DAY 78 – 90 Days in Proverbs - Lifting Heavy Hearts

Proverbs 12:25 [KJV] Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

While the Hebrew word is translated “heaviness” in the King James Version, it actually means anxious or anxious care. This is often a self-imposed heaviness that we can find relief from by focusing on the Good Word of God’s promises to His children.

The English Standard Version uses the word “anxiety” instead. It says, Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. [Proverbs 12:25 ESV] We each face trials and troubles in our lives – trials and troubles that can cause anxiety. Maybe it is a wakeful night worrying about a medical test. Or maybe it is a season of worry about a grown child who is making bad choices that are negatively affecting his/her life.

Jesus also offered us some guidance on anxiousness and anxious care.

Matthew 6:25, 28, 31, 34 [NKJV] 25 "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? ... 28 "So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; ... 31 "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ... 34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day [is] its own trouble.”

I believe Jesus is saying that we should not allow these physical concerns like food and clothes to weigh our hearts down, as Solomon also warned in Proverbs 12:25. Jesus isn’t saying that we should not work to provide food and clothing for ourselves and our families. He is saying that the Father is faithful to provide these to us because He cares for us.

Sisters, when we have anxious cares, the Word of God is there to help lift our hearts back to gladness. We can focus on His promises. We can read about the guaranteed victory that is waiting for the faithful. We can focus on the blessings God has provided in the past, recalling the times He has rescued us, provided for us and given us peace even in difficult times. Counting our blessings isn’t just something we sing about. It is also a very effective method of helping to lift a heart that is heavy with anxious cares about things we need.

Sweet sisters, I hope you are not burdened with anxious care today. However, if you are experiencing troubles that are causing you anxiety, please seek wise counsel for help out of your situation, if possible. Please also take it to God in prayer and ask others to pray for you. Please also count your blessings and center yourself in the Word of God and the work of the Holy Spirit. And I pray you will be relieved of the anxiety that is burdening you today.

Prayer:  Father God, sometimes I get anxious about my physical needs or the physical needs of my family and friends. In those times, please help me to remember all you have done for me. In those times, help me to lift my heart with the promises in Your Word. And when my friends or family are experiencing anxious care, please help me to be a comfort to them, lifting their heavy hearts with words of comfort, love and peace. In the name of your Son and my Savior, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

Your thoughts —  

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Day 77 – 90 Days in Proverbs - Lip Service

Proverbs 12:13-14 [ESV] 13 An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble. 14 From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man's hand comes back to him.

The book of Proverbs certainly talks a lot about lips – both the proper use and the destructive use of our lips (or mouths).

As a salesperson, I do a lot of talking, introducing myself and the company I work for, explaining what we do, giving presentations about our services, reviewing proposals over the phone and more. I guess you could say that the “fruit of my mouth” is a key factor in providing my income. I am careful to accurately outline the cost of our services and what the software program can and cannot do. If I am not clear, it can cause us to lose an opportunity or create some major problems for existing clients.

How much more important is it for us to speak clearly and accurately about the Gospel message and God’s plan of salvation? How much more important is it that in all our conversations we sew good fruit and do not transgress God’s law or His will?

Of course, God alone does the calling of His children into the flock. However, I must realize that it is possible for my words (in person or on social media) to cause undo concern and work against God’s own efforts in someone’s life – especially if my lips express inaccuracies about the Gospel. It can also be a problem to new believers and potential new believers if my lips spew out sinful things like lies or gossip, or hateful things like name-calling or ugly memes. This is not the example I should be setting.

James warns against the potential conflict between what I say about being a Christian and what my lips put out there into the world. James 3:8-12 [NKJV] 8 But no man can tame the tongue. [It is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh [water] and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.

Even though James says “no man can tame the tongue” we know that God, through the Holy Spirit in us can tame our mouths and bring them into His service. Without the intervening of the Holy Spirit taming the human tongue is nearly impossible.

As Christians, our words, our lips were meant to be fruitful for God’s purposes. Let’s be like the righteous in Proverbs 12:13 whose words help us escape from any trouble. Let’s be like the righteous in verse 14 whose words sew good things that can come back to us and satisfy not only our lives with good, but also work the works of God.

Prayer – Lord God, you gave me a mouth to sew good things for my benefit and for the benefit of others. Use my lips today to work good works – to encourage, uplift, speak truth, preach the gospel and anything else that will glorify you and make good use of the mouth you gave me. In Jesus name I ask, acknowledging that He set the example me in using words to glorify you. Amen.

Your thoughts —  

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Day 76 – 90 Days in Proverbs - Pursuing What Matters

Proverbs 12:11 [ESV] Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense. ...

When we read about worthless pursuits, let’s not be tempted to think of young people and their video games or Youtube watching. I should consider my own worthless pursuits. In order to examine what might be considered my own worthless pursuits I should think about binging a season of my favorite show in one night. But I should also go deeper.

The definition of what is a “worthless pursuit” can be much more complex and far-reaching than that.

For example, anything not guided or blessed by God – anything not within His will – can be or can become a worthless pursuit.

James 4:13-16 warns us about setting about on any plans not guided by God [ESV] 13 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit"-- 14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. 15 Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that." 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.

While you may not need to pursue God’s will in deciding if you should serve broccoli or green beans for dinner, buy a blue car or a black one, etc., I believe that there’s much more of our lives that could and should be subjected to the “God’s will test”. This is true especially if you and I want to ensure that we don’t pursue something that is worthless. Again, we are defining anything that is not within the will of God for us as being a “worthless” pursuit.

So, we need to search God’s scriptures, lay out our plans to Him via prayer, and seek wise council among trusted advisors before life’s big decisions – like marriage, college, career choices, and volunteering. Volunteering, helping others, is an important component of the Christian walk. But we should ask God, “What should I spend my time doing? Where would you have me serve? Is this the best place, the right place to use the resources and talents you have given me?” before getting involved with a service project. Whether that project is volunteering at women’s shelter, for a church educational program, for a community service project or any other charitable deed.

God has invested each of us with resources, with talents and with 24 hours a day. He gives most of us “three score and 10” (that is 70 years). We should be spending some of that serving others. However, any time, resource or talent we spend that is not spent doing what is within His will can ultimately be a worthless pursuit and a waste of our limited time on the earth.

Sisters, we must filter all potential activities (even those that seem good and worthwhile) through the lens of God’s will. This is the only way to ensure that the time, resources and talents we have are spent on only the most worthy pursuits – pursuits that honor our Father and are done because it is His will that we should do them.

Prayer – Lord God, all that I have you have given me. I seek your guidance today. Show me your will for how I spend my time, resources and talents. Help me spend them on pursuits that are worthy and in line with your will. In Jesus name. Amen

Your thoughts —  

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Day 75 – 90 Days in Proverbs - The Animal Treatment Test

Proverbs 12:10 [ESV] Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.

I am not much of a pet person. I have had pets – everything from goldfish to gerbils to dogs and cats to rabbits and even a pig. But I haven’t had any pets for at least 15 years, in part because my husband is decidedly not a pet person and in part because I travel so much for work that it makes having a pet impractical and potentially unfair to the animal.

Our merciful Father is concerned with the life and well-being of animals. After all, He created them with carefully planned design and purpose too. Animals don’t have the potential of eternal life, but that doesn’t mean God does not care for them.

Matthew 10:29, 31 [NIV] Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care… So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Even though animals do not have a divine purpose, God gave Israel instructions for being kind to animals. For example, we find this in Deuteronomy 25:4 [ESV]: "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain.

Deuteronomy 22:4 [ESV] You shall not see your brother's donkey or his ox fallen down by the way and ignore them. You shall help him to lift them up again.

Further, God’s instructions to the nation of Israel also included warnings to not let a contentious human relationship cause them to neglect or be cruel to animals.

Exodus 23:5 [ESV] If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying down under its burden, you shall refrain from leaving him with it; you shall rescue it with him.

As is so often the case, Jesus bridges the gap between instruction to Israel on the humane way to treat animals and a greater spiritual lesson for us. We see this in Matthew 12:10-12 [ESV] And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"--so that they might accuse him. He said to them, "Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."

The Word of God indicates that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she treats the animals in their care. Jesus instructs us to give even more thought to how we treat our fellow man.

Sisters, we should think about this valuation in how we treat our co-workers on the job. It should inform the decisions we make about how to treat our children and what to prioritize in their lives. It should guide how we treat our mates. We should think about it in regards to how we treat the server at that restaurant or the customers, if you are the server at the restaurant. We should think about it before telling a joke or posting a meme or spreading gossip that would hurt someone else (even if that gossip is a fact).

God cares about animals. He takes care of them and He bids us to do the same. In fact, He indicates that one can tell a lot about a person by how they treat the animals in their care.

God requires that we treat each other with loving care in every interaction and to consider the well-being of our fellow man in every decision we make, just as Jesus did.

PRAYER – Father, help me to be kind and caring toward the animals in my care. You created them to serve mankind. Even more important to You, my loving Creator, is how I treat my fellow man. Please help me to treat others with loving care, concerned for their well-being and how my every word or action could impact others for good or evil. Help me to show mercy to others as you have shown mercy to me.

Your thoughts —  

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Day 74 – 90 Days in Proverbs - Stand Up

Proverbs 12:7 [NKJV] The wicked are overthrown and [are] no more, But the house of the righteous will stand.

The word translated “will stand” can mean to endure or it can mean to take a stand. The house of the righteous endures specifically because it is a house that also takes a stand.

We, God’s daughters, are not meant to be silent in this world, nor are we meant to be hidden.

Luke 11:33 [ESV] No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.

God’s own light, His Spirit, has been given to those of us who give their lives to Him for the express purpose of shining that light into the world. We must then hold that light up high – place it on a stand so that it may be lifted higher and shine out further. No one should be left to wonder if I am a Christian, because the light of God in me should be so obvious that they cannot doubt it.

Often, the best way for others to see God’s light is for them to witness us taking a stand. It may be that I intervene when someone is bullied. It may be that I don’t turn and attack a person who has caused me trouble with gossip or back-biting at work, but instead praise and support that person – show them good in return for evil. It may be that I return a soft answer when faced with wrath, or that I risk my job to keep the Sabbath or Holy Days.

Whether in small opportunities or large ones, we must always take a stand on the side of God. As we take a stand, in opportunities both large and small, we build something.

Knowing that Jesus is, and must always be, the foundation of what we build, 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 [NKJV] tells us: 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation [with] gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone's work which he has built on [it] endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

When we take a stand for good in this life, when we stand up for God’s ways no matter what we may lose in the process, be build a house of good works. That house of good works we do in this life will stand in the minds of others long after we are gone from this life. It will stand with God, too, in His heart and in eternal rewards for what we have built with His light in us.

Sisters, the children of God take a stand for good, thereby shedding His light into the world and building a history of glorifying God that will stand long past our time on this earth.

PRAYER: Father God, help me to take a stand for you today – a stand for good and against evil; a stand for love and against hate; a stand for peace in a world where there is none; a stand for hope in a world that needs it so much. Lord, I will stand up for you, for your ways, for your Word and for your Son. Show me how and give me always the strength to take a stand so that my house can endure.

Your thoughts —  

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Day 73 – 90 Days in Proverbs - The Mind-Mouth Connection

Proverbs 12:5-6 [ESV] The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. 6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them.

This isn’t the only place in the Word of God where we see a connection between thoughts and words. One scripture that I often repeat to God in prayer is the request of the psalmist found in Psalms 19:14 [ESV] Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

If you’ve ever read about having a positive attitude and speaking of things “as though they already are” then you may want your prayer to be phrased this way: Psalms 49:3 [ESV] My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.

Whichever you choose, please notice that the good or the bad begins long before the words come out. We have this admonition in Proverbs so that we know that we need to change our thoughts in order to direct our words. And we have these examples in the Psalms so that we understand that the way to change our words and ensure they are words of love and peace and edification is to change our hearts and minds first.

As with so many changes required of Christians, what we really need is not to adapt our existing minds but to exchange them for the mind of God.

Our carnal minds are naturally very far from the mind of God. Isaiah 55:8-9 [NKJV] 8 "For My thoughts [are] not your thoughts, Nor [are] your ways My ways," says the LORD. 9 "For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

What kind of thoughts does God have? Well, here is an often quoted example that sums it up nicely: Jeremiah 29:11 [NKJV] For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Peace. Future. Hope. These are the thoughts of God.

Our thoughts can become aligned with God’s. Philippians 2:5 [KJV] commands us: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: We need to exchange our human, carnal minds for the mind of Christ. This is the work of the Holy Spirit in us.

Once we exchange our human, natural way of thinking for the mind of Christ, our words will become aligned with His as well. Luke 6:45 [NKJV] puts it this way: A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. When heart and mind are aligned with God, then godly speech comes out of us.

Sweet sisters, I pray that our thoughts will be aligned with the Father’s – with those of Jesus – becoming thoughts of hope, peace and future and that our conversations are filled with talk of hope, of peace and of the beautiful future that God offers all of us.

PRAYER: Father God, with Jesus Christ at your right hand, today I ask that you exchange my carnal, human mind for Jesus’ own mind. Exchange my human heart for a godly one – a heart of love. And lead my words to flow from my new heart and mind so that they glorify you and edify others. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Your thoughts —  

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DAY 72 – 90 Days in Proverbs - Crown Jewels

PROVERBS 12:4 [KJV] 4 A virtuous woman [is] a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed [is] as rottenness in his bones.

The word “virtuous” here is the same word used to begin the praise of the Proverbs 31 woman.

In the NIV puts it like this: A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.

Here, again, the writer uses contrast, as he often does, to show the results of opposite choices in behavior. It is very important for Christian wives to understand how our behavior impacts our families. It is important for Christian husbands to appreciate the great value of a wife of good character. However, since each believer is a part of the bride of Christ, it is even more important that we all (women and men) understand and think about how our daily behavior impacts Jesus.

Am I, by word and deed, a crown to my Savior or do I cause Him disappointment that feels like sickness in His bones? If people know that I am a Christian, my behavior reflects on my Savior, either for the good or for the bad.

The Hebrew word translated “makes ashamed,” according to the Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon, is more than just a slight embarrassment. Gesenius says, “the origin should not apparently be sought in the idea of blushing, but rather in that of paleness and terror.”

This proverb is cautioning against making the High Priest at the right hand of the Father, the One who came to earth, lived the perfect example of virtuous character and then died for me, more than a little worried for us. This proverb cautions me against making my Savior worried to the point of being, metaphorically, sick at heart.

Have you ever had a friend, child or even acquaintance do something that made you “sick at your stomach?” I have. I’ve also done things that, looking back on them later, in a repentant attitude and seeing those words or deeds in a different light, made me sick at my stomach.

We don’t need to worry that the Father won’t forgive us, or that Jesus’ blood will not cover us, for anything we do. All repentance results in forgiveness. But I should be considering if I am acting or speaking like a crown jewel of which my Savior may be proud or if I am hurting Him “down into His bones.”

Sisters, we are meant to be jewels in His crown. So, let’s think ahead before speaking or acting, and ask how this will affect our future Husband, Jesus. Let us plan our words and deeds so they enhance His crown with the jewels of kind words and loving actions, rather than the stomach churning opposite behavior. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to help us in our goal to be crown jewels.

PRAYER: Father God, I know my words and deeds have impact on the lives of those around me. Please help me to remember that they are also either making you and Jesus proud or causing you distress. Help me to choose to be a crown jewel at every moment of every day. Thank you for the Holy Spirit that helps me make the right choices. Fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I will always make you and Jesus proud. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Your thoughts —  

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DAY 71 –90 Days in Proverbs - Disciplined

Proverbs 12:1 [NIV] Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.

Do you like people to be direct? Well, the author really “tells it like it is” in this passage: if you hate correction, you are stupid.

As far as I can tell, there isn’t a lot of difference between the Hebrew word translated as “discipline” (Discipline, chastening, correction) and the one translated “correction.” (Rebuke, correction, reproof, punishment, chastisement.) Solomon isn’t talking about loving or hating some more gentle application like instruction or education. The words he selected are clear – we have to come to love being corrected.

The thing is, does anyone really love discipline, being chastised or correction? I don’t know of anyone who does. We may be able to learn to appreciate correction, even if it doesn’t come naturally. Solomon makes it clear that if I truly love knowledge, I must learn love discipline.

As Christians, we have the goal of becoming more like Jesus Christ, living as He lived, loving as He loved, walking as He walked when He was on the earth. If I cannot come to at least appreciate correction as a necessary part of Christian growth, I’d basically be saying that there is nothing wrong in me as I am. I’d be claiming that I never make bad decisions. I will admit that I cannot claim either as true.

The Word of God is our guide, our instruction book. The Holy Spirit leads and urges us to do what is right. Still, we sin. And when that happens, we will be corrected. Sometimes it is gentle correction by the Holy Spirit. Sometimes it is private correction from reading the Bible.

Sometimes chastisement comes through a sermon, were I may feel the preacher is speaking directly to me, but no one else knows it. This can be difficult to swallow if we think of that preacher as a sinner who needs to “take his own medicine.” I find these easier to handle private correction than other ways that God might correct me.

The toughest to handle? When God sends a friend, family member, mate or brother in Christ to directly correct me, or worse, someone publically corrects me. In the instance of David’s sin with Bathsheba, where he didn’t just commit adultery but also murdered her husband, David received very public correction and discipline. [2 Samuel 11-12] Not only did Nathan, the prophet, publically chastise David in his court, but David’s son died and, later, one of his other sons publically slept with one of David’s wives. Ouch.

Proverbs 15:10 goes as far as to say, Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, and he who hates correction will die. We all want gentle correction, don’t we? But God will use harsh discipline if we need it.

No matter how chastisement happens to us, we must learn to react like David always did – admitting the sin/wrong, seeking forgiveness, asking for mercy, but ultimately accepting any punishment God levied. Nathan was just another human being with a role to play as a servant of God. I’m sure David knew Nathan was a sinner too, but he realized the correction came from God and that he deserved it.

This is the key to learning to love correction, disciple and chastisement: to understand that it all comes from God.

2 Timothy 3:16 [NIV] tells us, All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correction and training in righteousness, so that the servant may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. If we seek to be God’s children and our lives are focused on becoming more like Jesus and the Father, we must learn to seek His discipline in the Bible. We must learn to love and accept the correction God sends to us. Whether He uses a sermon, a person, the Holy Spirit or the Bible, we must be open to correction. As we come to love and accept it in all its forms and formats.

Sweet sisters, ultimately, the goal of correction is to change us into people who need less correcting. That is at least something to love about it.

PRAYER: Father God, I don’t love correction, chastisement and discipline yet, but I do want to be more like you. Please send me correction and discipline whenever I need it, but please be gentle and merciful with me as I seek to grow more like Jesus every day. In His name I pray. Amen

Your thoughts —  

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DAY 70 – 90 Days in Proverbs - Make Good Choices

Today’s text is PROVERBS 12:1-28. I’m not going to read all 28 verses to you this morning, but do suggest that, if you have time, you read it through.

Each verse of chapter 12 of Proverbs uses the tool of comparing and contrasting to differentiate between good behavior or good choices and wrong behavior or wrong choices, including the results of each choice. We’ll dive into some of them specifically over the next few days. However, an overview of the entire chapter is helpful to get a sense of what Solomon is trying to say with all this comparing/contrasting.

Interestingly, Solomon seems to have three areas of focus: what we say, what we do and how we feel. With this, he covers all aspects of the human existence in 28 verses.

As you read through the chapter, you will probably note, as I did, that he does not talk about eternal reward or eternal punishment. Nor does he say, “you should do this” or “you should not do that.” Instead he mostly just points out the differences between the bad behavior or bad choice and the good - doing what God hates versus what He delights in, and how it impacts our lives in the “here and now.”

outlines that good behavior results in good things in this life, while bad choices provide negative results in this life.  But sometimes he just defines good choices and bad choices without giving any results.

As parents, we often do the same with our children, don’t we? We say, “If you study hard, you will make good grades” or “If you eat your vegetables, you will grow big and strong” or “If you don’t feed your goldfish it will die” – pointing out the results of choices. We point out that choices, good or bad, have consequences in the here and now.

Something to think about as we read through this chapter is that not all bad choices have eternal results. If, after killing an animal you hunted for, you are then too lazy to cook it, you will go hungry (as outlined in verse 27) – that’s a fact. But it does not result in eternal condemnation.

God is interested in us having a good life now, not just a beautiful, eternal future. Deuteronomy 30:16 [MSG] says to “Love God, your God. Walk in His ways. Keep His commandments, regulations, and rules so that you will live, really live, live exuberantly, blessed by God, your God.” The choices we make have an effect the quality of our lives now.

There will be times in our lives when time and chance, the bad choices of others, and other external factors that you and I cannot control will negatively impact our lives, of course However, the Father wants us to understand that we do have a role to play in establishing how happy, healthy, successful and satisfied we are in the years we live on this earth.

My younger sister told me that when she dropped her children off at school each day, the last things she said to them was, “Make good choices!” Reading through Proverbs 12 seems to say the same, but also follows, in most verses, with the consequences of doing so or not.

Sisters, good choices in even the decisions of everyday life – how to act, what to say, how we think – don’t always impact our eternal future. Sometimes they just make life better, or worse, today. Make good choices.

PRAYER: Father, each day is made up of many choices, small and large, that impact my life today. While You are both focused on my eternal future, I know that You also care about my life each day. Help me to make the choices that better the life within my control today- things like my health, my job, my overall happiness – so that I can enjoy this life, even as I prepare for the future in Your Kingdom. Thank you for your words of wisdom throughout the Bible, which guide me in all my day-to-day choices. In Jesus name I pray. Amen. 

Your thoughts —  

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DAY 69 – 90 Days in Proverbs - You Get What You Look For

Proverbs 11:27 [RSV] He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to him who searches for it.

There is an old rock song by the Rolling Stones that says, “You can't always get what you want, But if you try sometimes you might find, you get what you need.”

Proverbs 11:27 tells me just the opposite. It says that I will get what I look for, whether that is seeking good or searching for evil.

Looking at the definitions of the Hebrew words translated seek and search gives us some additional insight. The word translated “seeks” in the phrase “seeks favor” means to seek early, earnestly or diligently.

But the word translated “searches”, speaking of the one searching for evil, means “to tread or beat a path, or frequent.” This paints a better picture of what is going on here. The person seeking evil isn’t just casually looking around to see if there is any bad to be had – he is really working at it – going again and again to the places when you can find evil to the point of wearing down a path toward it.

Proverbs 11:27 is describing someone whose goal and focus is to find evil or, as it is translated in the King James Version: “mischief.” Trouble isn’t finding this person, she is doing her best to find it.

But, what about the early part of the verse “He who diligently seeks good; seeks favor.”? What do the root words tell us about this persons efforts?

The Hebrew word translated “diligently seeks” means “to be up early at a task.” The word translated “procures” means “searches after, strives for” and the word translated “favor” means “to be pleasing, acceptable, approved.” Perhaps you, like me, are up early in the day on most days, spending time searching for what is pleasing or acceptable to God by praying or reading the Bible or meditating on God’s word.

It’s okay if you do this late in the day instead. The implication is that it is a priority to this person to seek to be pleasing or approved in the same way that the other person is seeking mischief or evil.

So far we have addressed seeking to do good or to do evil. This Proverb reminds me of a folk tale that goes like this:

A traveler came upon an old farmer hoeing in his field beside the road. Eager to rest his feet, the wanderer hailed the countryman, who seemed happy enough to straighten his back and talk for a moment.

"What sort of people live in the next town?" asked the stranger.

"What were the people like where you've come from?" replied the farmer, answering the question with another question.

"They were a bad lot. Troublemakers all, and lazy too. The most selfish people in the world, and not a one of them to be trusted. I'm happy to be leaving the scoundrels."

"Is that so?" replied the old farmer. "Well, I'm afraid that you'll find the same sort in the next town.

Disappointed, the traveler trudged on his way, and the farmer returned to his work.

Some time later another stranger, coming from the same direction, hailed the farmer, and they stopped to talk. "What sort of people live in the next town?" he asked.

"What were the people like where you've come from?" replied the farmer once again.

"They were the best people in the world. Hard working, honest, and friendly. I'm sorry to be leaving them."

"Fear not," said the farmer. "You'll find the same sort in the next town."

Whether you seek to do good, or seek to find good in people, you will succeed. Whether you seek to do evil, or seek to find bad in people, you will succeed.

When it comes to wanting favor or wanting mischief, finding good in others or seeing them as bad, sorry Mr. Jagger, you CAN get want you want. In fact, you can count on it.

Sisters, keep striving for good and to see the good in others. You will find it.

PRAYER: Lord God, help me to be careful what I am seeking for – to seek to be pleasing to You and always make You my priority. Help me to work at it as a thresher works at releasing the kernel of wheat. Your scripture is there for me to thresh out the good from it. Thank you for that. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Your thoughts —  

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DAY 68 – 90 Days in Proverbs - Generosity Returned

Proverbs 11:25-26 [CSB] 25 A generous person will be enriched, and the one who gives a drink of water will receive water.  26 People will curse anyone who hoards grain, but a blessing will come to the one who sells it.

The Bible makes it clear that God does not give us things – physical things or spiritual things – for our use alone.

We each have finite days on this earth, but are asked to give time in prayer and Bible study. We are also to give some of our time to serving others – like visiting the sick or those in prison, as we see outlined in Matthew 25. We each have different gifts, roles and talents, given to us by God.  1 Corinthians 12:27-31 makes it clear that God gave them to us so that we will use them for the edification of the church.

In Matthew 10:8 [NKJV] in sending out His disciples, Jesus tells them, Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Whatever God gives us, He also asks us to turn around and give out to others.

Sweet sisters, we know that God never asks us to do what He is unwilling to do as well. He and Jesus set an example for us in the things we are asked to do. So, rest assured, God will not withhold good from us either. Psalm 84:11 [CSB] For the LORD God is a sun and shield. The LORD grants favor and honor; he does not withhold the good from those who live with integrity.  He does not withhold good from His followers. In fact, He gives freely, just as Jesus asked His followers to do in Matthew 10. Romans 8:32 [NKJV] He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

There are, of course, things that only God can do. The fact that the Father has already given Jesus as a sacrifice for us all is proof that He will not withhold good things from us.

Nothing that God gives us is for us alone. Nothing we receive is to be consumed by only our own needs. Proverbs 11:26 warns us against hoarding our blessings. And James 4:3 warns us about even asking for things that we intend to only use for ourselves, saying When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. [NIV]

Sisters, we have a generous God. He freely gives us so many great blessings from His storehouse in heaven – blessings both physical and spiritual. None of those blessings are meant to be kept to ourselves. Whether it means freely distributing our excess money, food, clothes, etc. or generously giving of our time and talents, we are called to be generous children, following the example of our Father.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for all you have given me. Thank you for your generosity. Help me to be generous in sharing the talents, time, goods and resources you have given me so that I can be more like you. Show me today what I can share with others and help me to give freely, sharing the blessing you have showered on me. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

Your thoughts —  

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Day 67 – 90 Days in Proverbs - Water Freely

Proverbs 11:24-25 [ESV] 24 One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. 25 Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.

Our Heavenly Father tells us repeatedly that He wants children who are giving. He promises to reward giving behavior.

Luke 6:38 [ESV] says, “give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you."

Ecclesiastes 11:1 [ESV] tells us, Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days.

And 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 [ESV] explains two points about giving: 6 … whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

The Father wants cheerful and generous givers and He promises an abundant return on that investment in giving to others. He understands that few of us will ever have the resources to build an orphanage or a hospital wing. In fact, some of us have had or will have times in our lives when we don’t have a dollar to spare.

In those times, as well as in times of abundance, we need to remember the latter part of verse 25 of Proverbs 11, where it says one who waters will himself be watered, And be reminded of John 7:38-39 [ESV] where it says 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

If we are filled with the Holy Spirit (if we are “watered” by it), we have living waters that can flow from us to others. And then, because the Holy Spirit is a living, flowing water source, like a river, we will always be refilled so that it can continue to grow.

Without a dollar to my name, I can water others with the Holy Spirit – with love, joy, peace, the Gospel message, and so forth.

Sisters, the Good Father, who gives generously to us, wants His daughters to also be generous givers, especially with the Holy Spirit. If we withhold it, we ourselves will suffer want as Proverbs 11:24 tells us. If we give it generously, we will find that we have the Holy Spirit, that living water, in abundance.

May your rivers never run dry, sweet sisters.

Prayer — Father God, thank You for your generosity in giving me good gifts in this life. Thank You for the Spiritual gifts You give: the gift of forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus Christ my Lord; the gift of the Holy Spirit – a living water that can flow through me. Please help me to be generous like You, helping others by sharing the physical blessings You have provided and, most importantly, by sharing the gift of the Holy Spirit and its fruit with them. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

Your thoughts —  

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Day 66 – 90 Days in Proverbs - Gilded Pig

Proverbs 11:22 [CSB] A beautiful woman who rejects good sense is like a gold ring in a pig's snout.

These days, we use this phrase: “Like putting lipstick on a pig” to make the same point as Solomon is making here. Jewelry or makeup doesn’t mask reality. Perhaps our modern phrase evolved from this Proverb.

However someone may try to dress it up, bad character is still there and God can see it. Usually, it will also eventually be revealed to others.

There is nothing wrong with good genes that make others consider you beautiful. There isn’t anything wrong with taking care of your hair and body, or in wearing nice clothes or makeup. The problem comes in when the outer beauty is at odds with the inner character.

The King James Version uses the term “without discretion” but the word can mean literally without taste (like for food) or figuratively without a taste for judgement, discernment or reason. So, “a beautiful woman who rejects good sense” is someone who has access to sound judgement and guidance but doesn’t use it.

Sweet sisters, this is a warning for all believers. We have access to the Father. We have access to the Bible. We have the Holy Spirit in us. If we reject the sound judgement, guidance and influence of these resources, then we become like that pig wearing jewelry.

1 Timothy 2:9-10 offers similar advice, [NKJV] 9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. Far from rejecting good character, we should be adorning ourselves with it.

The book of Proverbs is a great resource for gaining understanding, good judgement, discernment and reasoning skills. We’ve spent more than 60 days learning from some of those nuggets of truth.

It is so easy to get distracted by other voices in this life. It is what Satan wants. Human nature, Satan, and the world around us that is primarily led by these, encourages us to act irresponsibly, take revenge, lash out in anger, to put self-interest over the interest of others, and in many other ways reject the teachings of the Bible and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

These are not the character qualities of a godly woman. The character qualities of a godly person are found in Galatians 5:22-23. These qualities include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness and self control.

My grandmother used to say, “you cannot make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear”.  (Side note: I don’t know how pigs became the go-to animal for this, but they seem to be just that.) God never considers anyone to be a sow, sweet sister. He has always loved us and has always considered us precious to Him. However, our character, apart from the Holy Spirit can be something that is pretty ugly, at least at times.

The transformation of a godly woman is something like turning a sow’s ear into a silk purse – taking an odd item that many would consider to be of no value and transforming it into something where its true value shines through.

The love of God, the sacrifice of Jesus, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit do radically change us. They transform us into a new creation that is beautiful and useful. They do this IF we don’t reject them or the good sense that is available through them.

Sisters, God isn’t looking to put jewelry or lipstick on our human character. He looking to transform our character – to transform us – from our old selves into something entirely new and differnt.

Prayer — Father God, You call me beloved. You made me beautiful and You seek to transform me into a reflection of You – of Your good character, love and mercy. You seek to infuse me with Your own wisdom and to guide me to have good sense and to make wise decisions. Thank You for Your word and the Holy Spirit that can transform me in this way. Please lead us today to be women of beautiful character, who are adorned with good works, so that we are beautiful inside. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Your thoughts —  

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Day 65 – 90 Days in Proverbs - Favor and Glory

Proverbs 11:16 [NKJV] A gracious woman retains honor, But ruthless [men] retain riches.

The Hebrew word translated gracious here means to find favor in the eyes of someone; to be acceptable to him. And who is it that we are working to find favor with, sweet sisters? It is God, Himself, isn’t it?

You know who found favor with God? Mary, mother of Jesus. Luke 1:30 [NKJV] Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

Interestingly, finding favor does not seem to be an action verb either in Proverbs 11 or in Luke 1:30. It seems to be a gift of favor bestowed on someone. The favor of God is not something we can earn, any more than we can earn His love. He chooses to give us favor, and love, because of who He is, not because of what we have done.

Having found or received favor with God, then what? According to Proverbs 11:16, a woman who has found favor retains honor.

The word translated “retains” means to grasp, hold, support, attain, lay hold of, hold fast.

The word translated honor could also be translated “glory” and is used in the phrase “glory of the Lord” in Exodus 16:10 and other verses.

So, to put that all together, let me suggest this – a way that we could reword Proverbs 11:16. We might say, “The woman who has been given favor by God, holds fast to His glory.”

As with all our goals as Christian, Jesus is our example. Luke 2:52 [NKJV] tells us And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. And in John 1:14 [NKJV] we read, And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Jesus had the Father’s glory and favor. He held onto the glory of the Father by the life He lived – a life of love and service. He preached the gospel, fed hungry people, healed others, cast out their demons and lived a life of integrity – in other words, He did the works the Father sent Him to do.

That is how we will hold fast to God’s glory as well. The glory of the Lord is in us through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit enables us to live lives that serve others and, thereby, glorifies the Father. We don’t hold tight to glory by keeping it to ourselves, but by using it to serve others.

We have the favor of the Lord, my sisters, because He loves us, not because of what we have done. However, we must hang onto His glory by using our lives to glorify Him. If every thought, word and deed is done to glorify God, then we are holding tight to His glory. You have His favor. Hold tight to His glory, gracious sisters. Seek to be a woman who has been given favor by God, and, therefore, holds fast to His glory.

Prayer — Father God, Thank You for Your favor, Your love and Your mercy. Thank You for Your favor, though I have not earned it. Help me, help us, today to hang onto Your glory by using the Holy Spirit in us and the resources at our disposal to honor you, to serve others and to do good works. We want to hold tight to that glory, Your glory, by spreading it out into the world. Help us to do so. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Your thoughts —  

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Day 64 – 90 Days in Proverbs - Hearing Counselors

Proverbs 11:14 [NKJV] Where [there is] no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors [there is] safety. [ESV] 14 Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. [NLT] 14 Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers.

Whether the Bible translators chose to use counsel, guidance or wise leadership, the message is that a nation is best served by a getting input from many wise voices. We know that, in business, it has been proven that crafting a team with mix of genders, ethnic backgrounds, ages, talents and experience who work together toward a common goal is the best way to keep a company healthy and moving forward.

Whether you are buying a car or choosing a career, you’ll make a better decision if you look at all key factors and get a variety of input. The key, though, is actually listening to all the different and wise counselors – not just the ones who say what you want to hear or who agree with your own opinion.

This passage is almost prophetic for the nation of Israel. After Solomon’s death, his son, Jeroboam had the chance to improve his rulership and seal himself as king. The elder counselors gave him the advice to ease up on the people. But Jeroboam refused their counsel in favor of the advice of his young friends who appealed to his machismo. Essentially, he said, “you thought my dad was tough? I’ll show you tough!”

He lost the better part of the nation of Israel over his failure to listen to wise counsel.

I get it – no one likes to hear that they are all wrong, or to receive counsel that goes against what we really want to do. But that is the whole point of seeking a multitude of wise counsel – to hear the things we might not think of on our own. And, using this advice, to make a decision that brings success instead of failure.

The ultimate wise counselor is someone I bet you do love to talk to and to hear from: Jesus. Isaiah 9:6 [NKJV] For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Sweet sisters, good counsel from a variety of wise sources is the way to make smart decisions and true success in both this life and in your Christian walk. We should start with the counsel of God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the Bible. We should also seek wise counsel from experienced fellow believers and from secular leaders, experts and advisors. who can give experienced input.

I wish you success in all your endeavors today and in the future. The key to that success is not only seeking wise counsel but actually listening to it and making a wise decision based on that counsel.

Prayer — Father God, we seek your counsel, the counsel of Jesus, of Your word and of the Holy Spirit to guide us today. Whether our decisions are large or small, we know we will be benefited from doing so. Help us to be wise counselors to others. And send wise counselors to us when we need help with an important decision. Most of all, we seek the safety and success that comes from following Your wise counsel. Please lead us today and always. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Your thoughts —  

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Day 63 - 90 Days in Proverbs - Neighborly

Proverbs 11:12-13 [NIV] 12 Whoever derides (or belittles – as the ESV puts it) their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue. 13 A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.

Wes and I live in the country. We have neighbors on one side. Our properties are separated by trees and a fence, as well as long driveways. Being neighborly takes a lot less effort than if you live in an apartment where you can hear the TV of the folks next door or a subdivision where you hear the kids in the yard and see each other taking the garbage out.

Being a good neighbor is important to God. Romans 13:10 [NKJV] tells us, Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love [is] the fulfillment of the law. In Luke 10:27-28, we find that we must go beyond just not gossiping or just not doing harm. Verse 27 So he answered and said, "'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.' " 28 And He (Jesus) said to him, "You have answered rightly; do this and you will live." The young lawyer than asked Jesus “who is my neighbor?” and, in response, Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan. Everyone who needs your help is your neighbor – not just those who share a fence line.

The millennial in the next cubicle who is struggling to keep up with multiple projects is your neighbor. The mom who always brings the worst junk food to little league practice is your neighbor. The family member no one wants to invite to dinner is your neighbor. We are to love and help them in any way we can.

It can be tempting to belittle a mate, sibling or coworker when we should do as Proverbs 11:12 tells us – to hold our tongues. The people closest to us have the greatest chance of rubbing us the wrong way.

My grandma used to say, “if you cannot say something nice, say nothing at all.” I bet you’ve heard that too. God does not want us to belittle others or gossip about them. He wants us to hold our tongues rather than do harm to a neighbor – whether that neighbor is a relative, coworker, friend or actual neighbor.

He expects us to love each neighbor as we love ourselves, whether that neighbor is an annoying coworker, a busy-body neighbor, a relative who always embarrasses us in public or someone who is easy to love. That love includes reaching out to help when we see them in need.

Don’t belittle or gossip about any neighbor. Instead love them. It’s the neighborly thing to do. It’s the godly thing to do.

Prayer — Father God, you call me to love my neighbors as myself. Help me today to hold my tongue rather than gossip or belittle. Help me today to reach out with support and provision when I see a neighbor in need. Help me to love all my neighbors as myself – for every one of them is a child of yours. Jesus showed us the way and it is His example I seek to follow. In His name I pray. Amen.

Your thoughts —  

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Day 62 – 90 Days in Proverbs - Hope, No Hope

Proverbs 11:7 [NIV] Hopes placed in mortals die with them; all the promise of their power comes to nothing.

Unless all our hopes and plans are reliant on God rather than man, any man, death ends that hope. No one has any real power beyond his/her death. I suppose if you leave a bunch of money to a non-profit like the American Cancer Society, you might say that, until the money runs out, your money has some power to do good. However, the society will spend it as they see fit. So, you really have no power.

Sometimes our power and influence ends before death – maybe after leaving political office or if you become physically or mentally feeble. Power, wealth and influence are fragile things and the actions of time and chance are fickle.

In the story of Lazarus and the Rich Man, which we read in Luke 16:19-31, the rich man learns this lesson the hard way. After death, his fate was sealed and all the money and influence he wielded when alive did him absolutely no good in trying to change his circumstances and the future of his living family.

However, in this life, we are called to be people who can be relied upon. We are to be people that others can trust and place their hope in. Others should be able to be assured that we will keep our word and our promises and that we will do what is right and good.

If we have power in this life, maybe being a teacher or a pastor or a supervisor at work, we are to use that power for good. We are to be just and fair. But the power of even the good and just ends with death.

Sweet sisters, there is one hope that does not die with us, and that is the hope in the Lord. Psalm 146:5 [NIV] tells us, Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God. The hope we place in Jesus did not die with Him at His crucifixion. That hope lived on, until He was resurrected 3 days later. It lived on after He went back to heaven to be with our Father. That hope lives on today and it will live on through all eternity – after our own deaths and resurrection to new life.

Because I know that this is where you place your hope, I say to you the words we find in Psalm 31:24, [NIV] Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD. Your hope in the Lord will not die with you.

Prayer — Father God, we hope and trust in You and Jesus. This is the only hope that lives past the grave. Lord, help us to be strong in this hope. Help us to be people others can trust in and help us to wield any power we have with kindness and love. Although we cannot continue to give hope or wield power beyond the grave, we pray that we will leave behind a legacy of being like You in this. We ask it all in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Your thoughts —  

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Day 61 – 90 Days in Proverbs - Tripped Up

Proverbs 11:5-6  [NKJV] 5 The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright, But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness. 6 The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, But the unfaithful will be caught by [their] lust.

Ever heard the saying “he is his own worst enemy”? Solomon seems to be saying that here – that my own wickedness or my own lust is what will trip me up, more than any outside pressure.

Whether it is stealing a car or trying to steal someone else’s mate, drunkenness or gluttony, lust plays a role in leading to bad behavior and sin. First, we desire something – first it’s a thought or a want. Then, if we don’t deliberately stop it there, we take.

We’d be a lot better off if we’d stop sin even before the desire hits. Then, we wouldn’t need to try to stand between the desire and the deed. Before the thought takes root is where the Holy Spirit does some of its best work.

Galatians 5:22-23 [NKJV] 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

The Greek word translated “self-control” means “one who masters his desires and passions.” The Holy Spirit helps us to stop sin and bad behavior at the desire level. It helps us to master desire before it even takes root and has a chance to lead us forward to action.

Human nature and the world around us and Satan himself are on the side of sin. Without the leading of the Holy Spirit, we have the wrong desires and they lead to the wrong actions. With the Holy Spirit, our desires change and our actions change too. We are no longer tripped up by our own lusts and, therefore, we stop before the action occurs.

Sisters, this is just one more reason to be thankful for the Holy Spirit, which is a piece of God in us. Isaiah 55:8 [NKJV] says "For My thoughts [are] not your thoughts, Nor [are] your ways My ways," says the LORD. But that is before the Holy Spirit leads us. Once we are led by the Holy Spirit, that can change. Our thoughts can become aligned with God’s because that is the work of the Holy Spirit – leading us by God’s thoughts and then guiding us to godly actions.

We need the Holy Spirit to guide us so that we have self-control at the thought level. We need the Holy Spirit to keep us from being tripped up by our own lust. Thank God for His willingness to give us His Spirit in abundance.

 Prayer — Father God, Thank You so much for sharing your Holy Spirit with me. Thank You for the work it does in me, stopping sin at the thought level, changing my thoughts to Your thoughts and my actions to godly actions. Jesus promised us this helper and we need it very much. So, please fill us today with Your Holy Spirit and the self-control it offers. Align our thoughts with Your thoughts and our deeds with Your will so that we glorify You in all thought, word and deed. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Your thoughts —  

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Day 60 - 90 Days in Proverbs -Nonprofit

Proverbs 11:4 [NKJV] Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death

The phrase “day of wrath” calls to mind prophesies of catastrophic and end time events where similar words are used.

Romans 2:5 [NKJV] But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, [See also Zephaniah 1:14-15]

Right now, we say things like “money talks” and that the world’s Golden Rule – the Golden Rule that mankind actually lives by is “he who has the gold makes the rules.” Even the most needed and impactful charities require donations – need money – to get the food, goods, medicine and education they offer into the hands of those they serve. 

We may idolize folks like Mother Theresa who lived with nothing and helped the poorest of the poor, but we know that she (and other humble servants like her) never influenced the big governmental decisions. Her words and actions were never used to set policy – not in her country nor even with the Catholic Church.

We don’t need to be told that none of what we gain by money matters when we stand before the judgment of God, do we, sweet sisters? We are well aware that the things we have accumulated will not influence the Great Judge on judgement day in any way. We cannot buy off God’s wrath or judgement – whether it is His judgment upon the world or His judgment of my life. God cares about character that we have built [See 1 Corinthians 3:11-15] and He cares about good works we have done [See Matthew 25:31-46]

Therefore, we also have to think about how money is used in our churches. Even though we know that money and what the church acquires by it will not matter in the day of wrath and at the time of judgment, does the world’s version of the Golden Rule apply inside your church organization too? Do bigger donors get a higher place within church government or influence? The early New Testament church leaders were concerned about that kind of partiality to the rich showing up within the congregation.

James 2:1-4 [NKJV] 1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, [the Lord] of glory, with partiality. 2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, 3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, "You sit here in a good place," and say to the poor man, "You stand there," or, "Sit here at my footstool," 4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

Sisters, I am blessed with a lot of “things” in this life, including a well-paying, steady job that has allowed me to have a nice home, new car, and the means to help my children and to help the needy in the world around me. God is not impressed with any of the things I have acquired. Even good works I have done with my money have less influence on my judgement than the character I have built through showing genuine love and concern for other. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 makes that abundantly clear. Verse 3 says: And though I bestow all my goods to feed [the poor], and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

God cares about my character and that I show genuine love for others. It isn’t what I have or even what I give, it is how I have used it to grow in love, peace, faithfulness, etc.

Whether we fall into the pool of the needy or those who can and do help the less fortunate, we must guard against judging ourselves or others based on the wealth of this life or even the things we give to the less fortunate. We cannot look at ourselves or others as having more authority or more of the Holy Spirit just because we have more physical blessings, nor even because we are abundant in sharing what we have. That is not the measure God uses in His righteous judgement.

We can have much and give it all away and yet fail to be profitable in the end – in the day of wrath and judgement. Anything but the character of love motivating and building us is unprofitable work according to God.

I must keep this in mind when I am tempted to view the rich and the big givers as being something more or better than others (a better Christian, smarter, more deserving of praise or power). I must keep this in mind even if that rich and giving person is me.

Prayer — Father God, You have blessed me with so much! Thank you for all the blessings You have given me. Help me to use them always to serve You, Your people, and the world. But most of all, help me to grow in love and godly character, and to have genuine concern for others, which is only shown through sharing my blessings. Let me never use my blessings for self-praise or for power or think that they impresses you at all. Before You, I know that I am poor and blind and naked. Anything I have comes from You. Help me to be a truly profitable servant of Yours so that I produce the only thing that is profitable in the end – godly character: love. In Jesus’ name I ask. Amen.

Your thoughts —  

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Day 59 - 90 Days in Proverbs - A False Balance

Proverbs 11:1 [NKJV] A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is his delight.

No one wants to pay for a half pound of sliced cheese and receive just a quarter pound. We don’t want the deli worker to put his or her thumb on the scale to save the company money at our expense. We trust that the scale that weighs out our fruit is accurate. We expect 12 donuts when we pay for a dozen. We demand full value for what we buy and we have a right to do so.

Our employers expect a full day of work from us in exchange for our pay. And we expect the full pay we agreed to.

All of the fair and honest dealings we expect to receive in this life are things that God expects His children to do. He expects a fair exchange whether I am the buyer or seller, employer or employee. Anything short of that is a form of lying or false balance and is an abomination to God.

But the Father Himself, while dealing with His children, does not offer us this kind of fair exchange. There is no fair pay for our deeds. Instead, when Jesus stepped on the scale of justice, He tipped it in our favor. When He paid for sin, He did not pay for His own sin. He didn’t have any. Instead, He paid a costly and unfair price for the burdens of my sins (and yours). The penalty He paid for the sins weighed out to His charge was far and beyond what He earned because He, Himself, earned absolutely no penalty for sin on His own. All the penalty He paid for all that sin – well, that’s on us. We should have paid it.

If God were to give me my just wage, I know it would be death. Romans 6:23 [NIV] tells us: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Instead of death – instead of the just pay for my actions – I receive eternal life in Christ Jesus my Lord.

Any unjust scale in the world pales by comparison to the magnitude of the injustice of Jesus being beaten and crucified for me, for us. It is helpful to remember this when life serves up unfairness to me, as it is prone to do.

Sweet sisters, the Father expects us to be just and fair when we work, when we pay or when we transact in any way. However, this expectation has one exception – in the area of sin. In the area of sin, God expects us to be willing forgo revenge and any kind of pay back when we are sinned against, harmed or cheated by others in this life. Romans 12:19 [NKJV] says Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but [rather] give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance [is] Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.

Not only does He expect us to refrain from paying back with revenge, He actually expects us to pay back good for evil. [See Matthew 5:44-48]

Why does the Father ask us to refrain from giving just pay to those who sin against us – to actually pay back evil with good? Matthew 4:45 tells us: That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: The Father asks us to refrain from paying others back for sin so that we can by like Him.

The scale that God uses to pay out the penalty for my sin, the scale that pivots all the weight of all my sin onto Jesus, my Savior, is the ultimate example of not getting what I pay for, and I am happy to accept it. The sacrifice of Jesus tips the scales in my favor. And our Father God gives me blessings I could never deserve or earn, well beyond forgiveness and eternal life.

I am called to do the same – to refrain from even what seems to be just and fair pay for others when they sin against me, leaving revenge or payback to God.

God expects a “just scale” from us in every other aspect of life. But I am happy that, when it comes to sin, God uses the most unjust measure of all: Jesus’s sacrifice in exchange for my sin.

Prayer — Father God, Thank You for tipping the scales in my favor through the sacrifice of Jesus. Thank You, my Savior Jesus, for paying what I earn from my sins. Please continue to forgive me and take on that debt. I will respond by forgiving others and doing good to them with the help of Your Holy Spirit in me. I will use a just scale for work, pay and goods in my life, but I trust in You, Father, and Your scale of loving justice to take away my debt of sin so that I may serve You. I ask for Your Spirit, Your forgiveness and Your help in the name of my precious Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Your thoughts —  

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