Proverbs 31 (click here)

This is perhaps one of the most familiar chapters in proverbs at least after verse 9. The first eight verses are wise words to a son to avoid alcohol, stay under control and look for social justice. All of us have been or will be in a position to speak up for someone who cannot speak up for themselves. Whether it be an unborn baby, children, the poor, the elderly, the disabled, or anyone who in need of help. As followers of God it is our duty to realize our value as creations of the Creator and attribute the same value to ALL people. The message of the Gospel, the truth of God's love is available to everyone, it is selfish and arrogant to presume that some people don't need the Gospel, don't want it, or don't deserve it. Our lives should be a testimony of God's love for all people, and when it is necessary we have to speak up for the one's who cannot speak up for themselves. A quote by a man named St. Francis is fitting here "Always be a witness for Christ, and when necessary use words."
The rest of the Proverb describes the woman that a mother desires for her son. There are many characteristics given of this woman some of them are hard to figure out for modern readers like us. This woman is confident in who God made her to be, she loves her husband, children, she is dedicated to the Lord, and is obedient to what she knows He wants her to do. A woman who is a servant is desirable, but one who serves out of love and commitment not guilt or fear of her husband. Guys, we should be the wise, loving, Godly men that attract a woman like this. Girls, your focus should be obedience to God, being who He created you to be and the right relationship will come along in His time. It's hard for any of us to wait, but it so important to have things right with the most important relationship, Christ, and not to rush into human relationships unprepared. As some of you are at the point of dating, you should be just as cautious with those relationships. Trust God above all and watch what he'll do.

Well, this is the last of our 68 days. It has been a great journey for me, and the blog will be here anytime you want to come back to it. Let me know what you want to do next and we'll see. For now Be wise, Trust God, speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, and...

GO LIVE

Proverbs 30 click here

So, this proverb looks and reads a little different though some of the themes are the same. Unlike most of the book this is probably a proverb of someone other than Solomon. The literary style of "there are three things that...four that" is to catch your attention and usually the last in the list makes the point.
Three verses that stuck out to me:

• v.5 You can trust God, more than you can trust anyone. How cool is it, that His word is flawless. What He says about you is true, What He says about Himself is true, What He promises is true. Follow after truth.
• v.8 This is a great prayer for your life, that God would provide and that you would notice and be grateful for the daily blessings.
• v.17Your parents didn't pay me to bring out this verse. Let's be real sometimes parents are difficult to deal with, let's be more real sometimes you can be difficult to deal with. God has placed parents in your life to teach you, and even if they don't honor the Lord that does not give you permission to dishonor Him as well by disrespecting them. If you have parents who love the Lord and you give thanks, if you don't be grateful that you have someone and love them straight to Jesus.

I need input on where we go from here. Tomorrow is the last of our 68 days. We can shut it down, we can give the blog a new theme, or do something else. Let me know your thoughts.

Be thinking, Be Kind, Be who God made you to be and...

Go Live.

Proverbs 29 click here

For the purpose of illustration try something. Tense up the muscles in your face and neck so that your neck becomes stiff. Don't do it too long, because you know what? It's uncomfortable and it hurts. Verse 1 of Ch. 29 tells us that someone who hears wisdom and correction, and constantly refuses to do the right thing is "stiff-necked" and if they remain that way they will suddenly face the consequences. Many times we know what to do and don't do it, over and over again then something happens as a result and we act completely surprised. For example, we have learned in Proverbs that it is wise to watch our tongue. It has come up in chapter after chapter. So it is clear that gossipping, or lashing out in anger, or not speaking kind words is unwise. Imagine someone who has read these passages and gotten the point about the tongue but not lived it out. One day they realize that the majority of their friends don't really like them any more and that the people who use to be closest to them cannot be found. Did this happen without warning? Not really, the warning was their all along. This is a simple example, because "suddenly destroyed" can mean A LOT more than losing friends. We must realize that our actions have consequences and the consequences of doing the wrong thing when we know the right thing will not be pleasant. If you have someone in your life a parent, a trusted friend, or a teacher who loves you enough to correct you, be grateful of the incredible kindness they are showing you and listen. God is the great teacher and he wants you to live wisely.

Loosen your neck and...

Go Live

Proverbs 28

V.25 really got me. It is simply my prayer for myself and for you that we would realize how caring God is and all that He allows us to have. We here in the U.S. live in incredible freedom, we have access to at least three meals a day, and we have a choice in clothes we wear. But way beyond that material stuff all of us have the access to the Creator of the world, we are rich in God's riches, and we can be guided by God all day. It is amazing how little we need when we realize what we have.

Be thankful for something today stop complaining and...

Go Live.

Proverbs 27 click here

Some verses that jumped out at me:

• V. 5-6: A true friend will help you with discipline, let you know when you're off track. They can do this because they truly love you, anyone can pretend to like you. A true friend cares enough to tell you when you're be careless.
• v. 17: If we want to grow closer to God, we need each other. There are areas that you are strong and you're friend is weak and areas that you are weak and your friend is strong. We need each other to challenge and carry us closer to Christ. Sometimes Christianity is dull because Christians don't help each other out.
• v. 19: You can dress up, put on a good appearance. But, God really knows what is going on. We should take care of our outside, but never neglect the inside, it is what is really important because it is where we keep who we really are.
• v.23-27: The theme of these verses is simply: Take care of what you have. We take the things we are given or even buy for granted. Then when we need it, it is not in good shape and so we go buy more or go without. It is wise to keep clothes, cars, and our rooms in good condition. It shows that we are grateful for what God has allowed us to have.

Be caring, take care, and...

Go Live.

Proverbs 26

There is a lot here about the dangers and downfalls of being foolish, arrogant, and lazy. I was really intrigued by verses 18-19. A lot of us say, text, or post some pretty mean and sarcastic things and then smooth it all over by saying, texting, or typing "just kidding" (or more often j/k). These verses strongly warn against that kind of behavior comparing to someone going crazy and on a shooting spree. That's pretty strong language, but brings us back to the importance of our words. Yes, there is time and place for joking but we really should think about what we say,text,or type BEFORE we do it. J/K sounds cool, I guess, but it really does very little to soften the blow of cutting someone down. Even if the person seems to take it, you can never take back those statements. So be careful, be thoughtful, and...

Go Live.

Proverbs 25

The beginning of this chapter tells us that these proverbs were collected by the men of King Hezekiah. Hezekiah was a king of Israel that repented to the Lord and dedicated himself and the throne to righteousness before the Lord. He was one of the greatest of the kings simply because He did what God said.
The proverbs sound very familiar to the rest of the book picking up on the themes of the importance of words both good and bad, differences between the wicked and the evil, and the blessing of living right.

• Verse 21-22 are very interesting. They are referenced by Paul in Romans 12 (you can check out the blog entry for that day in the archives as well) and seem to carry the idea that the best way to confront an enemy is to show them kindness, not so you can eventually punish them but so that both of you will see the goodness of God.
• Verse 28 could be posted on our doors so that every time we leave our rooms we are reminded of the importance of self control. Self control is really an ironic term when you think about it. Really it means that we have to abandon self, give up control, in order to live the disciplined life that God calls us to. We all have times when we want to blow up, lash out in anger, or decide to please ourselves and just go a little crazy. But just like a city without protective walls, those things open us up to destruction and defeat. We can have victory over the sinful temptations of the world if and only if we give up ourselves to the Lord and live life His way.

Have a great, wise weekend and...

Go Live.