Proverbs 31: 30, 31 "Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise."
Happy wife = happy life!
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Monday, October 28, 2013
Own It
Proverbs 28:13 "People who cover over their sins will not prosper. But if they confess and forsake them, they will receive mercy."
Ouch. Tough verse. Sweeping things under the rug is easy. But God doesn't call us to an easy life. He wants us to do the hard thing and be open, honest, and real about our junk. He wants us to truly own it.
Ouch. Tough verse. Sweeping things under the rug is easy. But God doesn't call us to an easy life. He wants us to do the hard thing and be open, honest, and real about our junk. He wants us to truly own it.
Friday, October 25, 2013
Valid Criticism
Proverbs 25:12 "Valid criticism is as treasured by the one who heeds it as jewelry made from finest gold."
It may be the Minnesota nice in all of us, but valid criticism is hard to come by. Often we don't want to offend, or ruffle peoples feathers. So we are slow to offer criticism and often upset when others give it to us! If we were wise, we would accept it, and share it a bit more frequently. Valid criticism that is!
It may be the Minnesota nice in all of us, but valid criticism is hard to come by. Often we don't want to offend, or ruffle peoples feathers. So we are slow to offer criticism and often upset when others give it to us! If we were wise, we would accept it, and share it a bit more frequently. Valid criticism that is!
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Short Memories
Proverbs 24:29 "Do not say, 'I'll do to him as he has done to me; I'll pay that man back for what he did.'"
Jesus said something similar to this. Revenge and payback are not what we do. We forgive. We move forward. We have short memories.
Jesus said something similar to this. Revenge and payback are not what we do. We forgive. We move forward. We have short memories.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Sponges
Proverbs 22:6 "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."
Children are like sponges. They soak up and absorb everything they are exposed to and taught! That includes knowledge, music, language and ideas. Are my kids soaking up Jesus? Are they absorbing the good news? My #1 job in life is to help them accomplish this. That is my job as their dad.
Children are like sponges. They soak up and absorb everything they are exposed to and taught! That includes knowledge, music, language and ideas. Are my kids soaking up Jesus? Are they absorbing the good news? My #1 job in life is to help them accomplish this. That is my job as their dad.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Proverbs 21
Proverbs 21: 21 "He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor."
First things need to be first. If I pursue righteousness and love, everything else will fall into place... and in fact, I won't even have to worry about everything else!
First things need to be first. If I pursue righteousness and love, everything else will fall into place... and in fact, I won't even have to worry about everything else!
Friday, October 18, 2013
Strong Tower
Proverbs 18:10 "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."
Solomon claims that the Lord is like a strong tower that keeps the righteous safe and secure. He is a impenetrable fortress that keeps the wicked out and allows the righteous harbour from their enemies.
Who do I run to when in trouble? Who do I run to in times of stress and doubt? I need to be running to God. I need to be running towards him. It's interesting that in this verse, the righteous do indeed run to the "God-tower." It's no casual walk or stroll to him. No easy jaunt to safety. We must run. Am I running? How can I run faster? He needs to become my strong tower in all situations.
Dear Jesus, help me give you what I am dealing with today and help me find my strength in you. Amen.
Solomon claims that the Lord is like a strong tower that keeps the righteous safe and secure. He is a impenetrable fortress that keeps the wicked out and allows the righteous harbour from their enemies.
Who do I run to when in trouble? Who do I run to in times of stress and doubt? I need to be running to God. I need to be running towards him. It's interesting that in this verse, the righteous do indeed run to the "God-tower." It's no casual walk or stroll to him. No easy jaunt to safety. We must run. Am I running? How can I run faster? He needs to become my strong tower in all situations.
Dear Jesus, help me give you what I am dealing with today and help me find my strength in you. Amen.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
A Cheerful Heart
Proverbs 17:22 "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."
Solomon says happiness and cheer are good for a man. He says it is good medicine implying that cheer may even contribute to good health.
I have lost a bit of my cheer the past few months. I have been so stressed about moving, changing roles at work, and launching a new campus. The stress and pressure has evaporated some of my cheer. I feel it in my body sometimes too. I need to get that joy and cheer back. I need to lighten up and find joy in every circumstance, not stress or concern. I need to find my joy in Christ and in others. Today I am going to go cheer up with my kids!
Dear Jesus, help me find joy and happiness in you and your work. Amen.
Solomon says happiness and cheer are good for a man. He says it is good medicine implying that cheer may even contribute to good health.
I have lost a bit of my cheer the past few months. I have been so stressed about moving, changing roles at work, and launching a new campus. The stress and pressure has evaporated some of my cheer. I feel it in my body sometimes too. I need to get that joy and cheer back. I need to lighten up and find joy in every circumstance, not stress or concern. I need to find my joy in Christ and in others. Today I am going to go cheer up with my kids!
Dear Jesus, help me find joy and happiness in you and your work. Amen.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Wealth
Proverbs 11:4 "Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death."
Proverbs contains several themes or topics that pop up again and again. One of these issues is that of money. Oftentimes Solomon instructs the reader to be wise with their money and earn it honorably. Elsewhere, as in this verse, he warns of the dangers of wealth and the emptiness of it's pursuit.
I can't take my cash to the grave. I can't take my house. I can't take my clothes. I can't even take my 08' Chevy Uplander-how sad! Well maybe not too sad about the truck! It's so easy to focus on money and material things and Solomon had it all. And even he says, don't focus on that stuff. It's just stuff and in the end, it doesn't matter. Today I will take my eyes off my stuff and checkbook and focus on Jesus.
Dear Jesus, help me focus on you and others today. Amen.
Proverbs contains several themes or topics that pop up again and again. One of these issues is that of money. Oftentimes Solomon instructs the reader to be wise with their money and earn it honorably. Elsewhere, as in this verse, he warns of the dangers of wealth and the emptiness of it's pursuit.
I can't take my cash to the grave. I can't take my house. I can't take my clothes. I can't even take my 08' Chevy Uplander-how sad! Well maybe not too sad about the truck! It's so easy to focus on money and material things and Solomon had it all. And even he says, don't focus on that stuff. It's just stuff and in the end, it doesn't matter. Today I will take my eyes off my stuff and checkbook and focus on Jesus.
Dear Jesus, help me focus on you and others today. Amen.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Discipline
Proverbs 10:17 "He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray."
Solomon says discipline is so important it shows the way to life. It doesn't just help you get a long better or become a better citizen, it actually leads to life.
How prideful am I? How often do I think I have all the answers or the best answers? When was the last time I listened to some discipline in my life or received correction from someone older and wiser than me? I want to live a life that is actually full of life. In order to do that I need to listen to others. Who can I listen to today? Who has God placed around me that can encourage me, counsel me, and discipline me when need be?
Dear Jesus, help me listen to those you have surrounded me with today. Amen.
Solomon says discipline is so important it shows the way to life. It doesn't just help you get a long better or become a better citizen, it actually leads to life.
How prideful am I? How often do I think I have all the answers or the best answers? When was the last time I listened to some discipline in my life or received correction from someone older and wiser than me? I want to live a life that is actually full of life. In order to do that I need to listen to others. Who can I listen to today? Who has God placed around me that can encourage me, counsel me, and discipline me when need be?
Dear Jesus, help me listen to those you have surrounded me with today. Amen.
Monday, October 07, 2013
Apple of My Eye
Proverbs 7:2 "Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye."
Solomon instructs the reader to guard his teaching and keep them the "apple of your eye." "Apple of my eye" is a popular idiom and indicates having a strong fondness for something. Here, wisdom and Solomon's teachings are to be the apple of one's eye.
I have had many "apples" in my life. My wife, my children, and even my home and career have been "apples" to one degree or another. But is God's word an apple of my eye? Do I go on and on about it at parties and with friends? Do I break out pictures of God's word and share stories of of how God's truth rocked my world yesterday? Do people grow tired of me talking about God's word like they grow tired of me always telling stories about my children? Certainly, I don't intend to annoy others with my love for God, but do I have that same passion? Placing God's word at the center of my life needs to become the highest priority. It needs to become the apple of my eye!
Dear Jesus, help me read your word and meditate on it each day! Amen.
Solomon instructs the reader to guard his teaching and keep them the "apple of your eye." "Apple of my eye" is a popular idiom and indicates having a strong fondness for something. Here, wisdom and Solomon's teachings are to be the apple of one's eye.
I have had many "apples" in my life. My wife, my children, and even my home and career have been "apples" to one degree or another. But is God's word an apple of my eye? Do I go on and on about it at parties and with friends? Do I break out pictures of God's word and share stories of of how God's truth rocked my world yesterday? Do people grow tired of me talking about God's word like they grow tired of me always telling stories about my children? Certainly, I don't intend to annoy others with my love for God, but do I have that same passion? Placing God's word at the center of my life needs to become the highest priority. It needs to become the apple of my eye!
Dear Jesus, help me read your word and meditate on it each day! Amen.
Friday, October 04, 2013
Heart Goalie
Proverbs 4:23 "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."
Solomon is discussing the merits of wisdom and knowledge and says above everything he's just said, guard your heart. The heart is the "wellspring of life" or in the NLT, "it affects everything you do." It appears Solomon's obsession with wisdom is intended to protect the heart.
My heart truly does affect everything I do. The desires of my heart affect my actions. Everything begins with my heart. Have I been guarding it well? Like an NHL goalie protecting the net, have I been doing everything possible to keep sin, wickedness, and deceit from penetrating my heart? What I watch, read and listen to affects my heart. The words, images and thoughts I allow to creep into my life, affect my heart and therefore affect my actions and how I treat those around me. I need to do a better job of guarding my heart! I need to rely on God's truth and wisdom and allow him to guide me and protect my heart today.
Dear Jesus, please protect my heart and keep it pure. Amen.
Solomon is discussing the merits of wisdom and knowledge and says above everything he's just said, guard your heart. The heart is the "wellspring of life" or in the NLT, "it affects everything you do." It appears Solomon's obsession with wisdom is intended to protect the heart.
My heart truly does affect everything I do. The desires of my heart affect my actions. Everything begins with my heart. Have I been guarding it well? Like an NHL goalie protecting the net, have I been doing everything possible to keep sin, wickedness, and deceit from penetrating my heart? What I watch, read and listen to affects my heart. The words, images and thoughts I allow to creep into my life, affect my heart and therefore affect my actions and how I treat those around me. I need to do a better job of guarding my heart! I need to rely on God's truth and wisdom and allow him to guide me and protect my heart today.
Dear Jesus, please protect my heart and keep it pure. Amen.
Wednesday, October 02, 2013
Indiana Jones
Proverbs 2:4-5 "...and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God."
Solomon instructs the reader to chase after wisdom and search for it a as treasure seeker hunts for treasure. If you do so, you will eventually find wisdom and attain the knowledge of God.
Solomon tells me I should go all "Indiana Jones" on wisdom and seek her as I would seek treasure. And from what I know from the Indiana Jones movies, Indy would become consumed with his treasure hunt and not stop until he accomplished his mission whether that was finding the holy grail, or rescuing a small village, or saving his dad. Whatever he had to do to get what he wanted, he did. It was a passion. Do I feel the same way about wisdom? Do I approach the knowledge of God similarly? I should! Isn't the wisdom of God more valuable than silver or gold? This walk through Proverbs will be a small attempt at seeking this ever so precious treasure. It will be my first steps on this treasure hunt.
Dear Jesus, help me seek your truth and wisdom over the next month. Teach me new things. Amen.
Solomon instructs the reader to chase after wisdom and search for it a as treasure seeker hunts for treasure. If you do so, you will eventually find wisdom and attain the knowledge of God.
Solomon tells me I should go all "Indiana Jones" on wisdom and seek her as I would seek treasure. And from what I know from the Indiana Jones movies, Indy would become consumed with his treasure hunt and not stop until he accomplished his mission whether that was finding the holy grail, or rescuing a small village, or saving his dad. Whatever he had to do to get what he wanted, he did. It was a passion. Do I feel the same way about wisdom? Do I approach the knowledge of God similarly? I should! Isn't the wisdom of God more valuable than silver or gold? This walk through Proverbs will be a small attempt at seeking this ever so precious treasure. It will be my first steps on this treasure hunt.
Dear Jesus, help me seek your truth and wisdom over the next month. Teach me new things. Amen.
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