discerning..." and that "There is an eclipse of a man's glory when he dotes upon his own greatness."
Temptations are likely to come flooding into anyone who believes he's the exception to the rule. But we have help. Verse 10: "The Lord is like a strong tower; those who do right can run to Him for safety." My commentary says, "The Lord is a place of refuge and protection [even from ourselves - gf], for those who trust in Him. Therefore, in the moment of fierce temptation, call upon the name of the Lord, and He will preserve you from sinning."
Father, I've so often faced such circumstances. It could be as simple as something on TV stirring up sinful thoughts. Immediately, my earthly self wants to know more. Yet my spiritual self KNOWS what's better for me, and I cry out to You, just as this verse says. Your protection and refuge give me the willpower to say no to myself. I can turn off the TV or delete a timer I've set to record a show, and then gratitude for Your intervention overwhelms me. I know You want the very best for me, and though at times I grudgingly say, "Okay, I give..." I want You to know that, when my earthly body is defeated, my soul sings Your praises.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
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