Category: Good Life Journal

Proverbs 28

 

Scripture

 

Vs 2 “… with a man of understanding and knowledge, (the land’s) stability will long continue.”

 

VS 5  “Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.”

 

Vs 7  “The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding,

but a companion of gluttons shames his father.”

 

VS 9  “If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.”

 

Vs 16  “A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.”

 

Observation

 

Understanding can bring stability for the long term.

But the understanding must be of the ways of God.

The ways of God are understood by seeking God and hearing His word.

This will bring about a concern for others, for their well-being, for their justice … in other words “keeping the Law”.

 

A picture of this reality lived out is … long term stability.

 

Application

 

There’s a famed quote that the “long arch of the universe bends toward justice”.

Well, if it does, this is not a natural bend.

Human nature, my nature, is sinful. It will bend toward me!

The natural order of things bends toward chaos, not order.

Injustice, not justice.

 

I must every day, all of my life, seek an influence outside of myself.

In my day-to-day activity, do I consider the long term?

Do I think about the “prolonging of my days”?

If I want them to “long continue” with “stability”, then I better gain understanding.

 

Problem is there is every kind of “understanding” i could ever dream of right at my fingertips.

I can even take Ivy League classes online for free if I wanted to.

I can “understand” virtually anything I could imagine with a few instructional YouTube videos.

There’s a video for anything I want to “understand”!

 

Sure, I could watch 100 documentaries on justice, but how will I “understand” justice?

 

There is only one way … “seek the Lord”.

I must seek the Lord’s understanding.

And how will I seek the Lord? … “hear the Law”.

And how will the reality of justice come about? … “keep the Law”.

So, “seek the Lord” … “hear the Law” … “keep the Law” … and stability in the land may continue.

 

Prayer

 

Thank you again God for you Word.

Keep me thirsty for seeking You.

Help me crave your understanding.

Prompt me to keep your word.

Help me prolong stability in my family and in whatever corner of Your Kingdom you have for me.

Thank you in Jesus name.

Amen.

Scripture – 

Proverbs 27:9 – The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.

Observation –

Having a friend(s) speak to you from the heart is both encouraging and wise to listen.  This is a reciprocal relationship where both parties grow in following Christ.

Application –

In order for me to receive good counsel, I have to have prior surrounded myself with wise friends.  I have to be in the Word to recognize and seek wisdom by being open to listen to a friend’s advice. As a follower of Christ, I need to ready and willing to speak into a friend’s life to equip and encourage them in love.  Proverbs 27:9 parallels with verse 17 where both parties grow together in wise encouragement.

 

Prayer –

Father,

Thank you for the truth and wisdom in your Word.  Let the power of the Holy Spirit guide me to be both open to receive and share wise counsel to grow and point others to you.

Scripture

Proverbs 24:3–4 (ESV) – By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; ⁴ by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

 

Observation

God’s plan for building a home does not align with the world’s values or ways.

The Lord calls His people to build their homes and their lives on His wisdom and for His glory.

This life will not lead to the riches the world values, but His riches will never fade away.

The way we build our homes and lives reveals what our hearts truly treasure.

Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19–21)

 

Application

If we follow the world’s ways, the size of our homes is the measure of our success. We will be perceived as ultra-successful if our lives are packed with all the accessories of earthly pleasure.

If we allow the world to determine our values, we will buy things we don’t need with money we don’t have. We will sacrifice time with our family and time with God’s people to climb the corporate ladder and make that extra buck. We will ignore wisdom of God to pursue the applause and acceptance of men. And while we waste our lives chasing earthly riches, we will one day see Jesus and realize how poor we truly are.

A.W. Tozer once said to his close friend, Leonard Ravenhill, “We’ll hardly get our feet out of time into eternity and gaze on eternity that we bow our heads in shame and humiliation and say: ‘My God, look at all the richest there were in Jesus Christ and I come to the judgment seat almost a pauper.’”

 

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Please help me to build our home on your wisdom and for your glory. And lead our church family to always crave the riches of heaven.

In Jesus Name, Amen.

 

Scripture

 

Vs. 3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

 

Vs. 12 The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked;

 

Vs.15 When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.

 

Vs. 21 Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness

will find life, righteousness, and honor.

 

Vs. 26 All day long (the sluggard) craves and craves,

but the righteous gives and does not hold back.

 

Observation

 

There are many many thoughts discussed in this Proverb,

but the theme of “righteous” is touched on throughout, from beginning to end.

 

Interestingly, it’s discussed as a category of people, “the righteous”, or even more broadly, “whoever”.

 

But there is a specific and unique distinction given to God … “The Righteous One”!

 

So, while the “righteous” may be a descriptor of many, the many have a source of their “righteousness”.

Whoever is “righteous” must get their “righteousness” from “The Righteous One”.

 

Application

 

In each of the references to a righteous person, there is an indication of how we know they’re righteous.

There is an external expression of it.

You “do” righteousness.

Justice is “done”.

Righteousness is “pursued”.

The righteous “gives and does not hold back”.

 

In modern Christianity, we love to hold up the grace of God, and rightfully so!

But I do so at the risk of diminishing the importance of action.

Actually living it out!

You know … that word that the faithful so often fear to speak of … “works”.

 

But James was right. Faith without works is dead.

And as I work to “do and pursue” justice and righteousness around me,

I just have to remember that this is not what makes me righteous.

 

I do not do these things FOR righteousness.

I do them FROM righteousness.

 

And the Lord finds them even “more acceptable than sacrifice”.

I often think of “good works” as sacrifice.

But what was “sacrifice” back when these words were written It was religious ritual.

So, is this diminishing the importance of religious ritual?

No. “Sacrifice” and ritual were vital to these people.

 

So, if “pursuing righteous” is “more acceptable” than religious ritual (worship gathering, corporate prayer, etc.), it is not meant to diminish the importance of “Sunday morning stuff”.

It is meant to elevate the importance of everyday stuff!

 

I must live out righteousness … everyday, not just Sunday!

And as I do them, I will … “find life”!

 

Prayer

 

Thank you, again, God for Your Word.

It reminds me always that your ways are better than my ways.

Help me pursue righteousness today.

Help me see those opportunities you place in front of me.

And give me the courage to act.

In Jesus name.

Amen.

Scripture –

Proverbs 20:14 – Bad, bad says the buyer, but when he goes away then he boasts.

Observation –

In this scenario the buyer plans and intentionally deceives the seller of his goods. After taking advantage of the misinformed seller, the buyer brags about the how he ripped off the seller.  This speaks to the sinful nature of man and condition of the human heart to intentionally deceive for profit and relish in so doing.

Application –

As a follower of Christ, I have to approach work and business transactions from a Biblical worldview.  I can’t proclaim to be a believer on Sunday and shark people Monday through Friday.  The world is watching and that is a terrible witness to the gospel especially if the people taken advantage of are less fortunate.  I must conduct myself with truth, integrity and treat others as I would like to be treated.  I am loved by Jesus and therefore would like others to know the love of Christ.

 

 

Prayer –

Father,

Thank you for the truth and wisdom in your Word.  Let the power of the Holy Spirit guide me to conduct business in a manner that is trustworthy, fair leading in an opportunity to point others towards you and glorify you.

Journal Ps 1-3 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “Now therefore, O kings, be wise.  Be warned, O rulers of the earth.

 

Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling.”  Ps 2:10-11

 

Observation:  As the emphasis in Proverbs and specifically growing in wisdom, there are verses that are full of wisdom to embrace without the word “wisdom” to trigger attention.

 

Analysis: “Serve” and “rejoice” are two distinct verbs.  Serve or to serve is to be a servant, or to give oneself to another for the work of service/doing something.  Rejoice can be demonstratively happy, to celebrate, to exult, delight, to express joy about something.

 

Normally my mind translates the words “serve” and “rejoice” initially only one way: Doing something for somebody and celebrating respectively.

 

But the Psalmist tosses in a couple of other words that I don’t usually think of: Fear and Trembling.

 

Proverbs is especially clear that the Fear of the Lord has a bunch of benefits.  Cultivating fear of God?  Most folks shy away because it may not make sense to their understanding.  The last three generations have been exposed to the concept of the Love of God overriding every other thought.  Fear is bad, Love is good.  To turn my head around to align with the “Fear is good” biblically correct line is tough.

 

Trembling? Shaking, quaking in rejoicing in God?  What kind of praise and worship is that?  Goes along with the Fearing God stuff.  “I am happy and rejoicing in God; why should I fear and tremble?”  The writer of Hebrews attempts to set my attitude straight:

 

“Therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus (therefore again) let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”  (Heb 12:28-29)

 

Look at all the places in the Bible where it describes “falling on their faces, rejoicing with trembling in His presence.”  This is one of the normal reactions in Revelation.

 

So, what’s the point?  What should I be packing my heart with?  As we are reading Proverbs, do not forget the Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom, of Knowledge, is to hate transgression, something that is chosen and not refused.  It prolongs life, gives strong confidence, and brings satisfaction.

 

Therefore, let my heart be full of Love and Fear of God, who holds my life in his hands lovingly.

 

Prayer: Lord God, I see this firmly in my mind and the combination of interwoven Love and Fear is clear.  There isn’t any “this or that” in the Gospel concerning Love and Fear.  Help me to understand this fully, and pack it up in my heart all the rest of my days….

 

Amen

Ricky Two Shoes

 

Journal Prov 17 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out…Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.  Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.”  Prov 17:14, 27-28

 

Observation:  There is a high correlation between my mouth and being wise.  Doesn’t matter what I have learned, what I know, what few times I demonstrate godly wisdom—if I don’t learn how to control my tongue and my emotions (being of cool spirit), I am not and should not be considered wise.

 

Analysis:  Where does strife begin?  Maybe the same place where quarrels begin?  James:

 

“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…. If anyone thinks he is religious (devout, pious, or godly), and does not bridle his tongue (but deceives his heart), this person’s religion is worthless.”  James 1:19-20, 26

 

If I unpack this section in James carefully, looking at the paragraph and syntax structure, a religious/godly heart does not begin with serving orphans, widows, and keeping myself unstained from the world (although this cannot be ignored), it begins with not deceiving my heart BY PUTTING emphasis on controlling my mouth BIBLICALLY.

 

Why do I emphasize biblically?  Because it is way more than just keeping my mouth shut.  I could be stoking the fires of my heart and sooner or later I blow up like a volcano—I am accomplishing nothing in the Name of Jesus.

 

How much is the Gospel aligned with the confession of my mouth?  The Gospel exists whether or not I actually confess it.  But my voice to God’s ear; not just “believe” (which can be a mental assent and never actually voiced) is, if I don’t look at one scripture out of context but look at the totality of the Word of God, dependent on my VOICE.

 

Today’s posting is relevant to me.  I have received some news that is beginning a seed of irritation towards some people and I want to escalate it to anger and condemnation.

 

How do I keep and cultivate a cool spirit in my case?  How do I restrain my words when I knew this day would come and now it may be too late?

 

What I am doing is to cling to the Cross actively and frantically; to trust the God who promises to collect and cherish my tears; who forgives me daily for my transgressions and sin; and asks me to forgive any and everyone as I have been forgiven.

 

Only the Gospel, only the Gospel.

 

Prayer: Help me, Father who has adopted me like a son, to confess your purpose in my life and to cling to the Cross.  Help me to control my heart, so my tongue is controlled and does not transgress, and to show your Beauty in my tears…

 

Amen

Ricky Two Shoes

Journal Prov 16 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.”  Prov 16:4

 

Observation: The above statement can puzzle a lot of people.  After all, who wants to blame God for the presence of the Wicked in our lives?  Answer: no one.

 

Analysis:  It is worth noting, and keeping it close to heart and head, that this statement is a critical precept of the foundation to the Gospel: “The Lord has made everything for its purpose…”  Whatever else follows this statement is true.  It is part and parcel of God being Sovereign in all of Creation.  Forget about that nonsense argument “Did God create evil, then?”  Absolutely not!!  All twisted action and conduct came from the betrayal by Adam.  Adam chose to disobey, and all his offspring had/have that same choice of action—rejecting to be dependent on God and choosing independence from God.

 

Shall I surrender to His rule and reign, or shall I rebel completely?  Note there is sort of a middle road: Playing lip service to Him while slightly modifying His commands to suit myself—being independent.  Lip service is still rebellion.

 

While I can pick a strategic POV out of these few words from Proverbs, this is really a reminder to the individual to not lose heart when we see riots, robberies, perversion, wars, rumors of wars, and all that.  From the 5,000-foot level: “Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth?  No, I tell you, but rather division.” (Luke 12:51)

 

But for the individual whose trust, dependence, reliance is upon Jesus the Redeemer and not on what is happening in the world, there is peace: “I have said these things to you, that IN ME you may have peace.  In the world you WILL have tribulation.  But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

 

The Proverb above is meant to center us in God.  “Remember that I am Sovereign!!”  Isaiah 46:8-11b:

 

“Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors,

remember the former things of old.

 

For I AM God, and there is no other; I AM God, there is none like me,

declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done,

saying My counsel will stand and I will accomplish all my purpose…I have spoken, and I

will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.”

 

So, the next time I grouse about how anything of the World is going, how it is failing, how the government is dumber than a box of rocks and I pray, please Lord bring the next election quickly, I will try to practice choosing the way of thankfulness (1 Thes 5:16-18) “Thank you Lord, for all of this is according to Your Purpose (even if I don’t understand).  Help me be at peace.  Real, not just being quiet and grimacing and holding back my emotions, but real Biblical peace.”

 

Amen

Ricky Two Shoes

 

Journal Prov 15 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”  Prov 15:1

 

Observation:  There is a proverb I remember from my youth: “How do you eat an elephant?  One bite at a time.”  This is oh, so, true when thinking how to address righteousness in my life and mortifying sin.

 

Analysis:  Nobody arrives “mature in Christ.”

 

To be clear, when the description of mature is referencing a believer, the measuring stick is Jesus himself.  So, when anyone thinks of himself as “mature”, they are not thinking with a clear understanding—basically fooling themselves and “thinking more highly of themselves than they ought.” (Ro 12:3)

 

So, I have concluded that growing in godliness (growing in maturity) is like trying to eat an elephant.  I need to tackle one or two things and concentrate on them, add something else later, be prepared to throttle back to the original objectives, and do that for the rest of my life.

 

Proverbs is a “one bite of the elephant” sort of book.  While each chapter may have a theme, each verse (or two) can stand alone as a teaching, challenging me to “master this one, I dare you to try…”

 

“A soft answer turns away wrath…”  So, what personal, indwelling sin, characteristic must I acknowledge and put effort into attacking?  First thoughts?

 

1. Cultivate gentleness.  Fruit of the Spirit?  Check.
2. Humility.  I am in no position in Christ to command anything.
3. Control the raging, destructive fire that is my tongue (my mouth).
4. I have all the ability but ZERO right to “air my chest”; to communicate my hurts to another, only to the Father who “gathers our tears in a bottle.
5. Prepare to extend sincere forgiveness, not letter of the law forgiveness when my gentle answer does not turn away wrath.  People will still get offended and that must be worked through in love, candidness, and transparency—even if you are the only side of the argument that is trying to practice that.

 

There is probably a lot more that is not coming clear in my mind.  I could spend all day unpacking these few words in Prov 15:1, identifying all the facets of the Gospel jewel that involves successfully implementing this verse.

 

But, just on the bald face of it, if I keep my answers soft and well-modulated, avoid being harsh, intrusive, and commanding, I can have a good opportunity to keep anger and verbal violence out of any conversation—something I candidly fail at with my wife.  I know why though; I fail at patience and care.  I have to “reset” my heart (like I mentioned above).

 

Onward and upward to the high calling in Christ!!

 

Prayer:  Father, help me become steady in pursuit of You; one step by one step, etc.  My love for you is in chasing you down, learning all about You, not just packing knowledge in, but seeing how this is Your Character you want me to know and emulate you about.  My enthusiasm about You is found in how I represent the Gospel to the world.

O Spirit: be with me in my pursuit of You.

Amen

Ricky Two Shoes

Scripture

 

Vs. 6 A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain,
but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.

 

7 Leave the presence of a fool,

for there you do not meet words of knowledge.

 

Vs. 23 In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.

 

Observation

 

Solomon is encouraging the wise person to discern the difference between the wise and the fool.

The wise person receives wisdom.

The wise person also stops listening to foolishness.

Ultimately, wise words must lead to action … “toil” … work to actually apply the wisdom.

 

Application

 

We live in The Information Age.

There is more “information” than ever, but is the information “wisdom” or “foolishness”?

I am someone who puts a premium on “right thinking”, but is it always leading to “right doing”?

 

I’m seeing this morning a sequence of Heart, Head, and Hand.

I need a humble heart to recognize I need wisdom from outside of myself. (don’t “scoff”)

I need a discerning head to determine who is a source of wisdom. (“leave the presence of a fool”)

I need active hands to apply what I learn and discern. (“In all toil there is profit”)

 

I always want to accumulate more wisdom.

I love to read and discuss matters with those I feel are wise.

But I’m afraid I neglect the end point …. actually applying whatever I’ve learned or wisdom I’ve heard.

Why? I suppose lots of reasons.

Plain old laziness? For sure.

Fear of failing in the application, the “toil”? Sure.

 

But what is that saying about me?

If I’m just a “gatherer” or cistern or reservoir of wisdom, then I’m actually a fool!

Because in “ALL” toil there is profit!

I need to apply as best I can, whenever I can.

Leave the results to God … but I imagine something profitable will result, even if it’s not what I anticipated.

 

What’s more, if I’m unwilling to live out and risk and “toil”, what’s the bigger statement about my faith?

Sitting on wisdom in my head is not faith.

I need to “work out what God works in”.

 

Prayer

 

God, thank you again for Your word today.

Forgive me when I don’t live out and work out the wisdom You share.

Help me know when to leave a fool.

Give me the courage work within to apply your wisdom.

In Jesus name,

Amen.

Scripture –

Proverbs 13:20 – Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

Observation –

Those who seek wisdom from the wise will increase in wisdom and knowledge.  A friend of a fool is another fool headed in harm’s way.

Application –

To be in the Word, prayerfully fearing God, surrounding myself with God fearing men to follow their walk is wise. This is in contrast to hanging with people who are foolish and wise in their own eyes where trouble lies ahead.  Have seen this played out in my youth when you roll with certain guys that play the fool when you are there and by association a fool many times with consequences to bear.  This reminds me of the old adage, you are known by the company you keep.  

Prayer –

Father,

Thank you for the truth and wisdom in your Word.  Let the Spirit guide me to walk with those are wise and stay away from those who are foolish. Direct my path to  love you and share your love with others to bring you glory.

 

Journal Prov 12 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but (the person) who hates reproof is stupid.  An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones. There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”  Prov 12:1, 4, and 18

 

Observation:  Loving discipline and knowledge, intentional performance, and the results of a deliberate mouth is the point of today’s post.

 

Analysis: It isn’t often that wives and women get any deliberate traction in a post.  I will confess that I am scared to do this, even obliquely like I am going to do.  The world’s “political correctness” has infiltrated Christianity, to the point that there are certain subjects and directions that are forcibly taboo: “How dare you talk like that!!”

 

I don’t think of myself as misogynistic or even 1950 Neanderthal; what I do try to fully engage in is the Word of God.  Just like I point out the obvious in my writing (gender neutral), there are fully specific scriptures that are specifically applicable to Males (men, husbands, and fathers, including leadership in and of the Church).  What isn’t quite talked about FULLY are women, wives, and mothers and what are objectives from the Word of God.

 

Note that I am always advocating the “Reflection in the Mirror” approach to self-evaluation. It isn’t ever right to “command” obedience to the Scripture by anyone (specifically Husbands to Wives), but it is always correct to point out humbly the Scriptures—knowing that as it is pointed out, we are always co-equal in fault (Indwelling Sin, remember?  Man or Woman: we always need Redemption and Change by the Holy Spirit; nobody ever has “arrived” faultless.

 

Man or Woman: We all hate reproof effortlessly; resisting change in favor of ourselves is built in our DNA and we default to being stupid without a second thought.  Loving reproof, loving knowledge?  There is the effort needed.  Isaiah said: “The whole head is sick…” and I prove it every day, and I am not alone.  Ro 12, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers (and sisters if it needs to be spelled out), to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Continuing:

 

Do not be conformed to this World, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, THAT by testing YOU MAY discern what is the will of God… (Ro 12:1-2)

 

It is up to the individual to desire change.  Individually, we have to want it, to pursue it like a treasure hunt, and not give up.  Jesus is the Pearl of Great Price and finding Him at the point of a Salvation experience does not call the Hunt off.

 

Giddy yap, amigos!!

 

Prayer: Father, to persevere to the end does not mean keeping the same confession I had at the point I recognize as my Conversion, but it does imply that my life should be maturing, becoming deeper, seeking (and finding) you through my life.  My life should be expanding through living through your Word, not just my “common sense” and good intentions.

Deepen me, O God, make my words like they should be in you.

Amen

Ricky Two Shoes

Journal Mk 12 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that (Jesus) answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?”

 

Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

 

And the second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

 

There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:28-31

 

Observation: The scribe mentioned here is astute; he has a legitimate clarifying question for Jesus, perhaps to see if Jesus is a crazy, heretical dude.  The scribe finds out Jesus is as orthodox (and more) in his theology as they come…

 

Makes sense because Jesus is the living Word…

 

Analysis: Reading the rest of the passage, most folks eventually focus on how Jesus said that the scribe was “…not far from the kingdom of God…” (v34) and perhaps looked longingly after him.  The scribe was just on the cusp of understanding: Obeying the 2 commanding directives “is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices…”

 

I think what I am reading here is another aspect of the Gospel.

 

The Cross was instituted to do away with (once and for all) the Sacrificial System with Jesus being the Lamb sacrificed—no more lambs, goats, bulls, birds, etc. for the various sins of Israel, but God himself (the Son) giving himself willingly so that folks like you and me can approach the Throne where God sits without fear BECAUSE we can trust in the Blood of Jesus and not creatures like bulls.

 

An effect of the Gospel is that my heart is changed; I am more inclined to love God with all my soul (head), heart, and strength and to love my neighbor as myself.  That is what the Born Again function is supposed to enact; also the Adoption as a Son function—I want to be like my Father and my Savior, the Son.

 

Like the scribe, how far am I from the Kingdom of God?  If my first reaction is, “I am being asked to doubt my salvation…” or something along those lines, I must consider that I might be further away than I thought.  (Look at the qualifying words: Consider and Might)

 

That is why I came up with that little device, “Man or Face in the Mirror” as a check on my subjective reality.  If I am saved, how does my life show it?  How does my life with my family, home, wife and children show it?  Am I easily tempted into foul language?  Anger?  Short temper?  Even if I do not have a disciplined approach now, do I recognize that I need to learn about my Savior?  His instructions?  His intent for me?

 

If I am His, and I confess that for my life, am I sold out for Christ?  Do I love the Lord my God with all my soul/mind, heart and strength and am I sold out to love my neighbor as myself?

 

These are the questions that should daily consume a person, preaching the Gospel to the face in the mirror…

 

Prayer:  Lord, how important is this story to the Gospel?  I am so grateful that you salt these away in your Word so that they can be found, thought about, and pondered upon.

Amen

Ricky Two Shoes

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

Scripture: “The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.”  Prov 10:8

 

Observation: On the surface, this seems so logical: Sure, wise will learn; babbling fool?  What does that mean?

 

And if I think of it hard, how do I really receive commands, instructions, reproof, correction…?

 

Analysis: Proverbs 10 seems to be all about the mouth to me. What do I say, how do I say it, how’s my heart and head in the midst of all this, etc.…?

 

Proverbs is about wisdom, but thinking just about myself, I think it is about revealing how much of a fool I am, how much that wisdom doesn’t come easy, but must be pursued, and lastly, how much wisdom I attain (or not) is evidenced by the fruit of my lips (my speech).

 

What about this choice morsel? “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.” (Prov 10:19) And this one from James, “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue (deceiving his heart) this person’s religion (belief, faith, godliness) is worthless.”  (James 1:26 (my annotations included for emphasis)).

 

If I am wise, pursuing wisdom, I will not only receive commandments, but I will also seek them out.  If I am finding out I am coming to ruin, check out the fruit of my mouth among the other stuff.  Do I babble, spew out nonsense, etc., basically talk about a lot of stuff but not many times talk of substantial things?  I have to think about it.

 

I figure that I am not much of a conversationalist anymore.  I pun, I joke around (taking care that my jokes are of the corny, “dad” joke style), staying away from hurtful teasing and dirty jokes.  I am ok with that.  I am also training myself to be “ready, in season and out, to talk (not necessarily preach) of the hope that is in me.

 

Hard to train that way.  Takes effort but is worth it.

 

Prayer:  Father, what is the Gospel?  I am trying to make describing, defining, and identifying the Gospel become reflexive in me; asking questions, or being able to talk about the Gospel from Genesis to the Cross and through to your Return.

What I need to continue to do, to my last breath, is to restrain my lips, and control my tongue so that the fruit of my lips may honor my Savior all my days.

Amen

Ricky Two Shoes

Journal Mk 10 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”

 

(Jesus) answered them, “What did Moses command you?”

 

(The Pharisees) said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.”

 

And Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment.  But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’  ‘Therefore, a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So, they are no longer two but one flesh.  What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

 

And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter…”  Mark 10:2-11a

 

Observation:  How do I react to challenges?  Do I cut people off with impunity?  Do I look down on the challenger?  Do I square up for a fight?

 

Or do I prepare myself to ask clarifying questions to get to the real issue?

 

Analysis: When I first read Mark (the Bible in general) ages ago, I was looking for the “Do this, don’t do that” references—I thought I should prepare to “declare righteousness to the heathen horde.”  I was soooo stupid and condemning.  Are you divorced?  And you call yourself a follower of Christ?  Shame, shame.”

 

Well, here I am in shame, thinking about my past like this.  I am a divorcee, but happily remarried, and fervent for Christ.  Transparently, there is shame I still deal with but trust Jesus’ atonement on the Cross for my redemption.  It is hard at times, but I grind out Faith daily—I don’t deserve His forgiveness but am grateful for it.

 

The Pharisees were looking for a condemning “gotcha” from Jesus.  But what did the Savior say?  Turned it around on them by asking, “What did Moses say?” and had them cough up their point.  Jesus expanded on that, not invalidating what Moses said (which was the Pharisee’s objective) but explaining with authority the background of why….and pointing out the real reason for Moses’ allowance: “…because of your hardness of heart…”

 

This is why study is so important in the midst of the Brotherhood.  A person can look at the surface and go, “Yep, not divorced, not ever going to be…” and subconsciously put a STAR in the “good for me” column; not really getting to the main point of being hard of heart and dealing with that at the foot of the Cross DAILY.  Indwelling sin makes us swing to being hard-hearted and resistant to your Word; examining ourselves in the mirror CANDIDLY keeps us chasing humility.

 

Prayer: Father, “How are you?  Better than I deserve…” has, at times, such a cliche’ vibe to it.  But it is so FACTUAL and true.  I don’t deserve the goodness I receive, the love and friendship from You. You freely give yourself…and I am all the more grateful for it.

Make me sharper in your word, O God.  Help me to see your hand in the words and understand them more.

Amen

Ricky Two Shoes