~ A DAILY PASSAGE ~

Settled And Stable

2010-05-27T10:06:00.000-05:00

"No one is established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will never be moved" (Proverbs 12:3).

There is something very comforting about enjoying a life that is settled and stable in a world that is so unsettled and unstable. The brokenness of life and the turmoil of the world frequently buffet our lives like hurricane force winds. Those whose lives are marked by wickedness cannot stand against such force. It is only the righteous who are able to thrive amidst life's storms.

The lesson from today's passage is all about the "root" of the righteous which allows them to be settled and stable throughout life. The trees that fall during strong thunderstorms, here in Houston, are the ones that fail to sink a tap root. The tap root goes deep into the ground giving the tree great nourishment and strength. No such root is present in the life of the wicked. Their life is shallow and thus unstable. Their life is selfish and thus unsettled.

Let's be wise in our approach to life by sinking a "tap root" deep into the ground. The way we do this is by developing a strong and loving relationship with Christ. Spending time in His Word, praying honestly and frequently, serving those He loves, and caring for those He died for. Only in our time with Him will we experience the deepening strength and stability it takes to thrive during life's frequent storms.

Super Character

2010-05-26T08:48:00.000-05:00

"A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of evil devices he condemns" (Proverbs 12:2).

The Proverbs use lots of different words to describe people who walk in faith with the Lord. Today's passage uses the word, "good." Without theologically picking that word apart, I would say that most of us know what it means to be a "good man." I would also say we know what it means when a man is all about "evil devices." The good man receives good things from the Lord while the man of evil devices is declared guilty.

Consider these other words used of people, in Proverbs 11, who live their lives in close fellowship with God: upright (11:3), blameless (11:5), a man of understanding (11:12), trustworthy (11:13), kind (11:17), and generous (11:25). Wouldn't it be great to be known by such words? Regardless of the rewards that come with such character, wouldn't it be wonderful to be that person?

We are not called to be the world's Superhero. We are called to walk humbly with God as people of super character. Consider the tragedy of being known as a person of evil devices. Surely when offered the opportunity to be a person of super character verses a person of evil character, we will choose the better option.

How are you known at work? What is your reputation at home? What words are used to describe you when you are not around? If you are the person you truly desire to be and the kind of person who receives the blessing of God, consider yourself fortunate. You are only that way by the grace of God so there is no room to boast. If you find you are not that person, cry out to God for His grace. He is ready and willing to mold you into the kind of person who represents Him well to the world. The kind of person who exchanges condemnation for blessing. A person of super character!

To Be Led

2010-05-25T08:04:00.000-05:00

"Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid" (Proverbs 12:1).

The key to a life well lived is the path on which that life is lived. God desires to take us down the path that leads to the abundant life. Knowing why and how we should stay on the right path is important if we are going to experience the best possible life. The person who willingly accepts discipline shows that he or she desires the knowledge it takes to live a God honoring life.

Not so with the person who rejects reproof and correction. Today's passage tells us that the person who avoids discipline at all cost is not very smart. The Hebrew word for "stupid" means "to be brutish or dull-minded" like an animal. It is the same word for "ignorant." The Proverbs often describe this person as a fool.

If you and I truly desire to be on the right path in life, we will accept the discipline offered to us by God throughout our lives. By accepting reproof and correction, we gain the knowledge we need for life. To receive direction and correction in life is to receive the necessary knowledge we need to avoid losing our way. To hate reproof puts us on the same level of an ignorant animal who refuses to follow his owner to the shelter of the barn and the nourishment and refreshment of the feeding trough and watering hole.

Let's not be stupid. Let's be smart by accepting discipline. By accepting discipline, we will gain the knowledge we need to live life well. It is how we are to be led to the good life God desires for us.

Justice For All

2010-05-20T07:00:00.005-05:00

"If the righteous is repaid on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!" (Proverbs 11:31).

Proverbs 11:21 has already assured us that "an evil person will not go unpunished." It is not surprising to know that most people are pleased when murderers, thieves, rapists, and crooked politicians go to jail for their crimes. We are extremely pleased when justice is served and wildly outraged when they go scot-free. Today's passage teaches that no one, not even "the righteous" go scot-free.

God is not only loving towards His children but He is also just. He is not an elderly grey-haired grandfather sitting in His rocking chair declaring "boys will be boys" when those He loves commit sin. Sin is a big deal to God because He knows the damage that is caused by sin. Lives are lost, marriages are torn apart, innocence is violated, and hopes and dreams are snuffed out by sin. Sin ruins everything.

The warning to those who have rebelled against God, thus choosing to live self centered lives that are characterized by evil and sin, is that there will be punishment. They will be held accountable for their ruthless ways. In other words, harm will come to those who harm.

Even those who love God and have placed their faith in His Son, for the forgiveness of their sin, will be held accountable. If people of faith face the corrective hand of a loving Father, how much more will wicked people!

Do not get discouraged if you look around and see that "the wicked and the sinner" seem to be getting away with murder. God has promised to bring justice to those who are deserving. Even though His love extends to everyone on the face of the earth, everyone will be held accountable for their actions. The "righteous"? Yes. The "wicked"? Even more so. God invented justice for all.

Attractive And Captivating

2010-05-19T08:19:00.000-05:00

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise" (Proverbs 11:30).

This passage is not about an evangelist that is winning souls for God. The idea of capturing souls is about attraction to a wise and fruitful life. The person who lives their life wisely and righteously is the person who brings life to those around them. That's the kind of life that is attractive and captivating. This passage describes the life of the righteous as so attractive that it can be seen as life giving to those around them.

This passage helps us better understand the flourishing "green leaf" of Proverbs 11:28 in contrast to the fool who brings trouble to his family in Proverbs 11:29. One life is all about giving while the other is about taking. One life is a "tree of life" and the other is a tree of death.

Are we living our lives in such a way as to be attracting others to wisdom? Are our lives captivating in the sense that the result (fruit) is life giving to those around us? I pray that becomes our goal in life. I pray that our lives are marked by words such as "righteous," "life," "captivating," and "wise." Only then will we truly be fruitful and flourishing.

Don't Just Inherit The Wind

2010-05-18T07:57:00.002-05:00

"Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise" (Proverbs 11:29).

The family is God's idea. He is the one who created generations of families so that He could pour His love into individuals while revealing His heart to a world of broken relationships. Because of this, the family is very important to God. His desire is that we treat our families with love and honor so that there is unity of vision and purpose. Today's passage warns against alienating family members.

On the practical side of things, God knows that "money talks" to us human beings. He knows how important financial security is to each of us. While continuing to warn us not to put our trust in money, God reveals the practical consequences of troubling one's own family. His warning to us hits us right where it hurts; the pocketbook.

Those who offend the family with dishonorable or hateful conduct run the risk of being disinherited. The warning is about a wayward child inheriting nothing but the wind. Meaning, when the family estate is finally divided up, the offender's name will not be called. This consequence will lead to another; a life of being another man's servant.

Let's consider how we treat our families. Not just because our inheritance is on the line, but because it honors God when we honor the family. His desire is for us to treat our families with love and respect so the the unity of family vision and purpose will continue uninterrupted and no one ends up disinherited.

A Flourishing Life

2010-05-17T08:47:00.000-05:00

"Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to him who searches for it. Whoever trusts in riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf" (Proverbs 11:27-28).

I believe we have all heard it said, "what goes around comes around." It seems that today's passage is teaching this very principle. It means that whatever we do to people, whether good or bad, will eventually come right back at us. This is not karma, it is common sense and it is spiritual truth.

Life is such that if we seek to do good to others, we gain their favor. "Favor" means acceptance, good will, or approval. This principle of reciprocity is repeated often in proverbs. We are told over and over that it is important how we treat people; that we are to treat people well rather than poorly since it affects how they end up treating us. If we diligently seek to do evil to others, we ourselves will end up suffering because what goes around does definitely come around.

This principle also plays out in our lives if we pursue riches rather than God. If we trust in that which is untrustworthy, we will fall flat on our faces. But if we trust in the Lord, as the righteous do, we will experience a flourishing life.

Living a life marked by goodness towards others leads to the good will of others returning to us. Trusting in God rather than riches leads to a flourishing life rather than a life lived face down in the dirt. Because of this, we are called to diligently seek good today. We are also called to trust in God today. Good things await those who answer the call. A flourishing life awaits those who diligently seek good while trusting God.

Rest For A While

2010-05-10T07:00:00.007-05:00

"And He said to them, 'Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while'" (Mark 6:31).

I am taking some vacation time this week to rip out a rotting deck and leaking hot tub. Believe it or not, I find this kind of activity both exhausting and refreshing. To be honest with you, I am much better at tearing up a deck than building a deck. I'm thankful I am not having to build one.

Let me self interview for a moment. Do I wish I was using my vacation days to sit on a white sand beach, enjoying the hot sun? Yes! Am I bitter that I am spending those days doing manual labor in the hot sun? No! Will I resume writing A Daily Passage when I return on May 17? Absolutely!

I'll have a chance to get away to a "desolate place" to rest (hopefully on a white sand beach) sometime this summer. I hope you do to!

Now where did I put those little umbrellas for my coconut drink?

To Be Watered

2010-05-06T07:00:00.005-05:00

"One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. The people curse him who holds back grain, but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it" (Proverbs 11:24-26).

Today's passage tells us that God wants you and me to be generous. It thrills Him when we give freely because it reflects His own generosity. There is, interestingly enough, a paradox involved in the area of giving. It seems that by being generous in our giving, we end up having plenty. The opposite is true as well. If we live stingy lives in order to have plenty, we end up in need.

I know very little about successful gardening. That means it doesn't take me long to kill the flowers my wife and I plant in our flower beds. I do know that my chances of success go way up when I offer the flowers the right amount of refreshing water. To water the flowers is to give them what they need. If I withhold water, they die.

The Scriptures tell us that the "watering" and blessing we give through our generosity is not just good for others, it is good for us. It is in helping others that we are helped. That is why generosity is a good thing. Everyone's a winner!

In the farming communities in Solomon's day, grain was used in everyday commerce. If someone was hoarding their grain, thus refusing to sell it, everyone suffered. People end up cursing those who hurt them and blessing those who bless them. That's just how life works. So no matter if we are talking about giving or "watering," it is important that we be generous givers and not stingy hoarders. Holding back from God and others is never a good thing.

If you desire to bloom in the space you occupy, give generously to the needs around you. If you desire to have the blessings rather than the curses of others, water the space they occupy. For it is in blessing others we are blessed and it is in giving that we receive.

That's just the way life works.

A Good Ending

2010-05-05T07:01:00.000-05:00

"The desire of the righteous ends only in good; the expectation of the wicked is wrath" (Proverbs 11:23).

It seems some people are just down right unhappy with God. No matter what is said and done by Him, they don't like it. The "wicked" are those who have sworn Him off. They don't like Him and they don't intend to like Him. He is a bother to them because He declares what is good and bad and this, to them, is offensive. What then follows, in the life of the "wicked," is anger and wrath directed toward the Lord. The Scriptures seem to be screaming to us that nothing good ever comes from such anger and wrath.

The story is very different when it comes to those who love God. They understand that His desire for an intimate relationship with them is all about a full and significant life that lasts forever. They know from experience that His plan is to bring about great things in their lives. Not always easy and understandable, but good. As they get to know God better and more intimately, they find that they are desiring, more and more, that which the Lord desires. They also discover that those desires lead to good things.

I have sometimes wondered if the natural effect of a rainbow, right after a violent storm, couldn't somehow be a reminder for me that while storms will come and go, there will always be a good ending for those who know and love God. Not a pot of gold, but something even greater; intimacy with the Creator forever and ever.

If you sense a serious disconnect between you and God, please consider the condition of your heart. There is a good chance you have failed to know Him for who He is and thus trust Him in what He does. The only capacity you have right now is to vent your wrath and anger toward Him and His friends.

If, however, you know without a doubt that there is no disconnect between you and God, stay the course. Your desire to know Him better will ultimately end in good things. Also, don't forget that life can be good even though it is difficult and confusing at times. Knowing and trusting God in those particular times will help us direct our anger (wrath) away from God and toward the real source of our pain.

The Ugliness of Indiscretion

2010-05-04T08:36:00.001-05:00

"Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman without discretion" (Proverbs 11:22).

No offense to my midwestern pig farmer friends, but pigs have a reputation for being ugly. I personally think some pigs are cute, especially baby pigs. But for the most part, pigs are known for being dirty, fat, smelly, and awkwardly hairy. It is ridiculous to think that putting a gold ring in their nose is going to disguise the ugliness. With this observation, Solomon makes an important point.

The point Solomon makes has to do with the ugliness of indiscretion. A woman can be beautiful on the outside, but without discretion, she is compared to a pig who wears a nose ring. Beauty and indiscretion don't go together any more than a pig and a nose ring.

Women in Solomon's day wore nose rings the way women today wear rings on their ears, fingers, and yes, in their noses. They are meant to enhance their natural beauty. But all attempts to enhance their beauty is lost when they act without discretion.

Discretion is needed in what we say as well as in what we do. In other words, discretion is needed in all aspects of our lives. The best way to enhance outer beauty is to pay close attention to inner beauty. Our inner beauty is revealed whenever we allow a chance to gossip to be met with silence. Discretion is practiced when we have the opportunity to say something tacky but then surprise ourselves, and everyone else, by saying something encouraging.

You and I will reveal our inner beauty only by showing discretion in our words and actions. If we fail to do so, we will end up revealing the ugliness of our indiscretion. Just as a nose ring doesn't belong in a pig's snout, indiscretion doesn't belong in the life of God's people.

Indiscretion in word and deed is always going to be an ugly thing, no matter what kind of jewelry we might wear.

Boomerangs

2010-05-03T08:23:00.000-05:00

"A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself. The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward. Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live, but he who pursues evil will die. Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the Lord, but those of blameless ways are his delight. Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered" (Proverbs 11:17-21).

These passages bring a necessary focus on the different outcomes of righteous and wicked living. If you read these verses with attention given to the positive outcomes, you will be encouraged. If you read these verses with attention given to the negative outcomes, you will be warned.

Kindness and cruelty are both boomerangs in that they both come back to us. The question is about which boomerang you and I want to throw. It depends, I guess, on which outcome we are willing to live with.

It is interesting to note how often Proverbs warns us that money cannot bring us a deep and meaningful life. Those who live wicked lives think that their money will help them find meaning and significance. "Deceptive wages" means that money makes promises it can't keep. It is only the righteous who experience the real "payday" by not trusting in the lies money tells. The righteous don't throw that boomerang.

Those who throw the boomerang of the wicked end up experiencing hurt, useless money, and eventually death. They end up living a "crooked" life that is not pleasing to the Lord and is ultimately futile. There are several things pointed out in Scripture that are detestable to the Lord. He hates the fact that good things get distorted and thus end up hurting those He loves. He hates distorted truth (lying), distorted living (hypocrisy), distorted self image (pride), and distorted justice (injustice). He does, however, delight in those who live their lives really well. He delights in the righteous who live by faith.

The final contrast in our passage has to do with either being punished or being delivered. There is not one single distortion that will not be confronted by God. As a matter of fact, all sin has been punished by the death of His Son by His crucifixion and resurrection. The righteous are only righteous because their faith is in Him. They are the ones who will be delivered in the end.

So which boomerang will you throw today?

Finishing Last

2010-04-29T09:43:00.000-05:00

"A gracious woman gets honor, and violent men get riches" (Proverbs 11:16).

We are entering a section of Proverbs which describes the benefits of righteous and kind behavior. In other words, those who live and love well do not always finish last. Today's passage contrasts the life of the kindhearted woman and the ruthless man. This is not a contrast of gender but rather a contrast of character.

A person whose character is commendable is in view here. The woman here is known to be gracious. She is honored for her loving and gentle spirit. People recognize and give tribute to the depth of her grace. They are blessed by it and thus she is honored.

However, the man who is violent (ruthless) receives something totally different. He receives only wealth. Do you find yourself asking, "What's wrong with that?" While there is nothing evil about money in and of itself, there is something really wrong with obtaining money in an evil way. Not only that, there are several Proverbs that remind us that wealth is inferior to the really good things in life, such as honor. Read Proverbs 1:19, 10:2, and 11:4 and you will see that riches can, at best, only give us surface satisfaction in life. It is a waste of our energy to ruthlessly go after riches when a respectable life is so much better.

Therefore, it is decision time! Are we going to be gracious people or violent (ruthless) people? Are we going to live lives that are honored by those we impact for good or resented by those we hurt as we chase after money? To be gracious is to live out of the depths of a soul truly changed by God, while being ruthless gains us only the surface satisfaction offered by the world's riches. Talk about finishing last!

Won't You Be My Neighbor?

2010-04-28T07:02:00.003-05:00

"With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered. When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness. By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown. Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent. Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered. Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm, but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure" (Proverbs 11:9-15).

These six verses describe what it takes to live well in community. We are taught what it takes to be a great neighbor. To really make a difference in our cities and neighborhoods, we must live life according to God's spiritual design. If not, the whole community suffers.

Today's passage shows a connectedness between neighbors, cities, government advisors, gossips, and even cosigners. Brokenness in community begins with a slanderous neighbor. Community is instantly destroyed by hateful and deceitful words. In contrast, those who love the Lord love His people and so no such words are uttered.

When the righteous live well, the city does well. Good people make the city a good place to live while the godless ruin it with their godless actions. People shed very few tears, if any, when those folks are gone.

We are taught here that when government officials have wise counsel, great decisions are made for the community. When great decisions are made for the community, there is safety. Our government leaders are always in need of great counsel. It is important that we not only pray for our leaders but also for those who advise them.

When it comes to financial matters, good neighbors never cosign a loan for someone. They may be well intentioned and they may want to help, but it is never a good idea to "put up security for a stranger." If you want to help someone financially, it is better to just give them the money than it is to loan it to them. No one should ever regret doing good by giving freely to those in need. That's what good neighbors do.

God has designed us to be in community. God said himself that it is not good for man to be alone. He Himself lives in community as our trinitarian God; three in one. He calls you and me to live in community as well. And so let me ask you this: Won't you be my neighbor?

Sure, I knew you would.

Guided and Protected

2010-04-27T08:00:00.000-05:00

"The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them. Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight, but the wicked falls by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust. When the wicked dies, his hope will perish, and the expectation of wealth perishes too. The righteous is delivered from trouble, and the wicked walks into it instead" (Proverbs 11:3-8)

These six verses are strung together for us so that we can learn the wonderful value of a godly life when it comes to guidance and protection from the hardships of life. Just as a lighthouse offers guidance and protection for ships on a stormy night, integrity guides us down a path with far fewer obstacles. Not so with a life of treachery, especially when it comes to the day we die.

Our money cannot buy us a long life. When the "day of wrath" (death) hits, our money is no good anymore. The righteousness we have, because of our faith in God, is what protects us from His wrath on that day that awaits us all. Until that day arrives, it is our righteous living that guides us down a path that has fewer pitfalls, problems, and roadblocks. The wicked are the ones who ultimately fall due to their misguided lives.

When death hits the wicked, all their hope is gone. Their hope of amassing enough wealth to bring them life is evaporated by the reality of their spiritual poverty. Their money can neither guide them toward real life nor protect them from a broken life.

While the righteous experience deliverance, the wicked remain trapped by their own lusts and wounded by their own trouble. Haman, the treacherous man we meet in the book of Esther, found this out first hand. It seems the trouble he planned for Mordecai backfired onto him instead. It was his own ship that hit the rocks he planted for another.

The righteous are guided and protected in life while "the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them." Seems we all have a choice to make as we face the day of wrath.

Don't Stand Up In The Canoe

2010-04-26T07:19:00.001-05:00

"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom" (Proverbs 11:2).

This Proverb is very similar to Proverbs 16:18 which says, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." We have all heard that "pride cometh before the fall" but I am not sure we all knew that saying is straight from the Bible.

It is interesting that pride leads to its opposite, disgrace. The very thing most of us try to avoid, at all cost, is failure. And yet, as we succeed at doing well, we can let it go to our heads (pride) and then we fall. Our winning can lead to losing in the blink of an eye.

We are told, however, that humility leads to wisdom. The Hebrew word used here for "humility" means to "walk humbly." The picture we are given is of a person who has a modest spirit before God and man. That modest spirit is not the spirit of a loser, however. It is the spirit of a person who knows his place in the presence of his Creator. It is the spirit of a person who wins at life, yet refuses to take all the credit. Humility allows for credit to be given to those whom it is due. We are told in Scripture that humility leads to wisdom and wisdom leads to a full and significant life with God. It is the wise person among us who handles winning and losing really well.

I experienced, first hand, what it means for pride to come before the fall. It happened years ago when I was canoeing with friends on a river in the Texas Hill Country. We were having a great time racing our canoes. Splashing one another as we sped down the river was intended to gain some advantage. I eventually won the impromptu race and was full of pride... then I did something stupid. I stood up in the canoe to celebrate. Within seconds, I was underwater looking up at the canoe. I learned a great biblical lesson that day and I didn't even have my Bible with me. Don't stand up in the canoe.

For me, "standing up in the canoe" is now synonymous for "pride comes before the fall." Whether it has to do with my parenting skills, responsibilities at the church, friendships, speaking engagements, spiritual counseling, or just a simple conversation about life... I am very careful not to let success go to my head. I have seen the bottom of too many canoes while lying on the bottom of too many rivers.

Honesty Is The Best Policy

2010-04-22T09:26:00.000-05:00

"A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight" (Proverbs 11:1).

We know that commercial matters are a spiritual issue because honesty in business is something in which the Lord delights. Today's passage tells us that God hates all dishonesty, especially in our business transactions.

At the time this proverb was penned, there was an absence of coinage. Instead, scales were used in almost all daily commerce. Dishonest merchants, in order to increase profits, had a scam that involved different sets of stones when weighing merchandise. Lighter stones were used when selling while heavier stones were used when buying. The lighter stones allowed for a lesser quantity for the stated price while the heavier stones were used to acquire more for the stated price. This was blatant dishonesty and the Lord hated it. He still does.

It is important to the Lord that you and I live honestly in all areas of our lives. It does not honor Him when we cheat people out of money. That seems obvious but there are plenty of people who live in fear of not having enough. Not believing the Lord will take care of them, they start grabbing. Not being content with what the Lord provides, they start stealing.

Let's show the world that we absolutely trust our Heavenly Father to care for us. Let's show our children and their friends that living honestly is for sure the best policy. We have been promised by God that all our needs will be met. There's no need to lie, cheat, and steal in order to have what we need. We don't need a "false balance" to get through the day. We simply need to trust the Lord while working hard and working honestly.

Fruitful Words

2010-04-21T08:13:00.000-05:00

"The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse" (Proverbs 10:31-32).

Talking is a big part of our lives. We use our words to communicate throughout the day and night. Sociologists tell us that women use more words each day than men do. Seems men are not as communicative as women. Whether male and female, we all use words.

Today's passage affirms the fact that those who walk closely with the Lord use their words to bring forth wisdom. The Hebrew word for "bring forth" means to bear fruit. The picture we are given is of a righteous person who naturally says good things because of the condition of his heart, just as a fruit tree naturally brings forth it's particular fruit. Just as lemon trees naturally produce lemons and apple trees produce apples, the righteous person brings forth wisdom with his words.

It is actually the opposite for the wicked. The word "perverse" means to turn away from what is natural. The person who turns away from the Lord will not be able to use his words for what is right and natural. The wicked use their words to twist truth, tell lies, tear down, and avoid being known. Deception and destruction are not God's desire for us as we interact with Him and others. He desires truth from us. He wants us to know one another and to be known. That cannot happen if we use our words as weapons.

You and I will use a lot of words today. The ladies will use more than the men but that is perfectly okay. The amount of words doesn't matter, but rather the quality of the words. Will we use our words in the proper way or in a perverse way? Will we deliver fruitful words or hurtful words today? Either way, the quality of our words will reveal the condition of our hearts. Hopefully, the condition of our hearts reveal a God given righteousness rather than a wickedness that stems from rebellion against the Lord.

The Joy Of Longevity

2010-04-20T08:14:00.001-05:00

"The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short. The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish. The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers. The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land" (Proverbs 10:27-30).

Today's passage describes the benefits and blessings that come to those who live life intimately connected to the Lord. Those who live a life of faith experience certain things the wicked usually don't. A regular and recurring theme in Proverbs teaches us that long life, joy, safety, and security are the benefits of living closely with the Lord.

When looking at life from the perspective of eternity, the wicked do not experience these things the way the righteous do. The wicked may desire joy but they will not experience it. Joy is something much deeper and spiritual than that which the flesh can deliver. Most anyone can experience happiness because happiness is tied to circumstances. Happiness is a word that comes from the root word for "happenstance." While the wicked can be temporarily happy due to the happenstance of life, they can never really experience joy. Joy is a much deeper experience reserved for those who walk intimately with the Lord.

For the most part, when life is lived well, it is lived long. We are constantly reminded by Scripture that the Lord's protection is on His children and that this naturally prolongs their lives here on earth. Not so with the wicked. By choosing not to live their lives in intimacy with God, they are choosing to live outside His protective care. Oftentimes, their life is cut short simply because of the poor and dangerous choices they make in life.

To experience the benefits of joy, safety, security, and longevity of life, we are encouraged to live wisely and intimately with God. To choose to do otherwise is certainly an option. But to do so means you and I will pass up some wonderful benefits offered to us by God Himself. Our choices may bring us temporary happiness but they will fail to deliver us true joy and longevity of life. They will, in fact, fail to protect us from ourselves.

Good Help Wanted

2010-04-19T08:35:00.000-05:00

"Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him" (Proverbs 10:26).

Those who hire a lazy person eventually regret it because the job is constantly left undone. Today's passage is a warning to employers, or anyone else who depends on others to get a job done, to be mindful of the irritation involved in hiring a sluggard.

The irritation is similar to the sour taste of vinegar and the burning sensation of smoke in your eyes. Just as people are bothered by both, they will be bothered by the sluggard. It is very important that those who hire workers are certain they are hiring the right kind of person. Employers are needing workers who are responsible, capable, energetic, and trust worthy. They need the kind of worker who will carry out his or her responsibilities; workers who complete the job.

This passage has a great lesson for employees as well. It is the kind of passage that casts a vision for what kind of employee a person can be. We can be responsible, capable, and energetic workers. When we are sent on a errand, the boss rests assured the job will get done.

If you do not want to be an irritated employer, do not hire a lazy person. If you do not want to leave a sour taste in the bosses mouth or be as irritating as smoke in her eyes, be a trust worthy, hard working, and energetic employee. Good help is always wanted.

Dreading The Tempest?

2010-04-15T09:28:00.004-05:00

"What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted. When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous is established forever" (Proverbs 10:24-25).

We are constantly reminded in Proverbs that it never ends well for the wicked while the righteous have a marvelous future in store. Solomon is trying to convince those who are ignorant of this reality so that they have a chance to experience the best the Lord has to offer.

People who live their lives for the pleasure of themselves and others, rather than for the pleasure of the Lord, tend to dread calamity. This is because when someone is living for the pleasures of the material world, they are devastated when storms wipe out their possessions. The wicked tend to only care about their own comfort and they dread the calamity that disrupts their comfortable world.

Not so with the righteous. The righteous live for the pleasure of the Lord knowing that life is not about them. They are content with little as well as plenty. For them, the storms can come and go, taking what they will, but life is still good. Uncomfortable? Yes! Inconvenient? Absolutely! But the righteous do not dread calamity. The desire of the righteous is that the Lord is honored in good times as well as bad. The desire of the righteous is for the life they have to continue on forever.

Do you dread calamity? Do you have a paralyzing fear that your material goods will one day be ruined thus ruining your life? If so, consider turning the eyes of your heart away from yourself and onto the Lord. Become a person who desires what the Lord desires. Let's become people who are content whether the sun is shining brightly or the tempest winds are blowing wildly. Let's be people who are known for the good things they desire rather than the terrible things they dread. For that which the righteous desire will be granted forever.

It's Not Funny

2010-04-14T16:21:00.002-05:00

"Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding" (Proverbs 10:23).

We are about to study a string of verse (10:23-32) which contrast those who live wicked lives and those who live righteous lives. Because there is a contrast between wisdom and evil conduct, we know that wisdom, as spoken of in the Bible, is a moral issue.

Therefore, we see that it is the fool who enjoys committing sin. It's a joke to him. The fool loves sinning and you can tell by the expression on his face. On the other hand, the person who understands the benefits of clean living finds enjoyment and pleasure in a life lived wisely. The expression on their face gives it away.

When someone has wisdom and understanding, it truly grieves them to sin against God and people. It hurts their heart to offend the Lord. Those who have understanding hate what God hates and loves what God loves. Sin is not a joke to them. Instead of laughing when they sin, they cry. The person of understanding is the person who comprehends the damage sin does to relationships. They don't laugh when people are hurt by someone else's selfishness, hate, greed, lust, or anger. They find no pleasure in such things.

What brings a smile to your face these days? Is it seeing someone live well or live poorly? Do you laugh or grieve when you hear that someone has been wounded by someone's sin? If you and I are people of understanding, then we will find pleasure in what is wise, not in what is wrong. We will not think that sin is funny.

Being Blessed

2010-04-13T09:55:00.000-05:00

"The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it" (Proverbs 10:21).

Wow! Now this is a Bible verse I like to read. A verse that speaks of being rich and happy. Who doesn't want to have wealth with no sorrow? I can't think of a soul who would turn down that situation. Is this one of those things that is too good to be true? I would normally say it is except it's straight from Scripture. So what does this Proverb mean? How can this be?

One of the things we come to learn about the Lord, as we read and interact with Scripture, is that all good things come from God. He sovereignly assigns or withholds blessings according to an unseen plan. Our faith in Him is exercised in the midst of that unseen plan. God gives good things to His children as He often blesses them throughout their life. One of the many blessings His children receive is in the realm of finances. He allows some of His children to become materially rich. Not all His children experience this blessing, but many do.

Again, while the Scriptures repeatedly warn against trusting in wealth, the fact of the matter remains that the children of God do experience the blessings that accompany a life lived well. This means the righteous and diligent worker has no reason to feel badly about the gains he receives as a result of his work that is blessed by God.

There are no laws against making money. There are, however, laws against making money illegally. Those who prosper illegally are subject to the "sorrows" that accompany the consequences of such activity. Not so with those who prosper legally. There is no "sorrow" associated with riches gained righteously because they know they are being blessed by God.

This verse is assuring us that all good things come from God. It's reminding us that the righteous and diligent worker has no reason to feel guilty when God blesses his work. The sorrow that accompanies ill-gotten gain will not touch the one who walks and works in the righteousness of God. In other words, there is no sorrow attached to the gains made righteously.

Words Of Value

2010-04-12T08:50:00.000-05:00

"The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, the heart of the wicked is of little worth. The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense" (Proverbs 10:20-21).

There is a huge difference between the words of the wicked and the words of the righteous. What comes out of our mouths really does indicate that which is in our hearts. In contrast with the lying, slandering, and babbling words of the wicked, the words of the righteous are encouraging and uplifting. Such words are compared to choice silver.

It is amazing, as well as scary, that my words can either add value to the life of others or be absolutely worthless. My words can either be nourishing to the souls of others or add to their spiritual starvation. This is why I want to be very careful about the condition of my heart and the quality of my speech.

I can see how the Lord would be pleased with us as we contribute to the spiritual well being of those we encounter everyday by way of our valuable words. It is not hard to realize that adding to the spiritual starvation of others with our lying, slandering, and babbling words is offensive to God. Why would it not be offensive? It is very clear that those kinds of words do not reflect His gracious and loving character in any way whatsoever.

Will our words today be worthless words or words of value? Let's be uplifting and encouraging to those who are spiritually starving. Let's feed them with nourishing words that are gracious and loving.

Less Talk Is Better

2010-04-08T05:22:00.011-05:00

"When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent" (Proverbs 10:19).

If you give me enough time, I'll eventually put my foot in my mouth. It is not an issue of if but when. I have gotten myself in trouble with my "many" words so many times, I have lost count. I did not need to read about this in the Bible to know it is true.

People like me, who sometimes talk too much, realize that sin eventually follows their constant babbling. Proverbs 10:8 refers to the ruin that is experienced by the babbling fool.

In contrast, the prudent among us restrain their lips. These are the ones who could say something but choose not to. They know that their many words do nothing to enhance life and relationships. They are the ones who listen to the "little bird" that sits on their shoulder telling them to keep their mouth shut. When they listen, we all are winners.

Consider all that you could possibly say today and then cut that in half. Be the prudent one who restrains the lips so that transgressions are few and far between. If you are like me, people don't really need to hear everything you think you need to say.

A Pretender

2010-04-07T15:26:00.008-05:00

"The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool" (Proverbs 10:18).

Proverbs 10:18-21 is all about talking. These four passages each refer to some aspect of our words. Our words can do a lot of good as well as a lot of damage. It takes great wisdom to know how to use our many words.

In today's passage, we learn that hatred can lead to all kinds of trouble. Oftentimes, when there is hatred for someone, a person is forced to lie to them. There are deceptive words used to cover the hatred. To do so makes us a pretender with people. This is different than what our mothers taught us when they said, "If you can't say something nice, say nothing at all." Trying to conceal hatred with lies is a different matter. The best solution to this problem is to not hate anyone. While this proverb doesn't walk us through that particular process, other Scriptures do. Our journey toward love and away from hate is advanced by the truth of Scripture.

What we learn from the second part of this passage is that when we lie to a person who is hated, we also tend to slander them behind their back. This passage connects the two parts with the word "and" which shows that lying and slander both result from hatred. This is why we must rid our hearts of hatred for individuals. If not, we will find ourselves saying things to the person which are either not true (a lie) or mean spirited (slander).

If we find we are lying to someone about our hateful feelings toward them, it is best to allow the Word of God to direct us to the love of God provided by His Holy Spirit. If not, there is a chance we will slander them behind their back.

Lying and slandering, born of hatred, are the characteristics of a fool. May God direct our hearts toward love for all people. If not, we will find ourselves living quite foolishly by way of our hateful and slanderous words. We will find ourselves being a pretender.

Influence

2010-04-06T14:24:00.011-05:00

"Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray" (Proverbs 10:17).

Proverbs mentions "life" quite a bit. It seems the Lord is very interested in us experiencing life to fullest extent possible. Jesus told us that is why He came to earth. He came to give us life to the full (see John 10:10). Heeding instruction puts us on the path to a full life.

One of the things we learn from today's passage is that no one is an island unto himself. We all have influence. We all have impact. The question is whether or not our influence and impact are positive or negative when it comes to others experiencing life to the full.

The person who listens to the instruction given them, regarding life, will find that they are on the path to life. They will, in turn, lead others toward that path. In doing so, there is great reward and satisfaction. The person who rejects reproof will find that they are going astray. It is tragic that they will lead other astray as well.

It does not matter who we are; we all have influence. We need to realize that we will impact people with our lives. Our lives are like a drop of water that causes rippling circles in a glass of water. If we are wise, we will respond well to both instruction and reproof. In doing so, the ripples we make will have a positive influence on others. If not, our ripples will influence others in a negative way.

Knowing you have influence, what kind of influence do you choose to have; positive or negative?

The Real Pay Day

2010-04-01T09:33:00.008-05:00

"A rich man's wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin. The wage of the righteous leads to life, the gain of the wicked to sin" (Proverbs 10:15-16).

If you are like me, you look forward to pay day. For most workers, pay day comes twice a month. Those two days of the month can be pretty awesome when there are a stack of bills sitting on their kitchen desk.

Proverbs repeatedly teaches that money is not to be trusted in. Wealth is so fickle, a person would be foolish to esteem money over honor. The Scripture teaches us that life can be lived well and enjoyed deeply whether or not we have a big bank account.

Today's passage teaches us that a person's wealth, while not to be trusted in, can serve as a strong protection (like ancient city walls) against any number of disasters. This is why the poor are often times vulnerable to disaster. They do not have the resources to deal with life's unfortunate events. Poverty is a world wide problem that continues to suppress the feeble, weak, and helpless among us. This is the main reason God commands us to help the poor.

Having reinforced this truth, our passage takes things to a new level by telling us of a natural wage or "return" that comes as a result of godly living. That "return" is life itself. While we naturally look forward to our two "money" pay days a month, the real pay day comes in the form of life to the full. This was Jesus' claim about Himself when He said, "The thief comes only to steal kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). While godly living pays positive dividends in life, sin pays negative dividends. The wicked experience "poverty" of soul.

While you look forward to your "money" pay days that help you deal with life's certain disasters, don't forget that the real pay day comes from godly living. The real gains are experienced in real and abundant life!

Babble

2010-03-31T07:54:00.010-05:00

"On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense. The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin" (Proverbs 10:13-14).

In this particular contrast between wisdom and foolishness, the focus is on what is and isn't said. For those who have wisdom, they speak from great understanding, though they may speak very few words. The fool is the one who lacks sense and thus faces certain ruin if they don't respond to the rod applied to their backside.

I have seen it happen to others as well as to myself. We talk too much about things we know very little about. Doing that gets us into a lot of trouble. We are told that those who are wise "lay up knowledge." This means they hold it in until the right moment. They don't spout off, all at once, everything they know .

Those who have wisdom speak wisely while those who lack wisdom speak foolishly. We find that the wise are prudent with their words and thus their reward is sweet. The fool lacks sense and so he babbles. We are told that his punishment (opposite of reward) is a rod across the back.

As we grow in knowledge and understanding, let's be careful not to "spout off" about we know or "babble" about what we don't know. Let's be prudent with our words; speaking only about what we really know and have experienced. If we find ourselves being the babbling fool, let's be ready to take that which we deserve; a rod across the back.

Overwhelming Love

2010-03-30T07:23:00.008-05:00

"Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses" (Proverbs 10:12).

We have all seen the havoc that is brought on by those who hate each other. There is no cooperation, camaraderie, or compassion in the midst of their hatred. There is only strife when hatred is present. But not so with love. Love leads to peace.

When there is hatred instead of love, there is dissension and distrust. People who can't stand one another can't work or play together. Hatred trumps the humility needed to be united together in a viable relationship. That is why we are called to love one another. Relationships can only flourish if love is allowed to trump hatred. Love trumps all things offensive.

Love leads to unity and camaraderie because love covers (forgives) the failings of others. Love leads to the forgiveness of all things offensive because love does not focus on the faults of others. Remember that "cover" is translated "overwhelmed" in Proverbs 10:6. Just as hateful words overwhelm relationships with violence, love overwhelms relationships with grace and forgiveness. If we are to overwhelm people, we are to overwhelm them with love.

Next time you have a chance to overwhelm someone, choose to do so with the love that God has shown you. We are told of God's overwhelming love in John 3:16 as we see a God who gives forgiveness through the gift of His Son who died of our sin. That love brings peace between God and those who believe in His Son.

Hatred cannot bring peace. Hatred does nothing but stir up the negative feelings brought on by rivalry, resentment, and rancor. Love covers over all things offensive by offering the grace of God. If you find someone who has been overwhelmed with hatred, pray that God will allow you to overwhelm them with love. For it is love which covers all offenses.

Winks And Words

2010-03-29T07:57:00.008-05:00

"Whoever winks the eye causes trouble, but a babbling fool will come to ruin. The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence" (Proverbs 10:10-11).

In life, there is such a thing as a playful wink and a malicious wink. Today's passage is about the latter. A person doesn't maliciously wink to an accomplice without being up to something. The kind of wink our passage mentions today causes trouble between people.

However, trouble from a wink of the eye is not all we must be careful of. The fool who babbles away with his mouth brings trouble as well. His words will doom him to ruin. In contrast, the words of the righteous are as refreshing as a water fountain in the heat of the day. The words of the righteous are a "fountain of life."

As stated earlier in Proverbs 10:6, the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. The word "conceal" is translated "overwhelm" which tells us that the words of the wicked characterize their life which is overwhelmed by evil. Though they try to hide their evil intentions, they are always found out.

Whether it is the wink of the eye or the words of the mouth, we must all be very careful. The wink of the eye brings trouble and the words of the babbling fool bring ruin. It takes great wisdom to avoid both pitfalls. It takes a godly heart to use our winks and our words for good, not harm.

Without Wax

2010-03-25T09:15:00.013-05:00

"The wise in heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin. Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out" (Proverbs 10:8-9).

You and I will either listen to wise counsel and obey the commands we are given by God or we won't. There is such a thing as a babbling fool who won't keep his mouth shut long enough to listen. The end result for such a fool is ruin. Proverbs warns against this so many times, it is hard to keep count.

If we are truly wise, we will keep our mouths shut and our ears open. We will listen to what the Lord tells us about life and take it to heart. Once we do that, we start walking through life with amazing integrity. To have integrity, one must be sincere. The Greek word for "sincere" means "without wax." It has to do with pottery makers who sell pots without cracks in them. Sometimes, if a pot had a small crack in it, the potter would fill it with wax to conceal it. If you bought a pot "without wax" you were buying a pot that had integrity.

The fool who will not keep quiet long enough to grow wise has to fill in the cracks of his life with "wax." He, we are told, will be found out sooner or later.

The fact of the matter is simple; we are all cracked pots. The wise person is the one who will listen to the teaching of the Lord while obeying His commands. It is through the grace of God, leading to his obedience, that a person finds healing. It is through ignoring the grace of God, leading to his disobedience, that a person finds ruin. He has no other option than to try to fill the cracks of his life with "wax." This, we are told, will lead to disaster.

Rain Or Shine

2010-03-24T08:10:00.011-05:00

"Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot" (Proverbs 10:6-7).

The contrast between the righteous and the wicked continues with a description of what results from both lifestyles. For the righteous, the ability to acknowledge blessing is the result. For the wicked, being overwhelmed is the result.

Godly men and women all over the world speak openly about how blessed they are by the Lord. They tell of how wonderful it is to walk with Him daily, to serve Him with their time, talent, and treasure. In contrast, out of the mouth of the wicked comes violence and rot.

The strong faith of believers keeps them faithful in their journey with Him whether life is easy or difficult on any given day. Their loyalty to Christ is not dependent on whether or not the sun is shining the day they have a family picnic planned. They speak of God's faithfulness and blessing while they are going through chemotherapy. They sing God's praises while changing flat tires, folding laundry, sitting in traffic, battling the flu, or even arranging a funeral for a loved one they know they will desperately miss. The righteous experience God's blessings in the midst of life's brokenness.

Not so with the wicked. The wicked are overwhelmed by the brokenness of life. The Hebrew word for "concealed" can be translated "overwhelmed" or "covered." Those who do not walk through life with the Lord can only be overwhelmed by the rottenness of life's brokenness.

The righteous and the wicked are both hit by the junk of life. Both experience diseases, flat tires, dirty laundry, horrific traffic, loss of loved ones, and even rained out picnics. The righteous acknowledge the blessings of the Lord in the midst of life while the wicked are simply overwhelmed.

Verse 7 tells us that just remembering the life of righteous people brings blessing while most people want to forget the wicked. "The name of the wicked will rot" simply means their life was not remarkable enough to remember. Those who walk with the Lord through thick or thin, rain or shine, in sickness or in health, in riches or in poverty, are the ones who tell of the blessings of the Lord. The wicked are simply overwhelmed and then soon forgotten.

Hard Work Pays Off

2010-03-23T07:36:00.013-05:00

"The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked. A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame" (Proverbs 10:3-5).

There is a huge difference between a person who works hard and one who hardly works. The person who works hard accumulates wealth while the sloth goes without. Diligence has its rewards. Today's passage contrasts diligence with laziness. The bottom line is that one pays huge dividends while the other doesn't.

Satisfaction in life is realized only through the goodness of the Lord. While our appetites are satisfied by the hand of the Lord, this does not mean our own hands can be slack. It is clearly stated in today's passage that "a slack hand causes poverty." This means the slacker will go without. We are taught here that diligence leads to wealth and laziness leads to poverty. This does not mean that all those who are impoverished are lazy; it is not that simple. Our passage simply states that laziness is a negative character trait and that laziness doesn't pay.

The son who is industrious is contrasted with the son who sleeps the day away. The hard working son is thinking ahead to the winter when he is going to need food. He is up early each morning gathering his crops in the summer time, way before he needs them. The lazy son who slept through the harvest is left with nothing to eat in the winter. This, we are told, is a shameful thing.

When will we learn that hard work is better than laziness, wealth is better than poverty, wisdom is better than shame, and righteousness is better than wickedness? Those who love the Lord and are wisely walking with Him daily are provided for by His generous and gracious hand. Those who live their lives by way of wicked cravings end up shamefully impoverished.

It is clearly stated in today's passage that hard work pays off. So the question needs to be asked, "Are you working hard or hardly working?" One pays huge dividends from the hand of the Lord while the other offers nothing from the slack hand of the "cravings of the wicked."

On The Take

2010-03-22T08:45:00.009-05:00

"Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death" (Proverbs 10:2).

The treasures that profit a person are the ones that are gained in the proper way. This passage does not say that treasures are of no value. It tells us that ill-gotten treasures are of no value. They do nothing to profit a person's life the way righteousness does. To gain wealth through deceit or corruption adds no real value to life. Being "on the take" is not how we are to live our lives.

By mentioning that righteousness delivers people from death, this proverb is telling us that ill-gotten gain does not bring us real or lasting life. Life comes from walking in the Lord's righteousness. The fullness of life we seek is not found in earthly treasures that fade away. Especially if those treasures become ours due to shady practices.

Consider another proverb: "Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it" (Proverbs 13:11). To try and get rich quickly through deceitful scheming or unjust practices will not forestall death. Neither will it bring a person a deep and satisfying life.

Let's allow today's proverb to guide us toward earthly treasure that is gained righteously yet not allowed to take the place of God in our lives. Not only does life come from the hand of the Lord, but so do the blessings we experience in life. Being "on the take" does not bring real blessing. Treasure gained by shady deals or outright deception may bring temporary pleasure to one's life, but it adds no real or lasting value. Only righteousness brings us life.

Bringing Joy

2010-03-11T07:30:00.008-06:00

"A wise son make a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother" (Proverbs 10:1).

We are entering a long stretch of Proverbs (chapters 10-15) which contrast the life of the wicked and the life of the righteous. These proverbs show us the reality of living wisely as well as living foolishly. Our lives will have impact; the question is whether the impact will be positive or negative; whether we will bring joy or grief to our parents.

Today's passage tells us that the life of the son will either bring joy or grief to his parents. To mention the father in one line and the mother in the other is very common in proverbial literature. The point of today's proverb is to affirm the joy a wise son brings his parents in contrast with the grief the foolish son brings.

I would think that all of us, if we were to be totally honest with ourselves, would say that we want to bring our parents joy. Those of us who are parents definitely want our children learning from our teaching and advice. We feel the joy the proverb mentions when we see that our children listen to us. We also feel the painful grief brought on by their foolish behavior.

This translates well in regards to our relationship with God. As His children, a great motivation is to see Him experience joy over how we live our lives rather than the grief that comes from seeing us live foolishly. When all is said and done, I want to bring joy to my earthly parents as well as my heavenly Father. The same is true for my children. I want them to know how thrilled I am when their life is lived well and how grieved I am when they miss the mark.

Children can bring either joy or grief to their parents. Knowing this, I would hope children everywhere, us grown-ups included, will make wise decisions about life. I hope our motivation is always to bring joy and not grief.

Folly's Lie

2010-03-09T07:02:00.005-06:00

"The woman Folly is loud; she is seductive and knows nothing. She sits at the door of her house; she takes a seat on the highest places of the town, calling to those who pass by, who are going straight on their way, 'Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!' And to him who lacks sense she says, 'Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.' But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol" (Proverbs 9:13-18).

The woman Folly is described as boisterous and seductive yet ignorant. She has the looks and the volume but has no understanding when it comes to real life. All she can do is lure people into a disappointing life with her lie.

In contrast to Lady Wisdom who spends time preparing the banquet and inviting everyone to enjoy the long term benefits of her feast, woman Folly offers instant gratification to the passer by. She mimics Lady Wisdom by also standing on the high place of the city but what she offers is death rather than life. All she can offer people is the lie that "stolen water is sweet and bread eaten in secret is pleasant."

The metaphor of drinking from one's own fountain is about enjoying sex inside a marriage relationship. To steal water is to have sex with someone other than your spouse. We are not to believe woman Folly when she tells us that immorality is as sweet as godliness. She is not to be believed when she tells us that a secret life is no problem.

All who have believed her lie have stepped into her deadly trap. They have found themselves in the pit of despair known as the "depths of Sheol." Let the "water" you drink be yours alone and when you eat "bread," be sure it is bread you eat at Wisdom's table, not Folly's.

Knowing God

2010-03-08T07:58:00.008-06:00

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it" (Proverbs 9:10-12).

Of all the benefits we have read about in association with the gaining of wisdom, personally knowing God tops them all. The ultimate benefit of wisdom is "knowledge of the Holy One." This personal knowledge leads to great insight into not just life, but into God Himself.

When someone personally knows the Creator who is Holy, they know the One true God. They know His love, grace, patience, compassion, desires, strength, and so much more. Knowing God is so different than knowing about God. The difference between the two is experience. To really know God's love is to have experienced His love. To experience His compassion is to personally know His compassion.

One of the great benefits of knowing God is found in the length of days that follow. This is not just a numbering of days here on earth but rather a numbering of days in eternity. (If our days in eternity are even counted).

Those who gain wisdom gain a knowledge of God that is personal and intimate. Their life lasts forever starting the day they come to know the Holy One. Those who spend their life mocking wisdom end up experiencing ruin. Proverbs gives this warning so many times, there will be no excuses the day they are translated into eternity, with or without the Holy One.

R.S.V.P. Wisely

2010-03-04T05:24:00.006-06:00

"Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning" (Proverbs 9:7-9).

This passage is strategically placed between Wisdom's invitation and the invitation offered by the woman "Folly" (see Proverbs 9:13-18). Both Wisdom and Folly cry out in the streets with an invitation to feast at their table. Today's passage describes the consequences of accepting either invitation.

To accept wisdom's invitation is to accept correction and reproof. To do so means you are wise. To do so puts you in a loving relationship with wisdom. To scoff at wisdom's invitation to enjoy her banquet delights is to R.S.V.P with hateful abuse. Scoffers hate wisdom's reproof and correction and they will make that hatred known.

When instruction is given to a wise man, he only gets wiser. The righteous man who listens to wisdom's instruction flourishes in life. Wisdom brings more life to the one who is alive while folly only brings more bitterness to the one who is perishing.

"Lady Wisdom" has lots of experience when it comes to being hated and abused. She offers herself to anyone who will have her. The wise truly get wiser when she is in their life. The scoffer only gets more abusive and hateful.

Consider your response to the person who may correct of reprove you today. Allow your spirit to respond well to wisdom's instruction in your life. If you find yourself abusive and hateful to the one who offers insight and instruction, you may be heading down the wrong path. You may be listening to Folly's invitation rather than Wisdom's.

Wisdom's Invitation

2010-03-03T08:12:00.013-06:00

"She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in town, 'Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!' To him who lacks sense she says, 'Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways, and live and walk in the way of insight'" (Proverbs 9:3-6).

After the hostess prepared the banquet room and the food, she then sent her servants into town to invite the guests. Instructing them to call out from the most elevated spot in town shows that she wants everyone to hear her invitation. "Lady Wisdom" knows that there is a very vulnerable group of people in town who need her and she makes sure they have a chance to attend her dinner.

The most vulnerable of us all are the "simple" and the ones who lack "sense." These are the ones who are naive about life and who tend to be gullible. Their judgment of things right and wrong is poor. They need a lot of help life because life contains lots of confusing alternatives. Hope is found in the fact that a place at "Lady Wisdom's" table is reserved just for them.

To sit at her table and enjoy the meat, bread, and wine she has prepared is a metaphor for acquiring and enjoying wisdom. Wisdom assists the naive in their quest for life and godliness. Wisdom gives sound judgement to those who are lacking in that area. Wisdom turns those who are "simple" into those who are amazingly mature.

Remember that the invitation has gone out to everyone. There is a place set at "Lady Wisdom's" table for all who will attend the banquet. I hope you hear her invitation and are ready to take your place at her banquet.

Wisdom's Banquet

2010-03-02T07:26:00.005-06:00

"Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table" (Proverbs 9:1-2).

Before the invitations go out to all those in need of wisdom's delights, "Lady Wisdom" sets the scene as well as the table. The scene is a spacious house evidenced by seven pillars. Some Bible scholars have tried to guess the meaning of seven pillars by attributing the number seven to the six days of creation followed by one day of rest. Others have wondered if the seven refers to the sun, moon, and the five planets that were known at that time. When all is said and done, those are just guesses. The seven pillars probably just indicate that wisdom builds a big spacious house.

And yet the house is not meant to be empty. People are invited in. In the next set of verses we will study, we will find that everyone is invited to sit at wisdom's banquet in wisdom's spacious house. She has prepared the meat as well as the wine. The mixing of wine may have something to do with the practice of putting spices in it to enhance the flavor. Psalm 75:8 and Isaiah 5:22 make reference to this practice.

We are encouraged to realize that wisdom's banquet is filling and tasty. The meat of her banquet gives life and the wine gives that life a spicy flavor. If you find you are starving for real food and the spice of life only the Lord offers, be ready to accept "Lady Wisdom's" invitation to her banquet. Her house is large enough for a crowd. She desires you to be one of the many folks who sit at her table.

Neglect

2010-03-01T08:24:00.005-06:00

"And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord, by he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death" (Proverbs 8:32-36).

It is now wisdom who addresses the sons. She connects listening and blessing three times in alternating order. You are blessed if you listen and if you listen you are blessed. Her plea for the sons to listen is followed by significant promises.

To neglect her plea is to forego the promises being made. To neglect anything leads to its ultimate demise and so wisdom calls on us to avoid the demise of our lives that comes by neglecting her words.

If blessing comes from really hearing and following through with what we are taught by wisdom, we are foolish not to listen. She promises that to listen to her leads us to life as well as to God's favor. Life and favor can be ours if we do not neglect wisdom's words. The Hebrew word for "favor" means "acceptance, goodwill, or approval." It means that the life lived wisely is pleasing to the Lord.

If you truly desire the fullness of life God offers; a life that is pleasing to God, do not neglect wisdom's words. There still remain only two options when it comes to this. We will either enjoy the wonderful way of life that comes to us because we have listened to wisdom, or we will experience the folly of death brought on by neglect. Choose wisely!

A Craftsman

2010-02-25T05:17:00.007-06:00

"When he established the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep, when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep, when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, then I was beside him, like a master workman, and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always, rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the children of man" (Proverbs 8:27-31).

In a poetic way, Proverbs teaches us that wisdom was a "craftsman" at the side of God when He was creating the world. This attribute of God is personified as a trusted assistant in the Lord's creative work. We are told that the Lord was wise in what He made.

To be "beside" someone is an indication of intimacy. We are to clearly understand that it was not wisdom who designed and created the world but rather God Himself. God wisely designed and created all things.

The results were magnificent. The results of His work caused wisdom to rejoice over the presence of the Lord, His creative work, as well as the children of man.

If we desire such rejoicing in our lives, we must have wisdom at our side. The great craftsman known as "wisdom" must be employed in our work. She must be present with us (beside us) as we live our lives. Simply put, if God involved wisdom in His creative undertakings, surely we mere humans need wisdom as well.

Wisdom Born

2010-02-24T07:18:00.009-06:00

"Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth. When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water. Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth, before he had made the earth with its fields, or the first of the dust f the world" (Proverbs 8:23-26).

Wisdom was "brought forth" before the universe was created. The picture we are given is of a birth. Before God created the oceans, rivers, mountains, hills, and the dust of the earth, he birthed wisdom. This tells us, "first things first."

That was true then and it is true today. If we desire to explore the depths that life offers; to swim the "oceans" of God's truth, we must have wisdom. If our dream is to cross the "rivers" that block our journey, we must have wisdom. In order to climb to the heights of life's "mountains," wisdom must first be ours. With wisdom the world was created and in wisdom life in the world is to be lived.

Whether you are ready to face life's depths or heights, wisdom must first be yours. Let wisdom be born in your heart today as you experience the life God has given you.

From The Start

2010-02-23T08:14:00.009-06:00

"'The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old'" (Proverbs 8:22).

From the start of God's work of creation, wisdom was there. She is personified in today's passage as God's very own wisdom. All that has been accomplished by God, in the past, has been done with wisdom. All that He will ever accomplish will be with wisdom. That is how important she is to us in our current situation.

Her various claims, in the preceding verses of Proverbs 8, are believable once we recognize her place in God's creative work. The Lord possessed wisdom as He created light, planets, stars, and moons. It was through wisdom they were perfectly positioned. It was by His wisdom that He formed plants, animals, minerals, water, and you. Wisdom has an impressive resume. She was there from the start and she is still here. She is ours if we want her.

Our creative work, important decisions, and game changing insights can be born of wisdom if only we will embrace her. Wisdom's history assures us she can impact our present and future. It is never too late for the living to acquire wisdom. She is a gift to those who will receive her. She has been that from the very start of time.

A Truly Fruitful Life

2010-02-22T09:49:00.011-06:00

"My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice, granting an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries" (Proverbs 8:19-21).

Today's passage says that those who love wisdom gain wealth. It is a fact of life that material goods can be replenished with skill and hard work. Keeping one's treasuries full happens as a result of a person's skill which is refined by wisdom. There are many times in Proverbs when Solomon makes generalizations that have exceptions. There are certainly exceptions to this general truth. We all know some very wise and godly people who have not amassed great material wealth.

But we should not feel sorry for them. They have experienced something much more valuable than material wealth. Which brings us to the point.

The point that is being made, in light of one's ability to keep their treasuries full, is that there are benefits in life that are more valuable than fine gold and silver. Wisdom's fruit yields an amazing life; a life walked in the righteousness of God.

This kind of life is truly amazing because it yields benefits that are derived from "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (see Galatians 5:22).

If you want to know if you are truly rich, take a look at what your life is truly yielding. If it is yielding the fruit of God's Spirit, you are truly wealthy. If not, you are indeed poor, even if your natural skill has helped you amassed great worldly wealth.

Loving Wisdom

2010-02-18T08:46:00.010-06:00

"I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me. Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness" (Proverbs 8:17-18).

Even though wisdom has called out to everyone in the city streets, she is only acquired by those who love her. The benefits of her love are described in terms of riches and wealth as well as honor and righteousness. Linking these four things together tells us that she offers the kind of riches and wealth that are not of this world.

The Hebrew word for "enduring" means "surpassing" or "eminent." The wealth that comes to the one who loves wisdom is the real thing. The riches she offers are not the worldly substitutes that come with gold and silver. As we have been told several times, wisdom is more valuable than those earthly minerals.

To truly be honored in one's community, it will take a life lived well by the loving instruction of wisdom. Superficial honor is gained by a big bank account. Those who spend their life pursuing gold and silver are chasing after the kind of honor that is fleeting, never enduring.

Today's passage reminds us that the real treasure we seek is found in godly living. It is our love for wisdom that will lead us to that real treasure, for it is wisdom that offers us our only chance at a godly life.

Wonderful Gifts

2010-02-17T10:24:00.009-06:00

"I have counsel and sound wisdom; I have insight; I have strength. By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just; by me princes ruler, and nobles, all who govern justly" (Proverbs 8:14-16)

It probably doesn't come to you as a huge surprise that life can be very confusing. There are decisions that have to be made on a daily basis. Those decisions need to be made wisely. It helps to have people in our lives who can give wise counsel and who can give us keen insight. Wisdom is such a friend. Wisdom comes to us bearing gifts.

Wisdom presents the gifts of wise counsel and sound judgement. She gives insight for the task at hand as well as strength to complete the task. She gives us the valor of a strong soldier who fights his way through repeated battles.

Wisdom presents herself to kings, princes, rulers, and nobles as they make decisions about just laws. With wisdom they rule. With wisdom they decree. To write truly fair laws for their people, those in authority must heed the wise counsel and sound judgement wisdom offers.

This wonderful truth applies to all in authority. It applies to bosses at work as well as parents at home. It applies to teachers in the classroom as well as Presidents in the White House.

All in authority are called upon to rule with the wise counsel, sound judgement, and moral strength freely offered by wisdom. She stands ready to hand her amazing gifts to those who will receive them.

Life Untangled

2010-02-16T08:23:00.010-06:00

"I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate" (Proverbs 8:12-13).

The next ten verses contain over a dozen personal pronouns. I, me, my, and mine put the emphasis on wisdom rather than the rewards of wisdom. Therefore, wisdom is to be pursued with passion and commitment.

To possess wisdom is to naturally possess prudence, knowledge, and discretion. Our pursuit of wisdom is as noble a pursuit as we can have because wisdom leads us to an intimate relationship with the Lord. The fruit of that relationship is sensible and discrete living.

The person who lives a sensible and discrete life is the one who is not tangled in the vices of pride, arrogance, perverted speech and all things associated with the "way of evil." In other words, prudence, knowledge, and discretion will cause us to hate the same evil things the Lord hates, leading us to a life untangled.

Keep in mind that wisdom has a moral element as well as a mental element. Fearing the Lord produces a beautiful life that rejects perverse talk, evil behavior, and all things arrogant. It goes back to the fact that life is about Who we know rather than what we know. This is the meaning behind "the fear of the Lord."

If you find yourself entangled in the ugliness of pride, perverse talk, or anything associated with the way of evil, seek the wisdom of the Lord through your fear of the Lord. This will lead you to a life untangled and thus a beautiful life.

No Deceptive Twists

2010-02-15T09:05:00.018-06:00

"All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them. They are all straight to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge. Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you desire cannot compare with her" (Proverbs 8:8-11).

This passage is very similar to Proverbs 3:13-15. If I didn't know better, I would think Solomon did a little "cutting and pasting" here. But he didn't. He simply does what is necessary to drive the point home. He repeats, reiterates, and reinforces truth by saying it one more time. Hoping that if we didn't catch the truth the first time, we will catch it this time.

The message is clear: wisdom is better than gold, silver, and jewels. I know it is hard for some of us to believe this, but it's true. The very nature of wisdom should convince us of this truth. Wisdom sends us down the right path. It is the path that is straight. It does not confuse us with any deceptive twists and turns.

Confusion is caused when we believe that which is not true about life. Lies about how life can be full and meaningful apart from our Creator. Lies about us being able to save ourselves. The twisted and distorted message that life can be fulfilling if only we had enough money. The enemy wants us to believe the stairs are going down and not up.

Let's grasp the life giving truth that wisdom offers. Let's not be duped into thinking that silver, gold, and jewels fill the emptiness we all experience in life. Life is designed to be lived in intimate fellowship with our Creator. The gaps that are formed by the break in that relationship will never be filled by material things.

God is shooting straight with us in this Proverb. May we all find ourselves traveling the straight path on which wisdom points. May we not be coaxed into leaving that path in search of that which will never fill the gaps of our lives.

The High Road

2010-02-10T09:33:00.007-06:00

"Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right, for my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips" (Proverbs 8:6-7).

There is the high road of life as well as the low road of life. The high road is the noble road. A noble life is one that is characterized by high ideals and strong moral traits. Take the opposite of that and you have a life marked by low ideals and weak moral traits. That is the life that is void of wisdom.

Wisdom offers the high road. Wisdom calls us to ascend the heights of noble living. A place where are thoughts are pure and refreshing. The high road is where we can only treat others with dignity, care, concern, and true grace. Wisdom's lips speak the truth about the noble life which is beautiful. We are called to join her on the trek up the mountain of nobility and righteousness.

We have all been wounded on the low road. We have all been stung by the hurtful words of hateful people. Those who live selfishly and foolishly have treated us shamefully, with no care given for our condition, no concern for our point of view. They have not been gracious.

Choose the right road today. When the road forks in front of you, one path ascending and one path descending... ascend. Wisdom is calling us to the high road which is noble and right.

Wisdom For All

2010-02-09T14:51:00.007-06:00

"'To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man. O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense. ...'" (Proverbs 8:4-5).

Wisdom calls out to all people. To men and their children as well as to the simple and to the fools. We find in Proverbs that both the adulteress and wisdom call aloud. They both appeal to those who are naive. Wisdom asks the young to gain prudence which means they are to acquire a sensibleness to their approach to life's many confusing alternatives.

The simple are those who are untaught and the fools are those who won't be taught. Wisdom calls out to both. Those who are naive because they yet to be taught are invited to be taught. Those who foolishly reject wisdom are called to no longer live foolishly. They are encouraged to allow themselves to be taught the wise was to live.

Wisdom is for young and old. Wisdom calls to those who have yet to learn and those who have, up to this point, refused to learn. Wisdom is available to all.

Are you ready to learn from her?

Crossroads

2010-02-04T05:28:00.008-06:00

"Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud" (Proverbs 8:1-3).

This passage is very similar to Proverbs 1:20-21 in that it assures us that wisdom is calling out to us in a way that we can hear her. She positions herself in strategic locations around the city so that we can know how to navigate the very busy and confusing roads of life.

But are we listening?

With rhetorical questions, Solomon is telling us that wisdom and understanding are calling with a loud voice. These beautiful sisters stand on high ground as well as low ground. They position themselves at the gates of town as we work our way toward and through everyday decisions. They sit at our window as we look out toward the future.

It is at the crossroads we find wisdom and understanding calling us to lean on them. Crossroads are about making a decision. Which way do I go? Do I turn here or do I go straight? Am I in the right place or not? Wisdom and understanding will let us know.

As you find yourself in the city, by the window, on the hills, or in the valleys... heed the call of wisdom and understanding. As you find yourself at the crossroads of your life, allow understanding and wisdom to call you in the right direction. For it is wisdom and understanding that will guard your steps.

No Trespassing

2010-02-03T08:44:00.006-06:00

"And now, O sons, listen to me, and be attentive to the words of my mouth. Let not your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths, for many a victim has she laid low, and all her slain are a mighty throng. Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death" (Proverbs 7: 24-27).

This section of Proverbs, relating to the call to avoid sexual immorality, ends with the most dire of warnings. This section ends with a warning that the path of the immoral leads to "the chambers of death."

There is no authentic life in sexual sin. There is only imitation life. There is no freedom in sexual sin. There is only bondage. We are called to not stray into imitation life or bondage. To do so puts us on the long list of other victims slain and laid low by sin.

No trespassing signs tend to be very clear. They designate places we don't belong. Some of those signs warn that trespassers will be shot. Those who stray from the path and enter the forbidden zone do so at their own risk. The same is true for those who stray into immoral territory. There is the threat of great harm.

It is important that we give our full attention to the truth of God's Word. His teaching is meant to give us life. His words give freedom. Enough warning has been given, right? If we fail to heed the warnings, we do so at our own peril.

To The Slaughter

2010-02-02T09:38:00.012-06:00

"She seizes him and kisses him, and with bold face she says to him, 'I had to offer sacrifices, and today I have paid my vows; so now I have come out to meet you, to seek you eagerly, and I found you. I have spread my couch with coverings, colored linens from Egyptian linen; I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let us take our fill of live till morning; let us delight ourselves with love. For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey; he took a bag of money with him; at full moon he will come home.' With much seductive speech she persuades him. All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast till an arrow pierces its liver; as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life" (Proverbs 7:13-23).

It seems that our young friend is caught by surprise by the wayward woman. There's no reason he should have been surprised. He deliberately traveled that road. Not sure what he was expecting to find around that next corner.

Regardless, she grabs him, kisses him, and then proceeds to seduce him. Her hypocrisy is found in her religious activities followed by her seductive activities. This brings us to our first lesson of the day... don't be a hypocrite. Simply put, we are to live what we believe. This will solve the hypocrisy issue that far too many people struggle with. But there are more lessons in today's passage.

Lessons such as, beware of seductive speech... perfume covered sin still stinks... "you won't get caught" is a lie... sin leads to "imprisonment" and ultimately "death."

Those imprisoned to sin are trapped in a destructive lifestyle that only brings hurt and destruction. Death to dreams, relationships, intimacy, marriages, friendships, hopes, and "life to the full" is the ultimate result of being as dumb as an ox that is led to the slaughter.

Which brings us to one last lesson... sin will always take you to the slaughter house. No amount of perfume can make that truth smell better!

Wily and Wayward

2010-02-01T08:22:00.007-06:00

"And behold, the woman meets him, dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart. She is loud and wayward; her feet do not stay at home; now in the street, now in the market, and at every turn she lies in wait" (Proverbs 7:10-12).

You may be familiar with the Saturday morning cartoon, The Roadrunner. That illusive little bird was not only quick on his feet, but he was a quick thinker. He knew that the wily coyote was busy setting traps for him. It was always fun for me to watch the crazy antics of the coyote as he continually failed to catch the roadrunner.

What is not fun are the real world antics of the wily and wayward woman who seeks to entice the young man who finds himself vulnerable to sexual sin.

Her hunt begins with how she dresses. Provocative and enticing attire is her camouflage. She does not sneak around in silence, however. She is loud with her outgoing personality. She draws in her prey with bold speech.

She does not hunt from her front porch. She moves about town. She goes from the street to the market. She is a roamer. She is truly wily and wayward.

Extreme caution must be exercised when it comes to the wily ways of the wayward woman. She continually sets traps for the young man who can be extremely vulnerable. The Scripture implores young men and women everywhere to keep their feet on the path of righteousness so they can be as illusive as the speedy roadrunner.

It is a sad fact of life that a plethora of traps are set by the enemy. It is a joyous thing, however, when believers are able to safely run past those traps. It would make it even more joyous if we, as speedy believers, offer a quick "Beep Beep!" as we run past those failed traps.

Don't Go There!

2010-01-28T09:17:00.010-06:00

"For at the window of my house I have looked out through my lattice, and I have seen among the simple, I have perceived among the youths, a young man lacking sense, passing along the street near her corner, taking the road to her house in the twilight, in the evening, at the time of night and darkness" (Proverbs 7:6-9).

When my children were younger, I told them not to play in the street. I was afraid they would get hit by a car. I told them "no playing in the street" because I loved them and wanted them to be protected. My simple message to them was, "Don't go there!" I think they thought I was trying to cheat them out of some real fun.

The reason I think they thought I was trying to spoil their fun is because one of them immediately started strolling toward the street. With one eye on me, the sweet little child moved farther and farther away from me while inching closer and closer to the curb. Once he got to the curb, he stopped and looked right at me. He then very deliberately swung his foot out over the street. He never actually got in the street, he just got as close as he could.

Solomon writes in today's passage that he watched as a senseless youth moved closer and closer to the adulteress' house. His movement was calculated and deliberate. There were so many times he was told, "Don't go there!" and yet he did. It seemed he found it easier to go that direction the darker it got. Was he hoping his actions would not be noticed once the sun went down?

As we continue our study of Proverbs 7, we will find that the senseless youth ends up being compared to an ox going to slaughter. His deliberate path took him to the place of a brutal butchering.

Today's message is simple: Don't go there! And the moral of the story is even more simple: If you are nowhere near the slaughterhouse, you will not get slaughtered.

Family And Friends

2010-01-27T08:03:00.005-06:00

"Say to wisdom, 'You are my sister,' and call insight your intimate friend, to keep you from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words" (Proverbs 7:4-5).

It sometimes takes family and friends to help us through difficult times in life. When it comes to the temptation of the "forbidden woman," we are to also look to our family and friends.

In this Proverb, we are told to call wisdom our "sister" and insight our "friend." In the real world of sexual temptation, wisdom and insight are our family and friend. Because a sister is considered an intimate relationship, the Old Testament sometimes uses "sister" as a synonym for wife. You can find examples of this in the Song of Solomon.

It is, therefore, good for us to keep wisdom as close as a wife or sister as we face the smooth and tempting words of the adulteress. Just as important is our closeness to insight or understanding. We must be intimate friends with understanding if we want to avoid the trap of sexual sin.

How intimate are you with wisdom? Are you as close to wisdom as you are your own sister? That positive relationship could be what keeps you from the negative relationship associated with adultery. How intimate are you with insight or understanding? Are you as close to insight as you are to a best friend?

In the end, our closeness with our family and friend (wisdom and insight) could be the difference between overcoming or falling to temptation.

The Apple Of Your Eye?

2010-01-26T07:51:00.008-06:00

"My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on you fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart" (Proverbs 7:1-3).

Wisdom guards a person's whole life. To illustrate the need to have wisdom impact a person's whole life, Solomon encourages his son to engage his "eye," "fingers," and "heart." What we see, touch, and emotionally attach ourselves to really does matter. To write truth on our hearts is to internalize that truth. The heart is all about our insides. Guarding our hearts starts with what we look at.

Lust begins with the eye. That which we see and are attracted to, we want. It is how our flesh operates. But again, not all that we want is meant to be ours. That is why we have to be careful what we look at. There is a temptation to want it all and then do whatever it takes to have it.

There is a progression that can be deadly. We see it with our eye... we grab for it with our fingers... and then we embrace it with our hearts. If that progression is allowed to happen in the context of our sexuality, it can destroy our lives.

It is important that we experience that progression with what is true and good. Solomon calls on his son to keep his teaching in clear view, to grab hold of truth with his fingers, and to emotionally attach himself to what is right.

What is the apple of your eye today? Whatever it is, be aware of the progression that follows. You will eventually grab for it and then you will emotionally attach yourself to it. So I ask you again, what is the apple of your eye?

Wounds And Dishonor

2010-01-25T08:05:00.008-06:00

"People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry, but if he is caught, he will pay sevenfold; he will give all the goods of his house. He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself. Wounds and dishonor will he get, and his disgrace will not be wiped away. For jealousy makes a man furious, and he will not spare when he takes revenge. He will accept no compensation; he will refuse though you multiply gifts" (Proverbs 6:30-35).

When we compare and contrast the man who steals bread and the man who steals a wife, we learn some very important lessons. There seems to be sympathy for the man you steals bread to feed himself and his family. Though the man will be rightly punished for stealing bread, he is not despised. There are no lasting social wounds for such a man.

However, the man who steals a wife suffers wounds and dishonor as he faces public disgrace. These things are, by the way, self inflicted wounds. It is the adulterer who destroys himself. Yes, the jealous husband takes revenge, but the man who stole his wife is the one who owns the ultimate disgrace. This is a disgrace out of which he cannot buy his way.

Both the man you steals bread and the man who steals a wife must pay for their actions. While one may garner sympathy, the other does not. In order to avoid such public and permanent disgrace, as brought on by adultery, a person must live wisely. If not, wounds and dishonor will be his without end.

Being Burned

2010-01-21T05:16:00.009-06:00

"Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned? Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched? So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife; none who touches her will go unpunished" (Proverbs 6:27-28).

The answer to both questions is, "No!" A man can't carry fire and not get burned nor can he walk on hot coals not be scorched. In both cases, injury is sustained. Mess with fire and you get burned. Mess with the bull and you get gored. While it is as simple as that, many people still play with fire and taunt bulls.

A fire in a fireplace is a wonderful thing. It is warm, inviting, cosy, and pleasant. A fire in a forest is disastrous. It is damaging, hurtful, dangerous, and out of control. It is very much the same way with sex. Inside the context of marriage, sex is a wonderful, warm, inviting, cosy, and pleasant experience. Outside of marriage, it is hurtful, dangerous, and damaging.

Thus the repeated warnings in Proverbs. Just as there are consequences associated with our contact with fire, there are consequences for our involvement with adultery. In both cases, people get burned.

If none of us wish to be burned by the consequences of sexual sin, then we must be committed to the marriage vows we made in front of family, friends, and God. If not, we will end up being burned. We will ended up doing a lot of damage.

Left With Crumbs

2010-01-20T07:43:00.007-06:00

"Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes; for the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread, but a married woman hunts down a precious life" (Proverbs 6:25-26).

The Proverbs not only offer ample warning against destructive behavior, they line out the real life consequences for that behavior. Immorality comes with a high price. Whether a man succumbs to sexual sin with a prostitute or a married woman, it will cost him.

Today's passage tells us that a man will be left with only a loaf of bread as a result of spending his money for sex. The lifestyle described here can lead a man to utter poverty. In some cases, men lose their jobs due to their sexual sin, adding to the chance of utter poverty. Thus the warning!

In some cases, the married woman he involves himself with becomes vengeful and seeks to destroy his life. Does the movie Fatal Attraction come to mind?

It is better to heed the warnings of Scripture than to suffer the consequences of sin. If not, a person may be forced to leave the banquet table of love only to be left with the crumbs of lust.

A Lamp's Light

2010-01-19T07:19:00.008-06:00

"When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you. For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life, to preserve you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress" (Proverbs 6:22-24).

The threefold benefit of the father's commandments are laid out in today's passage. The promise is given regarding the guidance, protection, and instruction provided by his teaching. The result of embracing the teaching of the father is that one is led in the right direction while active, protected while at rest, and instructed while alert and listening.

All of this comes from the illumination of truth. The commands of God, delivered through one's parents, are a lamp for one's journey. Even when we are corrected by God's Word, we are not to shrink back. We are told that "reproofs of discipline" are the way of life.

Again, the warning to listen, discern, and obey instruction is tied to sexual purity. The illuminating truth offered by the father is contrasted by the "smooth tongue" of the adulteress. It once again comes down to which voice we choose to listen. One voice leads to life and the other to destruction. One voice is a voice of "light" while the other is of darkness. We must choose carefully which voice we listen to every moment of every day.

Heart Bound

2010-01-14T09:08:00.011-06:00

"My son, keep your father's commandment, and forsake not your mother's teaching. Bind them around your heart always; tie them around your neck" (Proverbs 6:20-21).

As an adult, I've looked back on my childhood many times and wished that I had listened better to my parents. I wish I had followed their direction and advice. Parental wisdom, I now know, is actually worth quite a bit. If only I had listened, I would have saved myself a lot of heartache.

Parents have something children don't have... wisdom! Parents have "been around the block" enough to have gained valuable insight into life's many twists and turns. Godly parents who know the commandments of God know that to obey those commandments brings protection and provision in life.

There is a tremendous need for children to learn and obey God's commands. The word pictures used to help us grasp this is a "heart" and a "neck." To bind parental commands (presumably derived from the Word of God) upon one's heart is to internalize those commands. It is to take them in to one's life by way of appropriation. To tie them around one's neck is to keep them close enough to always remember them. To be around one's neck is to be visible. In other words, we are told to hide God's commands in our hearts while we keep them visible around our necks.

Wisdom is needed in order to live life to its greatest potential. Wisdom directs and warns while guiding and providing. Parental wisdom, derived from God's Word, is to be bound to our hearts and tied to our necks. If only I had believed that when I was younger!

The Broken Seven

2010-01-13T08:50:00.008-06:00

"There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers" (Proverbs 6:16-19).

The six-seven pattern used to list things is fairly common in the Bible. It is used in Job as well as several other Proverbs. The list "plus one" is not used in order to give a complete list but rather the emphasize the final entry to the list. In other words, the seventh thing listed is the product of the first six.

In today's passage, Solomon is describing the fruits of the wicked man's life. The life that man leads is marked by pride, the telling of lies, shedding of innocent blood (murder), a heart that maps out wicked actions, and feet that run quickly to that which is evil. Telling lies, by the way, is listed twice for emphasis. These six things cause discord among brothers. All of these things cause suspicion among friends. They all come together to ruin relationships. Death to unity is the spoiled fruit of sin.

The wise man will allow his life to be tested against these six... seven things. The courage it takes to stand in front of God's spiritual mirror comes straight from God Himself. It is important that we all allow His Spirit to illuminate the truth regarding our pride, evil thoughts and intentions, the words we speak, and the plans that we make.

If we do not allow this kind of spiritual inspection, our lives will be the source of great discord. Relationships will be ruined and unity will be destroyed. The Scripture describes the broken seven traits of ungodly living. These broken seven, we are told, God hates.

Crossed Fingers

2010-01-12T08:20:00.008-06:00

"A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked speech, winks with his eyes, signals with his feet, points with his finger, with perverted heart devises evil, continually sowing discord; therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly; in a moment he will be broken beyond healing" (Proverbs 6:12-15).

The worthless and wicked person are one in the same. The verbs in this passage are singular so we know Solomon is talking about one scoundrel here. Someone is worthless when they live apart from God's design for their life. Their life is marked by lies and deceit. Their whole body indicates deception. Winks and signals give them away. It's much like when I was a child as I would cross my fingers while making a promise. With fingers crossed, no promise could stick. Or at least that is what I would claim after the fact.

There is no wisdom in deception. The perverted heart is foolish and thus out of it comes perversion of the truth. The perverted heart stirs up dissension and thus destroys unity within community. The warning is clear; calamity follows such foolishness.

To avoid such brokenness of life, one must speak truthfully and work toward harmony. Promises made must be promises kept or else a tragic end to relationships and community follow. The solution is found in speaking truth from a pure heart. Unity is experienced when everyone involved stops winking, signaling, and pointing one direction while speaking toward another. That is called crooked speech and the consequences for that are devastating.

Laziness Doesn't Pay

2010-01-11T09:05:00.012-06:00

"How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man" (Proverbs 6:9-11).

Continuing to encourage wisdom in everyday life, Solomon prods the sluggard to get out of bed. Simply put, sleeping the day away instead of working leads to poverty. Poverty is mentioned quite a bit in Proverbs and is something that can and should be avoided by hard work.

As typical humans who have been affected by a natural bent toward sin, we all have it in us to compromise. We have it in us to make excuses. We ask ourselves, "What harm is in a little slumber and a little sleep? What's wrong with a little folding of the hands?" The problem with some people is that "a little" isn't really a little. It's just their way of excusing themselves from hard work. They're lazy!

The result of laziness is poverty and want that strike as suddenly as an armed robber. Just as the armed robber strikes his unsuspecting victim quickly, so does poverty.

Wisdom calls on us to get out of bed and to start working. She calls us to stop loafing. Wisdom tells us to renounce laziness and thus avoid poverty. To be clear, Proverbs speaks wisdom into the life of those who can work but won't, while speaking wisdom into the life of those who can work to help those who can't. Both are very real biblical realities.

Learn From The Ant

2010-01-07T08:37:00.007-06:00

"Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest" (Proverbs 6:6-8).

Anyone who is lazy or irresponsible is challenged to learn from the ant. There is great wisdom in doing so. The industrious ant is a great role model for those who are not hard workers. The hard working ant does not have a boss to direct, a ruler to poke and prod, or an overseer that inspects her work.

The ant, with no boss, works harder and better than some people who have a boss. It is the ant who can teach us to be motivated and prepared. The ant shows us how to work, while it is still warm, in such a way as to be prepared for the winter. This means good workers work in anticipation of future needs.

Wisdom is not about being busy but rather being ready. Wisdom tells us to think ahead and to prepare, through hard work, for the future. It is the wise person who works hard without being told to do so.

Gazelle Intensity

2010-01-06T08:16:00.010-06:00

"My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, have given your pledge for a stranger, if you are snared in the words of your mouth, caught in the words of your mouth, then do this, my son, and save yourself, for you have come into the hand of your neighbor: go, hasten, and plead urgently with your neighbor. Give your eyes no sleep and your eyelids no slumber; save yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the hand of the fowler" (Proverbs 6:1-5).

I think I now know where Dave Ramsey got the phrase, "gazelle intensity." He uses that phrase to describe the intensity needed to get out of debt. Today's passage is a specific warning against co-signing for someone else's debt. To "put up security" for a friend or a "pledge" for a stranger is to go into debt with them.

Being snared by the words of your mouth is all about taking out a loan with a promise to repay. It is a verbal signing on the dotted line. But the problem is that when a person does that, he puts himself in a financial situation in which he has no control.

The encouragement is to not let another night pass without setting out to make things right. To this end, Dave Ramsey offers seven "baby steps" that are to be carried out with gazelle like intensity. These steps are as follows:

1. Build an emergency fund of $1000

2. Pay off all debt with "the debt snowball"

3. Save 3 to 6 months of expenses

4. Invest 15% of income into Roth IRAs and Pre-Tax retirement plans

5. Start saving for your children's college

6. Pay off your home early

7. Build wealth and give!

You can learn more about this by visiting www.daveramsey.com

The decision to not co-sign for someone is made in an instant. The decision to cut up credit cards can happen in the twinkling of an eye. To get out of debt takes longer. It can't happen overnight. It will take gazelle intensity to be debt free. Only then can you, with great joy, scream, "I'm Debt Free!"

Ensnared

2010-01-05T08:11:00.006-06:00

"Why should you be intoxicated, my son, with a forbidden woman and embrace the bosom of an adulteress? For a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and he ponders all his paths. The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is held fast in the cords of his sin. He dies for lack of discipline, and because of his great folly he is led astray" (Proverbs 5:20-23).

The father's warning to his son is intended to be a life saving event. No one denies that sexual activity is desirous. No one can argue that sex feels good. The father uses the word "intoxicated" on purpose. Sex is awesome.

It is, however, a deadly situation when sex is taken out of the context of God's design. One way to describe the damage is to talk about its addictive power. "The iniquities of the wicked ensnares him" is all about getting trapped in a destructive behavior. Being held fast in the cords of anything is frustrating for anyone who enjoys freedom.

The father warns that death follows the one who lacks discipline. All areas of our life need discipline. Boundaries are not terrible things. When experienced the way God designed it to be experienced, our sexual lives are not about being ensnared but rather freed.

Christmas Break

2009-12-22T08:59:00.006-06:00

A Daily Passage will return after the Christmas break.

Have a very Merry Christmas!

A Blessed Fountain

2009-12-21T08:05:00.011-06:00

"Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well. Should your springs be scattered abroad, streams of water in the streets? Let them be for yourself alone, and not for strangers with you. Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe" (Proverbs 5:15-18).

The rewards for marital fidelity are wonderful. The rewards are as refreshing as pure spring water that is not polluted by adultery. The picture of infidelity we are given here is spilt water. Water that has spilt out on to the street is seen as lost and polluted. This is why discipline and restraint are so vital to the marriage relationship.

Cisterns, wells, springs, and streams all have boundaries. Those boundaries are what keep the water pure and readily accessible. Without restraint, the water is spilled out on to the streets and thus wasted. This is why the Lord calls on us to keep our sexual desires in check. There is absolutely nothing wrong with sexual desires. There is never a call for us to repress our sexual desires; we are simply called to control them.

River banks do a wonderful job of protecting neighborhoods from flood waters. Once those banks are breached, real damage is done. So it is with our sexuality. One of God's amazing gifts to His children is sex. His desire is for us to enjoy it in the safety of discipline and restraint. We are to be intoxicated by the joy of sex. To control our sexual desires inside the covenant of marriage leads to blessing. If not controlled, real damage is done. Within the protective river banks of marriage there is tremendous rejoicing when sexual freedom is exercised and enjoyed.

Never forget, you do not have to repress your sexual desires. You simply have to direct them. If you do, you will know the pleasure of God in the intimacy of your marriage. If you do not, you will only know the heartache of sexual floodwaters that have spilled over their protective banks.

It Will Cost You

2009-12-10T09:01:00.010-06:00

"And now, O sons, listen to me, and do not depart from the words of my mouth. Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house, lest you give your honor to others and your years to the merciless, lest strangers take their fill of your strength, and your labors go to the house of a foreigner, and at the end of your life you groan, when your flesh and body are consumed, and you say, 'How I hated discipline, and my heart despised reproof! I did not listen to the voice of my teachers or incline my ear to my instructors. I am at the brink of utter ruin in the assembled congregation'" (Proverbs 5:7-14).

Because the cost of adultery is so high, Solomon urges his sons to listen and hold fast to what he tells them. He warns them that moral failure is costly. Hence, the boys are not to even go close to the adulteress' house. The temptation could be so great, even being near her could prove deadly.

The consequences of adultery are threefold, according to Solomon. To fall prey to adultery will first cost a person their honor. Sin takes a toll on a person by zapping their spiritual strength due to the guilt that is produced. Their is no honor in sin... and we know that.

To fall prey to sexual sin will also cost a person their emotional strength. This could mean that their emotional health is compromised because they lose their self-respect. There is nothing respectable about sin because it is an offense to God and it ruins human relationship.

To fall prey to adultery will cost a person their money. To have "your labors go to the house of a foreigner" means that you literally pay for your transgression. Whether it is paying money to keep the transgression secret, paying the adulteress so she sticks around, or paying child support once a baby is born, the monetary cost of sin can be very real.

The cost of sin can also be found in being remorseful at the end of your life for not listening to sound counsel in this area. The ruin and the disgrace in the eyes of others brings intense remorse. The bottom line is simple: it will cost you greatly if you fall prey to sexual sin.

Consider your steps today. Are you walking anywhere close to the house of ruin? Are you flirting with disaster. If so, take the counsel of Scripture and stay far away from the adulteress' house. You cannot afford the actual cost associated with the experience she offers.

Smoke And Mirrors

2009-12-09T07:54:00.009-06:00

"My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding, that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge. For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol; she does not ponder the path of life; her ways wander, and she does not know it" (Proverbs 5:1-6).

Proverbs now takes up the subject of adultery. We are introduced to the "forbidden woman" who promises a good time with her smooth and sweet words. The end result of the son's involvement with such a woman, however, would be utter disaster. This is why the admonition to pay attention to wisdom's warning is repeated once again.

Illusionists sometimes use smoke and mirrors to make people think they can do amazing things like disappear and such. Our eyes tend to believe what they see and so we are amazed. Adulterous people are the same way, but instead of using smoke and mirrors, they use flattering words, seductive invitations, and empty promises. The flattery builds confidence, the seductive invitation builds anticipation of pleasure, and the promises build hope of fulfillment.

And so with confidence, anticipation of pleasure, and the promise of fulfillment, young men and women walk straight into the trap. The trap is one of death that has a bitter taste and a wounding cut. The bitter taste of wormwood and the wounds of the two-edged sword are all that adultery can and ever will deliver.

Never forget that things are not always as they appear. Consider this as you hear the seductive words of the "forbidden woman" because the dripping honey quickly turns to blood. And the blood is ours.

The Straight And Narrow

2009-12-08T07:34:00.010-06:00

"Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left: turn your foot away from evil" (Proverbs 4:25-27).

Starting with the debacle of the Garden of Eden, we humans have always wanted what we can't have. Craig Barnes once said that he believed the Lord placed one forbidden tree in the garden simply to prove that we were never meant to have it all.

Yet we strive for just that.

The discipline of keeping our eyes on that which is good for us is imperative if we want to really enjoy life. It is important to ponder the path we walk in order to experience life to its richest potential. Wisdom tells us that avoiding all swerves to the right and left takes us to the ultimate destination. And so wisdom's call is to avoid crashing into ditches that ruin the journey.

We must keep in mind that sin is not only attractive to us, it is deadly. The admonition from God to walk the straight and narrow path is not punishment. It is provision. The day we learn that what we are looking for is not on the side of the road but rather over the horizon, is the day we truly start to live. Life is truly lived well when we live it on the path and not in the ditch.

And so we are told to keep our eyes on the horizon. We are told to not swerve off the road into the ditch. We are told to ponder the path set before us. This is God's provision for us, not His punishment. The straight and narrow road is a daring and dangerous road because it takes faith that what is over the horizon is much better than what is in the ditch.

Liar Liar

2009-12-07T13:58:00.010-06:00

"Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you" (Proverbs 4:24).

I have sometimes wondered what would happen if our noses really did grow longer each time we told a lie. Not just big lies, even when we tell little white ones. What if we were caught every single time our speech was anything but straight forward?

I bet then we would more closely watch what comes out of our mouths.

Guarding our hearts has a huge impact on what comes out of our mouths. The difference between being honest and deceptive is the difference between a pure heart and a polluted one. Jesus once said, "The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks" (Luke 6:45).

The only way we would be able to put away crooked and devious speech would be to walk the righteous path on which only a righteous heart treads. The path our heart takes is the path our tongues will naturally take as well. This is why it is so important to guard our hearts.

If our goal is to honor God in all we say and do, we will fail miserably if we are people who are known as deceitful, tricky, scheming, wily, underhanded, cunning, sneaky, crafty, or sly when it comes to our words. In other words, we cannot honor God if we are liars. Even if our noses don't grow longer each time we lie, we will be found out. For that which is in our hearts always works its way to the surface.

Springs Of Life

2009-12-03T08:52:00.006-06:00

"My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life" (Proverbs 4:20-23).

We again are told that wisdom's value is found in the health it produces. To pay attention with our "ears" and "eyes" is to focus on life giving truth. To take truth into our "hearts" is not just about mental and emotional capacity. It is about a person's values.

Inner values lead to external actions. The phrase, "springs of life," denotes one's actions. What comes out of a person's heart, by way of actions, indicates the quality of one's inner values. If there is garbage in a person's heart then only garbage will spring forth. If there is godliness in a person's heart then only godliness with spring forth. It's as simple as that.

How is the quality of that which flows from your heart? Does purity and refreshing life flow out of your heart? It is either that or garbage. Purity and refreshment is that which leads to healing. Again we are told that wisdom leads to life while foolishness leads to death.

The key to life, therefore, is found in paying close attention to the truth of God's Word. What we allow our ears and eyes to focus on matters because the object of our focus will make its way into our hearts. And from our hearts flow springs of life. Hopefully those springs (actions) are not polluted.

Protecting Shins and Toes

2009-12-02T08:14:00.012-06:00

"But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble" (Proverbs 4:18-19).

I have hiked the mountains of Colorado both in the light of day and the dark of night. For obvious reasons, it is easier and safer in the light of day. Or maybe not so obvious? I only ask because so many of us choose to step foot on the path that is like "deep darkness" expecting not to stumble.

The truth is, we will always stumble along the path that is drenched in darkness. I have learned this lesson well. I have banged my shins and stubbed my toes on living room furniture too many times, as I have tried to make my way to the kitchen in the dead of night. And it always hurts!

To walk the path of the righteous is the complete opposite. It is like the bright light of a dawning morning that only gets brighter as the day progresses. This speaks to the joy that comes from knowing where you are going while seeing the obstacles that stand in the way.

Jesus has been introduced to us as true Light. His Word is the lamp unto our feet. His glory shines an illuminating light for us so that we can take life's journey while being fully aware of the pitfalls and potholes that lie in devilish wait.

Chose to walk in "the light" of wisdom today. Enjoy the bright light of dawn as you trek through the day. There is great joy in doing this knowing that our shins and toes will appreciate our effort.

Warning Signs

2009-12-01T07:27:00.006-06:00

"Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on. For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong; they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble. For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence" (Proverbs 4:14-17).

It is so imperative that we not walk the path of the wicked that six critical commands are issued. The sense of urgency is obvious. Do not enter, walk, or go on that path! Do avoid, turn away from, and pass by the path of the wicked! To enter the way of the wicked, one would have to deliberately walk past six warning signs. They would have to climb over six barbed wire fences. To travel the path of those who hate God, someone would have to ignore six blaring sirens.

The warning sings, fences, and sirens are exposing the fact that those who do evil things are not just doing them, they are feasting on them. They are people who can't sleep because the hunger to do wrong gnaws at their soul. Their depraved guts crave violence. Their "bread and wine" are to do evil things. They can't sleep at night until they cause harm to someone.

How many warning signs have you ignored in your lifetime? How many sirens have gone unheeded? How many fences have you jumped in order to be in a place you don't belong? For me, there are too many to count. That is why my commitment is to walk a totally different path. I like to sleep at night and I have found that the best way to enjoy a good night's sleep is to live a life that honors God.

If you or I find ourselves on the path of the wicked, walking the way of the depraved; it is only because we have chosen to ignore the warning signs. It is because we have chosen to jump the fence. Let's be sure that when we feast, we feast on only the good things of God and not the "bread and wine" of the sleepless wicked.

A Run Without Stumbles

2009-11-30T08:56:00.011-06:00

"Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many. I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble. Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life" (Proverbs 4:10-13).

These four verses describe the way of the wise while the next four verse describe the way of the wicked. (Tune in tomorrow for that important lesson.)

For today's lesson, we must focus on the joys of a "straight path." The jubilation experienced on the straight path wisdom provides is in stark contrast to the desolation found on the path of the wicked. A straight path is a path with little or no restriction. To walk or run an unrestricted path is to move along a much easier path. It is a path which leads to life.

Life is found on the path where our steps are not hampered. It is a path that is not narrowed or cramped. Life is found in the wide open spaces of God's perfect will. If we do just a little bit of reflection, we would probably admit that the path we used to walk, the crooked and devious path of sin, was fraught with problems and hardships. The trips and falls we experienced outside of God's will were truly painful. Right?

Does it not sound good to you to walk and run the path that leads to joy and life? Doesn't it sound amazing to be able to really enjoy the path that is not cramped and crooked? To walk a path with very little restriction? If it does, then you and I need to seriously consider wisdom's instruction. We are told to not let go of her. We are instructed to guard her. For she is our life. She keeps us from a hampered walk while providing us a run without stumbles.

Wisdom's Crown

2009-11-19T09:16:00.007-06:00

"The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. She will place on your head a graceful garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown" (Proverbs 4:7-9).

To prize wisdom is to win the prize of life. Consider the word picture used to explain the benefits of getting wisdom and insight. It is that of a runner winning the race. That winning runner is exalted above the others as he or she stands on the top tier. The runner is honored for the win and is given the prize in front of a cheering crowd of witnesses.

The winner of the race receives a graceful garland and beautiful crown. Wisdom's prize is pictured as grey hair. It is the person who not only lives life well, but lives life with a deep understanding of the big picture. This can only come with the passage of time.

The person who, over a long period of time, gets wisdom and understanding is the person who is rewarded for a life well lived because of their wisdom.

Find a follower of Christ with grey hair today and ask them to share the wisdom they have attained over the years. Ask them to pass on a gem or two. What did they learn along the way that would help you in your running of the race?

Life's race is not a sprint as much as it is a marathon. It can only be won if we keep running. It takes wisdom and insight to run a good long race. But remember that the prize is a graceful garland and beautiful crown... pictured as grey hair. Keep in mind that grey hair is wisdom's crown.

Generations

2009-11-18T07:15:00.007-06:00

"When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, he taught me and said to me, 'Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you.'" (Proverbs 4:3-6).

There are four fathers involved in today's passage. Solomon is passing on to his son that which his father, David, had passed on to him. David, of course, passed on to Solomon what he received from his Heavenly Father. When Solomon was the only child of David and Bathsheba, before his three brothers came along, his tender heart was being formed by his parents' teaching. He was now working to form his young son's tender heart.

Deuteronomy 6:2 mentions "you and your son and your son's son" because generations matter. What we learn from our fathers has an impact on our children just as what our fathers learned from their fathers has an impact on us. We are either in a positive cycle of truth and wisdom or a negative cycle of lies and foolishness. If it is the latter, the cycle must be broken.

It could very well be that Solomon asked God for wisdom because of the consistent teaching he received from David. It seems David repeated the call for Solomon to seek wisdom, hold fast truth, keep commandments, get wisdom, and get insight. The call for a life marked by wisdom and truth was a call handed down through many generations of his family.

What message has been handed down to you? What were you told by your father? What was told to him? If the message is a call to "get" wisdom and insight so that you may live, you are very fortunate. If the message is a call to "get" life on your own terms and in your own way, you need to break that generational cycle... now! Before it is too late to really live.

Tune In

2009-11-17T07:29:00.010-06:00

"Hear, O sons, a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching" (Proverbs 4:1-2).

The world is a noisy place. Music, traffic, conversations, billboards, commercials, lectures, questions, iPods, stereos, radios, televisions, cell phones, airplanes, and much more make the world a very noisy place. The voice of a father to his sons has lots of competition. Hence the call to listen.

My own experience in life tells me that I can "hear" what a person is telling me but that does not necessarily mean I am listening. Today's passage is a call to listen! The call is for each of us to pay attention to the precepts of authority.

While previous Proverbs have a father exhorting his son, today's passage exhorts a plurality of "sons." The father commands his sons to listen. He knows what other wise fathers have known throughout the years; you can't learn if you don't listen. It is imperative that we tune in to truth. Because the noisy world competes for our attention, we must tune our ears to the precepts of God's Word.

What does it take to tune in to truth? It takes a disciplined and attentive ear that has purposed to tune out the noisy world long enough to truly listen. It takes a willingness to not just "hear" what is said, but to listen to what is said. My 27 years of marriage have taught me to listen with my face, not just my ears. Tuning in to the Lord is an active discipline of "eye contact." It is a discipline of being with Him in prayer and study, in an intimate "face to face" encounter.

As the noisy world continues to get noisier, it is so important that followers of Christ purposefully break away from the noise in order to listen to the precepts of God. Acquiring the needed wisdom we need for everyday life will not happen unless we tune in to what the Lord is saying.

Reasons To Not Envy

2009-11-16T08:39:00.009-06:00

"Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways, for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence. The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous. Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor. The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace" (Proverbs 3:31-35).

People sometimes envy the person who has a lot of money and whose pleasure in life seems endless. It is especially important not to envy the man who has attained these things through violence. Though God never condemns wealth attained in admirable ways, He never blesses the life of the crook. Here are four reasons why:

1. God is disgusted by the person who is devious. There is no fellowship between that person and the Lord. With no fellowship there can be no blessing. (3:32)

2. Instead of blessing the house of the wicked, the Lord curses it. This means He brings a judicious punishment on those who hate Him and His ways. In contrast to this, the Lord blesses those who love Him and follow him. (3:33)

3. Scorners of God will only receive God's scorn while those who are humble before God receive His grace. This means that the life one lives has a boomerang affect. What goes around comes around. We reap what we sow. If we lie down with dogs we get flees. (3:34)

4. Nothing but disgrace comes from the disgraceful life. Those who live wisely, however, are honored. (3:35)

If we find ourselves envious of the violent man, especially as we see the riches he acquires through his devious ways, let's be sure we consider the destination to which his path takes him. It is a path that leads to disgust, punishment, scorn, and disgrace. Who in their right mind could ever be envious of that? Have we not yet learned that the grass is not greener on the wicked man's side of the fence?

The Trust Factor

2009-11-09T06:57:00.011-06:00

"Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you. Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm" (Proverbs 3:29-30).

There is a very important factor involved in all relationships. Whether we are in a relationship at home, work, or in our neighborhoods, the trust factor is essential.

The people in our lives must know they can trust us. They have to be able to confidently live their lives knowing that we are not planning evil against them while we smilingly call them friend. Jesus had a "friend" like that. His name was Judas. Judas planned evil against Jesus as well as contended with Him for no reason. Jesus had only done good things for Judas... He had done him no harm.

Building trust is one thing but keeping trust is another. Sustaining trust the only way a deep and strong friendship can grow deeper and stronger. While we are making plans today, let's be sure we plan good things for our friends and families. If there is to be contention in our day, let it be against the forces of evil that try to destroy and discourage our relationships built on trust.

Let's pay close attention to the trust factor as we avoid, at all cost, being anything like Judas!

Don't Hold Back

2009-11-05T08:46:00.006-06:00

"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, 'Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it'– when you have it with you" Proverbs 3:27-28).

The contrast between the person who holds back good from those around him and the generosity of lady wisdom (3:16) is unmistakable. Just as lady wisdom is a two fisted giver of long life and riches, we are to be generous givers to friends and neighbors.

The right thing to do when people are in need, and we have the resources to help them, is to generously help. Wisdom leads us to healthy relationships with others. A healthy relationship with those around us includes the attitude and action of giving. We have resources and they have needs. Wisdom brings the two together.

Verse 27 has direct implications for employers who owe their workers their wages. They are to not withhold good from its owners... they are to pay the wages due. Verse 28 has direct implications for friends and neighbors that are dealing with real time needs. Why put off helping someone in immediate need? Putting off help does not communicate compassion, kindness, or love.

Is there an area of our lives in which we feel we are holding backing? Are we putting off assistance for any reason at all? If so, we need to make immediate adjustments. We need to be givers to those who are due that which is theirs and we need to be immediate givers to those who are in need. Any other response is simply holding back.

A Good Night's Sleep

2009-11-04T08:14:00.004-06:00

“My son, do not lose sight of these–– keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life to your soul and adornment for your neck. Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet” (Proverbs 3:21-24).

The Hebrew word for “sound judgment” is also translated “victory.” It seems that sound judgment and discretion are two valuable qualities that lead to a truly victorious life. To hang these two values around our neck is to never lose sight of them. There is great benefit to the life of those who heed this plea.

A secure walk while awake and sweet sleep at night are the benefits of sound wisdom and discretion. Think of it, as we journey through life every day there is a hedge of protection provided by the wisdom and discretion we employee. We see pitfalls of poor decisions as well as the perks of good decisions. We don’t easily get tripped up by sin or duped by sinners when we keep sound wisdom and discretion around our necks.

After a good long day of victorious living, we are told we sleep like a baby. There will be no fear of the darkness that hides the enemy, real or imagined. Victorious living during the day destroys fear at night.

I don’t know about you, but I find one of the greatest pleasures in life is a good night’s sleep. I have found that victorious living lifts the burdens that tend to wake me in the night. Good choices during the day do not rob me of slumber at night. It’s actually just the opposite. Good choices during the day afford me the peace of mind that allows me to drift off to restful slumber at night.

That and no caffeine after 5:00 p.m.!

Tools For Building

2009-11-03T07:13:00.004-06:00

“The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew” (Proverbs 3:19-20).

When God founded the earth, established the heavens, and broke open the deep, His tools were wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. When God set out to do a great work, He first opened His tool box and pulled out the right tools. If God needed to do that, surely you and I need to as well.

Though we do not create (found) anything as big and wonderful as the earth, we are often tasked to create something. Some have created families while others have created businesses. It takes wisdom to do both.

Though we are not establishing anything as wonderful as the heavens, we are busy establishing something. Some establish ministries while others establish disciplines. It takes understanding to establish both.

Though we are not breaking open the great oceans of the world, we are responsible for breaking open roadblocks at work and obstacles in relationships. It takes knowledge to accomplish both.

If God used tools such as wisdom, understanding, and knowledge to create, establish, and break open great things, we must use them as well. These are tools that every believer is given by God Himself. These tools are in our toolboxes. We must pick up these tools daily in order to accomplish great things in life.

Without wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, we will fail at all attempts to create, establish, and break open. If you are ready to build a great family, business, or relationship, use the tools God has given you. If you are ready to break open roadblocks and obstacles, do so with the tools God has offered you.

Wisdom's Generosity

2009-11-02T05:59:00.016-06:00

"Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed" (Proverbs 3:16-18).

In the Proverbs, wisdom is often personified as a woman. This time, wisdom is seen as a very generous woman who gives with both hands. She holds nothing back. With her right hand she gives longevity in life and with her left hand she gives that which money can buy, as well as honor.

The book of Proverbs never condemns riches gained in honorable ways. Scripture simply teaches that the gain we receive from wisdom is better than riches. God is often pleased to bless His children with material wealth. The ongoing warning of Scripture, however, is that we never pursue the presents of God more than the presence of God.

Generally understood, the kind of life a foolish person lives produces the opposite of longevity, riches, and honor. Life is often cut short for the foolish. The foolish have very little financial gain to show for their efforts. Their lives are all too often marked by dishonor rather than honor.

Those who find wisdom enjoy a fruitful life as illustrated by the fruitful tree. They are the ones who receive the generosity of the two fisted giver known as wisdom. The paths they walk are pleasant and peaceful as well as fruitful and blessed.

Wisdom stands out in the open with wonderful gifts in both hands. The question remains for each of us. Will we receive what she is offering or will we foolishly decline the gifts? Those who take hold of her are the ones who are truly blessed.

A Wise Investment

2009-10-29T08:53:00.008-05:00

“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her” (Proverbs 3:13-15).

This proverb uses terminology common to traders and investors. To speak of gain and profit, the writer takes us into the financial world of gains and losses. Allow me to be a bit cheesy here by saying that this proverb takes us to the trading floor of God’s spiritual stock market.

If we want to make a wise investment in life, we will put all we have into wisdom. Wisdom is where the real pay off is. The gain or profit we receive from wisdom far exceeds that of silver, gold, and precious jewels. As a matter of fact, there is no comparison. Remember that wisdom brings blessing, translated “happiness.” Surely we remember our mother’s telling us that money can’t buy us happiness.

The good news is, wisdom can! Therefore, living wisely is the best investment we will ever make.

A Father's Love

2009-10-28T07:15:00.013-05:00

"My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him who he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights" (Proverbs 3:11-12).

The previous verses (3:9-10) mention the blessings of the Lord. I would be surprised if anyone would ever despise those divine blessings or even grown weary of benefiting from the "full barns" and "bursting vats" given by the gracious hand of God. We naturally attribute such blessings to our Heavenly Father's love. But what about His discipline and reproof? How are we to respond to the tougher aspects of our Father/child relationship with God?

The exact same way!

If we are not careful, we could misunderstand His corrective discipline in our lives. Just as God's love is demonstrated by His work to remove obstacles in our lives (3:5-6) and provide for our material needs (3:9-10), it is demonstrated by His discipline. This is why we are to not reject or grow weary of the Lord's discipline. It is how He shows His love for us.

To think that God finds pleasure in correcting His children, whether physically or verbally, could cause us to miss the benefits of such discipline. Receiving God's correction leads to our growth of character and depth of maturity. Allowing God to bring us back in line is one of the greatest things we can experience because the end result is simply amazing.

Consider the character of those you know who had no parental discipline while growing up. They tend to be wild, rude, insensitive, selfish, and constantly in trouble with those in authority. Let that never be said of the children of God. For those who understand that the Father's love is proved in both the giving of blessing as well as discipline, life is truly wonderful.

Honoring God

2009-10-27T07:24:00.009-05:00

"Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce, then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine" (Proverbs 3:9-10).

One of the best ways to show our gratitude to the Lord for His provision is to honor Him with the wealth with which He blesses us. Those who lived in Israel at the time this proverb was penned knew that the right thing to do at harvest time was to give a portion of the crops to the Lord... first thing. Giving leftovers to God was not very honoring to Him. Giving "firstfruits" to the Lord displayed a measure of faith and appreciation. Grabbing and hoarding displayed fear and selfishness.

The general principle revealed in today's passage is that the Lord is faithful to provide for His children. You and I can't out give God. As we give to the Lord, out of appreciation, He blesses us with abundance. This generalization does not lock God into a formula. He sovereignly chooses to give or withhold His blessing. The point of this proverb is to show that we are to honor God by giving faithfully and generously out of deep appreciation for His provision.

The more God blesses our giving, the more opportunity we will have to give. Barns full of grain and vats full of wine affords us a greater ability to bless others. This cycle of giving and blessing honors God in a way few of us truly understand.

Does your giving come from a heart full of gratitude to the Lord or do you feel yourself grabbing and hoarding? Only one of those is truly honoring to God.

Humility And Health

2009-10-26T08:44:00.006-05:00

“Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones” (Proverbs 3:7-8).

Today’s passage contains a three part admonition which links our spiritual humility to our physical health. A physical health which is provided by God. We must all be careful to not take credit for the wisdom God has given us. To be wise in our own eyes is to be overly confident and dependent on ourselves.

When we are wise in our own eyes, we tend to believe we don’t need God. We believe we don’t need God because we have life all figured out. We tend to think we can live life on our own, independent of God. Thinking we know our way around in life is a sure sign of arrogance.

Life is complicated and difficult. We all need the wisdom and direction of the Lord. We are designed to follow His lead, but if we do not fear God, in the sense of respect and submission, we will suffer.

There is a very practical reason we are to turn from evil. Evil always leads to suffering. Suffering comes in both the physical and spiritual realm. By mentioning our flesh and bones, today's proverb brings up the topic of our physical health, or the lack thereof. There are physical consequences involved in not living wisely. There are sexually transmitted diseases that come from infected partners, liver damage due to alcohol abuse, heart disease due to eating unhealthy food, and lung disease from smoking… just to name a few dramatic examples.

To live a life of wise moderation and morality leads to physical health and refreshment. The proper heart attitude is one of humility before God. Admitting we don’t have life figured out is the beginning of a God centered and directed life. A life that leads to both physical and spiritual health.

Blog Break

2009-10-20T13:34:00.003-05:00

Dear Friend,

I am on vacation the week of October 19-25... While away, I am taking a Blog Break... check back on Monday, October 26, as we continue our Daily Passage Through Proverbs.

John

Wholehearted Trust

2009-10-16T06:47:00.013-05:00

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Many of the Proverbs we study mention the "heart" of man. The "heart" refers to many aspects of life. The "heart" is the combination of our emotions, intellect, understanding, discernment, and will. Our heart is who we are.

Today’s passage calls on us to have wholehearted trust in God. We are told to acknowledge Him (look to Him) in every aspect of life. We are to seek to know God’s desire for us. We are to know and choose His will over ours.

The reason for this, I feel, is quite obvious. Our understanding of life is very limited. If we rely on (lean on) our own limited understanding, we will miss out on the good life God has designed us for. Our life’s journey is in a broken and dangerous world. We need help!

Help comes to us in the form of a straight path. God makes straight paths for us by removing obstacles. He makes our path smooth which makes life much more fulfilling and enjoyable. Another way of understanding the promise is that God gets us to the finish line by making life a little easier.

There are lots of Proverbs that teach that those who live wisely have less difficulty in life. Life is much less problematic for them. Case in point, Proverbs 3:10 speaks of full barns and bursting vats.

Again, there is no formula in this, it is simply a matter of depending on God to get us to the place of joy and meaning. Lean on Him, and we are there. Lean on ourselves, we miss the mark. Our paths are made straight when we exercise wholehearted trust in God.

A Good Reputation

2009-10-15T05:27:00.009-05:00

“Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart, so you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man” (Proverbs 3:3-4).

What’s your reputation with those you hang around? How about your reputation with God? Do you have a favorable reputation with God and with people? Are you known for someone who loves deeply and is deeply committed?

Our reputation has to do with what we are known for. Today’s passage tells us that our reputation with God and man can be favorable if we wear steadfast love and faithfulness like a necklace. Meaning, those qualities are as visible as a shiny gold necklace or chain. Our reputation will be favorable if we write them on our hearts. Meaning, we make them a part of our inner life.

It is important that we have a reputation of being loyal to our commitments. That’s what it means to be faithful. Steadfast love and faithfulness go together. They are qualities of affection for and commitment to God and others. If we have a reputation for that, we have a good name.

The pleasure of God rests on those whose lives are marked by love and commitment. The Lord works in and through such people to bring them a level of success in life. Success in life simply means that life is lived to the full. It’s a life that runs on all spiritual cylinders. No sputtering or backfires.

Are you known for your solid love and your unyielding commitments? Are you sensing the favor of the Lord on your life? The favor of God and of men rests upon the person who loves steadily and wavers not in his commitments. Those are the folks, we are told, who have a good reputation with God and others.

Live Long And Prosper

2009-10-14T07:40:00.007-05:00

“My Son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you” (Proverbs 3:1-2).

If you are a Star Trek fan, then you probably recognize today’s title as being the Vulcan salute spoken first by Mr. Spock in 1967 on the Star Trek second season opening episode, “Amok Time.” No, I’m not a Trekkie, but I do know how to use an internet search engine.

Today’s passage assures us that if we do not forget the teaching of God’s Word, we will live long and prosper. The assurance is given that we can enjoy a long and prosperous life if we make God’s Word a part of our inner lives. This means we don’t let it go in one ear and out the other. We are to let it affect our hearts. We are to allow it to have its life changing effect on our lives.

The Hebrew word for “peace” is also translated, “prosper.” Peace and prosperity are very similar notions in the Old Testament. Prosperity does not necessarily mean financial success. You can be very poor financially and still enjoy God’s peace and prosperity in life.

The concept being taught in today’s passage is rather broad. It denotes wholeness, health, and harmony. It is all about life in the proverbial “zone”. Life is long and life is good when it is lived out of intimacy with and obedience to God. When that is being done, I believe life is lived to the full and in harmony with God and others.

If life is good, we want it to last a long time, don’t we? The more wholeness we experience in life, the longer we want it to last. Doctors have been telling us for years that the healthier we are, the longer we live. When life is harmonious, our heart’s desire is for life to continue. This is the promise of Scripture.

What are you willing to do today to make sure God’s Word works its way into your inner life? What about tomorrow and the day after that? A person who refuses to forget God’s teaching while allowing His Word to sink deep into his heart, will live long and prosper.

And that, my friend, is a promise that was made way before Mr. Spock’s Vulcan salute hit the 1967 airwaves.

Walking With A Good Friend

2009-10-13T07:27:00.012-05:00

"So you will walk in the way of the good and keep the paths of the righteous. For the upright will inhabit the land and those with integrity will remain in it,..." (Proverbs 2:20-21).

Proverbs 2:11-19 describe the value of discretion and understanding by telling us that they protect us from the twisted words of evil men and the seductive words of evil women. We are reminded that the path of the wicked leads to death.

Today's passage describes the need of walking through life with the help of good friends. We were never meant to live life out on our own, you know. We have been created as relational people who need both our Creator and the friends He provides.

Good friends encourage good living. The path of righteousness is not an easy path. There are distractions, temptations, and confusing twists and turns. The Lord provides us with traveling companions that help us navigate the dangerous terrain of life.

Life is about much more than just what we don't do... it is not enough to just avoid evil. Life is truly lived well when we flourish in our pursuit of what is good. This can only happen if we walk the good path with good friends.

Consider your own journey today. Are you trying to walk the straight and narrow all alone? You and I will fail if that is the case. Ask the Lord to give you a good traveling companion. Someone who will encourage you in your journey.

While the path of the wicked leads to death, the path of the righteous leads to life. Be sure that you not only walk the good path, but that you walk that path with good people. Together, with good friends, is the only way to safely navigate the dangerous terrain of life.

Cause And Effect

2009-10-12T08:36:00.008-05:00

"Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;" (Proverbs 2:9-10).

The Proverbs reveal many life situations impacted by the principle of "cause and effect." This is very different than living by a formula. Cause and effect is a natural course of life while "formula living" looks to manipulate God for a blessing. There is a difference between doing what is right so that God will make everything work out the way I want them to, and enjoying the fruits of righteousness simply because I walked the "good path."

As we live wisely, certain things are realized in our lives naturally. Wisdom naturally leads to a genuine experience of righteousness, justice, equity, and a life lived on the good path. This experience, in turn, leads to joy. As we live foolishly, the exact opposite is experienced. Much of life is truly "cause and effect."

Living out of the wisdom of God impacts a person's heart because it is God's wisdom that enters that heart and thus gives direction on "every good path." Cause and effect says that good things happen on the good path and bad things result from the journey on the bad path. This does not mean that bad things never happen to the person who walks the good path. It simply means that we can only experience the good things of life if we walk in wisdom.

Good things such as righteous actions, justice, and equity are welcomed results. Why? Because knowledge live out (wisdom) is pleasant to the soul. That means life is full of joy. As we walk through today, let's consider the cause and effect aspect of walking in wisdom. Wisdom leads us down the good path and that, in turn, leads to joy.

Wisdom Has Its Benefits

2009-10-08T05:36:00.001-05:00

“he [God] stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the ways of his saints” (Proverbs 2:7-8).

There are some great benefits to living wisely. Some very positive and healthy things develop in the life of those who walk in the wisdom offered freely by God.

Living wisely leads to a life of pure morals. To deliberately walk that path not only keeps us from evil, it builds holiness into our lives. In case anyone has forgotten, holy is something we are commanded to be.

Fools, those who live their lives apart from God, suffer greatly because of their foolishness. But not those who are morally pure. Those who walk in integrity enjoy the protection and provision of the Lord. Saints of God do suffer, but their suffering comes because they do good, not bad. If we suffer, we are to suffer for walking in integrity rather than living foolishly in sin.

Those who walk in integrity have a divine shield about them. God’s shield surrounds those whose moral conduct reflects His goodness. This means that wisdom is not just about what we know, it is a matter of the heart and of moral conduct.

These days, those with good morals are mocked more than ever. They are ridiculed for being “good.” They are excluded from the crowd when they refuse to follow the path of immorality.

God’s children need not worry about the reaction of the crowd. God is a God of justice. All things will be reconciled to Him when it is all said and done. Those who walk in integrity will be better off, not just then, but now. We are assured of this by the simple fact that God guards the paths of justice. This means those who ridicule others for being good, need to be very careful.