Posts
timewithgod.blog-city.com — October 2009
Job 38-39 Who ARE We, Anyway?
But as the sidebar today by Max Lucado states, "God's questions aren't intended to teach; they are intended to stun. They aren't intended to enlighten; they are intended to awaken. They aren't intended to stir
But as the sidebar today by Max Lucado states, "God's questions aren't intended to teach; they are intended to stun. They aren't intended to enlighten; they are intended to awaken. They aren't intended to stir the mind; they are intended to bend the knees."
My commentary summarizes God's speech in what might be His own words: "Before you take it on yourself to criticize My ways, you should ask yourself if you could manage the creation as well as I do." "This, of course, can only show Job [and us] how powerless, ignorant, insignificant, inadequate, incompetent and finite he is [we are]."
I couldn't argue with what my sidebar said next, either: "God owes no one anything. No explanations. No excuses. No help. God has no debt, no outstanding balance, no favors to return. God owes no man anything. Which makes the fact that He gave us everything even more astounding."
I thought about watching a mound of fire ants scurrying forth to take on all invaders when I've managed to step right in the middle of one of their mounds. We would consider their organized existence a curiosity, rather insignificant, and even laughable compared to ours, yet they still command our respect when they climb our legs! Man cannot even reach that level of significance with God. How truly amazing it is then when God in all His glory, majesty, and honor reaches down on an individual basis to stir up our own little mounds, in a loving way. It causes me to ask what David asked, "Who is man, that You are mindful of him?" Who am I, Lord, that You would ever love this sinner so very much?
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
My commentary summarizes God's speech in what might be His own words: "Before you take it on yourself to criticize My ways, you should ask yourself if you could manage the creation as well as I do." "This, of course, can only show Job [and us] how powerless, ignorant, insignificant, inadequate, incompetent and finite he is [we are]."
I couldn't argue with what my sidebar said next, either: "God owes no one anything. No explanations. No excuses. No help. God has no debt, no outstanding balance, no favors to return. God owes no man anything. Which makes the fact that He gave us everything even more astounding."
I thought about watching a mound of fire ants scurrying forth to take on all invaders when I've managed to step right in the middle of one of their mounds. We would consider their organized existence a curiosity, rather insignificant, and even laughable compared to ours, yet they still command our respect when they climb our legs! Man cannot even reach that level of significance with God. How truly amazing it is then when God in all His glory, majesty, and honor reaches down on an individual basis to stir up our own little mounds, in a loving way. It causes me to ask what David asked, "Who is man, that You are mindful of him?" Who am I, Lord, that You would ever love this sinner so very much?
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Job 40-42 Not Just About Humility
Job has gotten overwhelmed by his circumstances - to the point where he begins to believe that he deserves an answer from God as to why it's happening. So God speaks to Job in a voice like thunder, asking Job if he dares to correct G
Job has gotten overwhelmed by his circumstances - to the point where he begins to believe that he deserves an answer from God as to why it's happening. So God speaks to Job in a voice like thunder, asking Job if he dares to correct God? Job could only think to reply that he is not worthy and will stop talking.
My commentary said, "But Job's response was somewhat short of repentance, so the Lord continues..." As God speaks, He doesn't answer Job's complaints directly, it said, but says in effect, "You should be able to trust the wisdom, love, and power of One who is so great, so majestic, so glorious."
After that next round of questioning by God, Job throws in the towel and acknowledges the sovereignty of God. He confesses that he shouldn't have voiced his doubts. He shouldn't have even doubted. What he says next is so important: "My ears have heard of You before, but now my eyes have seen You. So now I hate myself; I will change my heart and life. (Sounds like what John the Baptist preached, huh?) I will sit in dust and ashes." Job has reached repentance. He has discovered how he dishonored God with his speech and thoughts. He sees his own utter lack of value compared with God, and he has seen God's righteousness. He's left with no other position but to agree with God, change his life, and express his grief at his own thoughts and actions. (Remember, God had said Job was righteous and blameless in chapter 1. Shows how far we still have to go.) He abhors himself. D.L. Moody said it this way: "The more on grows in grace, the meaner he is in his own eyes."
God had produced in Job what He desired. Now only one thing remained - "Pray for your friends." "What?? You mean those mean-spirited guys who've tried to tell me how horrible I am?" That thought never entered Job's mind, for he'd just seen God, and had received forgiveness. Who would he be not to do the same. Once he prayed, God restored double what he'd lost, and he lived to see the great-great-grandchildren of the ten new kids that God gave him!
Father, I am so humbled by Your presence and intervention in my own life. I'm so glad that You saw fit not to have me endure what Job endured. Although praising You comes easily and naturally for me now, help me to never forget that I must also be constantly aware of that great gap between my holiness and righteousness and Yours. Mine is but filthy rags. Thank You for being my God!
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
My commentary said, "But Job's response was somewhat short of repentance, so the Lord continues..." As God speaks, He doesn't answer Job's complaints directly, it said, but says in effect, "You should be able to trust the wisdom, love, and power of One who is so great, so majestic, so glorious."
After that next round of questioning by God, Job throws in the towel and acknowledges the sovereignty of God. He confesses that he shouldn't have voiced his doubts. He shouldn't have even doubted. What he says next is so important: "My ears have heard of You before, but now my eyes have seen You. So now I hate myself; I will change my heart and life. (Sounds like what John the Baptist preached, huh?) I will sit in dust and ashes." Job has reached repentance. He has discovered how he dishonored God with his speech and thoughts. He sees his own utter lack of value compared with God, and he has seen God's righteousness. He's left with no other position but to agree with God, change his life, and express his grief at his own thoughts and actions. (Remember, God had said Job was righteous and blameless in chapter 1. Shows how far we still have to go.) He abhors himself. D.L. Moody said it this way: "The more on grows in grace, the meaner he is in his own eyes."
God had produced in Job what He desired. Now only one thing remained - "Pray for your friends." "What?? You mean those mean-spirited guys who've tried to tell me how horrible I am?" That thought never entered Job's mind, for he'd just seen God, and had received forgiveness. Who would he be not to do the same. Once he prayed, God restored double what he'd lost, and he lived to see the great-great-grandchildren of the ten new kids that God gave him!
Father, I am so humbled by Your presence and intervention in my own life. I'm so glad that You saw fit not to have me endure what Job endured. Although praising You comes easily and naturally for me now, help me to never forget that I must also be constantly aware of that great gap between my holiness and righteousness and Yours. Mine is but filthy rags. Thank You for being my God!
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
2 Timothy 1 -- Five Reminders For Those Of Us Not In Full-Time Ministry
Although Paul is writing to Timothy as one pastor to another, a lot of what he says could have meant just as much if Timothy had been a butcher or a banker. Paul was sitting in prison in Rome, and he knew that it was just a matter of tim
Although Paul is writing to Timothy as one pastor to another, a lot of what he says could have meant just as much if Timothy had been a butcher or a banker. Paul was sitting in prison in Rome, and he knew that it was just a matter of time before he would be killed for his beliefs. What he said to Timothy here still sounds fresh, coming straight to me or anyone else who is not in full-time ministry:
I work on the premise that God has placed me where I am at a particular time for a particular reason. I may not know this side of eternity what that reason may be, but I trust His faithfulness to use me however He sees fit to move people closer to Him.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
- 1) Keep using the gift God gave you - He's placed us right where He wants us, with unique abilities, gifts, and desires of the heart that He created. We do the things we're good at because God placed those desires in our hearts. We are just as much ministers in whatever job we do when we allow Him to use us where we are.
- 2) He didn't give us a spirit that makes us afraid, but a spirit of power and love and self-control. When we find ourselves worried, afraid, or feeling inadequate in our jobs, we just have to remember this. Our confidence comes from Him living inside us and motivating us to show His love to others.
- 3) Don't be ashamed to tell people about our Lord Jesus. I've been so amazed over the years to watch people's reactions as I place God into the conversation. Nine out of ten actually seem relieved to have someone they feel at ease talking with about God.
- 4) God gives us the strength to suffer. Since God placed us in our position of service, Satan will do his best to knock us off course. He'll attack us with overbusy schedules, mounds of paperwork, and problems that seemingly have no solution. Yet God's grace allows us to be steadfast, to not cave in to despair. My sidebar said it well: "When hands extended and voices demanded, Jesus responded with love. He did so because the code within Him disarmed the alarm. The code is worth noting: People are precious."
- 5) Paul said, "But I am not ashamed, because I KNOW JESUS, the one in whom I have believed. And I am sure He is able to protect what He has trusted me with until that day." He's trusted us with the gifts He's given us - our work skills. And until He comes back for us (and we won't have to worry about work's demands anymore), He will protect us and allow us to continue serving Him right where we are.
I work on the premise that God has placed me where I am at a particular time for a particular reason. I may not know this side of eternity what that reason may be, but I trust His faithfulness to use me however He sees fit to move people closer to Him.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
2 Timothy 2 -- Running The Race Without Getting Disqualified
"An athlete who takes part in a contest must obey all the rules in order to win." My oldest son and several of his friends are competing in a cross-country meet today. It's a really convoluted course, with lots of
"An athlete who takes part in a contest must obey all the rules in order to win."
My oldest son and several of his friends are competing in a cross-country meet today. It's a really convoluted course, with lots of hills to go up and down. Before the race starts, their qualifications must be checked - age, grades, and grade in school. Then, like a herd of cattle, they leave the starting line for a 1.5 to 2 mile run. With maybe 50-100 runners bearing witness, it's almost impossible to get away with any rule-breaking. Still, shoving and tripping do occur. Getting off the trail and shortcutting the course would be a major infraction, and there would be plenty of witnesses to call them out on it.
Here, Paul compares Christian service with a race in which we risk disqualification. This isn't just a message for pastors, but for everyone who serves in any capacity in Christian service. So what rules might we need to worry about? God is looking for unquestioning obedience to His Word, my commentary says. Failure to do this could disqualify us from service.
While it's easy to think of stories about the failures of well-known televangelists, it could just as easily be something we might think of as harmless. For up in verse 4, Paul talks about wasting time with everyday matters. That could easily include letting our possessions possess us on Sundays or whenever we could serve - things like boats, campers, cabins, etc. If we can't be counted on to be consistently available, our usefulness to God in service is limited.
I've also heard stories of people who've piled up enough debt trying to keep up with their neighbors that they couldn't afford to do what God was calling them to do. Their debts had held them back.
Another way verse 4 is stated may make the picture clearer: "No soldier entangles himself with the affairs of this life." I can just see a person struggling to run a race, with a host of vines wrapped around each foot and leg, holding him back, entangling him, and causing him to fall. We have to examine closely the spiritual ground around us to see if we've let ourselves wonder into entanglements without even realizing it.
Father, it amazes me how things that seem so harmless so often tug at me, trying to get me off-track with You. Satan seems to discover every weakness we have in order to attempt to disqualify us from serving You. Please help me to constantly be on the lookout for traps such as these in my life. Give me the strength and willpower to tear free of them and to maintain unquestioning obedience to Your word.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
My oldest son and several of his friends are competing in a cross-country meet today. It's a really convoluted course, with lots of hills to go up and down. Before the race starts, their qualifications must be checked - age, grades, and grade in school. Then, like a herd of cattle, they leave the starting line for a 1.5 to 2 mile run. With maybe 50-100 runners bearing witness, it's almost impossible to get away with any rule-breaking. Still, shoving and tripping do occur. Getting off the trail and shortcutting the course would be a major infraction, and there would be plenty of witnesses to call them out on it.
Here, Paul compares Christian service with a race in which we risk disqualification. This isn't just a message for pastors, but for everyone who serves in any capacity in Christian service. So what rules might we need to worry about? God is looking for unquestioning obedience to His Word, my commentary says. Failure to do this could disqualify us from service.
While it's easy to think of stories about the failures of well-known televangelists, it could just as easily be something we might think of as harmless. For up in verse 4, Paul talks about wasting time with everyday matters. That could easily include letting our possessions possess us on Sundays or whenever we could serve - things like boats, campers, cabins, etc. If we can't be counted on to be consistently available, our usefulness to God in service is limited.
I've also heard stories of people who've piled up enough debt trying to keep up with their neighbors that they couldn't afford to do what God was calling them to do. Their debts had held them back.
Another way verse 4 is stated may make the picture clearer: "No soldier entangles himself with the affairs of this life." I can just see a person struggling to run a race, with a host of vines wrapped around each foot and leg, holding him back, entangling him, and causing him to fall. We have to examine closely the spiritual ground around us to see if we've let ourselves wonder into entanglements without even realizing it.
Father, it amazes me how things that seem so harmless so often tug at me, trying to get me off-track with You. Satan seems to discover every weakness we have in order to attempt to disqualify us from serving You. Please help me to constantly be on the lookout for traps such as these in my life. Give me the strength and willpower to tear free of them and to maintain unquestioning obedience to Your word.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
2 Timothy 3 -- We Can't Have It Both Ways
Verses 4-5 were like a magnet this morning. Talking not about unbelievers but about those who profess to be Christians, Paul said, "They will be conceited, will love pleasure instead of God, and will act as if they serve God but wil
Verses 4-5 were like a magnet this morning. Talking not about unbelievers but about those who profess to be Christians, Paul said, "They will be conceited, will love pleasure instead of God, and will act as if they serve God but will not have His power."
My commentary said, "Outwardly these people seem religious, but ... there is no evidence of the power of God in their lives. While there may have been reformation, there was never regeneration. ... Though they keep up a form of religion, they will have nothing to do with it as a force ... They will maintain a façade of ‘religion' but their conduct will deny its validity."
All of that speaks to not being connected to God -- instead, simply "doing religion" as one would "do lunch". Without being regenerated by a relationship with Christ, it's impossible for any person to understand what God is capable of doing within them.
Perhaps the most telling tale from my commentary was this: "They want to be religious AND to have their sins at the same time." WOW! I know humans would be thinking, "That's the best of both worlds!" But it's not. That's a lie straight from the pit of hell. God is holy, and He will not tolerate sin in His presence.
Father I know I used to think this same way, and I'm so glad that You corrected my wrongheadedness and put me on the right path. Yet I also know that sin still tugs at me, tempting me to believe that it can easily exist side by side with my relationship with You. Don't let me fall for that line. Speak loudly to me whenever I'm tempted to sin again. I want to be more like You.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
My commentary said, "Outwardly these people seem religious, but ... there is no evidence of the power of God in their lives. While there may have been reformation, there was never regeneration. ... Though they keep up a form of religion, they will have nothing to do with it as a force ... They will maintain a façade of ‘religion' but their conduct will deny its validity."
All of that speaks to not being connected to God -- instead, simply "doing religion" as one would "do lunch". Without being regenerated by a relationship with Christ, it's impossible for any person to understand what God is capable of doing within them.
Perhaps the most telling tale from my commentary was this: "They want to be religious AND to have their sins at the same time." WOW! I know humans would be thinking, "That's the best of both worlds!" But it's not. That's a lie straight from the pit of hell. God is holy, and He will not tolerate sin in His presence.
Father I know I used to think this same way, and I'm so glad that You corrected my wrongheadedness and put me on the right path. Yet I also know that sin still tugs at me, tempting me to believe that it can easily exist side by side with my relationship with You. Don't let me fall for that line. Speak loudly to me whenever I'm tempted to sin again. I want to be more like You.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
2 Timothy 4 -- What We Don't Want To Hear
Verses 2 & 3 say, "Preach the Good News. Be ready at all times, and tell people what they need to do. Tell them when they are wrong. Encourage them with great patience and careful teaching, because the time will come
Verses 2 & 3 say, "Preach the Good News. Be ready at all times, and tell people what they need to do. Tell them when they are wrong. Encourage them with great patience and careful teaching, because the time will come when people will not listen to the true teaching but will find many more teachers who please them by saying the things they want to hear."
God brought to mind our first day of soccer practice this year. We were trying something new, where everyone signed up would practice together as one team, then we'd draw for teams on game days. Many of the kids there had been on teams I'd coached before. Almost half had not. Those seemed to stand there with the anxiety of elementary schoolers transitioning from "recess" to "P.E." for the first time, facing who they believed to be a drill sergeant coach. They squirmed, wondering if they'd have to run laps and perform repetitive drills. To their surprise, we played soccer nonstop for 30 minutes, took a water break, then did it again. When practice ended, they asked if they could keep playing, and went on another 30 minutes!
I think too often there's squirming on both sides when these verses are heard. "Tell them when they are wrong" is something all of us probably hate to have to do. It implies conflict and possibly embarrassment. On the flip side of the coin, there's been so much emphasis on personal freedom, personal choice, and moral relativism that many take such instruction as a personal affront to their liberty!
Going back to my soccer story, during practice I run alongside the players nearest the ball, pointing out opportunities to really engage, while at the same time challenging defenders to prevent the attack. If either side fails to get the job done (and there will always be someone) I praise the move of the winner and gently help the loser see a different and better way to accomplish the task. I try to use the "great patience and careful teaching" Paul mentions here.
We try so very hard to be diplomatic, it seems, when it comes to church. What we may fail to consider is the manner in which people begin to shift away from God's will. My commentary says that Paul "foresees a time when people will show a positive DISTASTE for healthy-giving teaching .... Their ears will itch for doctrines that are pleasing and comfortable. That's about like getting up in the morning and giving yourself the leeway to decide whether to climb aboard the Nordic Track or not. People who want to get in better shape don't allow for the option of not doing it. In the same way, we can decide to allow ourselves to change churches in the hope that the message will be more palatable. But we know what we should be listening to. My commentary even goes so far as to describe it as "a lust for inoffensive preaching." That seems right on the mark when we define lust as a strong desire for something morally undesirable. It also says this lust causes people to turn their ears away from the truth - about like people deciding not to exercise, choosing instead to tell themselves, "I'm not getting fat!" when the evidence is staring them in the mirror. And a person who tells themselves that often enough will let apathy and neglect ruin what they once had.
In the same way, spiritual apathy and neglect leads us away from God, though most people probably never intend that to happen. The human heart is deceitful above all else. God gave this command to save us from OURSELVES.
Father, please keep me from lusting for a watered-down message that simply makes me feel good and that doesn't challenge me to stay the course. Place in my path those who love me enough to confront and correct. I'd want to do the same for my friends.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
God brought to mind our first day of soccer practice this year. We were trying something new, where everyone signed up would practice together as one team, then we'd draw for teams on game days. Many of the kids there had been on teams I'd coached before. Almost half had not. Those seemed to stand there with the anxiety of elementary schoolers transitioning from "recess" to "P.E." for the first time, facing who they believed to be a drill sergeant coach. They squirmed, wondering if they'd have to run laps and perform repetitive drills. To their surprise, we played soccer nonstop for 30 minutes, took a water break, then did it again. When practice ended, they asked if they could keep playing, and went on another 30 minutes!
I think too often there's squirming on both sides when these verses are heard. "Tell them when they are wrong" is something all of us probably hate to have to do. It implies conflict and possibly embarrassment. On the flip side of the coin, there's been so much emphasis on personal freedom, personal choice, and moral relativism that many take such instruction as a personal affront to their liberty!
Going back to my soccer story, during practice I run alongside the players nearest the ball, pointing out opportunities to really engage, while at the same time challenging defenders to prevent the attack. If either side fails to get the job done (and there will always be someone) I praise the move of the winner and gently help the loser see a different and better way to accomplish the task. I try to use the "great patience and careful teaching" Paul mentions here.
We try so very hard to be diplomatic, it seems, when it comes to church. What we may fail to consider is the manner in which people begin to shift away from God's will. My commentary says that Paul "foresees a time when people will show a positive DISTASTE for healthy-giving teaching .... Their ears will itch for doctrines that are pleasing and comfortable. That's about like getting up in the morning and giving yourself the leeway to decide whether to climb aboard the Nordic Track or not. People who want to get in better shape don't allow for the option of not doing it. In the same way, we can decide to allow ourselves to change churches in the hope that the message will be more palatable. But we know what we should be listening to. My commentary even goes so far as to describe it as "a lust for inoffensive preaching." That seems right on the mark when we define lust as a strong desire for something morally undesirable. It also says this lust causes people to turn their ears away from the truth - about like people deciding not to exercise, choosing instead to tell themselves, "I'm not getting fat!" when the evidence is staring them in the mirror. And a person who tells themselves that often enough will let apathy and neglect ruin what they once had.
In the same way, spiritual apathy and neglect leads us away from God, though most people probably never intend that to happen. The human heart is deceitful above all else. God gave this command to save us from OURSELVES.
Father, please keep me from lusting for a watered-down message that simply makes me feel good and that doesn't challenge me to stay the course. Place in my path those who love me enough to confront and correct. I'd want to do the same for my friends.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Proverbs 1 -- What Jesus Knew At Age 12
I'm a "story" person, and I've not disrespectfully said that Proverbs seems to be a collection of spiritual fortune cookies. So often it is tough for me to stay engaged. But today was different. Last night I
I'm a "story" person, and I've not disrespectfully said that Proverbs seems to be a collection of spiritual fortune cookies. So often it is tough for me to stay engaged. But today was different. Last night I was studying for this Sunday's lesson - the story about Jesus at age 12 in the Temple amazing all the teachers. As I read this today, I prayed that I could see these verses as He might have seen them at age 12. I then picked up some rich insights from my commentary.
I could see Him smiling knowingly at verse 7. My commentary said, "If a man wants to be wise, the place to begin is in reverencing God and in trusting and obeying Him. What is more reasonable than that the creature should trust his Creator?" That smile would come because the One who performed the Creation was dwelling inside the body of that 12-year-old boy.
About verse 8, my commentary said, "We hear the heartbeat of a parent who wants the best in life for his child." I thought about how my boys are growing up. The best I can give them is not the latest version of everything out, but instead the wisdom God intends for them to have for this life.
So what important things are there to learn in the remainder of the chapter? "Life is full of enticements. We must have the courage to say ‘No' a THOUSAND times a week."
Becoming a man does not consist of being able to say we have tried everything that entered our minds to do. Instead, it takes a man to be able to say ‘No' and to exhibit self-control and restraint - and yielding to God - the same way a fine horse shows power under the restraint of a bit and its rider.
Possibly the biggest enticer of kids today is boredom. They have 10,000 times more entertainment possibilities than I did just 35 years ago, and yet rather than leaving them satisfied, those opportunities have so over-sensitized them that they grow bored in minutes with even the latest video game and need another "fix" of excitement!
That desire for excitement all too many times leads them to lapses of judgment and failure to consider the consequences. As verses 17 & 18 tell us, they end up making a trap for their own lives and then they walk straight INTO it!
Probably the worst thing that can ever happen is for a kid to get away with their first break from wisdom. A lack of consequences leads to boldness to try again. Before long, they can begin to laugh at wisdom as being overprotective and old-fashioned. My commentary said, "What makes man's stubborn refusal so irrational is that God's commandments and warnings are for man's good, NOT for God's." It also contained this wisdom by D.G. Barnhouse: "God has given us commandments and principles that are for our good; God never gives us a commandment because He is arbitrary or because He doesn't want us to have fun.... He knows that if we put anything, ANYTHING before Him, it will hurt us."
"How ludicrous and ridiculous it is for a mere man to defy the Omnipotent Sovereign, as if a gnat should defy a blast furnace!" it said. That's nothing more than the sin of pride, which is particularly tough for a young guy to resist as he begins to establish his independence from his parents.
During those adolescent years, it's so very important that respect for God's wisdom is never lost, because "light rejected is light denied. They would not see; now they cannot see," my commentary said. God will bring about judicial blindness if a person continues to reject His counsel. That brings up the sadness of Romans 1:22 - "Professing to be wise, they became fools." Perhaps the thing kids need to learn early on is this: "Every man is free to make his own choices in life, BUT he is not free to choose the consequences of his choices."
Father, I listen to my boys and my heart silently cheers when they see the world with Your eyes and point out the problems that people they know are creating for themselves. Yet I know all too well how I let myself fall so far by rejecting Your wisdom after making such a good start. Give me opportunities to tell them this stuff and help them to be teachable, listening carefully to Your wisdom and not getting bored by it. I do want Your best for them. Help me to grow in wisdom for their sake.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
I could see Him smiling knowingly at verse 7. My commentary said, "If a man wants to be wise, the place to begin is in reverencing God and in trusting and obeying Him. What is more reasonable than that the creature should trust his Creator?" That smile would come because the One who performed the Creation was dwelling inside the body of that 12-year-old boy.
About verse 8, my commentary said, "We hear the heartbeat of a parent who wants the best in life for his child." I thought about how my boys are growing up. The best I can give them is not the latest version of everything out, but instead the wisdom God intends for them to have for this life.
So what important things are there to learn in the remainder of the chapter? "Life is full of enticements. We must have the courage to say ‘No' a THOUSAND times a week."
Becoming a man does not consist of being able to say we have tried everything that entered our minds to do. Instead, it takes a man to be able to say ‘No' and to exhibit self-control and restraint - and yielding to God - the same way a fine horse shows power under the restraint of a bit and its rider.
Possibly the biggest enticer of kids today is boredom. They have 10,000 times more entertainment possibilities than I did just 35 years ago, and yet rather than leaving them satisfied, those opportunities have so over-sensitized them that they grow bored in minutes with even the latest video game and need another "fix" of excitement!
That desire for excitement all too many times leads them to lapses of judgment and failure to consider the consequences. As verses 17 & 18 tell us, they end up making a trap for their own lives and then they walk straight INTO it!
Probably the worst thing that can ever happen is for a kid to get away with their first break from wisdom. A lack of consequences leads to boldness to try again. Before long, they can begin to laugh at wisdom as being overprotective and old-fashioned. My commentary said, "What makes man's stubborn refusal so irrational is that God's commandments and warnings are for man's good, NOT for God's." It also contained this wisdom by D.G. Barnhouse: "God has given us commandments and principles that are for our good; God never gives us a commandment because He is arbitrary or because He doesn't want us to have fun.... He knows that if we put anything, ANYTHING before Him, it will hurt us."
"How ludicrous and ridiculous it is for a mere man to defy the Omnipotent Sovereign, as if a gnat should defy a blast furnace!" it said. That's nothing more than the sin of pride, which is particularly tough for a young guy to resist as he begins to establish his independence from his parents.
During those adolescent years, it's so very important that respect for God's wisdom is never lost, because "light rejected is light denied. They would not see; now they cannot see," my commentary said. God will bring about judicial blindness if a person continues to reject His counsel. That brings up the sadness of Romans 1:22 - "Professing to be wise, they became fools." Perhaps the thing kids need to learn early on is this: "Every man is free to make his own choices in life, BUT he is not free to choose the consequences of his choices."
Father, I listen to my boys and my heart silently cheers when they see the world with Your eyes and point out the problems that people they know are creating for themselves. Yet I know all too well how I let myself fall so far by rejecting Your wisdom after making such a good start. Give me opportunities to tell them this stuff and help them to be teachable, listening carefully to Your wisdom and not getting bored by it. I do want Your best for them. Help me to grow in wisdom for their sake.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Proverbs 2-3 -- How Can I KNOW God's Will For My Life?
"Trust the Lord with all your heart, and don't depend on your own understanding. Remember the Lord in all you do, and He will give you success. Don't depend on your own wisdom. Respect the Lord and refuse to do w
"Trust the Lord with all your heart, and don't depend on your own understanding. Remember the Lord in all you do, and He will give you success. Don't depend on your own wisdom. Respect the Lord and refuse to do wrong."
Does our natural tendency seem to let that set of verses be followed by, "But God....." ? If so, doesn't that negate the first three words?
Even an honest and trusting seeker will end up asking at some point, "How can I know God's will in my life?" Even the middle school guys in Bible study yesterday said they sure wished they knew what they'd be doing as grownups.
My commentary answered the question about how to know God's will, using verses 5&6:
"First, there must be a full commitment of ourselves - spirit, soul, and body - to the Lord. We must trust Him not only for the salvation of our souls but also for the direction of our lives. It must be a commitment without reserve."
I know that I either missed that, wasn't told that, or forgot it. It wasn't until I went through the Experiencing God Bible study that I clearly understood that God expects to rule in my life and direct it.
Besides trusting Him completely, my commentary added, "Next, there must be a healthy DISTRUST of SELF, an acknowledgment that we are not CAPABLE of guiding ourselves." In the margins of my Bible, I'd written that we inherited Eve's reasoning from Genesis 3:5-6, and that's why we can't trust ourselves.
Lastly, "there must be an acknowledgment of the Lordship of Christ: ‘In all your ways acknowledge Him...' " And what? And He shall direct your paths." "EVERY area of our lives must be turned over to His control. We must have no will of our own, only a single pure desire to know HIS will and do it."
So what keeps us from getting God's guidance? "Conceit puts us on hold," my commentary says. Ah, that ugly sin of pride. Like a 3-year-old, we proudly thrust out our hands with our newest possession, but as someone we "trust" reaches out to take it from us to marvel over it, we yank it back, not wanting to let go, knowing wrongly that we are the best caretakers of our stuff.
Father, in 2:10 You said, "Knowledge will be PLEASING" to me, rather than distasteful. Thank You for working in my life to help me to see Your divine intervention in my life as a good thing. Thank You for leading me to want to seek out Your will for my life. Father, strangely the toughest part was in trusting You, and leaning not on my own understanding, which has been corrupted by sin. Please help me to stay fully committed to Your guidance - spirit, soul, and body. And help me to make it "a commitment without reserve."
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Does our natural tendency seem to let that set of verses be followed by, "But God....." ? If so, doesn't that negate the first three words?
Even an honest and trusting seeker will end up asking at some point, "How can I know God's will in my life?" Even the middle school guys in Bible study yesterday said they sure wished they knew what they'd be doing as grownups.
My commentary answered the question about how to know God's will, using verses 5&6:
"First, there must be a full commitment of ourselves - spirit, soul, and body - to the Lord. We must trust Him not only for the salvation of our souls but also for the direction of our lives. It must be a commitment without reserve."
I know that I either missed that, wasn't told that, or forgot it. It wasn't until I went through the Experiencing God Bible study that I clearly understood that God expects to rule in my life and direct it.
Besides trusting Him completely, my commentary added, "Next, there must be a healthy DISTRUST of SELF, an acknowledgment that we are not CAPABLE of guiding ourselves." In the margins of my Bible, I'd written that we inherited Eve's reasoning from Genesis 3:5-6, and that's why we can't trust ourselves.
Lastly, "there must be an acknowledgment of the Lordship of Christ: ‘In all your ways acknowledge Him...' " And what? And He shall direct your paths." "EVERY area of our lives must be turned over to His control. We must have no will of our own, only a single pure desire to know HIS will and do it."
So what keeps us from getting God's guidance? "Conceit puts us on hold," my commentary says. Ah, that ugly sin of pride. Like a 3-year-old, we proudly thrust out our hands with our newest possession, but as someone we "trust" reaches out to take it from us to marvel over it, we yank it back, not wanting to let go, knowing wrongly that we are the best caretakers of our stuff.
Father, in 2:10 You said, "Knowledge will be PLEASING" to me, rather than distasteful. Thank You for working in my life to help me to see Your divine intervention in my life as a good thing. Thank You for leading me to want to seek out Your will for my life. Father, strangely the toughest part was in trusting You, and leaning not on my own understanding, which has been corrupted by sin. Please help me to stay fully committed to Your guidance - spirit, soul, and body. And help me to make it "a commitment without reserve."
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Proverbs 4 -- A Guarantee From God?
God had me to zero in on verse 12, but not for the reason I first thought: "Nothing will hold you back; you will not be overwhelmed." That sounds like something straight out of a high-priced motivational seminar. So
God had me to zero in on verse 12, but not for the reason I first thought: "Nothing will hold you back; you will not be overwhelmed." That sounds like something straight out of a high-priced motivational seminar. So what does it take to get to that point? The answer come out of the verses just before it, and though it's Solomon talking to his son, it could just as easily be God talking to us:
"My child, listen AND ACCEPT what I say. Then you will have a long life. I am guiding you in the way of wisdom, and I am leading you on the right path."
My commentary said that everything Solomon has said leading up to this equates to "living for the Lord" in our time, and that "only the life that's lived for God really counts."
So what was God saying to me about verse 12 that wasn't what I'd thought? It's what is implied by not doing it. Everything will hold you back. You will be overwhelmed. And what will cause this? Not living a life that's lived for God - a life that really counts. If a person decides he doesn't want to bother learning God's wisdom - if he doesn't care whether he's on the right path or not - then in these verses God has guaranteed that everything will be an obstacle for him and he will be overwhelmed. That gives new meaning to "the peace of God", huh?
Father, as I look back over a time when I could have cared less what You said, I can see that it was not one of the happiest, carefree times of my life. Instead, I felt overwhelmed and held back from having a purpose for my life. I didn't want to do that simple thing listed in verse 10 - to listen AND ACCEPT what You had to say. I was all too much like the person described in verse 19 instead. I couldn't even see what was making me stumble. Professing to be wise, I had become a fool.
Father, help me to be able to talk to young people in a way that they will understand and relate to, particularly my sons. Allow them to see the anguish I now feel over those wasted years when my relationship with You almost dissolved. Thank You for never letting go of me.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
"My child, listen AND ACCEPT what I say. Then you will have a long life. I am guiding you in the way of wisdom, and I am leading you on the right path."
My commentary said that everything Solomon has said leading up to this equates to "living for the Lord" in our time, and that "only the life that's lived for God really counts."
So what was God saying to me about verse 12 that wasn't what I'd thought? It's what is implied by not doing it. Everything will hold you back. You will be overwhelmed. And what will cause this? Not living a life that's lived for God - a life that really counts. If a person decides he doesn't want to bother learning God's wisdom - if he doesn't care whether he's on the right path or not - then in these verses God has guaranteed that everything will be an obstacle for him and he will be overwhelmed. That gives new meaning to "the peace of God", huh?
Father, as I look back over a time when I could have cared less what You said, I can see that it was not one of the happiest, carefree times of my life. Instead, I felt overwhelmed and held back from having a purpose for my life. I didn't want to do that simple thing listed in verse 10 - to listen AND ACCEPT what You had to say. I was all too much like the person described in verse 19 instead. I couldn't even see what was making me stumble. Professing to be wise, I had become a fool.
Father, help me to be able to talk to young people in a way that they will understand and relate to, particularly my sons. Allow them to see the anguish I now feel over those wasted years when my relationship with You almost dissolved. Thank You for never letting go of me.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Proverbs 5 -- NOT Just About Adultery
My commentary set the tone well with something every person should know by now: "Sin is attractive as a prospect, but hideous in retrospect." When it's right there before us, being dangled before our noses, we seem to
My commentary set the tone well with something every person should know by now: "Sin is attractive as a prospect, but hideous in retrospect." When it's right there before us, being dangled before our noses, we seem to lose all judgment and discernment. Then, if we fail to flee and instead indulge ourselves, we find that we hate ourselves in the morning.
One thing is made abundantly clear in verse 8 - we cannot even allow ourselves to toy with the prospect of sin. From my commentary: "There is no use asking God for deliverance if we insist on toying with objects or places that are associated with sin."
Verses 9 & 10 could have been written just for the Internet age. They speak of giving your riches to others and the best years of your life to someone cruel, and letting strangers enjoy your wealth. We may think and believe that the Internet brought anonymity to pornography, but the people who make it available on the Internet, plus any hacker who wants, can trace viewings back to an individual pc or cell phone. They can then blackmail the user just as these verses describe!
Verses 12 & 13 speak of the lifelong effects that giving in to lust can have on us, for even though God can and will forgive and forget, we CAN'T, and we will find ourselves drowning in a sea of guilt and regret for the rest of our lives for our own stupidity.
Men may also tend to think that viewing pornography hurts no one and that they can keep their sin a secret, but verse 21 says what we know: "God sees ALL sin." "Secret sin on earth is open scandal in heaven," my commentary said.
Finally, verses 22 & 23 say, "An evil man will be caught in his wicked ways; the ropes of his sins will tie him up. He will die because he does not control himself, and he will be held captive by his FOOLISHNESS."
Again, from my commentary: "Sinful habits are hard to break, but if they are not broken, they will bind the client ever more tightly.... He finds that sin spirals in a downward cycle, pulling him along. He is captured and tied up by sin's ever-tightening cords. At length, he becomes sin's slave.... For lack of sense, he dies. He would not exercise self-control."
Father, Satan tells us such clever lies, whispering "No one will know!" and "This won't hurt you!" Yet You easily see through Satan's lies, and You desire for us to know the truth. And even knowing it, I think we sometimes are even willing to bet that it won't happen to us! Guard the minds of everyone who reads this, Father, including myself. Help us not to give in. Don't let us fill our lives with anything or anyone else but You.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
One thing is made abundantly clear in verse 8 - we cannot even allow ourselves to toy with the prospect of sin. From my commentary: "There is no use asking God for deliverance if we insist on toying with objects or places that are associated with sin."
Verses 9 & 10 could have been written just for the Internet age. They speak of giving your riches to others and the best years of your life to someone cruel, and letting strangers enjoy your wealth. We may think and believe that the Internet brought anonymity to pornography, but the people who make it available on the Internet, plus any hacker who wants, can trace viewings back to an individual pc or cell phone. They can then blackmail the user just as these verses describe!
Verses 12 & 13 speak of the lifelong effects that giving in to lust can have on us, for even though God can and will forgive and forget, we CAN'T, and we will find ourselves drowning in a sea of guilt and regret for the rest of our lives for our own stupidity.
Men may also tend to think that viewing pornography hurts no one and that they can keep their sin a secret, but verse 21 says what we know: "God sees ALL sin." "Secret sin on earth is open scandal in heaven," my commentary said.
Finally, verses 22 & 23 say, "An evil man will be caught in his wicked ways; the ropes of his sins will tie him up. He will die because he does not control himself, and he will be held captive by his FOOLISHNESS."
Again, from my commentary: "Sinful habits are hard to break, but if they are not broken, they will bind the client ever more tightly.... He finds that sin spirals in a downward cycle, pulling him along. He is captured and tied up by sin's ever-tightening cords. At length, he becomes sin's slave.... For lack of sense, he dies. He would not exercise self-control."
Father, Satan tells us such clever lies, whispering "No one will know!" and "This won't hurt you!" Yet You easily see through Satan's lies, and You desire for us to know the truth. And even knowing it, I think we sometimes are even willing to bet that it won't happen to us! Guard the minds of everyone who reads this, Father, including myself. Help us not to give in. Don't let us fill our lives with anything or anyone else but You.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
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