Proverbs 10

Chapter 10 starts the 2-line antithetical parallelisms, the contrasting ideas. All except 5 verses use the conjunction but to contrast the ideas. Example: 

 Verse 4 - Idea 1:  He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand.

Contrasting idea 2: The hand of the dilligent maketh rich. 

Verse 8 - Idea 1: The wise in heart will receive commandments.

Contrasting idea 2: A prating fool shall fall. 

This chapter teaches godly character traits, such as diligence, honesty, kindness, & discretion. Several verses stuck out to me. 

Verse 9: "He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known." One who lives with honesty, integrity, and uprightness can live confidently. Having a clean conscience is great security; but the deceitful or crooked person can't have security from a clean conscience because sin will eventually be revealed. It's better to live right so you don't have to walk around hiding and masking your sin. 

Verse 10: "He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall."

Winking is often negative and associated with manipulation/deception. It's plotting harm while pretending innocence. Then prating fool is a babblative (wordy, talkative) person who speaks without wisdom or restraint.  Secret scheming and careless talk both cause pain. Be cautious around anyone who silently manipulates or is loudly foolish in speech. In contrast, find people and be the person who is a spring that blesses, heals, and nourishes others. 

How you handle what you know says a lot about you. 

Another contrast of topics I noticed is that of wise vs. foolish speech. 

13: "In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found."

14: "Wise men lay up knowledge."

17: "He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction." 

19: "He that refraineth his lips is wise."

20-21: "The tongue of the just is as choice silver....the lips of the righteous feed man."

23: "A man of understanding hath wisdom."

31: "The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom."

32: "The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable."

Now look at the contrast of all these. 

13: "A rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding."

14: "The mouth of the foolish is near destruction."

17-18: "He that refuseth reproof erreth. He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool."

19: "In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin."

20-21: "The heart of the wicked is little worth.....fools die for want of wisdom."

23: "It is as sport to a fool to do mischief."

31: "The froward tongue shall be cut out."

32: "The mouth of the wicked speaketh forwardness."

Wise people store up knowledge. They learn a lot and gather wisdom, but don't spue it all at once. They use it when needed. They know what acceptable to say and what's not at certain times. They learn and use the knowledge to help and bless others - not show off. They have a teachable spirit. It shows spiritual maturity when one is willing and able to learn, no matter how old he is. Wise people know when to refrain from speaking because talking too much can cause sin. In this day of over-sharing, silence is often more powerful. The wise also avoid gossiping, calling names, faking kindness, and slandering (a false or malicious statement about a person intended to harm his character or reputation). All of those hurt another person deeply. To apply this, be extra careful not to drag someone's name through the dirt by telling lies or calling him names just to put that person down. The Bible calls this person a fool. Sometimes people do this to lift their own selves up, but that's just as wrong. Just because you know something doesn't mean it needs to be shared.  Once words are said, they can't be unsaid. Often times they can't be forgotten, even if they are temporarily. Years later, those hurtful words may pop back up in the person's brain. The lips of the righteous feed many. 

Be a person who nourishes others. 

Proverbs 9

 Similar to chapter 8, chapter 9 personifies wisdom and folly. These are opposite and produce different results. 

First off, we notice that wisdom is proactive. 

She:

builds her house

hews out seven pillars

kills her beasts

furnishes her table

sends forth her maidens

cries in the high places of the city

Once again, wisdom stands in the public places calling to all who will listen. It invites the simple and those that lack understanding, the naive and inexperienced - not to mock, but to offer transformation. 

"Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. 

Reprove not a scorner, lest he hath thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning." vs. 6,8-9

Then, in some ways folly mimics wisdom. She also sits in the public places, being loud, ignorant, and deceptive, and calls the simple and those that lack understanding. But instead of offering transformation, folly uses secretive and sensual tactics to draw them in and leads right to death. 

In order to escape folly, we must start with the fear of the Lord. This is the foundation for all wisdom. We need to have a reverent fear of God. Our decisions should be based on, 'does this reflect a reverence for God?' Before asking ourselves what we feel or what we think about a situation, we'd do best to ask, 'what does God think about this?' Believers can in fact know God's mind about issues because we can talk to him often and study the Word. 

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." 

The fear of God changes how we live life. Some areas affected include how we:

speak - guard your tongue (Prov. 10:19)

choose friends - walk with the wise (Prov. 13:20 and Ps. 119:63)

handle money - do so with integrity and generosity (Prov. 3:9-10)

treat others - with justice and compassion (Prov. 14:31)

pursue goals - align with eternal values (Matt. 6:19-21, Prov. 11:4, and 19:23)

 

Proverbs 8

Proverbs 8 provides an amazing personification of wisdom. 

Wisdom stands in the public places inviting an audience of anyone who will listen. It's freely accessible and offers a message that's worth far more than rubies, silver, and gold. Wisdom speaks only in truth so that means any so-called "wisdom" that involves dishonesty or manipulation is a false form. There can be no distortion, no twisting of truth with wisdom that aligns with God's standard. Wisdom is simple to those who have an open and receptive heart. It gives practical blessings, too, to both leaders and common folk. Wisdom invites listeners to obey and receive life. Vs. 35 and 36 give a stark contrast. 

For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death. 

Either we chose favor and life by accepting and embracing wisdom, or we can choose self-destruction and death by rejecting it.  Christ is the wisdom of God, so following Jesus is following wisdom. Even before the creation of the world, wisdom was because God was. It's rooted in the eternal nature of God. There was intentionality in wisdom's existence because verse 23 says it was set up which implies being ordained or firmly established. It was integrally involved in creation, transcends time, and is relevant across all ages. 

Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.

~Prov. 8:33

The Rose Arose

Last Sunday we specially remembered and celebrated Jesus' death and resurrection. Even though it's past I still wanted to write about it. I learned new specific details about the crucifixion process, such as when the scouring took place, a guy would sit in front of the one being scourged with a bucket of salt water. If he thought the criminal looked like he was about to pass out from the pain he'd throw the salt water, which naturally would violently wake the criminal as the salt touched every open wound. Then as far as the cross, it most likely would not have been set up so high as pictures depict. People could walk by and be at eye level with the criminal. 

The amount of pain Jesus dealt with is indescribable. But the greatest pain was when he drank the cup of God's wrath - the wrath meant for me and you because of our sin. I heard a new take on the verse when Jesus said, 'I thirst.' He wasn't so much asking for water as he was asking the Father for the cup. Since he had to drink the cup, he was ready for it. Ready to absorb all off the cup, drink it to the dregs. God turned his back on Jesus and the fellowship was broken, the Trinity severed. It didn't last long because as Jesus fulfilled the Father's requirements for sin, God was satisfied. Right before Jesus died, he said, 'It is finished...Father into thy hands I commend my spirit.' Here the fellowship was restored and all was paid for. 

Then after he rose, he said to Mary, "Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God." ~ John 20:17

I used to be confused. Why would Jesus forbid Mary to touch him but tell Thomas to touch his hands and side? Sometime between verse 17 and 27, Jesus ascended to heaven and applied the blood to the mercy seat. How amazing to think about sins being paid for once for all. 
Hebrews 9:23-24 says, "It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heaven should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us."

I also hadn't thought deeply about Joseph and Nicodemus who buried Jesus. They were celebrating Passover and the feast of unleavened bread, but touching the dead body would make them unclean, unable to continue celebrating. Yet they identified themselves as followers of the Lord and chose to make that sacrifice. 

Today I'm thankful for the hope of heaven. Jesus is alive and I long for the day when I get to finally go home and see God. I can't wait to spend eternity worshipping and giving praise to the Lamb with millions of brothers and sisters in Christ. This earth is just a temporary stop on my journey. Every Easter reminds me I'm heading for home, all because God so loved me, he so loved you, that he gave his Son, the Lamb to take away the sins of the world.

I cast my mind to Calvary where Jesus bled and died for me.

I see his wounds, his hands, his feet, my Saviour on that cursed tree.

His body bound and drenched in tears; they laid him down in Joseph's tomb.

The entrance sealed by heavy stone, Messiah still and all alone.

Then on the third at break of dawn, the Son of heaven rose again. 

O trampled death, where is your sting? The angels roar for Christ the King. 

He shall return in robes of white, the blazing sun shall pierce the night. 

And I will rise among the saints, my gaze transfixed on Jesus' face.

O praise the Name of the Lord, our God, O praise his name forevermore.

For endless days we will sing your praise, oh Lord our God.

Here's a couple song videos. 

The church I attend put on a musical Easter drama and did a fantastic job. They chose some unique songs. Even Pilate's words were sung. Click here if you'd like to watch.

Here he comes, stepping down from glory, Bethlehem is just the start of the story.

Here he comes, teaching in the temple, making timeless wisdom sound simple

Here he comes to seek and save, to wash our every sin away. 

Hear the captives start to say, "Here he comes!"

Here he comes, giving sight to a blind man, calling out giving life to a dead man. 

Here he comes, Hosanna's loudly ringing; carries the cross along the way to suffering.

Here he comes a miracle at sunrise, an empty tomb is shouting he is alive.

Here he comes, oh, here he comes.

Here he comes, oh, glorious day, he is risen from the grave. 

All creation shouts his praise. Here he comes

My heart beats with expectation, my soul aches with anticipation.

Oh, what a moment of celebration when we see him in the sky! 

Here he comes, stepping down from glory, coming back to finish the story.

Here he comes, and I can't wait for the dawning of that day when the angels finally say: "here he comes!"

Proverbs 7

 Chapter 7 warns strongly against infidelity, adultery, and immorality. 

This topic weighs heavy on my heart and is one I'm passionate about because I've witnessed the devastating effects. 

It's not just an unbeliever problem - it's a mankind problem. Immorality respects no persons when it comes to whether one is a believer or non-believer. It affects all. The chapter begins with a plea, telling us to keep the commandments and treasure godly counsel and wisdom. How can we keep God's words? By writing them on our heart - memorizing Scripture and being in the word every day. 

In order to avoid being caught by temptation, we must know our weak spots and not put ourselves in situations that make us vulnerable. We should be compelled to discipline ourselves.

Our culture tries desperately hard to desensitize us to immorality and adultery. They "commonize" it, especially to children. But common does not = normal and it's not normal. In fact, presenting it to kids like it is normal rates as a high offense. Working every day with parents and children involved in public and private schools, I realize that many in this next generation are 1.) growing up without knowing the Lord and 2.) bombarded with sin from all directions to make then desensitized. It's shoved down their poor little throats and they don't know better. How can they when no one teaches them? 

There is acceptable and non-acceptable behavior.  Schools refuse to teach it clearly and aren't drawing a line. Parents stay too busy with work, and by the time they come home, they most likely give the kids supper while placing a tablet or phone in front of them. Then it's play time on the tv until bed time, and cycle repeats the next day. 

Infidelity and immorality hurt kids the most which breaks my heart to pieces. I've seen a vicious cycle which plays out in many broken families. Here's one example.

Starts off with a husband, wife, and kids. More often than not, both spouses work (whether out of necessity or preference) and the children go to public (sometimes private) school. Then divorce or separation happens for whatever reason - could be infidelity, money, selfish pride, etc. 

Now the kids live with no consistency. They split time between mom and dad - that's if both parents are present. Then one or both spouses find a boy/girl friend and start living together.  Now there's fornication and kids get used to reality of seeing boyfriend everyday, and visiting dad on weekends or no dad at all. Then because of living together and lack of responsibility and discipline, another baby enters the picture, and kids get used to this reality of stepsiblings. To say the least, the whole situation is a disaster. 

Many single parents are lackadaisical in their parenting because life can be overwhelming with full time work, appointments, sports games, etc. The parent looks for something convenient to entertain the kids, like tablets, tv, or video games because at least they'll be quiet and contained for a little while. Here the danger of desensitizing comes. With no parental supervision or care, the kid scrolls through media (youtube shorts seem to be the main one with younger kids), hearing and seeing things they ought not. Satan is smart. He's looking who he can devour, and who's easiest? Young children because they soak up everything. They get used to seeing immodesty on videos (and in video games), hearing and seeing immoral things, and don't think twice about it as they scroll on. We know that what one consumes through the eye and ear gates goes into the heart eventually.  

Because immodesty and immorality are normalized on these videos, even spoken about freely, kids grow up thinking it's a fine behavior. Little boys learn that it's okay to disrespect and devalue women (maybe even their own mom) and adults because people do it in the videos and treat it lightly. (Side note: women also devalue their own selves by being in/making these videos.) Little boys turn into young men and if not corrected, the behavior and attitude toward women will stay the same. 

The issues addressed in chapter 7 affect so many areas of life, not just of the couple, but of children. If you have any influence over young children or grandchildren, I encourage you to teach them what is right and wrong. With all kinds of media in their face these days, not to mention the stuff kids at school talk about, it's wise to talk to kids about issues before they arise. It's wise to be in the know with what they're faced with. Pretending that it doesn't exist or pretending that these issues wouldn't arise in a Christian family is simply foolish. A person who thinks he's too strong to be affected better think again. Many strong men have been slain (vs. 26). 

1 Cor. 10:12 ~ "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."

Prov.7:23, talking about temptation/the strange woman, says the young man void of understanding will follow her Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life. 

How terrifying. Just like the bird, adultery and fornication devour the life. It ruins. It leaves a mess. It destroys. 

PROVERBS 4:23

KEEP THY HEART WITH ALL DILIGENCE; FOR OUT OF IT ARE THE ISSUES OF LIFE.

Proverbs 6

 This chapter gives us great wisdom for life. How can we apply?

• First, be wise with finances. Don't put yourself in situations that could ruin your financial stability and/or relationships.
• Second, stay diligent. Even when no one's watching. Especially when no one's watching.
  The ants gather food, provide for themselves, and no one watches them, no one overseers or rules them. What a great example for our lives. We need to build consistent, good habits. Diligence is when one puts careful and persistent effort towards a goal. It focuses on the quality and intensity of the effort.
  
  "Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out." ~ Robert Collier
  
  You want to have success in your Christian life? Then start with forming habits that will help with growth and maturity and practice them every day. As an adult, no one can make you go to church. No one can make you read the Bible or make you have a personal walk with God. This takes DISCIPLINE and diligence every day. Be diligent to wake up and talk to God. Diligent to read the Bible. Diligent to apply. 
  You want financial success? Then start with little steps. Health success? Start with taking little steps. Successful relationships? Start taking steps. All of these areas require an open mind to begin with. Laziness will start creeping in little by little if we don't guard against it. It's very easy to skip one day of Bible reading, skip a day of passing out tracts/witnessing/talking to people about the Lord - but one day turns into two, then into three, then into a week, then into a month. Be diligent. 
• Third, avoid division and those who cause it. Don't gossip, lie, or manipulate - all these bring division. Build peace. 
• Fourth, watch out for the wicked man, the naughty person. He winks with the eye. Not a friendly wink, but a subtle, non-verbal cue that signals something dishonest or malicious. He speaks with his feet, meaning he knows how to use body language to direct or hint at things. He teaches with his fingers, meaning he knows how to influence in shady, subtle ways. Watch out for this person. He's sly, crafty, and scheming. 
• Fifth, guard your heart. It gives a list of seven things the Lord hates. Be aware when they try to pop up in life. Seek God continually and apply wisdom to avoid these. 
• Sixth, guard against adultery and temptation. Mistakes in this area will bring a blot and dishonor to a person's name and ruin reputations. We can save ourselves and others a lot of heartache if we deal with others always in honor and purity, not only physically but also emotionally. Be extra careful about what you watch and what you let your children watch. From working with broken families and seeing the horrible things kids are exposed to nowadays with no adult supervision, I understand why fornication and adultery is so common. It's becoming (or maybe already is) a learned, acceptable behavior from a young age. Watch out. The devil is on a hunt to find who he can devour. 

Proverbs 5

Chapter 5

 

Once again, wisdom gives protection. Paying attention to wisdom helps us with having discretion on knowing who and what to avoid. It keeps us from going astray and wandering away from God. The person who goes astray can easily do so if he is trying to live the Christian life without the Bible. God gives us all the principles within the word to live a holy life. What happens is that many believers read it, but don't apply. When a person encounters sin, head knowledge informs him that yes, this is sin. But simply knowing something doesn't bring protection. Wisdom says to apply, and when a person applies his knowledge of God and what the Scriptures say to his life, he can actively run from and avoid sin. 

There are consequences in all of life for decisions we make. Good consequences as well as bad ones. We can't choose the consequences, but we can choose our actions. Remember that in everything, the good and bad, God sees it all. 

 

Proverbs 4

Wisdom is learned, not gained through osmosis nor found innately. 

In the beginning of the chapter a father has taught his son the way of wisdom. It is the most important thing. I love the way verse 7 says it: Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

One wise thing is listening to others. There's so much value in hearing and asking questions to older people who have experienced life when it has been good, when it has been difficult, when it has been bad, when it has been painful, etc. Someone once said to me that experience is the best teacher. 

But wisdom says that experience is NOT the best teacher, and if you can learn from others who have walked a similar or same path, that is way better. I would rather hang out with middle aged/the elderly than people my own age because I love hearing the elder's life stories and listening to how they navigated through situations. Just by talking about their own lives they often teach me a thing or two.

Keep in mind, though, that elderly does not = wise. Many elders don't have wisdom, so be discerning on who you take advice from.

Wisdom also helps you choose the correct path. Understand that there's only 2 paths - no option to have a foot on both: the path of the wicked/evil man and the path of the just. For the path of the wicked, don't even go by it, don't look at it, don't go investigate. It's dark. Don't just remove yourself from sin, but actively withdraw, reject it. Instead, stay on the path that leads to the light. Walking on it allows you to grow, be transformed, and have clarity. Sanctification for the Christian is a process throughout life. Each day you walk on the path, you receive more and more light to be a reflection of Jesus. 

To have a good outward reflection, though, the inward has to be right. Listening to God's commandments and applying them has an effect on a person's whole being: physical, mental, and emotional. The inner life drives the outer life. This is why verse 23 implores, Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. 

More than anything, seriously protect and guard your heart. It's not talking about the organ itself, but your inner life: thoughts, desires, will, conscience.

Why is the heart so important? Because what fills the heart ends up flowing to the mouth. Actively reject words that are corrupted, harsh, & manipulative that hurt and tear down and instead choose to speak life-giving, truthful, gracious words that help. 

Then also when your heart is guarded and focused on the right thing, you can live with a moral and spiritual focus. Have a vision that's anchored in God's will. Live intentionally and don't drift into sin or be pulled off course and away from your vision by lesser things.

Proverbs 3

 Reading chapters 1 and now 3, the thing that sticks out the most to me is peace. 

Wisdom brings peace. A peaceful life is pleasant. Ask anyone. Who wants to be around a disturbed, stressful soul?? Stressful living is not normal. People try to normalize it - almost seem to put it on a pedestal as a goal to reach (1st world problems, maybe?)- but it's definitely not the biblical way of living. Just because something is common doesn't mean it's normal. 

In her book Apply, Francie Taylor writes, "a chaotic life is the opposite of a pleasant life. When God orders and directs our steps, we end up on the park marked peace instead of on the trail covered in our tears. How can we find God's peaceful path? When we measure our lives against the Scriptures, we will see clearly where we're missing the mark. If we measure our lives against the culture, we'll arrive at the faulty conclusion that we're not so bad compared to someone else." 

Constantly comparing also brings stress because of trying to live to match someone else. Instead, ask, 'how do I measure up to God's word?' 

I find it interesting that wisdom even affects sleep quality. vs. 24: When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

Probably the most famous verses in Proverbs are 5 & 6. Let's look at them. 

Trust: complete surrender

in the Lord with all thine heart; this is internal

In all thy ways acknowledge him: this is external

He shall direct thy paths: God will lead us into what's best

  We're responsible for our internal attitudes and our external actions. As we trust God with all our being, actions will be different. And when we worry or rush ahead, we show we don't trust God. 

Other takeaways I see: Have moral integrity in your actions. Be generous. Live in peace. Walk in wisdom in every area of life. 

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. ~ vs. 13

Proverbs 2

 Wisdom isn't just about gaining insight - it's about protection. 

When we seek wisdom, it'll help us have an understanding of the fear of the Lord and a deep, relational understanding of God himself. 

Wisdom isn't something we gain from going to church or just being around other wise people. We actually have to hunt for it in earnest, passionate pursuit. Enjoy and value learning. Enjoy and value the truth. Each must value and internalize God's commandments - memorizing only won't cut it. And surrender our hearts to the truth. When we seek for it, truly and sincerely, we will find it. 

Vs. 10-11 shows us that wisdom brings protection. When wisdom is something we welcome in our heart, it starts to guard us. Wisdom needs to be internalized and valued so we can develop the kind of judgment that helps us avoid harm and make smart choices. 

Discretion (good judgment and the ability to make wise choices) will protect from moral and physical danger. Insight and discernment will help keep us safe on the right path and away from destructive situations. 

Then practically, wisdom protects us from the evil man - someone who has turned away from God's way and could pull us to do the same - and from the strange woman - someone who is seductive and morally unfaithful. This represents any kind of enticing, destructive influence. She uses flattering words to lure and represents moral and spiritual compromise. She brings spiritual, emotional, and relational destruction. This is warning not to just avoid lust, but to avoid anything that deceives us into betrayal of the truth. 

So, pursuing God's wisdom is the most valuable journey we can take. Do the work it takes to form a heart that walks with God, sees through evil, and stays on the path that leads to life. 

Proverbs 1

Every time I read Proverbs I notice something new. My sister and I are reading Proverbs through for the 3rd time in a row and each time different things stick out to us. This time I'm writing down my observations and thoughts about each chapter. Hopefully this will be an encouragement to you and feel free to join and read along with us too! I'd love to hear your insights/ thoughts and you can share by replying to this post or leaving a comment. 

Chapter 1 

 The purpose of Proverbs is to give knowledge and discretion. It's to give subtilty to the simple. Subtility is 'prudence, cleverness, and the ability to think wisely.'

A wise man will hear, and will increase learning - wisdom is the skill to live life successfully, and since we're always running into new situations in life, wisdom is an ongoing pursuit.  A wise person will stay teachable and desire to learn throughout his life. 

On the other hand, a fool despises knowledge. He is proud and morally stubborn who doesn't want to grow because growing means change and to change you need to be challenged. It's uncomfortable for a fool to be challenged so he'd rather stay in the comfort zone. 

 Verse 7 is key to getting knowledge: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. 

To fear God is to have an awe, honor, reverence for God. This is the starting point of gaining knowledge because he's the author of it all. Humble yourself before God and have a deep desire to live in a way that honors him. He must come first in life - not your will. 

Later on in the chapter we see wisdom personified as a woman. She's calling out in the streets and the chief places. See, wisdom is not hiding. She's available to any who will stop and listen. 

If we listen, wisdom will open our eyes. If we refuse it, we set ourselves up for bad consequences, and even if we decided to seek God after experiencing the consequences, it may be too late. Living by one's own wisdom gives emptiness, chaos, regret. But when one listens to God's voice - to wisdom - life can be peaceful, secure, and free from fear no matter what happens because God is always to be trusted. 

Silence is Compliance

It seems that more and more Christians are keeping their mouth shut when they should be opening it. 

Francie Taylor asked a great question in her book Apply: 

Have we become so afraid of people disagreeing with us that we're willing to forfeit our own conscience?

Christians in general have become so lackadaisical that they're afraid to offend anyone and refuse to speak the truth because who knows what so-and-so might say or think. Why, that other person might even have a different opinion and wouldn't that just be awful! Best not to say anything then.

 I have seen people who know what is right, refuse to speak and instead will actually squash down their conscience because they're so scared of offending. It's like we as Christians have built an altar. This altar represents acceptance - it's human nature to want to fit in and be accepted. On top of this altar we put our beliefs, everything we know that is right, good, and true, and set it all on fire. Sacrificing on the altar of acceptance is a dangerous trap, and it is what Satan desires. I believe the devil wins a big battle when he convinces Christians to stay silent. Who's going to stand up for God, then? When there's an important matter at stake and the side of lies is shouting for all they're worth and the side of truth is silent, that sends the message that the side of truth is compliant. You've probably heard the quote: 

If Satan can’t keep you from being saved, he'll try to keep you from being effective.

A silent, stagnant Christian is not a threat to the devil. 

Non-believers aren't afraid to speak up. Why are Christians? Non-Christians will shove their beliefs down others' throats, especially children. But when a Christian shows up and speaks the truth, suddenly he's being targeted, told to keep silent, and sometimes even threatened. 

I've even seen a struggle amongst Christians regarding this. There's another quote that says, "If the devil can’t steal your soul, he’ll try to silence your witness." Unfortunately, he's gotten some Christians on his bandwagon and is using them to silence other Christians. Here's one example: When a 6-year-old boy shows up at a "Christian" school with his nails painted very femininely, it's not because he wants to be an artist when he grows up and needs to express his artistic talent. It's because his mom did them for him. What that "Christian" school should do is have a clear policy regarding males and females, especially because of the mess surrounding sexes today. A teacher shouldn't get in trouble for telling the boy it's weird that his nails are painted because frankly it is. Culturally in America, painting fingernails is seen as a feminine activity. Therefore, when a guy does it, others will most likely naturally think it's weird and may think some woke transgenderism agenda is being pushed on him. And, since we all know about how confused people are nowadays, why not stay far away from all appearance of evil and encourage little boys into manliness? 

If a "Christian" principle makes excuses for something like this and says it's just his artistic side coming out, and then takes Scriptures out of context to use against the teacher to prove her point, the devil is happy because that principle's witness has already been silenced, and now he's using her to try to silence the teacher. 

Sadly and unfortunately "Christians" will tolerate and accept weird and wrong behavior because talking to the person and speaking the truth might offend them greatly. After all, Christians are supposed to be loving, right? 

Every time I hear someone use Ephesians 4:15 as a support to be "loving," it gives me shivers. At best it's a gross misquoting of Scripture. Here's the verse: But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ." The first problem is that whoever quotes this most likely only knows the first 5 words of this verse. So, let's look at the context. The previous verses are talking about how God gave some people apostles, some people prophets, some people evangelists, some people teachers, and some people pastors, all for the perfecting of the saints and for edification until we all (Christians) come in unity of the faith and knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ, so that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ. 

Paul paints a picture of maturity, unity, and love - where we grow out of spiritual immaturity, avoid being misled, and become solid, Christ-centered people who support each other like parts of a healthy, functioning body. Instead of being like the wind, be discerning. Test what you hear - online, from others, or even your own thoughts - against Scripture. Don’t fall for things that sound spiritual but aren’t grounded in Christ. 

Speaking the truth in love means to be honest, but kind. Don’t avoid hard conversations. I think many times people are quick to say the phrase but then actually never speak the truth. It's almost like love has come to = permissiveness. But love does not = permissiveness, acceptance, or tolerance.

 If you saw a blind person was about to step into a pit of venomous vipers, wouldn't you shout and run as fast as you could to snatch him back? That would show love. It would be most unloving to say, well, they might get hurt if I pull him back too aggressively........what if I accidentally step on his toe or break his arm? He'll probably be offended at me if I shout for him to stop. 

 Love doesn’t mean agreeing with everything; it means caring enough to speak truth honestly, with humility, and with compassion. 

In the midst of a confused world, aren't you thankful and glad God has given us his Word that transcends cultures and time periods? We know the truth.  

I actually heard a recent poll was done among Bible-believing Christians and was shocked and saddened to hear that 62% said there's no absolute truth. 

But there is. Like I said, it's in the Bible. 

God created male and female. They each have distinct roles but complement each other and work together beautifully when inside of God's design. 

There is right and wrong and it's intuitive in each person. 

There is only one God and only one right way to heaven. 

Every person is created in God's image, and no one has the right to casually take another person's life. (Not talking about matters of the law or killings in self-defense.)

Skin color and different cultures are not separators. We are all part of one human race.

Millions of years is a lie and so are teachings about monkey ancestors. God is the creator.

The devil is working hard to distort everything that is good, true, and beautiful, and he's out looking for those whom he can devour. Stay alert. Stand up for righteousness. Don't be afraid to speak up with humility and compassion. It's not the time for Christians to be wobbly and remain silent because of fear of offending. The fact of the matter is that truth will offend. The Bible is not a pool noodle. It's a sword. If a sword pierced you, you'd definitely be uncomfortable. If you get hit with a pool noodle it doesn't hurt at all. There are truths and beliefs worth fighting for so use the sword - not a pool noodle. We all need wisdom in this day to fight against the wiles of the devil, so make sure to stay in your Bible. And when we lack wisdom, let's ask God to help us.

"Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid." ~ Ronald Reagan 

March Recap

 March was a fun month.

One day I had a job in St. Augustine, so of course I got to the area early and found a great trail in the Gourd Island Conservation area.

Random flowers brighten the day. :)

The skies were majestic. 

My bestie came for a visit during the weekend an internation night market was held. All these vendors selling different Asian foods come and set up, and people can try different cuisines. We ended up sitting at a table with a bunch of older women and had a great time. 

One of the women got this octopus.

Japanese cheese cake

Lauren and I shared this - 2 different noodle mixtures. The white one is wide noodle, and I think the other one is glass noodle.

Sparkling strawberry lemonade

Shoyu ramen - absolute best ramen I've had.

I had another job in Pontre Vedra and found out it's the headquarters of the PGA tour.

At a flag football game, someone actually had this lizard on a leash. 😯

Random house I saw while walking and thought it was interesting how it had half wood siding.

A painting I did for my sister, inspired by the C-dramas. 😁

What fun things did you do in March? 

Morning

"My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up." ~ Psalm 5:3 

Morning. The beginning of a new day with no mistakes in it yet. A fresh start. A great day to see God's mercies and spot hundreds of blessings. 

When I used to leave for work super early, I'd get to watch the sun rise and it'd be stunning. The sky and clouds hardly look the same. Mornings are great time to spend time with God because it helps the mind be centered on him. Plus, it's a good discipline to meet with God before prioritizing other things.  But mornings are definitely not the only time God is available, so don't be discouraged if you miss it and have to meet him in the evening. Psalm 55:17 says, "Evening and morning and at noon will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice." No matter the time you reach out to God he is always open and ready to hear. 

I love the lyrics to the song "When I Wake Up in the Morning." It's simple but contains a very sweet prayer to God of surrender. Just what we all need. 

When I wake up in the morning and I lift up my head, I sing praise the Lord, praise the Lord. 

When I roll right out of bed and my feet hit the floor, I sing praise the Lord, praise the Lord. 

When I see the morning sunshine and I breathe in fresh air, I sing praise the Lord, praise the Lord. 

When I spend time in God's word, talk to Jesus in prayer, I sing praise the Lord, praise the Lord. 

Good morning, Lord, I love you. I just wanted you to know, here's my life, my heart, my will, my self, I yield it all to thee. Take my life and use it, guide my feet along the way. May your words my mind renew, your spirit fill me each day.