Category: Good Life Journal

Journal Prov 14 (all references are from the ESV unless noted otherwise; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.” (Prov 14:4)

Observation: Clean and organized, or, functional and productive?

Analysis: I can keep things pristine and picturesque, something to take pictures of; wringing my hands when things don’t go “just right.”

Or I can rejoice in productivity and put up with and deal joyfully with the inherent and inevitable crap.

My choice…my challenge…

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for a timely word. You never fail to bring a chuckle when needed.

Amen.

Scripture –

Proverbs 13:10 – By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom

Observation-
Pride and arrogance will lead to trouble and problems. In one hundred eighty degree contrast, wisdom is gained when one is one is open to receive counsel.

Application –
God favors the humble and opposes the proud. Pride is one of the most often referenced sins mentioned in the Bible so we need to be aware of the trap of being prideful. I can’t think that I have arrived and am without sin just because I posses knowledge. Pride expresses itself in speech that talks down to others versus speaking with them. You are in a dangerous position when you think you are beyond advice and are actually acting foolishly. Acting independently of others in pride is a precursor to a fall. We gain knowledge and wisdom from listening to a brother(s) correction.

Prayer – Father,
Thank you for the truth in your Word. Let the Spirit guide me to humbly seek you and be open to advice from others. May I live and love in a way that points others to glorify you in Jesus name.

Journal Prov 11 (all references are from the ESV unless noted otherwise; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight.” Prov 11:1

Observation: Sometimes a proverb lends itself to being read into, the message that underlies the text…

Analysis:  On the surface this proverb seems to be about financial transactions, making sure that transactions/contracts are on the straight and level. No argument here. Cheating is an abomination to God. This scripture comes to my immediate mind: “…in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD; who swears to his own hurt and does not change.” (Ps 15:4)

However, it occurs to me there is another understanding to be considered, and that is how people understand God.

Perhaps this proverb could be comprehended as “A false UNDERSTANDING is an abomination, but a JUST understanding is his delight.” Let me be clear, this may be a stretch, but it seems, repeat, seems right.

We live in a world where God is interpreted in many ways, to be many things—according to what is their desire a god to be—a god of their own construction.

But, the God of Adam, of Noah, of Abraham, of Moses, of David and so many more declares Himself what He is in his self-testimony, what we know as the Holy Bible. He came to be flesh and blood in Jesus and is the EXACT representation of His Glory (Heb 1:2-3a):

“…but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom He created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the EXACT imprint of His nature, and He (Jesus) upholds the universe by the word of his power.”

Unbelievers are invariably drawn to make gods of their own desire and imagination by their sinful nature (c. Gen 3:4-5).

So, what of believers? Are they susceptible to this same urge? Without a doubt. Why is that?

And I go back to the Prov 11:1 reference; the “weights” that are employed in a just balance is the testimony inherent in the Word of God. If this is not diligently pursued by a believer or stopped when satisfied at a certain level of comfort (for instance, “God is Love; I don’t need to know more than that…”), when a believer doesn’t pursue all knowledge of God found in the Scriptures, then do I become an abomination? For me, I must consider, “Maybe, maybe I do.”

Study isn’t just accumulating scripture references to memory. As disciples move from elementary things to more complex learning (like from elementary school to middle to high school and adult experiences) God calls us from simple memorization to complex biblical understanding of Him, integrating all that we are learning to seek His Face with fierce intent.

Prayer: Father, I write boldly, knowing that I am still on your doorstep, knocking to come into a more thorough knowledge of you, to worship in your presence with all my body and soul, to understand the Gospel more and more, to learn what it is to fear You and love you at the same time with full intensity.

Help me to speak clearly of you. Thank you for this forum so that at the very least, I can speak to the face in the mirror.

Amen.

Ricky Two Shoes

Journal Prov 10 (all references are from the ESV unless noted otherwise; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “Whoever heeds (pays attention to) instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.” Prov 10:17

Observation: There are a lot of “if/then” statements in Prov 10, some that are more “promising” than this one. However, this one has challenge to the believer’s heart.

Analysis: Reproof, criticism, admonishment, rebuked, and many other synonyms like these are the bane of any age of Believer. No one likes to be criticized.

Especially me.

The most difficult practice I have in pursuing godliness is to hold my tongue, accept and analyze critique, and not revert immediately to some self-protection mode of defense, rejecting what is being said.

My motive in anything is suspect except to me. I think way higher of myself than I ought. Therefore, it is good that the Holy Spirit has HIS best interests for me in front of Him always.

So, I need to get my mind reoriented as per Romans 12. Embracing reproof (criticism) without defense or rebuttal may be a good start:

“Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it…” (Ps 141:5a)

“Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore, despise not the discipline of the Almighty.” (Job 5:17)

And my favorite, “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge; but he who hates reproof is stupid.” Prov 12:1)

How do I deal with reproof?  Not very well, but I do have a process I go through:

• Try to immediately bow my head and, more importantly, my heart.
• Give recognition that this is the Holy Spirit; reject that this is some attack from the enemy; remember Job 1-3 and that God uses the enemy to discipline and prove the believer.
• If my heart is unsteady and raging, control my mouth and don’t let sin use my tongue to start a fire (c. James 3, but especially James 1:19 “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”)
• Thank the person for having the courage to speak, “Thank you for sharing that with me. Could I ask some clarifying questions? May I have some time to consider what you just said and get back to you?”
• And then truly do the above.

Remember and be convinced, criticism is a kindness.

So, as to not paint this as easy, it is not and it takes effort and intent to do the above; a lot of preparation and practice—in prayer, study, and meditation, but also transparency in confession and discipleship with other brothers. In Ps 39, David shows he was not immune from the rising up of anger when challenged:

“I was mute and silent; I held my peace to no avail, and my distress grew worse. My heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue…” Ps 39:2-3

But David also tried to prep himself: “I said, I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence.” (Ps 39:1)

This is not a one and done subject for Believers.

Prayer: Lord, as the day dawns, teach me to hold my tongue from evil and only use the few words that you give me to be in your service always.

Amen.

Ricky Two Shoes

 

Journal Prov 9 (all references are from the ESV unless noted otherwise; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “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 a wise man and he will be wiser; teach a righteous man and he will increase in learning.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. For by me (wisdom) your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.” Prov 9:7-11

Observation: Talking to people has consequences; understand the use of discretion. There is a point to look to the mirror first, before looking at others.

Analysis: Why is the Gospel of the Kingdom to be preached by disciples?

Answer: Because Jesus said to in the Great Commission (c. Mark 16:16). He also said to make disciples which, reading the text of Mark 16:16 and Matt 28:19:20, could be considered a separate functional step.

How ever the two texts are perceived, everyone who has preached the Gospel, or has engaged in witnessing of the Kingdom, or has shared from the heart on what Jesus has done in their life, whether in public or in private,  has encountered scoffers, wicked people, unwise and/or people not wanting to hear about the Way.

Clearly, left to any conversation, one of the binary results (according to this Proverb) will be abuse or injury.

So, the question will be to the reader is: Do I want abuse?

A Christian is not invulnerable to abuse and was never meant to be. Being a Christian in this world is to be an enemy of this world—following Jesus with intent, preaching the Gospel, is being countercultural to the society at large: the Gospel is antithetical to the world, to sin. The Gospel grinds at the core of Man. Man wants to choose his own destiny, rejecting God’s rule and reign and becoming a traitor to God. (c. Gen 3:5 (Serpent speaking) “For God knows that when you eat of it (fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil) your eyes will be opened, AND YOU WILL BE LIKE GOD, knowing good and evil.” Implication: Man can make his own decisions on what is right and what is wrong and does not need God—becoming a rebel to the King of Heaven.)

What the Proverb 9 reference does insinuate is that the muscle of discernment might need to be strengthened. This is a tough statement because it is too easy to be cowards, not entering a difficult conversation and citing the scripture as confirmation to avoid things. (Confession: I do just that many times.)

So, how do I strengthen discernment? Scripture gives the answer: Strengthen my foundations. Right back to Proverbs 4:

“My son, be attentive to my words; inclineyour ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart…Keep your heart with all vigilance…Put away crooked speech and put devious talk far from you…Ponder the path of your feet…” Prov 4:20-27

Preaching the Gospel at any level, at any intensity, has consequences. It has benefits as well (it is the Word of Life, after all), but it takes preparation to be ready spontaneously. Practice preaching the Gospel to the face in the mirror, not as a performance, but as someone who needs to hear it over and over.

Prayer: Father, If I am to be wise, then I need to practice discernment with vigor—I should pursue knowing the Gospel inside and out. Help me have a heart to do just that.

When opportunities come my way, I want to see them as coming from your hand. Help me fear You and not be afraid.

Amen.

Ricky Two Shoes

Scripture

 

Vs 1 Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice?

Vs 2 … at the crossroads she takes her stand;

… On the heights …

… beside the way …

Vs 3 … beside the gates …

… in front of the town …

… at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:
Vs 4 “To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man.

Vs 6 Hear, …. from my lips will come what is right,

Vs 11 … all that you may desire cannot compare with her.

Vs 18 …. “riches and honor are with her” … enduring wealth and righteousness.

 

Vs 23 Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth.

Vs 30 … then I was beside him, like a master workman,

and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always,

Vs 31 rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the children of man.

 

 

Vs 34 Blessed is the one who listens to me,

watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors.

Vs 35 For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord,

 

Observation

 

Oh, what a different position “wisdom” is in today compared to where “wisdom” was at the beginning.

At the time of creation, “wisdom” was “rejoicing in the inhabited world”.

And “delighting in the children of men”

Wisdom was a “daily delight” and “beside him like a master workman”.

 

Now, however, wisdom places herself everywhere man is …

at the crossroad … on the height … beside the way … in front of town … beside the gate … at the entrance of ports …

Yet, even though she is everywhere, she must “cry out” and “raise her voice”.

 

At the perfection of Creation, wisdom rejoiced with and delighted in “children of men”.

Ever since, there has been a rejection of and distancing from wisdom by “children of men”.

 

Application

 

Wisdom is available to anyone who will receive it.

It does not need to be created. Wisdom does not need to be discovered.

Wisdom has always been there from before the creation of the world.

It’s available to anyone who will hear it.

 

But wisdom must be received and lived out like any good relationship.

I must engage with it regularly, consistently, daily … or even in the moment.

It’s not enough for me to or know it one day and forget it the next.

 

I must “delight” in wisdom.

I must “treasure” wisdom more than anything else I can accumulate.

 

Because in wisdom is life.

Which is the good news and beauty of Christ becoming wisdom.

I can delight in and engage with Jesus.

 

Prayer

 

Thank You, God,

For creating an abundance of wisdom

Thank You, that You don’t shiled or hide Yourself away

Thank you that you want to be known

And you want to know me

Help me know you

Help me delight in you more than your creation

In Jesus name

Amen

Journal Prov 7 (all references are from the ESV unless noted otherwise; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “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 your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.

Say to wisdom: “You are my sister”, and call insight your intimate friend…” Prov 7:1-4a

Observation: Again, with pounding the pursuit of wisdom and the cherishing of commandments by the Holy Spirit. A person might think that this is important somehow…

Analysis: The first part of Proverbs 7 is a pleading (of sorts) from the father to the son: Keep my words, make them important! If you find yourself going astray, pull back on the reins of your heart forcibly. Perhaps the metaphor in today’s culture is to reboot the operating system (again). Paul refers to this in Romans 12: “…but be transformed by the renewal (rebooting) of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God…” (Ro 12:2b)

The rest of Proverbs 7 is PG17 at the minimum. For many young (and old) men, this is the sex-capades fantasy, currently what the commercial media promotes—women seducing men instead of the other way around. Question: If a woman seduces a man, does it lessen the sin involved? Is that the way a man would rationalize the act? It is the way I have rationalized it in my past.

How then should a man (young or old, it matters not) keep his way pure? By guarding it according to God’s word. (Ps 119:9) Looks like Solomon was familiar with this Psalm, at least in principle.

There are two implicit messages in the above passage: 1) Fathers (blood or previous generations), make the embrace of the Word of God so important that you cannot keep from pointing to the path, the mountain that leads to the Kingdom of God; 2) Young men, seek out and be fierce about embracing the commandments of God.

Summary: Be fierce about the Word of God. Grow in being grounded; deepen the foundations of the Gospel in my soul.

Prayer: Father, thank you for my wife contributing to this today. You sent her to lead me into other paths of thought about you and the Gospel.

Help me to understand what I can further do to serve you and this local church.

Amen.

Ricky Two Shoes

 

Scripture

Proverbs 6:23 – For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life

Observation –
This is referring to the son or younger person keeping the commandments of the wise father. The commandments are to be viewed as a lamp that gives light on a path to travel so one can walk where illuminated not in darkness. Discipline is good as it provides a corrective course to walk towards Jesus in life.

Application –
Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. I need to recognize that God’s commandments are what is best for me and follow Him. I must be in the Word seeking God to know His ways. God’s commands shine light into darkness and without the light, I can stumble and easily get lost. God’s teaching allows me to follow a path of righteousness where every other course leads on a road to destruction. I must understand and know that God will use discipline to bring me back into focus on Him. God disciplines us because He loves us! Otherwise, I may not repent and continue in my sinful way which leads to death.

Prayer-
Father,
Thank you for loving us so much that you give us commands to live by and follow you. Thank you for discipling me to return me on your path of life. Let the power of the Holy Spirit give me strength, wisdom and encouragement to know you and make you known.

Journal Prov 4 (all references are from the ESV unless noted otherwise; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “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.

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.”” Prov 4:1-5

Observation: There is something here that I think has been missing for 3 generations now: the vision of elder teaching.

Analysis: I am not referencing the office of Elder, but of one generation bequeathing the Wisdom of God upon the next—a father teaching the son; a grandfather teaching the generations coming.

This is a gap in Christianity: Lack of generational wisdom passed down.

This thought began with the above scripture reference: “Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction and BE ATTENTIVE…” and I immediately considered my own children and how I brought them up—it was not to be attentive to my instructions.

Yeah, I pounded on the obedience thing for children; read all the books about raising godly children, and all that. I succeeded and failed because I did not keep up with my own life before God as well as keeping up with theirs. There is some truth to the saying that it takes a village to raise godly children (but only “some”).

I wasn’t attentive to older Christians, because I did not think they had anything to contribute.  I was in the Jesus Movement of the 70’s and everything was vibrant and alive–not like the establishment, old wineskins and dead (or barely alive).

I am still enamored with the concept of new wineskins but now (older and hopefully with more wisdom) understand that I (we) stand on the shoulders of the saints that have come before us.

The issue I perceive is not that the younger generation is inattentive (however, just like I was in my teens and twenties, so are they; nothing new under the sun. c. Ecc 1:9), but that the older generations today have nothing to say—ceding the excitement of seeking and finding God to younger folks. My white hot flame from my early years has tamped down to coals; but those coals still run hot.

How is it that older generations retire from being fervent Christian disciples? How is it that younger generations neglect questioning and mining older generations for wisdom?

What to do?

Prayer: Father, I do not want to lose my fire!! Even if I never get approached, never get asked, never have an opportunity to proclaim your Gospel, please keep me searching for You, keep me from being defiant towards you (as is so easy to do—thanks, Adam) and let my worship always be for You.

Amen.

Ricky Two Shoes

 

Journal Prov 3 (all references are from the ESV unless noted otherwise; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “My son, do not lose sight of these—keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for 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.

Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked when it comes; for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.” Prov 3:21-26

Observation: There is something special about wisdom and discretion that the Holy Spirit wants to communicate…

Analysis: What is so special about wisdom? And why do I need to exercise discretion or learn to be discreet?

Isn’t that antithetical to being open and transparent—especially concerning witnessing of the Gospel? Well—like in some places in the Bible, it is, and it isn’t. One of the principles that I have learned is that, concerning reading and learning to apply the commands of the Bible, there can be two commands, perhaps looking like they contradict each other, that God intends for them to be synthesized in the Disciple’s daily practice.

Wisdom, then, is knowing the Word of God well enough and being dependent on the Holy Spirit thoroughly enough to bring the appropriate biblical precept/principle/doctrine/scripture to memory, so that I can be secure in what I decide to do in any particular action.

What does “not-wisdom” look like, then? Note: Solomon identifies unwise people as fools; I tend to lean into “stupid” myself (as it more identifies the way I feel about myself most often).

Just from the Proverbs reference above, not-wisdom (or unwise) has these prevalent characteristics:

• Insecurity (or security based on a faulty foundation perhaps?)
• Stumbling quite a bit
• Fear. Not the wholesome Fear of the Most High, but fear of the unknown like when a person is about to go asleep
• Sudden terror
• My ruin if I know I have edged over into a wicked practice

Perhaps the “peace which passes understanding” (Phil 4:7) is a by-product not only of the Holy Spirit but of gaining and seeking for Wisdom?

I don’t care for the adrenaline surge that accompanies fear found in the world. I am grateful for it, because it puts me on alert, but perhaps it is also one of those things that came because of Adam being kicked out of Eden. (Just a stray thought…I have those at times over the weirdest things.)

Therefore, among all the other subjects disciples are to pursue, pursue Wisdom and catch it; let it be my adornment and life for my soul.

Prayer: Father, you let me wonder about your Word and I so appreciate it. Keep me from wandering to error and let my focus be solely upon you and the Gospel of Redemption.

Amen.

Ricky Two Shoes

Journal Prov 2 (all references are from the ESV unless noted otherwise; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “…if you seek (insight) like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he 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 way of his saints.

Then (or after this) 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; discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, delivering you from the way of evil…” Prov 2:4-12a

Observation: The Holy Spirit gives the reader a bunch of “if/then” types of statements. Proverbs 2 is no different—if I want to “know” God, then I need to seek insight, wisdom, and understanding, which will lead me to the fear of the Lord.

Analysis: I am sitting here wondering what to write today. My mind is wandering all over the place; I am tired in my mind.

Today, however, is my turn to write, and to dig up the Gospel from my soul where today it is deeply buried and is not effervescent and lively.

The Scriptures indicate all men get this way at times. David said in Psalms 43: ”Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?” David admonishes himself and replies: “Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.”

Perhaps Solomon is not so much offering advice as admonishing himself to REMEMBER:

• I must SEEK insight like the treasure it is.
• It will lead me to FEAR the Lord (something that isn’t properly emphasized enough, I think) so that I find the Knowledge of God.

As a result, I will experience pleasantness in my soul; I will understand righteousness (from God’s POV), justice (also from God’s POV), and equity (whatever that means from God’s POV) because wisdom and understanding and knowledge and discretion will guard my soul.

Today, these are the subjects I will recall. I will review the Gospel and how it impacts my soul; I will review the past and recount His Faithfulness; I will look to the future and hope in His continued Faithfulness while He watches over my soul.

I will quiet my mind and seek insight and wisdom and knowledge about the Gospel today—even while I go to the doctor, shop for groceries, go through the mail, clean up the house, and care for my wife. It can be done, for the Scriptures say it can be done…(“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thes 5:17)…but it doesn’t work without giving it effort.

Prayer: As I go through my chores today, help me to accomplish the above, Lord Jesus. Deliver me from the way of evil and rejoice in being dependent on You.

Amen.

Ricky Two Shoes

 

Scripture

Vs 5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning,
and the one who understands obtain guidance,

Vs 10 … if sinners entice you, do not consent.
Vs 15 … do not walk in the way with them;
hold back your foot from their paths, it takes away the life of its possessors.

 

Vs 20 Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice;
Vs 21 at the head of the noisy streets she cries out;
at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:

Vs 22 “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing?

VS 23 If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you;
I will make my words known to you.

Observation

The epic wisdom of Solomon’s proverbs begins here.

Solomon wants desperately for his next generation, and ultimately, all of Israel to “get it”.

He begins with the significant difference between the wise and fool.

The wise person has a willingness to receive wisdom …

An understanding that they are not their own source of wisdom.

A wise person must “learn” wisdom.

A wise person must “obtain guidance”.

The foolish person has a certain relationship with their own state of foolishness …

A fool “despises wisdom”, but “loves being simple”.

They “delight” in their current status, rejecting outside wisdom.

What’s more is, the fool is not only content in their own foolishness,

But wants others to join them in it.

The fool will “entice” and lure others down their own awful path of destruction.

Application

What stands out to me today as Solomon introduces his proverbs,

Is the ready availability of both foolishness AND wisdom.

Foolishness is available to me because it is already in me!

Going back to Genesis 3 … I will make my own determination of good and evil, right and wrong.

I don’t have to search out foolishness … I am it.

Wisdom, though, is also readily available, perhaps to my surprise.

Wisdom, it seems, is not some rarity or hidden treasure I need to uncover.

I simply need to be open and ready and available for it.

Wisdom “cries aloud”.

Wisdom “raises her voice”.

And just as significantly, Wisdom “speaks at the entrance”.

I don’t have to learn wisdom from the “hard knocks” of life.

I don’t have to learn wisdom from bad experience after bad experience.

I can “hold back my foot from the foolish path”!

I must just “turn” … repent … and “the Spirit will be poured out on me”!

Because Jesus Christ has become wisdom for me!

Prayer

Thank you, God, for Your wisdom.

Give me a heart to receive it early and often

Give me feet to walk your path

Give me courage and will to resist the lure of the foolish path

In Jesus name

Amen

Journal 2 Thes 3 (all references are from the ESV unless noted otherwise; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “Finally, brothers, pray for us that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored (as happened among you) and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men—for not all have faith.

But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. (and) We have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command.

May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.” 2 Thes 3:1-5

Observation: Notice that the implied message is about the local church, not about the unsaved masses…

Analysis: Preaching the gospel to the unredeemed is probably a given but preaching how to live the Gospel honorably appears to be the focus of Paul’s ministry (perhaps the rest of the writers of the New Testament as well).

How much do I read the Bible for someone (or something) else and not so much for the face in the mirror? I do it all the time—and must actively fight against it.

There are several “key words/phrases” found in these 5 verses and they can be unpacked individually for a whole study in themselves—perhaps the best way to start a study is to identify them and phrase them into questions:

• How is the Word of the Lord to “speed ahead?”
• How can the Word of the Lord be honored by someone like me?
• What is the Lord faithful in?
• If I am to be “established” by God, what am I to be established in? (Scratch off salvation and go further from there)
• Am I doing the things that the Holy Spirit commands? (Scratch off the Gospels for a while and focus on Paul’s writings for a season)

Much of this calls for deep thinking: About the Gospel; about the Fruit of the Spirit; about Gifts; about Grace and the “why’s” of Grace; about Worship (corporate through private); Biblical encouragement; Humility, and more.

This kind of “deep thinking” commitment is a multiple year commitment—it is not an eight-week study and done. I might (because I have a limited attention span) go to something else for a while but I do not remove a subject from the list—because a commitment like this becomes building blocks. For instance, I start with humility, then I look at the humility of Christ, leading to the Cross and how it intersects with Grace, and then what practical grace is about in the subject of personal humility and walk in it.

And that is just one of many possible starts…

David writes, calling out to God about the condition of his heart in Psalms 42: “Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls…” Perhaps God does not answer often by calling a person into the shallows where children play, but by answering in the deep breakers and waves, pounding into me. (c. Ps 42:7-8)

How, then, do I begin to venture out into the “deep” of the Gospel?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, in committing to read “Men are like waffles, Women are like spaghetti” with my wife, a thought about the difference between men and women struck me concerning the practice of “deep thinking.”

Are men committed to deep and profound practice of thinking, specifically about seeking Your Face? Certainly, You do not prohibit women from this, but do you specifically call men? Are the men reading this aware of this foundational calling on their lives?

Ah, just some thoughts written out loud to develop…Help me, O Holy Spirit, to flesh these out…

Amen.

Ricky Two Shoes

Scripture –

2 Thessalonians 2:16- Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

Observation –
Paul is finishing this section of his second letter to the church at Corinth by encouraging them to stand firm in their faith knowing that God who loves us through His grace gives us hope and comfort in Jesus. The hope we have in the return of Christ provides not only and eternal comfort but also comfort to our hearts now. The grace we have received and the hope and comfort we have in Christ is the foundation for our good works and words to point others to Jesus.

Application –
God loves us so much that He sent His one and only Son Jesus to the cross and overcome death on our behalf so we can have a way to know God and thereby make Him known! There is nothing we can do to earn this. God’s gift is by grace alone when we place our faith in the name of Jesus. This is the hope in the gospel that we must share to a world that is desperate to hear the truth! Like the Thessalonians we are in uncertain times and many are confused and hurting. We need to be there with an encouraging word and/or that we can pray will be received. Our faith has to be lived out in our deeds not for our salvation, but so others in great need can see the love of Jesus that will extend his glory. There are many things that break God’s heart and wherever your heart breaks is where the Spirit can lead to serve in effective ministry. We must humbly serve and share to point others to him in love.

Prayer-
Father,
Thank you for your love, grace in mercy in sending Jesus for our salvation so we can be reconciled to you. Let the power of the Spirit guide me in comfort to point people to you in my actions and words to glorify you. Have my hope be in faith of your return and draw me closer to you so I see you clear and others can see you through me.

Journal 1 Thes 5 (all references are from the ESV unless noted otherwise; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 1 Thes 5:11

Observation: Encourage one another in what?

Analysis: This verse also comes to mind: “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort (or in the NASB and NIV “encourage”) one another every day—as long as it is called “today”—that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” (Heb 3:12-13)

The point of Paul and the writer of Hebrews are the same: Care for your brother in Christ by paying attention to the gift of Grace exhibited by that brother.

Encouragement is more that a pat on the back or a quick comment of “good job” although I am more than reminded by the Spirit of instances that I do just that (I am ashamed to say; my face is red—I am remembering factually that what I write is not always reflected in the mirror and my life; writing this and preaching to myself…).

Paying attention to ‘gifts of Grace’ in others is working my own heart to stop paying attention to myself (not to be self-important, self-absorbed, self-inclined). It is making myself “consider others more important than myself…” (Phil 2:3 “Doing nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves)

Think biblical encouragement is easy? Think again.

Biblical spontaneity is like improvisation: Preparation is the key. Practice, practice, and practice some more. Some of it is going to sound clunky, not smooth at all. There are other times where an aspiring encourager is going to wonder, “What am I going to encourage in this person?”

A good start is the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5: See someone doing well in loving the saints? Say so. How about a youngster being diligent in serving the church in tear down on Sunday? Pull them aside, find the parents and recognize them privately like that.

Tell your wife that you see holiness blossoming in her life and in what way SPECIFICALLY (no generalizations—words matter). Recognize your children in the home that way.

Write notes. Become a note writing church body. Send notes to others. I have a personal note from a pen-pal that I have framed and set in my office. When I am down and doubting, it helps set my head back on straight.

Encourage to build each other up; it is a defensive measure to keep us away from the deceitfulness of sin.

Prayer: Father, what a powerful word encouragement is. It is powerful enough to keep believers from falling prey to an unbelieving heart and to keep hearts softened from the lies and deceit of sin.

It is also important enough that Paul and the writer of Hebrews made essential and vital mention for the believers to practice. How much, then, should I pay attention to train myself and exercise encouragement with others?

Amen.

Ricky Two Shoes