311 Proverbs 25 – 27; Matthew 27
A proverb a day will keep the Devil away. No! Don't you wish it was that easy? Living out a proverb a day will surely go a long way to build you up in wisdom and for walking with the Lord, but that is it. One of the ways we are suppose to walk with the Lord is how we pick our friends. We think they are picking us, but in realty we do the picking by the person we are. Solomon tells us that, "Reliable friends who do what they say are like cool drinks in sweltering heat--refreshing!" The word reliable is a powerful word. When I was younger it did not strike me as such a powerful word but it sure does now! What happens is the longer we live the more chances we have of being disappointed. The converse of that can be true as well, in that we have more opportunities to see good things happen. I have had the chance for people to tell me either as pastor or a friend that thus and so will be done and for it not to happen is very frustrating. I have also had those experiences where people follow through on their word and it is amazing. Those experiences build trust, it builds unity, it truly helps build the human nation.
We are now at the point of the story that is hard to bear. It is our Lord being crucified. Jesus was sold out for thirty pieces of silver. He was crucified on trumped up charges. It was all illegal. He did it all for us. He was forsaken by His Father, when He became sin for us. He took the penalty for our sin while upon the cross. He did it all for us. Drink in this Gospel message today with all your heart.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
310 Friday, November 6, 2009
310 Proverbs 22 – 24; Matthew 26.31 – 26.75
More fun and learning in the book of proverbs. It is not wrong to ask what the payoff is for living a wise and God-loyal life. Here is the reward, "The payoff for meekness and Fear-of God is plenty and honor and a satisfying life." Excuse sir, ma'am would you like some more? "No thank you we are very satisfied." Listen to those three words--plenty, honor, and a satisfying life--wow where can we buy that? You can't but by living for the Lord with a whole heart good things can come your way. The sage breaks down the next writings by categorizing the precepts into thirty different groupings. The introduction to these the wise writer says the sterling principles are here, " To make sure your foundation is trust in God." So many times we think trust in God is a feeling but it is a lifestyle of living out what the Lord has told. Do you trust in God with what you do?
The Savior is preparing His sheep for the crucifixion. The Shepherd will be struck and the sheep will be scattered. They come after the teacher with clubs and swords. That is like coming for an eight year old with a tank. They had witnessed his life and should have known there would be no resistance. Yet, they come in full force and then sling false charges His way. This is all being done for us. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Peter is doing his denying thing on Jesus. Don't worry, it turns out okay. All of this sadness turns to gladness.
More fun and learning in the book of proverbs. It is not wrong to ask what the payoff is for living a wise and God-loyal life. Here is the reward, "The payoff for meekness and Fear-of God is plenty and honor and a satisfying life." Excuse sir, ma'am would you like some more? "No thank you we are very satisfied." Listen to those three words--plenty, honor, and a satisfying life--wow where can we buy that? You can't but by living for the Lord with a whole heart good things can come your way. The sage breaks down the next writings by categorizing the precepts into thirty different groupings. The introduction to these the wise writer says the sterling principles are here, " To make sure your foundation is trust in God." So many times we think trust in God is a feeling but it is a lifestyle of living out what the Lord has told. Do you trust in God with what you do?
The Savior is preparing His sheep for the crucifixion. The Shepherd will be struck and the sheep will be scattered. They come after the teacher with clubs and swords. That is like coming for an eight year old with a tank. They had witnessed his life and should have known there would be no resistance. Yet, they come in full force and then sling false charges His way. This is all being done for us. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Peter is doing his denying thing on Jesus. Don't worry, it turns out okay. All of this sadness turns to gladness.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
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!!!
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!!!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
307 Tuesday, November 3, 2009
307 Proverbs 16 – 18; Matthew 25.31 – 25.46
My prayer is that you will really take your time in the Proverbs, they can light up your life. A few words and a ton of input such as, "Moderation is better than muscle, self-control better then political power." If that doesn't grab you how about this one, "There's a way that looks harmless enough look again--it leads straight to hell." It was this verse that struck a chord with me over thirty-four years ago when Jim shared it with me before I became a Christian. Yes, God used not only the Gospel to lead me to Himself, but also one of His Proverbs. Here is the last one that I will point out, "A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired." A great part of a cheerful disposition has to do with you following hard after God, and hanging with the right people. One more for the road, "Gracious speech is like clover honey--good taste to the soul, quick energy for the body." Wow--I guess the implication would be that we should be careful with our speech and watch who we are hanging around--they can take us up or bring us down!
This Matthew passage is one of the most scary passages in the Bible. Jesus comes back and arranges the nations before Him to separate the sheep from the goats--you do not want to be a goat--I repeat, you do not want to be a goat. What is the criteria for the separation--"I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me." The sheep ask, how did we do that to you? Jesus answered, "I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me--you did it to me."
Have a great weekend and be ready for Jesus!
My prayer is that you will really take your time in the Proverbs, they can light up your life. A few words and a ton of input such as, "Moderation is better than muscle, self-control better then political power." If that doesn't grab you how about this one, "There's a way that looks harmless enough look again--it leads straight to hell." It was this verse that struck a chord with me over thirty-four years ago when Jim shared it with me before I became a Christian. Yes, God used not only the Gospel to lead me to Himself, but also one of His Proverbs. Here is the last one that I will point out, "A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired." A great part of a cheerful disposition has to do with you following hard after God, and hanging with the right people. One more for the road, "Gracious speech is like clover honey--good taste to the soul, quick energy for the body." Wow--I guess the implication would be that we should be careful with our speech and watch who we are hanging around--they can take us up or bring us down!
This Matthew passage is one of the most scary passages in the Bible. Jesus comes back and arranges the nations before Him to separate the sheep from the goats--you do not want to be a goat--I repeat, you do not want to be a goat. What is the criteria for the separation--"I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me." The sheep ask, how did we do that to you? Jesus answered, "I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me--you did it to me."
Have a great weekend and be ready for Jesus!
Monday, November 2, 2009
306 Monday, November 2, 2009
306 Proverbs 13 – 15; Matthew 25.1 – 25.30
"A God-loyal life keeps you on track; sin dumps the wicked in the ditch." In more ways than one this proverb may some up the whole book of Proverbs. Perhaps the hardest thing the human has to do is to stay on track. There are so many distractions, detractors, and infiltrators that to actually stay on track for a long period of time is almost a modern day miracle. That is why the writer also says "The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, so, no more drinking from death-tainted waters." Be careful of where you drink and what you drink. We seem to be hyper-sensitive to the water we drink, but what about the stuff that gets into our heads and hearts? The real pollution in the world is in the world of ideas. What ideas are floating around in your head that are not from the fountain of life? Dump them now!!
God wants us to be like the wise virgins and the good investors. The wise virgins had oil in their lamps and they were ready to go. The foolish virgins were not ready--are you ready for Christ's return? The good investors took what the master had given them and immediately put it to work so there would be more. The one who had taken the talents and hid them so he could return them to the master, lost out big time. The others were rewarded for what they had done with their talents. Are you ready for Christ's return and in the meantime are you investing in God's work?
"A God-loyal life keeps you on track; sin dumps the wicked in the ditch." In more ways than one this proverb may some up the whole book of Proverbs. Perhaps the hardest thing the human has to do is to stay on track. There are so many distractions, detractors, and infiltrators that to actually stay on track for a long period of time is almost a modern day miracle. That is why the writer also says "The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, so, no more drinking from death-tainted waters." Be careful of where you drink and what you drink. We seem to be hyper-sensitive to the water we drink, but what about the stuff that gets into our heads and hearts? The real pollution in the world is in the world of ideas. What ideas are floating around in your head that are not from the fountain of life? Dump them now!!
God wants us to be like the wise virgins and the good investors. The wise virgins had oil in their lamps and they were ready to go. The foolish virgins were not ready--are you ready for Christ's return? The good investors took what the master had given them and immediately put it to work so there would be more. The one who had taken the talents and hid them so he could return them to the master, lost out big time. The others were rewarded for what they had done with their talents. Are you ready for Christ's return and in the meantime are you investing in God's work?
Sunday, November 1, 2009
305 Sunday, November 1, 2009
305 Proverbs 10 – 12; Matthew 24.23 – 24.51
An honest life is a good life, no, it is a great life. Be careful because it doesn't start with the big lie, it is the little ones, then it goes to the big ones. The great life is to make sure you enjoy the blessings of God. Why? "God's blessing makes life rich; nothing we do can improve on God." Listen to what the wise man says, "The Fear-of-God expands your life; a wicked life is a puny life." Just think it is not living for God that makes you puny it is the other way around. It is easy to let the words of the world get in and make our life seem the wrong way, the small way, but don't listen.
Jesus is coming back! Christ will come back as a thief in the night. We will not know when so we must be ready for Him at anytime! Are you ready for Christ's return? Walk with Him and talk with Him and be ready for Him.
An honest life is a good life, no, it is a great life. Be careful because it doesn't start with the big lie, it is the little ones, then it goes to the big ones. The great life is to make sure you enjoy the blessings of God. Why? "God's blessing makes life rich; nothing we do can improve on God." Listen to what the wise man says, "The Fear-of-God expands your life; a wicked life is a puny life." Just think it is not living for God that makes you puny it is the other way around. It is easy to let the words of the world get in and make our life seem the wrong way, the small way, but don't listen.
Jesus is coming back! Christ will come back as a thief in the night. We will not know when so we must be ready for Him at anytime! Are you ready for Christ's return? Walk with Him and talk with Him and be ready for Him.
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