Category: Good Life Journal

Scripture:

Luke 9:23

If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Observation:

Five thousand had been fed, the Christ had been revealed and Jesus made clear his near future would end in death yet be finished in the resurrection. Hope was coming and the clear call on the follows life was and is summed up in this verse in Luke 9.

 

Application:

This passage of scripture is amazing and claimable on the days it is easy. This is not a passage I claim on the days it is hard or temptation is strong and honestly interesting to point of sin. There are so many times where I don’t feel like myself is that bad. So many times I only view the denial of myself in clear BIG sin type situations. I do not view this passage in the clear view that all of me in my flesh is in direct opposition to God. ALL of me apart from Jesus must be denied. All of my wants and pursuits must be denied and laid before Christ to ensure the things of pursuit are what he has pointed me to and called me to. This is difficult for me and particularly difficult in our culture as we are persuaded to follow our hearts and dreams. Follow what YOU think God has called you to rather than follow what God has SAID to do. A couple things,

Denial only happens when something is offered. Take what is offered and line it to the Word to see if it is Jesus declaring or the enemy lying. 

Anything that comes from my flesh is in opposition to God and MUST be denied. 

Myself (My flesh) is in constant pursuit of fulfilling its needs, I must deny myself DAILY and walk with Jesus. This must start in his Word and in quiet time with him. This must also be consistent throughout my day. I can not just start my day with him and then forget about him. 

Prayer:

Father,

Thank you so much for your Word and your Spirit that leads us to please you, Father. Help me to walk in and through your Spirit. Forgive me Lord for sinning and help to deny myself daily. 

Scripture:

Luke 7:47 – Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven – for she loved much.  But he who is forgiven little, loves little.

Observation:

Jesus is dining at the home of a Pharisee, when a woman of the city kisses Jesus feet and anoints them with ointment.  The Pharisee then questions Jesus as he is letting a sinner touch him.  Jesus answers the Pharisee by telling him that the woman recognized her sins, loved Jesus and was forgiven by her faith.  In contrast, the Pharisee thought he was religious/righteous saw others as sinners and did not love or need forgiveness.

Application:

In Romans 3:23 Paul tells us we are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God.  I need to be careful that I am not Simon the Pharisee wanting to judge others sin as somehow worse than mine.  We were all dead in sin until we received the love of God through Christ’s sacrifice for us on the cross.  We all had a debt that we could never pay without the grace of God.  I must receive the love of God and I turn share it with others.

Prayer:

Father,

Thank you for your love and undeserving grace you gave me.  Help me realize the magnitude of my sin and you saved me from death into life.  Let you Spirit guide me to loves others not judge them. 

Scripture – “For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit.” – Luke 6:43

 

Observation – Jesus is teaching and makes this statement. He teaches that it is not about what you “do” but it is about who you are. The righteous man will produce good fruit because at his heart and core are righteousness. God deals with the heart and not what we may pretend to be or create on the outside.

 

Application – Producing fruit is something that takes time. You may be able to fake results for a season or two but ultimately the fruit of your life will be an overflow of who you are. Today, I want to focus on who God has called me to be and allow Him to produce good fruit in my life.

 

Prayer – Thank You Lord that You call me Yours. Help me to produce fruit that is after Your heart and pleasing to you.

 Scripture:  

 

“And Levi made him a great feast in his house.  (And) There was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them.  (And) The Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his (Jesus’) disciples saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”  (And) Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician but those who are sick.  I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”  (Luke 5:29-32)

Observation:   

 

The stories concerning Jesus, the disciples, and the people of the area are important to read and review.  There is not only information to think about on the surface but there is information to think about underneath the situation and maybe even reading into possible attitudes.  Illumination happens with the most obscure stories at times….

Application:   

 

Why do I read the stories?  They are a mirror into my heart as well.

In this particular passage, let’s face it: I read about others.  I read about uppity Pharisees, I read about sinners, drinkers, and all sorts of folks Jesus hangs out with.  What I don’t usually read about is me and where I fit into this equation?  I don’t first consider the “man in the mirror” when I read.

Let’s look at the Pharisee and Scribe’s question: “Why do you hang out with these obvious sinners?”  The implication is plain: How much of a Christian can you be if you are doing (this)?

I have gotten that comment enough over the years: “How can you call yourself a Christian and (do this) or (think that) or support (that guy) or, or, or….”

This is exactly the question and implication the Pharisees are attempting to put on Jesus and the disciples.

I can (and have) received similar comments over the years and what do they make me do?  I either retreat back, doubting my “witness” and obedience or I barrel ahead in brash and contentious argument.  Why?  Because I don’t know and didn’t remember the Gospel.

Looking at the “man in the mirror” I acknowledge and am glad that Jesus came to deal with the sick like me.  I need redemption that I don’t deserve.  It is the difference between Justification and Sanctification.  I am justified in Christ by faith. (Ga 2:16)  I am being conformed in the Image of the Son. (Ro 8:29)  In one the work is finished by Faith; in the other the work of sanctification is still going on (also by Faith but that is something else for later).

Because of the Gospel I have to be aware that I don’t succumb to the attitude of the Pharisees and put some sort of artificial (and unbiblical) speed bumps in the way.  I am sick, they are sick, we are sick: We all need salvation and redemption that is only found in our Lord, Jesus the Christ of God.

Prayer:   

 

Father, once more another story about my tendency of looking down my nose at folks appears.  Why is it that I (and probably others) have issues with this practice?  Work in me to flush this attitude and replace it with love and truth.  Help me to remember the Gospel and that, while I have been set free of Sin, I still encounter it in my flesh just like other people do.  Help me to see around me with Mercy and Grace, speaking with conviction but not condemnation.  Make me able to say: “Follow me as I follow Christ” and walk resolutely on the narrow road of righteousness, “walking and leaping and praising God!” (Acts 3:8-9)  AMEN.

Scripture:

Vs 3 And (John the Baptist) went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Vs 8 “Bear fruits in keeping with repentance …”

Vs 10 And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?”

Vs 11 And (John) answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”

Vs 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?”¹³ And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.”

Vs 14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.” 

Vs 16 John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. 

Vs 21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, ²² and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and ^fa voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

 

Observation:

 

What a fascinating sequence of events Luke lays out here.

John is baptizing people and telling them to “bear fruit”.  A variety of people then ask, “What shall we do?”

What do I need to DO to bear this fruit you speak of John?

First, what’s interesting are the groups of people who ask.

Then, what’s interesting are the specific responses that John gives them.

So, we have “the crowd” … a Jewish crowd … the religious people.

We also have “the soldiers” … representatives of Rome … the pagan people.

In the middle are “the tax collectors” … those trying to straddle both … part of the religious tribe, but seeking benefits of the pagan power structure.

They all want to “do something” … They want to add some activity to their life.

And while each group wants to ADD something to the “To Do List”, John is fascinatingly telling them to “do” LESS!

To the crowd … You’ve accumulated surplus clothing and food …. Share some of it … make do with less.

To the tax collectors … Collect no more than authorized … collect less.

To the soldiers … Do not extort money …. be content with less.   

 

Application:

 

I’m seeing John’s instructions to the people as a “how to” in the exercise of power.

Everybody that is encountering John thinks they have some level of power to control things, otherwise, they would not be asking John what they could do to “bear fruit”.

And, indeed, everybody does have a certain power, but not to control or exercise as they may think.

Any power an individual has been granted or authorized should be exercised in consideration of others.

What does this mean for me?

Well … I need to realize that I do have power. Everyone does. We were all created by God “to rule”.

But I can’t abuse this power, this authority, given by God.

We rule over creation, the earth. I can’t exercise power over someone else created in the image of God.

The dignity of the individual is at stake, as well as the bearing of fruit in this world.

So, where ever I find myself in society, I must consider others more and myself less.

Whether I am “the crowd”, “the soldier”, or “the tax collector”, I must consider John’s instructions …

To “share” … To live “as authorized to” … and to “be content” …

“Share” … “Live as authorized” … “Be content”.

If I live this way, fruit will follow.

More importantly, we see Jesus live this out. There was no one with more power. John called Him … “mightier”.

Yet, Jesus even went last in baptism, after “all the people were baptized”.

And Jesus did not give clothing or food, He gave His life.

And Jesus lived as authorized, to lay down His life and take it up again.

And Jesus lived content in “not my will, but Your will be done”. 

Still more, it was not living with power that pleased God.

God declared His pleasure with His Son at His baptism and before His public ministry.

God was pleased with His Son because of who He was, not because of what He had done!

“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

 

Prayer:

 

Thank You God for you word.

Help me see other as you do that are worthy of dignity.

Help me share, to live as you authorize me to, and to be content.

Help me look to He who is mightier

In Jesus name

Amen 

Scripture:

Luke 4:13 And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.

Observation:

After 40 days of fasting and praying alone Jesus is hungry. It is at that time the enemy comes to tempt him. The enemy comes when Jesus was most vulnerable, most tired, most susceptible. After he comes and tries to get Jesus to sin, he leaves with plans to return.

Application:

If the enemy looks for opportune times, when are my most opportune times? When am I most vulnerable? This season of life has been that for me. Whether it is dealing with a sick child, ministry stresses, family dynamic changes (kid in college), etc., this season has been an opportune time for the enemy to attack. So how am I to respond?

-Know the word. Jesus uses the word of God as a sword to do battle with the enemy. I can’t afford to use my words and ideas when battling the temptations of the enemy. I must rely on His eternal word. God’s word puts attacks in perspective.

-Expect the temptations and attacks in the most vulnerable of times. The enemy doesn’t care about your circumstances and situations. He will take advantage of the most vulnerable times in order to create the most likelihood of you losing focus and falling. He will use all means necessary. I can’t afford to assume the enemy has any compassion or care for my times of weakness. He simply sees them as the best chance to attack. When I am low, expect it. “When it rains, it pours” is not a coincidence.

-When it’s over, it’s not over. The enemy leaves Jesus once He stands strong. However, he retreats only to regroup and come back at another time. Throughout Jesus’ ministry the enemy returns over and over again through the Pharisees, the scribes, the government, and even a couple of his own disciples (Judas and Peter). Jesus beating the devil in the wilderness was a defining moment as Jesus began his ministry. However, it was not the end. The enemy never quit. The enemy will never quit until we breathe our last breath. There will be times of retreat and rest but it won’t last. As long as we are alive as believers the enemy will try to deem us ineffective. However, as we stand on the gospel and keep trusting in the truth and grace of Jesus we can continue to move forward in life, ministry and in our calling.

Prayer:

Father thank you for your word. It grounds me, keeps life in perspective and brings clarity to my situations. May I stand on your word. May I be ready for attacks and may I not assume that moments of relief will last very long. You have been with me this long, I have no reason to believe you won’t be there in the days and years ahead. Thank you for your faithfulness.

Scripture:

 “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

Luke 2:52

Observation:   

 In all of Luke 2, we see Jesus not only born but men traveling to see him, people knowing who he was and heavenly host worshiping at his coming and even him and his family traveling to Jerusalem to obey the law and observe time in their history and faith. In this passage at the end, I find it interesting, especially how I react and live my life a lot of the time. 

Application:

 So many times I find myself saying, “I do not care what others think or say about me because only God can judge me.” There is some truth in that fear of what others think or will say when I am operating in obedience to what God has said should not dictate my actions. There is a thin line in this realm of thought though. Jesus was not only in favor of God but also in favor with man. Now, I am not saying that I live my life based on finding favor with man and doing all to please man. I am saying that opposite. I am saying that when we are obedient to what God has called us to and we see us in the favor of God I believe that what God has called us to simply puts us in the favor of man most of the time. What God has called us to is to love. God has called us to live out what Jesus did and radically change the world by loving God and our neighbor. That should change the life on anyone in the path of that. This is convicting to me as I don’t find favor with a man a lot of the time because I am not truly loving people and not does not find favor with God or man. 

Prayer:   

 Father, please lead me to follow you and walk in obedience to you and your Word. May your favor be what I am thankful for and allow you to be my light and passion to change the world as your Son did. I love you Lord and I am so thankful you saved me and revealed what you revealed. 

Scripture:

  “A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.  Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?  There is more hope for a fool than for him.”  Proverbs 29:11 and 20.

Observation:  

 Words can reveal what is in the heart of man, what that person is like.  Why does the world look at restraint like it is unhealthy?

Application:

 Today’s attitude about restraint is: “Why bother?”

I know we are talking about words and speech and stuff but it is parallel to everything else we have to deal with.  It is like as if the fools of the past few generations said: “Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die” and then figured out a way to influence the whole world to buy into that philosophy.

“Restraint is so, I don’t know…Puritan.”  “If I bottle it up inside me, I’ll blow.”  “I have my mental health to think about.”  “If I don’t express [fill in the blank here], then, then, then….”

It is not only what we say, but what we think, what we do, what urges we give into, what thoughts we let cascade into our brain, what we peek at or let our eyes wander to, what we read, and all of that, etc. etc.  “A fool gives full vent to his spirit…”  What a clear picture God gives us.  I vented my spirit a couple of weeks ago.  Two minutes of venting gives way to two days of asking forgiveness.  Sheesh.  Is that an unequal transaction or what?  Note: I am sooo funny to look at when I blow my top.  People tell me it is comical to the max, the very picture of a fool.

Venting my spirit, being quick to say things?  Biblical picture of a fool.

Restraint is godly.  Restraint is not necessarily austere.  Abraham Lincoln is reported to have said “Even a fool, when he is quiet, seems wise.”  The appearance of wisdom is not what Jesus is after in His disciples.  He is after Godly Wisdom being fully planted in us.  I cannot depend on wisdom as an osmosis event in me as a time and experience function; I am not going to coast into wisdom I must (in cooperation with the Holy Spirit’s work in me) cultivate wisdom.  Proverbs 4:5 “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.”  Never truer words written.

Start this way: Practice restraint with words.  Be aware of careless words.  Listen more than speak and if you think you have to reply, think again.  Ministry doesn’t have to be talk.  Try putting your arms around someone and just sit with them.  Sometimes the most godly thing we can do is to just listen and “weep with those who weep….”

Prayer:   

Lord Jesus, After reading through Proverbs again a few things stick out like a blue light special at K-Mart.  One of those things is avoiding being a fool.  I have seen so many references You have given Your servant Solomon to write so that I could reap the wealth of the wisdom written.

Want wisdom?  Get wisdom.  Chase it, grab hold of it, wrestle it to the ground and capture it.  That is the picture in my mind, Lord.  Make this vision a reality in me today.  AMEN

Scripture:

Proverbs 31:30 – Charm is deceitful, and beauty vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Observation:

The book of Proverbs closes with a similarity to the opening in Book 1 that the fear of the Lord is essential in one’s life.  Someone who is charming can be deceiving and a woman only concerned about her outward appearance can be prideful.  In contrast, the woman who fears the Lord should be praised and was by her family.  

Application:

This mother has a fear of the Lord in all of her daily activities not just on Sunday.  Her fear of the Lord has given her wisdom to carry herself in her planning, work and how she raises her children.  Clearly, to be fearful of the Lord is something everyone should have to begin on a path to gain wisdom.  This mother, whose fear of the Lord gave have wisdom in all aspects of her of her life, has provided a model on how I should be at home, work and in the community.  We must not be impressed with falseness that is fleeting but rather seek a life of wisdom that is eternal.

Prayer:

Father,

Thank you for your love and the wisdom you give us in your word.  Help me be someone who fears you and embodies wisdom in all areas of my life so that I can share with others and show your glory.

Scripture:

 “In as much as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us-just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us-it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you most excellent Theophilus that you many have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.”  Luke 1:1-4

Observation:   

 There are a number of things to point out in this preamble but perhaps the most important one is the writing of an orderly account “that you may have certainty.”  Why and what for?

Application:

 Luke is not an apostle.  By all accounts he is portrayed as a doctor and a historian.  I forget that he is also a disciple.

Why should I take note of that?  I don’t know but I do.  The Body, the Church is made up of so many skills, talents, callings, and gifts that it is important to not pigeon hole every believer in a narrow slot.  So what can I take away from these four verses?

One: It takes many eyes to accurately record, remember, and pass on what God is doing in a generation.  I don’t remember easily what God has done for me up to date.  I don’t remember the sermon, I don’t remember my last conversation with a brother-Remembering is hard because I don’t engage in task of remembering.  I have heard it said: “What was the Sin of Israel?  They soon FORGOT!”  I am right there.

Two: It takes a desire and then work to “compile a narrative”, that is: write.  The practice of journaling that is being exhibited every day on this website is designed to be an encouragement for folks to write.  What is Jesus doing in your life right now?  What did He do in your life yesterday, last week, last month, last year?  The “doing” in our lives isn’t only how many time I succeeded/failed to share the Gospel with someone, it is what is being done to make us into the Image of the Son, to engage in progressive sanctification, etc.  Writing helps keep a record.

Three: The practice of “orderly account” helps keep me on the straight and narrow path of righteousness and having sound doctrine bouncing around in my noggin.  I resist being “tossed to and fro” by strange and varied doctrine (stinkin’ thinkin’).  What part of my Christianity is a hodge-podge of unrelated scriptures, biblical clichés, verses taken out of context and gripped erroneously?  More than I care to think about.

Why, though?  Why all of this?  The scripture is clear: “That (we) may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.”

We are involved in a journey, not a destination: By believing we have not “arrived”, we are just beginning.  The Gospel is more than “Hey, guess what?  Jesus saved my soul.”  There are so many points of the Gospel most of us never look into or think about, much less talk about.  Let’s change that.

Prayer:   

 Lord Jesus, please make me a vessel of your desire.  I want to serve, I want to please You, I want my life to revolve around You.  Thank you for the Cross and how despite my inherent rebelliousness You redeemed me by Your Blood.  Remembering themes in Proverbs-I want to be Wise, I don’t want to be a fool.  Keep me and increase me to write.  AMEN.

Scripture:

Proverbs 28:14 Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

Observation:

Fearing God is not circumstantial. It is a position of the heart regardless of the situation. Fearing God leads to a softening of the heart and a willingness to submit and obey, even in difficult and costly times. When we harden our hearts we close ourselves off from the voice of God and instead listen to only our own opinion, or the point of view of the wicked.

Application:

Fearing the Lord is a drive towards integrity and uprightness in heart, mind and deed. It is not influenced by situation, outside pressure, or circumstance. It happens when we realize the omnipresence of the Lord and we have a desire to honor, obey and serve him regardless of anyone else’s opinion. Our heart softens and we are shapable, moldable and humble.

However when we harden our hearts we get tunnel vision. We see things only from our perspective. We close off from the voice of God and instead of being influenced by the Spirit we are vulnerable to be influenced by the loudest voices.

A few things:

-Fearing the Lord is more natural is difficult circumstances. When pressure mounts from people, when the situation is bleak, when you feel attacked, it is easier to run to the Lord and submit to Him every aspect of life. However, when things are good, life is easy and we are coasting, fearing God can be an afterthought. Instead we fear everything else. We can easily fear man, fear problems, fear anything that might impact our peace. This passage calls us to fear God always. I can’t afford to only fear God when everything seems difficult or hard. I can’t live a life of being desperate for Him only when I sense life is desperate around me. Fear Him now. Fear Him in the moment of peace, before the sun rises and the phone hasn’t rang yet and the problems haven’t started. Fear Him always.

-Hard heads can be dealt with. Hard hearts are dangerous. Sometimes I can get my head set in a direction and be stubborn. However I can not allow a hard head to become a hard heart. A hard heart looses all sight of the big picture. A hard heart closes itself off to God and fears everything but God. A hard heart puts me and everyone else in danger. Your word softens my heart, time in prayer softens my heart, your Spirit softens my heart, the fellowship of Godly friends softens my heart. A pliable heart is an incredible tool for the Kingdom. A hard heart is a tool for the enemy.

-Calamity comes to all. However the hard of heart fall into it. It is one thing to walk in calamity, it is another to fall into it. May I know the difference. May I realize quickly when I am hardening my heart and repent. If not, I most surely will fall into calamity.

Prayer:

Father, lead me this morning. Lead me to a life of fearing you all the time. Fearing you in the quietness and privacy of a moment. Fearing you in a room of people. Fearing you when life is good. Fearing you when life is difficult. May I learn to notice when my heart is beginning to harden. May I not be ok with it at all. May I not get comfortable hardening my heart against anyone, especially you.

Scripture:

Vs 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

Vs 9 … and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.

Vs 17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

Vs 21 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is tested by his praise.

 

Observation:

 

Solomon here is analyzing different communications within relationships.

He’s looking for the root of the communication and the fruit of the communication.

Is the communication coming from a friend or coming from an enemy?

Does the communication result in the strengthening of the hearer or the weakening of the hearer?

Is what’s being said honest?

Is what’s being said shallow or flimsy flattery?

Is what needs to be said being said … even if it’s hard to say?

 

Application:

 

I’m seeing a few things I need to distinguish from listening to Solomon here.

 

Honesty vs. Flattery     (i.e. “earnest” vs. “kisses”)

Building Up vs. Setting Up    (i.e. “sharpened” vs “tested”)

And Quality vs. Quantity    (i.e. “faithful” vs “profuse”)

 

Then, I need to see which of these things am I personally prone to?

Am I prone to say the hard, but honest, thing or the easy, but flattering, thing?

Am I prone to build someone up or to set someone up?

Do I want to help someone with what I have to say? Or do I just want people to hear what I have to say?

 

If I’m honest with myself … I never prefer to say the hard, honest thing to others.

I’m always inclined to flatter people.

But why? Well, I think the hard, honest reason is … I want to be liked.

Yes, I want to be liked, even though we see so many warnings over and over again about “pleasing man”, instead of “pleasing God”. … But I want to be liked.

The irony is, Solomon tells me I’m acting more like an enemy than a friend when I act like this.

 

Of course, when it comes to flattery … there’s false flattery, “kisses from an enemy”, and there is true flattery, “praise” for a man.

Both are dangerous.

The false flattery is just a lie setting you up for failure.

The true flattery risks creating an inflated sense of one’s self, a “false self” in one’s own mind.

This, too, then is a set up for failure.

That’s why there is “testing” in this.

The flattery creates “impurities” that won’t survive the fires of life.

 

I also need to consider myself as the hearer rather than the speaker.

As much as I need to be more willing to speak a hard truth, I need to be willing to hear it from others.

I actually need to consider it “sweet”, and from an “earnest friend”.

Hearing hard truths will make me better, build me up, even “sharpen” me.

 

So, if the speaker becomes a better person through understanding this,

And the hearer becomes a better person through understanding this.

It really makes so much sense that this sort of dialogue truly is an “iron sharpening iron” relationship!

 

Prayer:

 

Thank you, God, for your Word.

Help it sink deep. Help it change me where I need changing.

Help it sharpen me.

Help the words of others sharpen me where I need it.

Give me the courage to speak the hard truth when it is from You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Scripture:

Proverbs 26:18-19

Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!” 

Observation:

The sluggard, the drunkard, the wicked are being described in chapter 26 of Proverbs. A lot of comparisons are being made with things in this world that you would compare to the person that acts in certain ways.  These are seemingly warnings to the reader as to not be like this lest you find yourself despaired and falling away. Verse 19 got me as it something I find myself saying all the time. 

Application:

I really want to say something harsh, rude, confrontational, and just straight up bluntly to the person but I can’t, or can I? Oh, I can say it and then say, ” HA I am only joking!” Isn’t that what we do with people? We say what we really feel, what we really believe and then follow it up with I am only kidding. The writer here is making it clear that this is wicked and not of the Lord. Why do I do that to people? Why do I feel entitled to share terrible hurtful deathly things with people only to follow it up with I am only joking in hopes they hear what I want them to hear. The bible calls this person a “Madman.” We have been called to love our neighbor not destroy them.  

A couple things for me this morning:

1. Joking with people is never in the heart of uplifting, encouraging, and building them up. I need to stop

2. Love my neighbor rather than destroy them.

3. Help me to compare myself to Jesus, not other people. 

4. Pray for humility and for the Spirit to lead me daily. 

 

Prayer:

Father,

Forgive me for when I have torn people down only to follow it with, “I am joking.” I know in my heart that is not true and that is not honoring you. Help me be lead by your Spirit and walk not according to my flesh but according to your Spirit. 

Scripture:

Proverbs 24:26 – Whoever gives an honest answer

kisses the lips

Observation:

A true friend/brother, who has wisdom, will not avoid or overlook problems but honestly share them with someone.  The friend, if wise, will receive the constructive correction.

Application:

There are many ways how a need for change can be presented and received.  In today’s society, I think about star athletes or entertainers who all have their posse/crew mainly composed of “yes man” who go along with whatever is happening as long as the money and good times are flowing.  When there is a problem, many are hesitant to speak up and the easy thing to do is turn a blind eye and say, “all good dog”!  As a true friend, I must avoid the temptation to pass on the opportunity to speak gently in love and truth to someone who is on a path for destruction. I need to be in the word and in prayer for the spirit to give me the right words and for a friend to have an open mind/heart to receive counsel. Even when done in love, the message can initially be misinterpreted and received as hurtful/offensive.  Though it can be difficult, we must do this in kindness and truth to help someone grow.  

Prayer:

Father,

Thank you for love, grace and mercy in loving us while we were sinners to be reconciled to you.  Let your Spirit guide me with the right words/actions to share with friends who a facing difficult situations.  May you go before and open their heart and minds to receive correction in love.

Scripture – Proverbs 23:17 “Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day”

Observation – Much of Proverbs chapter 23 reads like a father giving a son advice for his life. In much of this advice the fatherly voice urges the son to not forsake his future for momentary pleasure or quick gain. In life it is not always doing the right thing that leads to immidiate results. Often it can be the opposite. There are times where cutting corners, cheating, treating people harshly can lead to quick gains and “success.” Ultimately, the urgency of the scripture in verse 17 though is to continue in the Lord’s way, even when it’s not the easiest choice.

Applicaiton – I am faced with many different decisions all throughout the day. When I face them today will I choose the path that feels like the quickest route to success or will I choose wisdom and the way of the Lord even if it is hard, even if no one notices? Today, I desire to look towards the future and not the present and remember the Lord’s way in my decisions.

Prayer –  God thank You for Your way that leads to life. Help me increasingly to walk in Your way and Your truth in my daily life.