How many different ways are there to lose weight? Is one weight loss plan superior than another? It is guaranteed that there are differing weight loss views held by people which is attested to by the proliferation of books on the subject. “Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the hearts. To do righteousness and justice is desired by the lord more than sacrifice.” Proverbs 21:2,3 No matter the thoughts and intentions of mankind a way will never prove to bring true lasting fulfillment and hope. God looks upon the lives of men and He sees the intentions of every heart. There is no one that is able to hide their hearts from God. If you are motivated by righteousness and justice will there be strife? As we desire the things of God we will find great hope for tomorrow. Continue Reading…
The dynamics of the contentious and vexing woman: Proverbs 21 and 22
Will the cross of Jesus Christ enable you to love: Proverbs 19 and 20
Imagine that you are standing before a country meadow that has been recently blanketed by a fresh cover of snow. As you walk across that meadow you enjoy and exhilarate in the wonder of your surroundings. You find great joy and fulfillment in the journey but what impact have you made throughout the meadow. Every step you took is visible in the snow. Every detour taken and every wayside visited is clearly defined in your steps. Would you walk in a straight line with your eyes fixed on your destination our would you wander without focus and determination? “Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool.” Proverbs 19:1 Continue Reading…
Can we lay a claim on the things that he cannot see: Proverbs 17 and 18
How can we quantify and describe God’s refining work in the lives of mankind? Is refinement a simple process that tickles or causes joy and pleasure? “The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests hearts.” Proverbs 17:3 Gold and silver are precious metals that we value to such extents that we dig deep beneath the surface of the earth to obtain them. After such great lengths to secure the gold and silver it is subjected to great heat to refine it. Proverbs 17 speaks of how God acts upon the hearts of men just as the refining pot refines silver or the furnace purifies gold. What does this mean? God is the only force that is capable of refining and purifying the corrupt hearts of men. There is no other source of purification for the lives of the men and women of the world. If this is true what impact should it have upon out lives? Should we care? Continue Reading…
Will you commit your way to the Lord and delight in Him: Proverbs 15 and 16
What does God see when He looks upon the lives of men? We make choices every moment of every day that give a clearcut perspective of who we are. ”The eyes of the Lord are in every place, watching the evil and the good. A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion in it crushes the spirit. A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but he who regards reproof is sensible.” Proverbs 15:3-5 Can we be sensible without the active grace of God working for our good? We are helpless apart from God’s interaction, participation, and direction in our lives. Do you fully comprehend the marvelous grace of God. Continue Reading…
Will you share the message of hope in wisdom: Proverbs 13 and 14
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life. The one who despises the word will be in debt to it, but the one who fears the commandments will be rewarded.” Proverbs 13:12,13 What do you hope in? Can any hope, birthed of human desire, lead to fulfillment? We always hope that tomorrow will be a better day than yesterday and today but there is no guarantee within our grasp that will give us any iota of assurance. Our prowess is proven to be inadequate, what do we do, what can we do? Do we finally give up and wallow in misery waiting to meet death upon the road of life?
When faced with such despair an unearthly inspiration and hope enlightens a way made for us that existed long before the feeling of need, want, or inadequacy set in within our souls. “The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, to turn aside from the snares of death.” Proverbs 13:14 The collective failures of people hopelessly treading the path of life, to only fall upon the path to die, find salvation abiding alongside them. There is an amazing transformation that impacts and repurposes the lives of people when Jesus Christ becomes their Lord and Savior. We learn that the journey that God has placed before us is part of a greater purpose and story written by Him. The failures we make today are the foundations of the wisdom we impart to our children’s. Are you imparting wisdom gleaned from failure to the future generations?
Why do we get so consumed with the journey of life and miss the wellspring of life and happiness that flows before us. “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, and the end of joy may be grief. The backslider in heart will have is fill of his own ways, but a good man will be satisfied with his. The naive believes everything, but the sensible man considers his steps.” Proverbs 14:12-15 Consider the path that you have chosen for your life. If you choose the path that is not sustained by the love of Jesus Christ you will find no hope or rest. You will only reap despair and uncertainty. ”The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death. In a multitude of people is a king’s glory, but in the dearth of people is a prince’s ruin. He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is quick-tempered exalts folly. A tranquil heart is life to the body, but passion is rottenness to the bones.” Proverbs 14:27-30 Do you fear God? Do you feel and inexplicable awe when you ponder the nature of God? Who are you? What defines you?
“Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, but in the hearts of fools it is made known.” Proverbs 14:33 Does wisdom rest within your heart? Will you abide in Jesus Christ? The life of devotion to God will be a signpost that shines brightly to the world proclaiming that hope exists and it desires to know them. Will you share the message of hope contained in wisdom?
After the whirlwind of life is over where will you stand: Proverbs 9 and 10
There is great value found in the in the way of wisdom that manifests hope, purpose, and understanding in the lives of those who seek and treasure it. The curse of sin rages against wisdom by promising great dividends while only offering foolishness, despair, and death. “‘Whoever is naive, let him turn in here! ‘ To him who lacks understanding she says, ‘Come, eat of my food and drink of the wine I have mixed. Forsake your folly and live, and proceed in the way of understanding.’” Proverbs 9:4-6 Will you answer the call of wisdom? Will you heed the voice of wisdom and turn aside from the path of folly that leads to death? Continue Reading…
Wisdom came to save mankind from the curse of sin: Proverbs 7 and 8
“With here many persuasions she entices him; with her flattering lips she seduces him. Suddenly he follows her as an ox goes to slaughter, or as one in fetters to the discipline of a fool, until an arrow pierces through his liver; as a bird hastens to the snare, so he does not know that it will cost him his life. Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, and pay attention to the words of my mouth. Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, do not stray into her paths. for many are the victims she has cast down, and numerous are all her slain. Her house is the way to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death.” Proverbs 7:21-27 Sin brings about death. There is no way for us to escape the peril of our sinful condition through any action of our own. We are drawn into the snare of sin that captures our heart, mind, soul and strength. We must run away from the death but as we run we find ourselves completely trapped. Continue Reading…
What provisions have you made for your journey through life: Proverbs 5 and 6
The exhortation of Solomon bestowed to us in Proverbs 5 and 6 continues his plea and call for mankind to regard wisdom and know the peril of sin. Sin is seductive and very pleasing to our eyes. Sin tells us that we can claim whatever we desire at any moment if we just follow our own selfish desires. Solomon presents another voice that we can listen to and this voice is not at the outset as appealing but hope and sustenance are found by heeding this voice. Do you desire to follow your sinful lusts or the quiet steadfast voice of wisdom. “For the lips of and adulteress drip honey and smoother than oil is her speech; but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword… Now then, my 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.” Proverbs 5:3,4,7,8 There are two forces in this world that desire us wholeheartedly. Will you follow the path of sin and death or will you choose to submit your life to God and trust in true wisdom to save you. Continue Reading…
Wisdom personified in Jesus Christ: Proverbs 3 and 4
What does it mean for our hearts to keep the commandments of God? Is there a difference between our hearts and our minds? “Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man. 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 your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.” Proverbs 3:3-7 These words of Solomon were given to us by the grace of God so that we can think about what motivates and drives us to do all that we do. Do you go about your day looking through the lens of your fleshly desires and lusts to determine what your actions should be? Do you count yourself to be wise? We must above all else in our lives choose to follow God first and foremost in all that we do.
What does following God look like? The walk we take with God is one that is based on each and every moment of our lives. When we arise in the morning, when we lay down at night, and every moment in between we need to remember that God is our motivation and inspiration for life. The faith that is developed in God “will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.” Proverbs 3:8 Renewal for our weary and worn out lives is found in God almighty. Continue Reading…
A question of legacy and posterity: Psalms Summary
The story that God has woven throughout creation, as evidenced in Scripture, speaks to the work of God in the lives of earthen vessels. Creation was perverted by the curse of sin but the grace of God purposed to restore that fellowship long before it was ever broken. God is at work in the lives of mankind and He has given us everything that we need to survive. God offered up Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins and then He tabernacles within us through the Holy Spirit. We are richly blessed beyond all measure and comprehension. Oh that the story ended at this moment with the war over but the truth is that sin still rages in its lost battle causing as much collateral damage as possible. Continue Reading…
