Proverbs

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Turning Away

Prov 4:14-15 Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn away from it and pass on.

Years ago a man told me about a friend stopping by and asking him to go with him to a certain neighborhood.
He told me, “I knew he was going for some drugs.”
He went with him and bought some too, even though he was trying to break the addiction.
I told him, “You need some new friends!”
There are family members and friendships that take a toll on you mentally, physically, and spiritually.
Our scripture today says to walk away.
That is not to say you cannot pray for them and love them but you cannot maintain a bosom buddy relationship with them.
Paul told Timothy about the last days and the types of people he would encounter.
2 Tim 3:1-5 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
Did you read the last line?
1 Cor 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.

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Sword or Words, it’s still a jab

Prov 12:18 There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword

You know words are a weapon able to wound and hurt as well as comfort and heal.
Today’s scripture, again, compares words to a sword.
I am guilty of jabbing at someone with my words.
A jab is described as pointedly teasing or mocking someone.
It is also defined as piercing or prodding (someone or something) with or as if with a pointed object; to strike (someone or something) with a short straight blow.
You can tell that jab fits both a sword and words.
Therefore, I have spoken like the piercings of a sword.
I still do but not the same.
When you speak the word of God you speak with a sword.
That sword pierces even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Heb 4:12
The second half of today’s scripture says the tongue of the wise promotes health. Prov 12:18
The word of God (sword) are wise words promoting health on an eternal scale.

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The Immoral Church

Prov 5:3-4 For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey, And her mouth is smoother than oil; But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword.

Follow my thoughts on this one.
The word of God is compared to a sword.
The church is compared to a bride, that is, a woman.
Here we have an immoral woman.
Perhaps the analogy is a false church.
Her message is sickeningly sweet and slick.
It tastes good.
It is easily swallowed.
In the end, the message is poisonous.
It is deadly.
Her words are “sharp as a two-edged sword”, which compares it to the word of God.
The analogy is this is a false church with a message that looks and sounds like the word of God.
But there is no genuine repentance or salvation in this message.
The true word of God does not kill you, it gives you life.
It doesn’t give you honey and poison, it gives you the Bread and Living Water.
Be wary of the immoral church.

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Love Overlooks and Excuses.

Love has an amazing affect on people.

Love is able to transform sadness to happiness; it changes loneliness into hope.
The Bible has much to say about love – how it is so patient and kind.

While,

Hatred stirs up strife, Love covers all sins. Prov 10:12

“love will cover a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8

Love also overlooks sins.

There is a husband that’s an alcoholic but the wife loves him and makes excuses for him when he doesn’t show up with her at a party.

There’s the child doing drugs but the parents don’t want to believe that because they love her and just want to believe she’s going through a phase.

I can go on and on and this may be happening in your family. Your love is not covering their sins – it’s overlooking those sins.

You will overlook the sins of those you love!

You nor that person you love can ever, ever cover those sins.
But Jesus can because He covers those sins in forgiveness through His own blood.

Your sin isn’t overlooked or excused – it’s forgiven, washed away, removed, gone, and never to be remembered.

Abba, thank You for covering my sin. I would still be in a bad shape had you just overlooked it. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Lesson from an Ant

I have finally started cutting firewood. I’m just a tad behind my regular schedule of doing it, which usually starts in May/June so that it is well seasoned by the first fire!

It’s not that I’m lazy, I just haven’t felt like doing it, which may be another way of saying that I’ve been a bit lazy. I like to tell others that I’m not lazy – I’m just slow!

I’m also behind on redoing our bathroom. I bought a surround shower/tub and the wall board back in March. I haven’t done a thing with any of it.

I have not learned the lesson from an ant.

Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest. How long will you slumber, O sluggard? Prov 6:6-9

I could make excuses about not getting anything done. I’m the praise leader and pastor of my church. So I’m responsible for getting the music and the sermons for Wednesday’s and Sunday’s, along with their presentation on multimedia. I also work full-time at two Christian radio stations.
Are you impressed?
Neither is my fireplace!

I’m not the only person that has this problem with laziness. I see it very often on Sunday’s.

In fact, I have some tell me that they wanted to come to church but just couldn’t get out of bed or just couldn’t get moving or just couldn’t get ready in time.

I’ll bet every excuse disappeared by work time Monday morning!

I will share some advice to those that just can’t make it to church and with those that just can’t get up to cut firewood – put one foot in front of the other and the body will follow!

Abba, I want to be more productive in these last days. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Depressed – Look Up!

The death of Robin Williams caught me by surprise. I found him a multi-talented comedian. He was lightning quick on delivery, while changing voices or subjects in a wink! Robin was made for improv!

Little did I know that such a talented man that could make so many others laugh had trouble laughing himself as he suffered with depression.

Prov 12:25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression,

One of my first thoughts upon hearing about his death was his soul – did he know Jesus as Savior. It’s a question I can judge but not one I can answer.

Last night one of the ladies at church told me that while he was receiving an award, he pointed up and thanked his Father!

My response was maybe he was thanking his dad.

Uncertainty about the future can cause anxiety; and anxiety can cause depression.

Prov 12:25 But a good word makes it[the heart] glad.

I am not uncertain about my future. I have a good word from God’s word and I have given my life to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Col 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

That’s not to say that a Christian cannot be depressed. When you take your eyes off of Him and begin looking at the world around you, it can happen.

Keep looking up to Christ!

Abba, I pray for those suffering from depression. Please help me recognize them and share with them the only real Hope – Jesus! YES&AMEN

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Camp Lesson – Boundaries

The lesson at church camp was about boundaries. It’s a subject that touches the youngest to the oldest. Each of us has a boundary.

One teacher put “Caution” tape around the seats where the class would be held. The boys stood around and looked at the tape and tried to decide what to do.

Finally one boy lifted the tape, went under it, and sat down. Another boy followed suit. And another and another until they were all sitting down.

Prov 22:28 Do not remove the ancient landmark which your fathers have set.

That’s the way it continues to be with God’s word – it has given boundaries that should not be crossed and slowly, one by one, they have been.

The line has been crossed when it comes to the abortion, same sex marriage, and the respect of God.

Once the boundary has been crossed or moved it is extremely difficult to return.

Do not cross the boundaries Father has given. Others will but you must keep yourself from doing it. When you stand before God and give your account, He isn’t going to accept the excuse that everyone else was doing it.
That didn’t work with your parents – it won’t work with Him either.

Abba, help me to see the boundaries You have given and not cross them. Give me the strength to encourage others to stay also. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Proven, Pure, & Powerful Protection

Gen 15:1 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”

God did not stop with fear; He also gave reassurance.

“I am your shield!”

A shield is used for protection and in this case it’s very appropriate since it may be an armed adversary is Abram’s concern.

You can take God at His word – it is proven protection. Ps 18:30-As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

His word is pure protection. Prov 30:5-Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.

And His word is powerful protection. Eph 6:16-above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

God is your protection also. I’m sure Abram isn’t going to run over to the other kings and taunt them with a “Na-na-na, you can’t get me!”
God’s protection comes with your responsibility to be where God wants you and doing what He has asked of you.

Abba Father, I feel Your shield of protection everyday as it guards my mind and heart. YES&AMEN

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Pride in Sin

But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich’ (Genesis 14:22, 23)

While there is no debate that the King of Sodom was an exceedingly wicked man (Gen 13:13) and that there was an element of homosexuality in the city (Gen 19:4-5), the great sin of Sodom was pride. (Ezekiel 16:49) – they were proud about their sin.

Many people today brag about the sin they’ve done – about how drunk they were over the weekend or how many they have fornicated with.

Even the term “gay pride” gives honor to that which God calls an abomination.

Abram refused to be honored by such an abominably prideful person.

It is written, better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. (Proverbs 16:19)
This is what Abram did!

It is wise to do the same!

Abba Father, I am ashamed of all my sin. It’s memory still haunts me. Yet I know the blood of Jesus has cleansed me from it all. I rejoice in this. YES&AMEN