309 Thursday, November 5, 2009

309 Proverbs 19 – 21; Matthew 26.1 – 26.30

Here we are in Proverb heaven. So many Proverbs, so little time. I will list some of the negative words in today's reading. They are as follows: ignorant, lazy, perjury, mean, nagging, unprincipled, irreverent, gossips, cheating, impulsive, rebels, dolts, arrogance, pride, lying, unscrupulous, brash, impudent, and of course blasphemer. I did not list all of them, but it's a good start to give an impression. God does not want us to have these words associated with our names. Many of the proverbs are juxtaposed to offer the “God way” in contrast to the “sinner way”. Many times it's a whole proverb contrasted with another proverb that is listed below it. It may even be a block of proverbs that is really nailing a point about what a wise person would not do and how sin will entice us down that path. One of the proverbs says this, "Keep the rules and keep your life: careless living kills." Careless living kills and so it does. Hence, all the negative words that we are to avoid. Here are some words in the same reading we are to become friends with: generous, wise, clear, good, forgive, forget, congenial, mercy, discipline, counsel, correction, loyal, loving, God-loyal, truth, integrity, clean, right, kind, giving, respected, best, and trust. Here is a proverb to remember in November, "Knowing what is right is like deep water in the heart; a wise person draws from the well within." How deep is your well? How much time do you take to dig a little deeper, to know more, to mine the truths of God, and to let them sink in? Make these listed words your best friends--they will not let you down. They will be your guide to go deeper with God.

There is a time to not be frugal and to lavish God with gifts. A woman comes in and pours very expensive perfume on Christ. The disciples were outraged because this could have been sold on Craig's list and then the money given to the poor. Christ had to set them straight about priorities in the kingdom of God. Christ was supposed to be honored at this time and the disciples were clueless at this time. Jesus later has his last meal with the disciples where he changes the Passover to the Lord's supper. They were still clueless. By the way I would have been too! Today let us remember Christ!!!