"Mom has a Question!"

Proverbs 31 is the last chapter in this great book and it begins as one might expect the last chapter of a book on wisdom to begin. Here we have a mom asking her son a question. Her son happens to be king, King Lemue. But it doesn’t matter whether you are a king or just a kid this is a question every mother has a right to ask. “What are you doing?” As a matter of fact she asks that question three times in Proverbs 31:2.

It’s a great question. One I know I heard more than a few times growing up. One thing I have noticed since I have become a parent is that the older a child gets the shorter the answer to the question “What are you doing?” It takes a 5 year old 15 minutes to answer that question, but by the time they reach their teens they have learned to sum it all up into one word, “NOTHING”. End of conversation or at least that’s what I used to hope it would mean. It seldom did.

What are you doing? Sometimes it is asked because we don’t know the answer to that question. We are generally interested in what our children are doing so we ask. What are you doing? Sometimes it is asked in exasperation, more of a rhetorical question, no answer is needed or welcomed. I can see what your doing and I am shocked. That seems to be the tone of Proverbs 31:2-9

What are you doing? It is a question often designed to make us stop then think. What are you doing? Stop! Stop before it's to late, stop before you make the biggest mistake of your life, stop, think about what you are doing. Stop, think about where these actions are taking you. What are you doing?

This mom is telling her son the king, do not give your strength to women. It is amazing how self-deceived we can become. How many affairs could have been prevented in the early stages if a friend or parent had jolted that man or woman to their senses with this one question - what are you doing? It is a mom warning her son the king about the subtle dangers of alcohol. Vs 4-5 What are you doing? It is a mom exhorting her son to be a just king, a compassionate king one who defends the rights of the poor.

What are you doing? This is a great question. We need to use it with our children young and old. We need to allow others the freedom to use it with us. Its a question that brings us face to face with our actions. Not, how are you feeling? Not, what are you thinking? But, What are you doing? This is not a why question. Why are you doing that? It is a what question. It means I’m not asking for feelings, I’m asking for facts. I want you to describe for me your actions. How you treated that person, how you spoke to that person etc. What choices have you made today?

Proverbs has said...

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but fools despise wisdom and instruction - “What are you doing?”

the fear of the Lord is to depart from evil - “What are you doing?”

It’s speaks repeatedly about the dangers of moral impurity and unfaithfulness and the traps that lead us into them - “What are you doing?”

It has told us that foolishness Is bound up in the heart of our children, but the rod of correction will drive it far from them. “What are you doing?”

Our children need to be brought to the place where they understand they are sinners and need a Savior - “What are you doing?”

We learned about the dangers of pride - “What are you doing?”

Proverbs has taught us about the need for self-discipline - “What are you doing?”

We’ve read over and over about how our words can heal or hurt those around us - “What are you doing?”

Wisdom is the main thing therefore above all get wisdom - “What are you doing?”

On and on we could go. But I hope you get the point.

Wisdom or a lack of it is going to manifest itself in our actions. When God came to the garden of Eden after Adam and Eve had sinned he asked them a series of questions. Where are you? Who have you been listening to? The last question was this - “What is it that you have done?” Genesis 3:9-13 Oh that someone had been there when they were conversing with the deceiver, the serpent, “What are you doing?” Don’t listen to him he’s a liar.

No matter what we have done if we will repent we will find forgiveness at the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ who died for our sins. Are you trusting in his finished work and transforming grace and His all sufficient Word to guide you and guard you and show you the way you need to go? Jesus said if we know these thing happy are we if we, not feel them or think about them but, if we DO THEM.

NO matter if you are a king or a kid you will do well to take heed and consider this question. “What are you doing?” If you're heading down the wrong road, stop, drop to your knees and repent, turn around and serve the living and true God.

"Every Word of God Proves True..."

The simple believes everything he hears is true, the cynic believes everything he hears is a lie. That may be an oversimplification but we all find ourselves some where between these two extremes. We live in a world that the Bible says is controlled by the “father of lies” so it is not surprising that lying is one of the predominate characteristics of our society. Ephesians 2:2 Yet if you were to ask people what is one of the things you cannot tolerate in a person the answer is often “I cannot tolerate someone who lies”. Could it be possible that there are some double standards we are willing to tolerate? I don’t like to be lied to, I’m sure none of us do, but I must say there have been times in my own life when a lie “has been a very present help in time of trouble.”

One of the frustrations today is when we read the paper or a magazine or listen to people talk we hear this little voice inside saying “is this really true?” Many times I have believed things that l thought were true that latter proved false. I’ve been promised things that I never recieved. People told me things they thought were true but they were wrong. Sometimes people deliberately lie to us sometimes they just have their facts wrong. All this has produced a society filled with cynics, people who “Question Everything”. And we all have a bit of it in us. All of us reading this have at some time or another been hurt, stung, embittered, disappointed, misinformed, misrepresented, let down,or left hanging because of a lie. Victims of promises that were never kept. So yes, I may want to believe what I’m reading, but everything inside me says make sure, verify, don’t take their word for it.

We need to be discerning, we shouldn’t believe everything we read in the paper or on the internet. We shouldn't believe everything we hear. But there is a danger in all of this for us a believers and unbelievers alike.

The danger is that we bring this same attitude with us when we open the Word of God and begin to read it. We do not have the luxury of picking and choosing what we want to believe in the Bible. We have no reason to doubt what is written in the Bible. God is not a liar, he cannot lie. God’s word is true.

Notice how Proverbs 30:5 puts it “Every word of God proves true, he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” There is nothing written in the word of God that will eventually prove to be false. It always proves to be true. It doesn’t just say it IS true. It says for us cynics that every word of God PROVES true. When you get out the microscope or the telescope or examine all the promises and principles in the Bible every last one of them will prove to be true. Every period, every comma, every word is true. God's word is powerful, penetrating and practical. Hebrews 4:12-13 It is God breathed and Spirit taught.

What God tells us about our marriage, raising our children, our sin, the cross God, Jesus Christ, the power of the Gospel, etc proves true in experience. God does exactly as He says He will do. The Bible is not just theoretically true in all its precepts, it is practically true in how they work out in our lives. What God says he will do He does. When it is all said and done - God’s word proves to be true. Lest any of us would like to become editor of scripture there are countless warning about doing this. Therefore “do not add to his words lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.” Proverbs 30:6

When you are reading the Bible we should not read it like we read the newspaper. When we read the Bible we are not judging it, it is judging us.

Let me leave you with some wonderful verses from Psalm 19. And if you have time I would suggest you read Psalm 119. 176 verses and all but two of them refer to the Word of God in some way.
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Psalm 19:7-11

This must be our starting point in Bible Study or we will never understand the Scriptures. We must believe every word is true. It doesn't mean we understand it all. IT means we have put down our cynics hat and red marker and we believe what God says about His Word. “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding…” Proverbs 3:5-6


You Can Trust the Bible!!! 2 Timothy 3:15-17 Revelation 22:18-19

"Are Your Vents Closed?"

One of the “labels” I have managed to avoid getting stuck with in my life is “Mr Excitement”. As a matter of fact I was once told if I ever slipped into a comma it would take three days before any one realized it. I remember when I used to have my study in the house my kids would watch me at my desk and one day I heard one ask the other “is he dead?” I guess I need to blink more often. I’m sure I have labels sticking to me that people have been gracious enough not to tell me about, but “the life of the party” isn’t one of them. Obviously these are not virtues just personality traits. There are some wonderful people who really are the “the life of the party” and if I ever have a party I’m going to make sure they are invited.

I’m not one who wears my heart on my sleeve. I do get excited about things and I do get upset about things but it’s not real close to the surface. Sometimes that’s good and sometimes it isn’t. I’ve been told I need to just let go, let it out, don’t keep everything bottled up in side. I think they call it venting.

I remember sitting at a stop light once and the light turned green and the guy in front of me just sat there. I’m a patient person so I sat there for a few seconds and then I did it, I vented, I laid on the horn and yes it felt good. Unfortunately what I didn’t see, until it was to late, was the lady with her baby stroller crossing in front of the car in front of me. That good feeling didn’t last very long. It might have lasted longer if I have been alone in the car, but I wasn’t. When the lady had crossed, the guy in the car in front gave me the obligatory hand salute and took off not amused with this “hot-head” behind him. I quietly went back into my comma where it’s safe and waited for the next green light.

No matter what your personality is the book of Proverbs has some good advice about venting.
Proverbs 29:11 “A fool vents all his feelings, (honk,honk) but a wise man holds them back.”
Venting our feelings is linked to foolishness. Why?

Let me give us a few things to think about that might help us see the virtue in not venting all our feelings.

Venting implies everything you feel should be expressed or acted on.
Venting implies that you are more important than those people you hurt by your venting.
Venting implies you have all the facts, but you may not. So hold back.
Venting implies your feelings are always right.
Venting implies that feelings are the most important thing in our life.

Proverbs 21:23 Proverbs 22:24 Proverbs 20:3 Proverbs 18:13 Proverbs 19:11 Proverbs 10:19 Proverbs 12:16 Proverbs 14:29

If you have built up anger or resentment in your heart venting will not get rid of it. Venting just infects everyone one else with it. If you are angry take it to the Lord. He needs to work on your heart. Many a Psalm begins with what appears to be David venting to his God. “How Long? O Lord, How Long” Psalm 13:1 But it ends in victory. Psalm 13:5-6

So before you lay on the horn, or overreact because someone made you wait, or you have heard about a situation that stirs up strong feelings. Be wise and hold back. I can’t think of a time when I regretted not honking my horn at the guy in front of me. I have far more regrets about things said rather than left unsaid. How about you? Many an unwise outburst has been averted because wisdom said hold back, wait there may be more to this we don’t yet know. Yes, our feelings scream "we know, we know let’s let em have it". But wisdom says no.

May we choose the way of wisdom today in our family, marriage, friendships and with our children and not vent all our feelings but hold them back. May we be guided and guarded by the principles of God’s Word and be empowered by the Spirit of God instead of our personality traits or feelings. Our feelings can lie to us, but God's Word never will.

Are your vents closed? Honk, Honk!

"Will You Give Me a Hand?

I get a great deal of joy each year as I see kids begin to get ready to go back to school. Our church is next door to an elementary school and I enjoy hearing the kids in the play ground and seeing the smiles on their faces. But the greatest joy I get from seeing kids heading off to school is knowing I'm not one of them. I never was a big fan of school. I liked recess and lunchtime. I liked most of my teachers and didn’t mind reading books and studying from time to time. However, the thing that I really disliked about school was the tests. The “pop quiz”, the “”mid-term” , the “final exam”. Very clever how they have managed to avoid using the word “test” in all those phrases. But that’s what they are, TESTS, and I don’t like them. Tests are to revealing, I much prefer the “yes I know the answer just take my word for it” kind of approach to learning. The reason I was so anxious to get out of school was that once school is over that would mark the end of tests in my life. True or False? See end of blog for answer.

Life is filled with tests. The tests never end. Therefore it is not surprising that we find in scripture teaching about different kinds of test we are going to face in our life. Most of them fall under the category of “the pop quiz”, because we weren’t expecting it. Two kinds of tests come to mind.

The testing of our faith. 1 Peter 1:6-8; James 1:2-4

Faith is tested by problems - Faith is tested by trials, tribulation, persecution and various other things that we would put in the negative column of our lives. Trials force us to look up to God, do we trust Him, do we believe He is still loving, do we believe he is still in control. Trials test what we believe about God.

But there is another kinds of test that is much harder than the test of adversity. More people fail the test of praise than they do the test of adversity.

Proverbs 27:21 “...A man is tested by his praise” If faith is tested by problems then it is safe to say that ...
Character is tested by praise - the test here is not what people are saying about you. If it’s good you pass the test. It’s not that at all. We know what they are saying and it is good, it’s called “praise”. You are hearing things like, “great job,” “wow that was amazing”, “No one can do it any better than that”, “you are really special”, “I have never heard it said any clearer”, and on and on it goes. That’s called praise. And we like it. Some people live for it. John 12:43

Praise causes us to look inward and it tests our character. It is true that problems can change us but it also true that praise can corrupt us. We see this every day on the entertainment news splashed across the airwaves. People whose lives have been corrupted by praise.

“A man is tested by his praise”. Character is tested by praise. Here are some dangers of praise.

Praise can feed our pride
Praise can give us a sense of entitlement - we deserve the perks of being “amazing”.
Praise can become our motivation for doing things
Praise can cause us to take the glory instead of the One to whom it truly belongs.
Praise can become like a drug - if we are not getting we start to look for it any where we can find it. We can’t imagine life without it.
Praise can become our master - tells us how to act and what to say to stimulate more praise.
Praise causes us to think we should be served not one who serves.
Praise feeds our flesh - our flesh craves for it. When we begin to believe the praises people lavish us with the flesh grows in strength and becomes demanding, proud, ignorant, belittling, expectant, rude, self-serving, self-loving, just to name a few. Praise can turn us into a monster.

It is safe to say that far more people pass the test of problems than pass the tests of praise.
However, praise does not have to do this to us. If we are to pass the test of praise we must stay close to God, be filled with His Spirit Ephesians 5:18, and stay close to friends who will keep us accountable, friends who are not afraid to share a loving rebuke when needed.

Praise should humble us not puff us up - without Jesus we can do nothing.
Praise should cause us to give God the glory. Our talents and gifts are from Him and for his glory.
Praise should be appreciated when given, but not sought after.
Praise should never become our motivation for doing things.

Faith is tested by problems

Character is tested by praise - Are you waiting for someone to give you a hand (applause)? Here's a loving word, GET OVER YOURSELF, get your eyes on God and he will focus our eyes on others. Become a servant to the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31; Hebrews 13:20-21;

The answer to the true and false question is FALSE.

"I Didn't' See That Coming!"

“Who ever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.” Proverbs 26:27

This verse begs a question. Who would dig a pit and then forget where he dug it and fall into it? Who would start a stone rolling and not have the sense to get out of the road when it starts rolling back on him? I wouldn’t say this person is the sharpest knife in the drawer. Sounds like a person who is maybe a couple fries short of a “Happy Meal” or possibly someone who could hide his own Easter Eggs.

However Proverbs 26:27 is not a verse teaching us about the perils of losing our short term memory.

The context of the surrounding verses suggest that this pit is being dug for someone else to fall into. The stone that has been sent rolling is supposed to roll onto one who is hated. If we look at the verses adjacent to this one it would seem that the instrument being used as a shovel is the tongue. The power behind the rolling stone is the tongue. The tongue makes a great shovel. Have you noticed that some people have some really big shovels?

How does the tongue dig a pit? Let met list a few from verses 20-28
Whispering vs 20, 22
Quarrelsomeness vs 21
Passionate lips vs 23
Disguised hatred vs 24, 26
Gracious speech hiding seven abominations in the heart vs 25
Through Lying and flattering vs 28

The tongues is being used to hide and disguise hatred. Being used to set someone up so they can be hurt. A hate filled heart is using the tongues as a disguise. The kinds words, gracious words, passionate words are being used to deceive, to ward off suspicion so the unsuspecting person will fall headlong into the pit he has been set up for. But it doesn’t work. Why?

I think verse 27 reminds us of some important principles regarding sin.

Sin deceives.
Sin always destroys those who embrace it.
Sin blinds - that’s why the person falls into his own pit - he’s been blinded by his sin.
Sin controls us we do not control it. We become sin’s slave. John 8:34
Sin carries with it the law of sowing and reaping. Galatians 6:7
Sin always sets in motion the law of unintended consequences vs 27 illustrates that powerfully. He never dreamed when he dug the pit he would fall into it.
Our Sin will find us out. Vs 26 “his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly”. Your Sin will hunt you down.
Sin forgets there is a God in heaven who rules and reigns. See’s the evil and the good.

Much more could be said. But if you want a classic example of vs 27 being played out in real life read the book of Esther chapters 5-6 and pay special attention to a man named Haman.

Esther 5:14 “...and he (Haman) had the gallows made”
Esther 7:10 “...So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai….”

Here are some wonderful verses to end with

“Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” (Romans 6:16-18 ESV)

Jesus Christ died for our sins on the cross. In him we have redemption , forgiveness and freedom from the power, penalty and one day the very presence of sin. We can have this precious gift by grace alone through faith alone, in Christ alone. Ephesians 2:8-10

Sin is not to be toyed with. May we avoid it, resist it and walk in the Spirit in victory each day.

"The Virtues of Drunkenness"

Who has woe?
Who has sorrow?
Who has strife?
Who has complaining?
Who has wounds without cause?
Who has redness of eyes?

Those who tarry long over wine;
those who go to try mixed wine.

Do not look at wine when it is red,
when it sparkles in the cup
and goes down smoothly.

In the end it bites like a serpent
and stings like an adder.
Your eyes will see strange things,
and your heart utter perverse things.

You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea,
like one who lies on the top of a mast.

“They struck me,” you will say, “but I was not hurt;
they beat me, but I did not feel it.

When shall I awake?
I must have another drink.”
(Proverbs 23:29-35 ESV)

If I'm reading this right, there aren't any virtues to drunkenness. Just broken lives, broken homes, broken dreams, broken promises, broken bones, and amnesia. When I shall awake I'll do it all again. What? YOu can't be serious. You could call this section of Proverbs "what the breweries don't want you to know." But God wants us to know.

There is probably nothing in this world that has caused more heartache and family breakups than alcohol. I'm not writing this to tell you what to do, I'm writing this to tell you what scripture wants you to know about the dangers and deceitfulness of alcohol. Why don't I drink? I want nothing to do with something that is associated with so much evil, hurt, violence and debauchery. Yes some will think I'm out of touch. That may be true, But as I read these verses in Proverbs these are things I want to be out of touch with. I don't want these things in my life or any where near my family. There are no virtues to drunkenness. "That's all I have to say 'bout that".
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2011/08/25/sobering-report-on-college-drinking/

"Sense & Sensibility"

Good sense is spoken of in Proverbs quite a bit. For example, it tells us a man is commended by it (Proverbs 12:8) that it wins favor (Proverbs 13:15), that it is a fountain of life (Proverbs 16:22), and that to wander from it is deadly (Proverbs 21:16).

But what does good sense look like? What does it do? How do I know if I have it? I think I’m a sensible person. I’ve said things and people said “that makes good sense”. So I must have good sense, right? Proverbs gives us a different criteria for determining good sense. Here it is.

Proverbs 19:11 “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.” OUCH!

We may say things that make good sense, but God says good sense is seen in our attitude toward other people. Those “other people” that irritate us and sometimes offend us.

When we see the fruit of good sense, commendation, favor, fountain of life, etc we can see the merit in this principle. Hot headed people, people who are easily offended and want to make an issue out of every offense, are not people who are usually commended or looked up to by their peers. They are not people who win favor with others or seem filled with life. They are people who are absorbed with self, proud and obnoxious. Short tempered, vindictive people lack good sense. They are miserable people, impossible to work with, and painful to live with.

Good sense makes one slow to anger. This is a description of a selfless person. This one with good sense is a Humble, Spirit filled person who understands grace, mercy and forgiveness. They understand that God in his mercy and grace is slow to anger against them and they forgive others as Christ has forgiven them.

Good sense overlooks an offense. Good sense realizes that love covers a multitude of sins. Proverbs 10:12; 1 Peter 4:8. A person with good sense does not make an issue out of every little offense done against them. A person with good sense gives people the benefit of the doubt. There are some whose whole life is bound up in the chains of offenses done against them. They cannot get over them, they cannot let them go.

The bottom line is if I am going to be a person of good sense I must first know the forgiveness that has been provided through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for my sin. He covered all my transgressions with his blood. Ephesians 1:7 He who has been forgiven much loves much. Luke 7:47. I must receive this gift of God in Jesus Christ through faith in Him alone. Ephesians 2:8-10

Then I must walk in the Spirit, be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit every day. Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:15-16.

I may say things that make good sense but the fear of the Lord is to live a life that demonstrates good sense. Wisdom and good sense go hand in hand. Proverbs 1:7

“When I become bitter or unforgiving toward others, I’m assuming that the sins of others are more serious than my sins against God.  The cross transforms my perspective.  Through the cross I realize that no sin committed against me will ever be as serious as the innumerable sins I’ve committed against God.  When we understand how much God has forgiven us, it’s not difficult to forgive others.” C.J. Mahaney

The reality is not everything I may find personally offensive is being done to offend me personally. I need to do unto others as I would have them do unto me. Good sense takes that into consideration - “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.”

"A Prescription for Worry Warts."

“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” Proverbs 12:25

With that thought in mind allow me to give you some "good words" that I pray will encourage you and strengthen you against worry. May these words do as Proverbs says, make your heart glad as they point us to the one who tells us to “cast all our care upon Him because He cares for you.”

"True peace does not demand a denial of our emotions and concerns. What is the difference between godly concern and sinful anxiety? Actually the same Greek word is used for both, and it is only the context that reveals the difference. The difference can be seen in these mathematical formulas: Concern + unbelief = anxiety; Concern + faith = a biblical virtue" (1 Corinthians 7:32-33, 1 Corinthians 12:25; 2 Corinthians 11:28). Bill Thrasher

"Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength." C.H. Spurgeon
 
"Our yesterdays present irreparable things to us; it is true that we have lost opportunities which will never return, but God can transform this destructive anxiety into a constructive thoughtfulness for the future. Let the past sleep, but let it sleep on the bosom of Christ. Leave the Irreparable Past in His hands, and step out into the Irresistible Future with Him." Oswald Chambers
 
"Oh, how great peace and quietness would he possess who should cut off all vain anxiety and place all his confidence in God." Thomas a Kempis
 
"The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety." George Muller
 
"It is only when we want to take our lives out of the Father’s hands and have them under our own control that we find ourselves gripped with anxiety. The secret of freedom from anxiety is freedom from ourselves and abandonment of our own plans. But that spirit emerges in our lives only when our minds are filled with the knowledge that our Father can be trusted implicitly to supply everything we need." Sinclair Ferguson

 
"Worry is wasting today’s time to clutter up tomorrow’s opportunities with yesterday’s troubles." Author Unknown
 
"Worry is a thin stream of fear that trickles through the mind, which, if encouraged, will cut a channel so wide that all other thoughts will be drained out." Author Unknown
 
"The apostle Paul in writing to the Philippians gives them the admonition to be “anxious for nothing,” telling them that the cure for anxiety is found on one’s knees, that it is the peace of God that calms our spirit and dissipates anxiety" (Philippians. 4:6). R.C. Sproul

"Worry, like a rocking chair, will give you something to do, but it won’t get you anywhere." Vance Havner

Light dawns in the darkness for the upright;
he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.
It is well with the man who deals generously and lends;
who conducts his affairs with justice.
For the righteous will never be moved;

he will be remembered forever.
He is not afraid of bad news;

his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is steady; he will not be afraid,
until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.
(Psalm 112:4-8 ESV)

"What's for Lunch?"

When I was growing up in school I always looked forward to lunchtime. Lunchtime in first grade was never just about eating - it was about seeing what everyone brought in their lunch box and then seeing what you had in yours so you could trade to get something you "really" liked. I always pitied the kid whose health conscious mother packed broccoli and dip and rice cakes for dessert. In the first grade you can’t trade broccoli and dip for anything, as a matter of fact in the first grade you can’t even give it away. Lunch is special for little boys, they like to eat. So when you see a young lad giving away (not trading) his lunch, something special is going on.

There is story in the Gospels we all know. Story about a boy (we don’t know his name) who went to hear a famous preacher named Jesus. He had to travel a ways to hear him, he preached for a long time, so long people started to get hungry around supper time. However, there were no fast food restaurants in that day, and they were a long way from town. Some men (the disciples) started to mingle among the crowd asking people if they had any food. All they were able to discover was a young lad who had five loaves and two fish. The young lad brought them to Jesus and gave them to him. I’ll be honest. If I had been that young boy, the story would have been about four loaves and one fish. I would have stuffed one loaf and one fish in my pocket “just in case”. The young lad did not trade his lunch, I’ll give you this if you give me that. He just gave it away. The boy did not look at the the size of the problem (huge) he looked at what he had in his hand (small) and he gave it to Jesus and Jesus did something awesome. The thing that strikes me about this story is the unselfish generosity of a young boy and the compassion, and power of Jesus Christ as he takes what is given him and feeds the whole crowd until they were filled.

Generosity is tough. Generosity is tough because it touches the thing closest to our heart. Money.

Money means security. Money means safety. Money means comfort. Money means power. Money means influence. Money means success. Money means we have a refuge. Money means the kids will be looked after. Money means we will be taken care of when we are old. All of these things battle in our hearts for supremacy every day. “Where your treasure is there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21

For most people in our culture money is their god. Money is there protector. Giving away money is giving away our security, our safety, our power etc. But for the believer money should be none of those things. God is our security, safety our refuge. We are free to give because God has promised to take care of us. As we know Jesus taught a lot about money and Proverbs speaks about it as well. One passage is in chapter 11.

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 ESV)

These verses tell about one who “gives freely” one who “brings blessing” one who “waters” and one who is willing to sell much needed grain instead of hoarding it for a better price or a “rainy day”. I think these verses along with many others demonstrate the blessing of generosity. They demonstrate that you cannot out give God. The one who gives will blessed, they will be taken care of.

we've all heard the saying “a fool and his money are soon parted”. Certainly fools do foolish things with their money. Throw it away on frivolous and pointless things. Fools withhold what they should give, (just in case). Fools have money as their god, they are a slave of money, money is their master. Fools store up for themselves money, build bigger barns to store all their stuff. Jesus says you fool, life does not consist in the abundance of the things we possess. Luke 12:15-21

So if “a fool and his money are soon parted”. Then it must be true that a wise person will hold onto his money as tight as he can. But that is not what scripture teaches.

Wise people do not throw their money away.
Wise people know their security is not in their bank account.
Wise people know God blesses that we might be a blessing to others.
Wise people bring what they have to God and say “this belongs to you do with it as you see fit”.
Wise people see a need and, if able, help to meet that need.
Wise people have God seated on the throne of their heart.

Where is my treasure? Who or what has my heart? If you would have been in the crowd that day as the disciples were looking for food and you had a lunch would you have stepped forward or run away and eaten it in secret? 2 Corinthians 9:6-12 Proverbs 3:9-10 Proverbs 3:27-28

What's in your lunch bag? Give wisely, give generously, give cheerfully, give thankfully. “The one who waters will himself be watered.”

"Read My Lips"

Proverbs 10 has a lot to tell us about the tongue. Let me just list them for you - take the time to think about what they are saying.

[6] Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

[8] The wise of heart will receive commandments,
but a babbling fool will come to ruin.

[10] Whoever winks the eye causes trouble,
and a babbling fool will come to ruin.

[11] The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

[13] On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found,
but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.

[14] The wise lay up knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.

[18] The one who conceals hatred has lying lips,
and whoever utters slander is a fool.

[19] When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

[20] The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;
the heart of the wicked is of little worth.

[21] The lips of the righteous feed many,
but fools die for lack of sense.

[31] The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
but the perverse tongue will be cut off.

[32] The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,
but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.

James 3:1-12

"Precious Memories"

We all have them. They are called memories. Some we love to think about, some we wish we could forget. Our memories are cluttered up with experiences, events, people, places, and dates. They can be triggered by a variety of things such as sights, sounds and smells.

Memories are powerful. I still have an aversion to a particular kind of food due to a very unpleasant reaction I had one night. I’ll spare you the details.

The reality is, memories shape our perception of truth, they shape our thoughts and our thoughts shape our lives. Some of the greatest and fondest memories most of us have are of a place called home. Home is the place where memories are made. (yes I read it on a Hallmark card).

I have fond memories of my childhood. When I think of home it is filled memories which I cherish. We have all had the joy of going back to the place we grew up. As we walk around and smell those familiar smells and see those sights we had almost forgotten about, our minds are flooded with memories from the past and they bring a smile to our face and maybe even a tear to our eye as we reflect on all the things “home” means to us.

Not only are memories powerful they are also personal. They belong to me. It’s my memory interpreted through my senses, my emotions and my experience. That’ why two people can go through the same event, be brought up in the same home and have completely different memories of it.

How do we want to appear in the memories of our family, children and friends? How much thought have we given to that? Are we going to be the villain or the victor, generous or greedy, joy-loving or a joy killer? Will we be remembered as being kind or cranky, someone people were attracted to or someone they tried to avoid?

Memories are powerful, personal and permanent. We cannot undo the past.

How will we be remembered? There will come a day when that is all your family will have left. We cannot write in our “Will” how we want to be remembered. We must write it in the hearts of those we love while we are alive. We write it with our actions, our words, our attitudes.

Proverbs calls our attention to this in chapter 10:7 “The memory of the righteous is blessed”
The memory of the righteous. Righteous actions, words and attitudes will leave a legacy that will fill the memories of our loved ones with gratitude, joy and delight. As they reflect it will be remembering the example you set for them by the way you lived.

Memories are powerful, personal, permanent and purposeful.

As they reflect on “the righteous” they will give God the glory for his work in your life. The transforming gospel of grace that produced such fruit as you lived your life before them day in and day out will be lifted up for all to see and hear about. The memory of the righteous is a memory that glorifies the faithfulness of God and the power of the gospel to transform sinners into “the righteous” through the precious blood of Jesus Christ shed on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins.

May our memories point people to Jesus Christ and the sufficiency and power of the gospel and the great joy there is living our lives for the one who gave His life for us.

Here’s an oldie’ but a goodie

PRECIOUS MEMORIES

VERSE#1
PRECIOUS MEMORIES, UNSEEN ANGELS
SENT FROM SOMEWHERE TO MY SOUL
HOW THEY LINGER, EVER NEAR ME
AND THE SACRED PAST UNFOLD.

VERSE#2
PRECIOUS FATHER, LOVING MOTHER
FLY ACROSS THE LONELY YEARS;
AND OLD HOME SCENES OF MY CHILD-HOOD
IN FOND MEMORY APPEAR.

VERSE#3
AS I TRAVEL, ON LIFE'S PATHWAY
KNOW NOT WHAT THE YEARS MAY HOLD;
AS I PONDER, HOPE GROWS FONDER
PRECIOUS MEMORIES FLOOD MY SOUL.

chorus
PRECIOUS MEMORIES, HOW THEY LINGER
HOW THEY EVER FLOOD MY SOUL
IN THE STILLNESS, OF THE MIDNIGHT
PRECIOUS, SACRED SCENES UNFOLD

Memories are powerful, personal, permanent, purposeful, and yes, memories are precious.

“The memory of the righteous is blessed”

"Lurking at Every Corner"

Proverbs has much so say about the subject of adultery, immorality and the sacredness of the marriage union between husband and wife.

Certainly sexual sin is a sin unlike any other Paul alludes to this in 1 Corinthians 6:15-20. Sexual sin affects us right down to the very core of our being. God loves us and warns us about things that will destroy our lives and at the top of the list is sexual immorality.

Chapters 5 and 7 of Proverbs are two of the key passages on the subject. Two chapters we should all read over and over again. For now I just want to draw our attention to verse 5:2.

“that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge.” Proverbs 5:2

I draw our attention to it for one simple reason. It alludes to our conversation. Where does most adultery begin? It starts with a conversation. It may be a friend, often is a friend, it may be a colleague at work, or in a counseling situation. It is very Innocent at first, but familiarity and flirting start to enter into the language and when that happens walls begin to break down, flattery is starting to build a bridge not to life but to death. Proverbs 5:5

Over time you begin to open up to that other person, sharing with them things, problems and personal things that should only be shared with your spouse. Talk leads to touch, a hug or a pat on the arm, innocent at first but you think about that touch the rest of the day. Gradually liberties are being enjoyed that indicate deception has taken over in your heart. We all know where this is headed so I’m not going to take us all the way there. The end is not pretty, it is ugly.

Two families are ripped apart, children are crushed, spouses are enraged, bitter and want out.
Proverbs 2:19 speaks to this issue of adultery. It is a dead end street, one way street. “None who go to her return…”

Guard your conversation with the opposite sex. We can be friendly, kind and courteous, we need to practice those things with everyone. But we know when we have crossed the line from being friendly to being flirtatious. Are we being friendly in our speech or do our words have a hidden agenda. Are you hoping those words lead somewhere?

Proverbs gives us some good advice
Proverbs 4:23-27

“Keep your heart” vs 23 - out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. What does our conversation with the opposite sex say about what is going on in our hearts?

“Put away from you crooked and devious speech” vs 24

“Stop gawking around” vs 25 What are you looking at? What are you looking for?

“Think about what you are doing, where you are headed” vs 26

“Stay on the straight and narrow” vs 27 Do not give this kind of temptation any room to maneuver.

Don’t try to fight this kind of sin, the Bible tells us to flee sexual sin. Run away, stop talking. Go home and rejoice with the wife of your youth. Proverbs 5:18-19

Proverbs 7:6-27

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 5:21-23

"Don't You Forget That"

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 ESV

I’m sure we as parents have had several conversations with our children and at the end added for good measure “and don’t you forget that”. I know I heard those words on several occasions growing up. The reality is we all forget things. I know I’ve forgotten more things than I can remember.

One of the priorities of parenting is to pass on to our children things worth remembering. Things they would do well not to forget. Are we doing that? So how do we help them not to forget?

I think we have some important principles given to us in verse one.
Often in the Bible the words heart and mind are used interchangeably. “As a man thinks in his heart” is one example. Although the mind and heart are often linked together they are not the same. Let me see if I can illustrate the difference.

“Do not forget my teaching” - this is a directive aimed at the mind. Teaching is information and my mind has all kinds of room for information. If there was a sign on my forehead it would read “space for rent”. My mind is not even close to being filled to capacity. All of us use a surprisingly small amount of our brain on a daily basis.

Not so with our hearts. The heart in scripture speaks of the real us, our wills, our passions, our desires, etc. Our hearts are filled to capacity. Our hearts are fortresses of “self”. When information comes into our minds before it can touch our hearts it must pass through a maze of filters and interviews before it is granted access to move into our heart. Once our heart deems something to be of value, it puts it’s own “and don't you forget that” on it. Until the heart does that we will not remember.

That’s why Psalm 119:11 says “Thy Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” What we hide in our heart is what we consider to be of great value to us. What we hide in our hearts we will remember.

What Proverbs 3:1-2 is telling us is this.

If we are to not forget the teaching of scripture we must first esteem them to be of great value in our heart. The key to not forgetting is to treasure God’s Word above all else.

Only obedience that flows from the heart is true obedience. Because the heart keeps them it means the heart loves them and considers them to be of great worth.

Attitude is what demonstrates the true expression of the heart. Do we delight in the inner man, the heart, to obey God’s word. Romans 7:22

Parents we need to remember this when disciplining our children. Often you will discipline more for attitude than actions because attitude is what reveals what is going on in the heart. To ignore attitude is to ignore the most important aspect of child rearing. Proverbs 20:30 Proverbs 22:15;

If we want our children to not forget our teaching and the teaching of God’s Word, we must aim at their hearts.

Proverbs 3:2 reminds us of the great blessings in genuine obedience. This is what everyone wants deep down in there hearts. This is the filter that information is passed through before it is allowed to dwell in our hearts and shape our wills, passions and desires. We either believe obedience to God’s word will bring these blessings or we believe what the world teaches. Which ever one we choose to believe will take up residence in our heart and shape our lives and keep out anything that would teach otherwise.

God says to each of us every time we read his word “and don’t you forget that.” May we treasure His Word in our hearts at all times, and may it shape us and conform us into the image of His Son Jesus Christ. IF we treasure it in our hearts, it will.

Proverbs 4:23; Mark 7:20-23; 1 John 2:15-17

Just Turn Around???!!!

Many a wonderful trip has been ruined by these four words, “I know a shortcut”. I’ve used them many times myself. Yes, sometimes it did work out to be shorter and then other times, well it didn't’.

Can you relate to this? Everyone is in the car, we're heading for “Sunset beach”. Everyone is excited. Dad decides to surprise everyone with a shortcut he knows will up the excitement level even higher by getting them there sooner than they expected. So you take the shortcut and begin to look for any signs you may be getting close to water. You should be seeing the ocean by now, it doesn’t look promising but all roads lead somewhere, right? That is true you assure yourself, forgetting, that not all roads lead to “Sunset beach”.

Gradually the trip to “Sunset beach” becomes the trip to any beach, then deteriorates into a trip to somewhere. However, you know in your heart you passed somewhere about 30 miles ago but you don’t dare tell anyone, and now you are looking for anywhere with water and a plastic slide. Eventually you find yourself nowhere and no one is happy. And to top it all off they say it's your fault. The nerve of some people.

Usually during this fateful journey, someone in the back seat will unwisely make the suggestion that we should just turn around and go back to where we made the decision to take the shortcut. It is amazing how annoying common sense can be sometimes.

The cardinal rule I (and most men) follow when driving is “never turn around”. That is to admit defeat. Keep driving at all costs. I remember those times when I did have to TURN AROUND and travel that 30 or 40 miles back to where we got lost. Seemed like it took 10 hours to drive those 30 miles. Knuckles are white as they grip the steering wheel in anger.
I hate turning around and going back where I started. I am convinced I can make this work.

That is how the human heart works. I can get out of this, I can find my way back without having to turn around (repent) and admit I was wrong. And so I rage against wisdom and I stay lost, and the family stays dry and head home never having found anything even close to a beach. Everyone’s joy is turned to despair all because dad won’t turn around. Proverbs talks about people like this.

“How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing
and fools hate knowledge?
If you turn at my reproof,
behold, I will pour out my spirit to you;
I will make my words known to you.
(Proverbs 1:22-23 ESV)

If you are on the wrong road, lost, caught in the chains of your sin Proverbs says turn around. As hard as it seems God will give you the strength through His Spirit to do it. He will give you wisdom. He will show you the way to go as you read His Word.
The warning for those who refuse are very sobering. Proverbs 1:24-32
Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God and he will lift you up. James 4:6-9
Listen to those around you, it may not be what you want to hear but it is what you need to hear.
Humble hearts lead to joy and the pathway to God’s blessing in our lives and in our families.

Sometimes we all just need to stop and turn around.