Proverbs 21:21
"Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor."
In the business world, this verse seems backwards. It would appear that if I pursue strength of position, knowledge of my craft, and wisdom of how to move up the ladder, that I will move up well. Instead this verse clearly says to pursue righteousness and kindness, and life and honor will be supplied.
How can I pursue righteousness and kindness at work? If I can deliver what I say I will deliver, when I say I'll do it, that will be righteous. If I make extra sure that I'm not defrauding the company by wasting time, that will be righteous. If I can take extra time with people who frustrate me, that will be kind. If I sacrifice for others that will be kind.
I want life and honor. I will be righteous and kind to get them.
Showing posts with label proverbs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label proverbs. Show all posts
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Finding the Right Spouse is Tricky
Proverbs 21:9,19
9It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
19It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.
I remember reading these verses before I was married and thinking they were just funny. After seven years of marriage, I realize they are essential! Looking back on my decision process for selecting my wife, I never would have considered all the attributes that she brings to the table. Don't get me wrong, the attributes of a great spouse (kindness, wisdom, forgiveness, gentleness, financial strength, parenting love, etc...) were in her at the time, I just didn't know to look for them. Despite my poor calculations, the Grace of God led us together in marriage.
In particular, these 2 verses warn of a quarrelsome spouse. Sharing your life with someone, includes daily sharing physical things, parenting schemes, and emotional burdens. Quarreling about those topics would make life unlivable. As unlivable as if you lived on a tiny corner of your roof exposed to the hot summer sun, and freezing winter rains. Or if you lived in a miserable dry-land with no water to feed your crops or your parched throat.
If your perspective spouse is always trying to stir up quarrels or induce more stress through stubbornness, then run fleeing for the hills and seek the Lord for someone else.
Praise the Lord my wife is humble and Christ-minded. She is a model of Godliness that my children and I can follow as we pursue Jesus together.
9It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
19It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.
I remember reading these verses before I was married and thinking they were just funny. After seven years of marriage, I realize they are essential! Looking back on my decision process for selecting my wife, I never would have considered all the attributes that she brings to the table. Don't get me wrong, the attributes of a great spouse (kindness, wisdom, forgiveness, gentleness, financial strength, parenting love, etc...) were in her at the time, I just didn't know to look for them. Despite my poor calculations, the Grace of God led us together in marriage.
In particular, these 2 verses warn of a quarrelsome spouse. Sharing your life with someone, includes daily sharing physical things, parenting schemes, and emotional burdens. Quarreling about those topics would make life unlivable. As unlivable as if you lived on a tiny corner of your roof exposed to the hot summer sun, and freezing winter rains. Or if you lived in a miserable dry-land with no water to feed your crops or your parched throat.
If your perspective spouse is always trying to stir up quarrels or induce more stress through stubbornness, then run fleeing for the hills and seek the Lord for someone else.
Praise the Lord my wife is humble and Christ-minded. She is a model of Godliness that my children and I can follow as we pursue Jesus together.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Brothers in Adversity (Proverbs 17:17)
17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Have you ever known someone that you could go to anything with, that they would tell you the right and wrong of it, and still be there to stand by you. Had friends that were closer than your family? Known fellowship in a way that allowed your mates to drop by unannounced at any time day or night. Trusted somebody that would hold you up in your darkest times to come, because you and they'd been there before. Isn't it freeing to be in relationships like that?
I have had the privilege of such closeness when I was in college, and since then in my marriage. I long for relationships like that again. I feel like it was a glimpse of what Heaven will be like where we can fellowship with our Lord and each other forever.
I pray that I would seek to know Christ as that loving friend and brother in adversity. I pray that I can be Christ to others in this way.
Have you ever known someone that you could go to anything with, that they would tell you the right and wrong of it, and still be there to stand by you. Had friends that were closer than your family? Known fellowship in a way that allowed your mates to drop by unannounced at any time day or night. Trusted somebody that would hold you up in your darkest times to come, because you and they'd been there before. Isn't it freeing to be in relationships like that?
I have had the privilege of such closeness when I was in college, and since then in my marriage. I long for relationships like that again. I feel like it was a glimpse of what Heaven will be like where we can fellowship with our Lord and each other forever.
I pray that I would seek to know Christ as that loving friend and brother in adversity. I pray that I can be Christ to others in this way.
Proverbs 17: 14 Breaching the Dam
14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
Do you remember that scene in the first Superman movie when the earthquake causes the damn to burst and the water rushes out on the town below? Or in Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers when the Ents break down the dam that Saruman had constructed and the rush of water destroys all of Isengard?
How many times have I started a small argument just to enjoy the debate and instead opened up a flood that I couldn't stop. Or when I'm a little tired or hungry I'm short with my wife or a friend and realize that I've just smashed the toothpaste out of the tube and can't put it back. I need to be wary of the destruction that a quarrel can cause and seek to smooth over the peccadilloes to save energy for the calm, well-reasoned debates that are worth having.
I must protect my marriage and my growing relationship with my children to ensure that they are not swept away in a torrent of angry, useless words.
Do you remember that scene in the first Superman movie when the earthquake causes the damn to burst and the water rushes out on the town below? Or in Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers when the Ents break down the dam that Saruman had constructed and the rush of water destroys all of Isengard?
How many times have I started a small argument just to enjoy the debate and instead opened up a flood that I couldn't stop. Or when I'm a little tired or hungry I'm short with my wife or a friend and realize that I've just smashed the toothpaste out of the tube and can't put it back. I need to be wary of the destruction that a quarrel can cause and seek to smooth over the peccadilloes to save energy for the calm, well-reasoned debates that are worth having.
I must protect my marriage and my growing relationship with my children to ensure that they are not swept away in a torrent of angry, useless words.
Proverbs 16:33 No Such thing as Chance
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
Its amazing how many people believe in chance. Even I catch myself saying things like "good luck". R.C. Sproul explains an exchange he had once where he asks his debate opponent if chance is a thing. His opponent says of course not, its not a thing. Not a thing said faster is nothing. So why do we put so much faith in a concept that is nothing? This verse really silences the argument, and shows that God is totally sovereign, even over things that seem like random chance. Imagine His limitless power to adjust the air-currents, the resistance of the edges of the dice, even the density of the air to cause a seemingly random thing like a dice roll to happen exactly according to His plan.
This verse and its implications bring me great comfort that my life and everything involved in it (good or bad), is ordained in advance from the Lord who is powerful enough to control everything, even 'chance'.
Its amazing how many people believe in chance. Even I catch myself saying things like "good luck". R.C. Sproul explains an exchange he had once where he asks his debate opponent if chance is a thing. His opponent says of course not, its not a thing. Not a thing said faster is nothing. So why do we put so much faith in a concept that is nothing? This verse really silences the argument, and shows that God is totally sovereign, even over things that seem like random chance. Imagine His limitless power to adjust the air-currents, the resistance of the edges of the dice, even the density of the air to cause a seemingly random thing like a dice roll to happen exactly according to His plan.
This verse and its implications bring me great comfort that my life and everything involved in it (good or bad), is ordained in advance from the Lord who is powerful enough to control everything, even 'chance'.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Proverbs 15:6 - A Loving Kindness Atones
6By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, And by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil.
With unimaginable kindness, mercy, and perfect truth, God accepted Christ's atonement for our sin. To be fair, God should have destroyed Adam in the garden. Yet God showed mercy on Adam, and all of us, by providing a solution, even from the very beginning, to fulfill His justice and still provide mercy. The word lovingkindness is an older word, but I love the way it sort of personifies kindness and presents it as actively loving. How like the Father who is actively loving. He is a God continually involved in the lives of His creation.
As a result of fearing God's power to judge and execute, the saved one departs from evil. Evil here can be construed to be the ultimate evil of eternal death. But I see hope for myself to avoid practicing evil on earth by remembering the righteous wrath of God.
With unimaginable kindness, mercy, and perfect truth, God accepted Christ's atonement for our sin. To be fair, God should have destroyed Adam in the garden. Yet God showed mercy on Adam, and all of us, by providing a solution, even from the very beginning, to fulfill His justice and still provide mercy. The word lovingkindness is an older word, but I love the way it sort of personifies kindness and presents it as actively loving. How like the Father who is actively loving. He is a God continually involved in the lives of His creation.
As a result of fearing God's power to judge and execute, the saved one departs from evil. Evil here can be construed to be the ultimate evil of eternal death. But I see hope for myself to avoid practicing evil on earth by remembering the righteous wrath of God.
Proverbs 16:5 - The punishment of the Proud
5Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.
I know whenever someone rejects my kindness I get grossly offended. I'm not saying I'm God of course, just trying to connect with why He would feel this way. I know I don't ever want to be intensely averse to or loathed and detested by God. Especially since people in that category are sure to be punished according to this verse. I feel quite sad for those who's pride gets the better of them, and pray that they would be turned around.
This verse tells me to get humble about my sin problem quick, and come to the One who has solved the problem, instead of trying to solve it myself over and over. I also see this as a warning to those in the 'intellectual elite' that make it their business to arrogantly assume there is no God. Praise to Him that I, who struggles with arrogance constantly, have been saved despite myself.
I know whenever someone rejects my kindness I get grossly offended. I'm not saying I'm God of course, just trying to connect with why He would feel this way. I know I don't ever want to be intensely averse to or loathed and detested by God. Especially since people in that category are sure to be punished according to this verse. I feel quite sad for those who's pride gets the better of them, and pray that they would be turned around.
This verse tells me to get humble about my sin problem quick, and come to the One who has solved the problem, instead of trying to solve it myself over and over. I also see this as a warning to those in the 'intellectual elite' that make it their business to arrogantly assume there is no God. Praise to Him that I, who struggles with arrogance constantly, have been saved despite myself.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Proverbs 14
4Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox.
Sometimes its a bit messy to include the help you need to be successful. I love the word picture this creates. I once had to muck out a horse-barn that hadn't been mucked all summer. It was a back-breaking, stinky, stifling, messy job. But we couldn't have enjoyed the summer to that point without the horses to carry us through the mountain trails. Same goes for my efforts now. Its hard work to involve other people in Ministry. I have to spend time with them, pray, and care for them. Be involved in their lives when they suffer trial and temptation. Yet the benefit is obvious: more people called to Christ through multiplying the hands that serve. Working with people can get messy. Heck even when I'm the source of the mess ;). But the gain to be had is worth it.
20The poor is hated even by his neighbor, But those who love the rich are many. 21He who despises his neighbor sins, But happy is he who is gracious to the poor.
Alright be honest, haven't you looked down a little on those less fortunate than you. I know I have. I know these verses are clearly discussing monetary wealth, but I can't help thinking of spiritual poverty in this context too. I know I often want to be with the spiritually mature instead of the immature. Its less work, and more interesting. I can feed off them and be lifted up, or at least that's what I try to convince myself of. Instead by withholding Christ from my spiritually impoverished neighbor, I show my hate of him. Look at Jesus, He came to Earth and surrounded Himself with the spiritually poor. He even lowered Himself to talk to wretched me. How can I expect to be happy/fulfilled without reaching out to those who don't know Him.
26In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge. 27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, That one may avoid the snares of death.
It is good to have a fear of the Lord. The God of the Bible is a God of Justice. He will come again to punish those who rejected Him, and reward those who followed Him. Having a healthy fear of God, knowing what He is capable of, should drive us to avoiding His wrath. Death is a snare trying to trip up and capture us. Instead we can have strong confidence in knowing God and knowing what He is going to do. We can be confident that just as He will judge sinners, He will also forever protect His children.
If you doubt at all that God has brought you into His protection, through the atoning sacrifice of His Son, please I beg of you, recognize that your Sin is real. You are at War with God by pursuing your way through life. Call on Christ to be the perfect peace offering between you and God, and commit yourself to following Him.
Sometimes its a bit messy to include the help you need to be successful. I love the word picture this creates. I once had to muck out a horse-barn that hadn't been mucked all summer. It was a back-breaking, stinky, stifling, messy job. But we couldn't have enjoyed the summer to that point without the horses to carry us through the mountain trails. Same goes for my efforts now. Its hard work to involve other people in Ministry. I have to spend time with them, pray, and care for them. Be involved in their lives when they suffer trial and temptation. Yet the benefit is obvious: more people called to Christ through multiplying the hands that serve. Working with people can get messy. Heck even when I'm the source of the mess ;). But the gain to be had is worth it.
20The poor is hated even by his neighbor, But those who love the rich are many. 21He who despises his neighbor sins, But happy is he who is gracious to the poor.
Alright be honest, haven't you looked down a little on those less fortunate than you. I know I have. I know these verses are clearly discussing monetary wealth, but I can't help thinking of spiritual poverty in this context too. I know I often want to be with the spiritually mature instead of the immature. Its less work, and more interesting. I can feed off them and be lifted up, or at least that's what I try to convince myself of. Instead by withholding Christ from my spiritually impoverished neighbor, I show my hate of him. Look at Jesus, He came to Earth and surrounded Himself with the spiritually poor. He even lowered Himself to talk to wretched me. How can I expect to be happy/fulfilled without reaching out to those who don't know Him.
26In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge. 27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, That one may avoid the snares of death.
It is good to have a fear of the Lord. The God of the Bible is a God of Justice. He will come again to punish those who rejected Him, and reward those who followed Him. Having a healthy fear of God, knowing what He is capable of, should drive us to avoiding His wrath. Death is a snare trying to trip up and capture us. Instead we can have strong confidence in knowing God and knowing what He is going to do. We can be confident that just as He will judge sinners, He will also forever protect His children.
If you doubt at all that God has brought you into His protection, through the atoning sacrifice of His Son, please I beg of you, recognize that your Sin is real. You are at War with God by pursuing your way through life. Call on Christ to be the perfect peace offering between you and God, and commit yourself to following Him.
Proverbs 13
4The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing,But the soul of the diligent is made fat.
I frequently see myself in the first part of this couplet, and only by God's grace do I occasionally find myself in the latter. My life is always moving in cycles. I'm currently at an upswing in productivity, this blog is a result, but just a few weeks ago I lazily craved more involvement with my mind, faith, and family and yet those desires didn't produce action. It wasn't until I was diligent that I got what I wanted. Its such a cultural lie that we all buy into, that kicking back to go the easy route is the way to gain. Look how many game shows and lotteries we have. I pray that I would stay on the second half of this verse and not cycle back to the first half.
13The one who despises the word will be in debt to it, But the one who fears the commandment will be rewarded. 14The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn aside from the snares of death.
It seems so plain that if I would come to the wise word I would have the abundance that I seek. I would have a fountain that constantly replenishes itself rewarding me for obediently listening. I would avoid pain, even death if I would consult the teaching of the wise. To do these things I have to find where the wise is. I must read the Scriptures since they are glimpse of God's wisdom. I should pursue books, both contemporary and ancient, that describe the human condition and Christ's role of redemption. I must heed the warnings to break out of the cycle of laziness.
20He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm.
My mother would often warn me that the company I kept would be a reflection of who I am. I know there were times in my life, even my dating life, where I thought I could bring change to someone just by hanging around with them and talking with them. That change rarely if ever happened. Usually because I was too busy trying to be liked by them to represent something different and worth emulating. Eventually their lifestyle and thoughts would rub off on me like those old ditto papers did in elementary school. Instead I need to obey this word and find wise company, from Godly men and women, both living and dead. I should listen to their ways and words to emulate them, as they emulate Christ.
I frequently see myself in the first part of this couplet, and only by God's grace do I occasionally find myself in the latter. My life is always moving in cycles. I'm currently at an upswing in productivity, this blog is a result, but just a few weeks ago I lazily craved more involvement with my mind, faith, and family and yet those desires didn't produce action. It wasn't until I was diligent that I got what I wanted. Its such a cultural lie that we all buy into, that kicking back to go the easy route is the way to gain. Look how many game shows and lotteries we have. I pray that I would stay on the second half of this verse and not cycle back to the first half.
13The one who despises the word will be in debt to it, But the one who fears the commandment will be rewarded. 14The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn aside from the snares of death.
It seems so plain that if I would come to the wise word I would have the abundance that I seek. I would have a fountain that constantly replenishes itself rewarding me for obediently listening. I would avoid pain, even death if I would consult the teaching of the wise. To do these things I have to find where the wise is. I must read the Scriptures since they are glimpse of God's wisdom. I should pursue books, both contemporary and ancient, that describe the human condition and Christ's role of redemption. I must heed the warnings to break out of the cycle of laziness.
20He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm.
My mother would often warn me that the company I kept would be a reflection of who I am. I know there were times in my life, even my dating life, where I thought I could bring change to someone just by hanging around with them and talking with them. That change rarely if ever happened. Usually because I was too busy trying to be liked by them to represent something different and worth emulating. Eventually their lifestyle and thoughts would rub off on me like those old ditto papers did in elementary school. Instead I need to obey this word and find wise company, from Godly men and women, both living and dead. I should listen to their ways and words to emulate them, as they emulate Christ.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Proverbs 12
Some really great verses in this chapter. I mean I know the whole Bible is great verses. But this week these few really jumped out at me.
4 A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.
It is so key to get the right wife. the imagery is so true too. The right woman you want to display so everyone can see her. A crown has different jewels, different facets that you want to show off. I want to show people the different things about my wife that are so great. A crown is the last thing you put on. It is the completing feature. The right woman completes a man. The wrong one rots you from within. She breaks down your infrastructure as she leads you astray, sapping the strength and stability that your bones should be providing.
15 The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.
This verse really shouts at me, especially this week its calling to me to consider and follow. I know when I'm in a rut either spiritually, at work, or at home, that I'm convinced that I'm right. The wise man listens to advice. He first of all is in a position to hear it. I'm usually not. My ears are stuffed up with my own voice instead of someone else's. Or what about when I'm about to commit a sin, and I get that little reminder that it would be better not to do that thing. That's the Spirit providing wise advice. I should listen and avoid the trouble.
28 In the way of righteousness is life, And in its pathway there is no death.
In righteousness is life. Not death. This makes me think of Christ. His perfect righteousness eliminated death. Think of it. The very thing we mortals fear most. Destroyed eliminated by someone else's righteousness. Oh how this verse could condemn me if it was my righteousness. Praise God for His Son, that its He who earned it perfectly instead of me working myself to the bone to possibly have enough, and never attaining...
4 A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.
It is so key to get the right wife. the imagery is so true too. The right woman you want to display so everyone can see her. A crown has different jewels, different facets that you want to show off. I want to show people the different things about my wife that are so great. A crown is the last thing you put on. It is the completing feature. The right woman completes a man. The wrong one rots you from within. She breaks down your infrastructure as she leads you astray, sapping the strength and stability that your bones should be providing.
15 The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.
This verse really shouts at me, especially this week its calling to me to consider and follow. I know when I'm in a rut either spiritually, at work, or at home, that I'm convinced that I'm right. The wise man listens to advice. He first of all is in a position to hear it. I'm usually not. My ears are stuffed up with my own voice instead of someone else's. Or what about when I'm about to commit a sin, and I get that little reminder that it would be better not to do that thing. That's the Spirit providing wise advice. I should listen and avoid the trouble.
28 In the way of righteousness is life, And in its pathway there is no death.
In righteousness is life. Not death. This makes me think of Christ. His perfect righteousness eliminated death. Think of it. The very thing we mortals fear most. Destroyed eliminated by someone else's righteousness. Oh how this verse could condemn me if it was my righteousness. Praise God for His Son, that its He who earned it perfectly instead of me working myself to the bone to possibly have enough, and never attaining...
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Proverbs 9
I want to think more. I think the best way for me to practice thinking more is to do some writing. I don't know for sure where to start writing. So for now I'm going to be posting my reflections on the scripture that I'm reading. At the moment, I'm reading through Proverbs with a friend of mine, so I'll pick up where I am with him in Proverbs 9.
Wisdom is personified as a woman calling out to those who don't know her.
"3..she calls From the tops of the heights of the city: 4 Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!" This verse is particularly eye-catching for me. I can really picture wisdom calling out, setting up a billboard on the top of a hill so that everyone can hear her messages. Actually if we read back a bit in the chapter to verse 1, we see that its more than just a flimsy billboard, she builds a house with seven columns. Usually anything with seven is associated with perfection. So she builds the perfect house designed to be eye-catching and attractive. She does it so that the whole city can hear her. She makes herself as available as she can so that everyone has a chance to hear and come to her. She sends out her maidens to draw citizens into her house. Citizens who don't know what they're missing. They're naive, they think they're OK but they're not. They don't realize what amazing things are available for them inside the house.
I think this passage is pretty clearly pointing to Christ. Just like wisdom, Christ has built a perfect house for us in heaven. Its a place full of provision that will fill us completely. He calls out to everyone that they would be saved. That they would be able to avoid the destruction that they're falling naively towards. He sends His servants out to draw those who are on the fringe into His presence.
Oh that I would hear Christ's call to His house.
Wisdom is personified as a woman calling out to those who don't know her.
"3..she calls From the tops of the heights of the city: 4 Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!" This verse is particularly eye-catching for me. I can really picture wisdom calling out, setting up a billboard on the top of a hill so that everyone can hear her messages. Actually if we read back a bit in the chapter to verse 1, we see that its more than just a flimsy billboard, she builds a house with seven columns. Usually anything with seven is associated with perfection. So she builds the perfect house designed to be eye-catching and attractive. She does it so that the whole city can hear her. She makes herself as available as she can so that everyone has a chance to hear and come to her. She sends out her maidens to draw citizens into her house. Citizens who don't know what they're missing. They're naive, they think they're OK but they're not. They don't realize what amazing things are available for them inside the house.
I think this passage is pretty clearly pointing to Christ. Just like wisdom, Christ has built a perfect house for us in heaven. Its a place full of provision that will fill us completely. He calls out to everyone that they would be saved. That they would be able to avoid the destruction that they're falling naively towards. He sends His servants out to draw those who are on the fringe into His presence.
Oh that I would hear Christ's call to His house.
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