December 20015 Proverbs comments

As I read these verses it struck me as sounding very much like an "altar call," especially in light of verses 7-9. I am increasingly aware of how theological Proverbs is.
Proverbs 1.22-23
"How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity?
For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge.
Turn at my rebuke;
Surely I will pour out my spirit on you;
I will make my words known to you.

Proverbs 2.20-22
20 So you will walk in the way of good people,
and will keep on the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright will reside in the land,
and those with integrity will remain in it,
22 but the wicked will be removed from the land,
and the treacherous will be torn away from it. [NET]
We really see the book of Deuteronomy shine through in the words "the land" and the warnings to Israel if they were treacherous (unfaithful to their Covenant). Note, that the righteous are also the good.
Lord, make me good and faithful to You.

Wisdom takes pleasure in integrity, generosity, and peace.
Lord, help Your heart to be my heart.
Proverbs 3.27-30
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in the power of your hand to do so.
28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it,"
When you have it with you.
29 Do not devise evil against your neighbor,
For he dwells by you for safety's sake.
30 Do not strive with a man without cause,
If he has done you no harm.

Proverbs 4.14-17
"Do not enter the path of the wicked,
And do not walk in the way of evil.
Avoid it, do not travel on it;
Turn away from it and pass on.
For they do not sleep unless they have done evil;
And their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall.
For they eat the bread of wickedness,
And drink the wine of violence."

I am struck by how consumed the wicked are in thinking about and doing wickedness.
Lord, give me that same intensity and preoccupation with You.

In the midst of all the focus on what NOT to do, here are some verses that rejoice in how to righteously fulfill these desires. Remember to do the do's. :o)
Proverbs 5.18-19
Let your fountain be blessed,
And rejoice with the wife of your youth.
As a loving deer and a graceful doe,
Let her ,,, satisfy you at all times;
And always be enraptured with her love.


Proverbs 6.23-25
"For the commandment is a lamp,
And the law a light;
Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,
To keep you from the evil woman,
From the flattering tongue of a seductress.
Do not lust after her beauty in your heart,
Nor let her allure you with her eyelids."

This chapter warns the son (and us) against debt, worthless men, immorality, and their dire consequences. Using the law as a guiding principle is presented as an effective deterrent.
Lord, make me a man of the book who meditates on and follows Your law day and night.

The impulsive and unwise decision of the naive/simple young man in this story had lasting consequences.
Lord, help me be intentional about doing good and thoughtful in my decisions.
Proverbs 7.22-23
"Immediately (or suddenly) he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter,
Or as a fool to the correction of the stocks,
Till an arrow struck his liver.
As a bird hastens to the snare,
He did not know it would cost his life."


Wisdom is not some cryptic, unwilling secret whose design is to be difficult and odious. God desires to reward our efforts to understand His ways, and for us to be blessed by following them.
Lord, give me a heart that seeks You and your wisdom.
Proverbs 8.17-19
17 I love those who love me,
And those who seek me diligently will find me.
18 Riches and honor are with me,
Enduring riches and righteousness.
19 My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold,
And my revenue than choice silver.

The contrasts between deceit and truth in these verses highlight the simple joy and healthily effects of truth telling.
Proverbs 12.17-20
17 He who speaks truth declares righteousness,
But a false witness, deceit.
18 There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise promotes health.
19 The truthful lip shall be established forever,
But a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
But counselors of peace have joy.

Even lawless men unknowingly accomplish what God had planned all along. That's one to sit and think about for a while.
Acts 2.23 "Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death.

Faithful and prudent are a good combination.
 Lord, help me to reflect Your faithfulness.
Proverbs 13.15-17
15 Good understanding gains favor,
But the way of the unfaithful is hard.
16 Every prudent man acts with knowledge,
But a fool lays open his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
But a faithful ambassador brings health.

July 2016 Proverbs

Proverbs 1.4-5
4 To give prudence to the simple,
To the young man knowledge and discretion—
5 A wise man will hear and increase learning,
And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, 
6 To understand a proverb and an enigma,
The words of the wise and their riddles.

A few things to note
1. There is an emphasis on one's "wisdom quotient" (how to think rightly) more than one's "wisdom repretoire" (fact memorization).
2. It is designed to benefit both the wise and morally naive which makes its study perfect for parents and children (regular or grand).
3. Verse seven grounds all this in one's relationship with the Lord.

Lord, help me grow in the understanding and application of Your ways.

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These first five verses of Proverbs two seem to lay a foundation for or expand on Jesus' words in Matthew 7.7 / Luke 11:9.

Proverbs 1.1-5
My son, if you receive my words,
And treasure my commands within you, 
So that you incline your ear to wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding;
Yes, if you cry out for discernment,
And lift up your voice for understanding,
If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will understand the fear of the LORD,
And find the knowledge of God.

These verses point to an initial attainment and ever deepening process of seeking, knocking, and asking that can result in a commitment to and comprehension of the Lord. May we never grow weary of this process.

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In Philippians 1.6 Paul expresses confidence "that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;" and Proverbs 3.11-12 reminds us to appreciate our Father's loving correction to help accomplish that at times.

Proverbs 3.11-12
My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD,
Nor detest His correction;
For whom the LORD loves He corrects,
Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

God, help me to desire to be confirmed to the image of your Son so much that I will value Your correction if I should need it.

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Proverbs 4.26-27 (net)
26 Make the path for your feet level,
so that all your ways may be established. 
27 Do not turn to the right or to the left;
turn yourself away from evil.

The first Hebrew word in 26, palac, is also translated "ponder" and "watch." We may limit our view of walking in God's way of wisdom to relatively thoughtless following of a set of commands. these proverbs seem to indicate a more proactive and comprehensive approach that includes, but goes beyond just following rules.

Lord, help me thoughtfully walk Your straight path.

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Regrets. One of the themes of Proverbs is the connection between actions and eventual consequences. These verses are part of a series of potential consequences of being involved with an immoral woman.

Proverbs 5.12-14

12 And say: "How I have hated instruction,
And my heart despised correction!
13 I have not obeyed the voice of my teachers,
Nor inclined my ear to those who instructed me!
14 I was on the verge of total ruin,
In the midst of the assembly and congregation."

Lord, help me pay close attention to wisdom and understanding.

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Proverbs 6.27-28
Can a man take fire to his bosom,
And his clothes not be burned?
Can one walk on hot coals,
And his feet not be seared? 
So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife;
Whoever touches her shall not be innocent.

What makes us think that we are so clever or "bulletproof" that normall consequences will never effect us?

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As I read chapter seven I am struck by how the elaborate preparations that the immoral seductress made are compared to how totally how unprepared the naive simpleton was for this test of his character.

Lord, help me make preparations and be prepared to make choices follow You on the way of righteousness.

Proverbs 7.13-18
13 So she caught him and kissed him;
With an impudent face she said to him:
14 "I have peace offerings with me; Today I have paid my vows.
15 So I came out to meet you,
Diligently to seek your face,
And I have found you.
16 I have spread my bed with tapestry,
Colored coverings of Egyptian linen.
17 I have perfumed my bed
With myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 
18 Come, let us take our fill of love until morning;
Let us delight ourselves with love.

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Proverbs 8.32-33
"So now, children, listen to me;
blessed are those who keep my ways.
Listen to my instruction so that you may be wise,
and do not neglect it."

After regaling the creation credentials and antiquities of Wisdom, this is the application. It's not enough to know and appreciate wisdom and then neglect to follow through with its prescriptions.

Lord, make me a doer of your wise Word.

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As Wisdom prepares her banquet, three types of people come into view. Two have hope.

Proverbs 9.4-9
THE SIMPLE
4 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" 
As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him, 
5 "Come, eat of my bread
And drink of the wine I have mixed.
THE SCOFFER/WICKED
7 "He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself,
And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself.
8 Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; 
THE WISE/JUST
Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

Lord, I want a teachable (God fearing) spirit that benefits from Wisdom's banquet.

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These four parallels contrast the way and end of the righteous and the eternal ends of the righteous and the wicked.

Proverbs 10.27-30
27 The fear of the LORD prolongs days,
But the years of the wicked will be shortened. 
28 The hope of the righteous will be gladness,
But the expectation of the wicked will perish. 
29 The way of the LORD is strength for the upright,
But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity. 
30 The righteous will never be removed,
But the wicked will not inhabit the earth.

Lord, I want to walk in the fear of You, in hope of the end you have for me, and in your strength.

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These two sayings seem to work together to frame a section of chapter eleven. They highlight the prized qualities of honor and discretion.

Proverbs 11.16 & 22
16. A gracious woman retains honor,
But ruthless men retain riches.
22. As a ring of gold in a swine's snout,
So is a lovely woman who lacks discretion.

Lord, help me have the discretion to seek honor over riches.

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The hearts of scoffers who stray from the way and refuse correction are open books to the God who sees all. It is futile for us to think we can fool God.

Proverbs 15.10-12
10 Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way,
And he who hates correction will die.
11 Hell and Destruction are before the LORD;
So how much more the hearts of the sons of men. 
12 A scoffer does not love one who corrects him,
Nor will he go to the wise.

Lord, search my heart and see if there is any wicked way in me. Help me be tender and responsive to Your correction.

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This pair of sayings seems to support the "principles not promises" view of Proverbs. When your ways please the Lord there are inherent blessing, but when in a fallen world you find poverty, righteousness is better than riches.

Proverbs 16.7-8
7 When a man's ways please the LORD,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness,
Than vast revenues without justice.

Lord, help me treasure You and Your ways above all.

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Proverbs 17.19-21 (NET)
19 The one who loves a quarrel loves transgression;
whoever builds his gate high seeks destruction.
20 The one who has a perverse heart does not find good,
and the one who is deceitful in speech falls into trouble.
21 Whoever brings a fool into the world does so to his grief,
and the father of a fool has no joy.

In this section of Proverbs that highlights a fool, we see heartbreaking traits of strife and proud ambition that bring trouble and shame.

Lord, help me pursue the peace and humility of Your way that will bring joy to my parents.

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A fool's mouth is busy getting him in trouble and his sloth reinforces with actions or inactions the trouble his mouth starts.

Proverbs 18.6-9
6 A fool's lips enter into contention,
And his mouth calls for blows. 
7 A fool's mouth is his destruction,
And his lips are the snare of his soul. 
8 The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles,
And they go down into the inmost body.
9 He who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.

Lord, may my words and actions be faithful to create peace and benefits for myself AND others,

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Most teachers can relate to the truth of these sayings. If I have taught your children, I probably know you better than you think.

Proverbs 20.6-7
Most men will proclaim each his own goodness,
But who can find a faithful man? 
The righteous man walks in his integrity;
His children are blessed after him.

Lord, make me the man whose faithfulness to You makes him an unassuming blessing to his children and others around him.

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These sayings describe the downward spiral of the perverse man who abandons diligence for get rich quick schemes.

Proverbs 21.5-8
5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,
But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.
6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue
Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.
7 The violence of the wicked will destroy them,
Because they refuse to do justice. 
8 The way of a guilty man is perverse;
But as for the pure, his work is right.

Lord, help my work to be pure and right.

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Sometimes we are asked the hypothetical question, would you do this (usually some morally objectionable thing) for a million (or billion) dollars. Basically, we are being asked if we believe Prov. 22.1. And verse two seems to highlight the favor of God who is unimpressed by riches.

Proverbs 22.1-2
1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
Loving (or good) favor rather than silver and gold.
2 The rich and the poor have this in common,
The LORD is the maker of them all.

Lord, help me value your esteem and favor more than unmeasurable material wealth.

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This saying, number nine of the first decalogue of the Thirty Wise Sayings, continues the theme of wealth. Just because you can feast at someone's table doesn't mean that they want you to or that you should.

Proverbs 23.6-8
Do not eat the bread of a miser,
Nor desire his delicacies;
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
"Eat and drink!" he says to you,
But his heart is not with you.
The morsel you have eaten, you will vomit up,
And waste your pleasant words.

Lord, give me th discernment, contentment, and self-control to find my satisfaction and joy in You and Your way of righteousness and wisdom.

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While these proverbs have obvious applications in the judicial and public realms, I am also thinking about how they point out the need for personal discernment and kind but frank honesty. Experience and clear examples in Scripture show that the "good blessing" is often not immediate.

Proverbs 24.23-25
These things also belong to the wise:
It is not good to show partiality in judgment. 
He who says to the wicked, "You are righteous,"
Him the people will curse; Nations will abhor him.
But those who rebuke the wicked will have delight,
And a good blessing will come upon them

Lord, give me the discernment, courage, and grace to be wise in this area.

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Proverbs 25.8-10
Do not go hastily to court;
For what will you do in the end,
When your neighbor has put you to shame?
Debate your case with your neighbor, 
And do not disclose the secret to another;
Lest he who hears it expose your shame,
And your reputation be ruined.

So, maybe the "I'll see you in court" attitude is not always such a good instinct.

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Proverbs 26.18-20
Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,
Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, "I was only joking."
Where there is no wood, the fire goes out;
And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.

These verses are part of a set that describes people who like to stir up trouble. Their reckless tongues keep things stirred up and can do real damage.

Lord, help me be a thoughtful blessing with my tongue.

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Bragging about prospects for what you are going to accomplish or even what you think you've done can be a mistake. Leave that to others

Proverbs 27.1-2
1 Do not boast about tomorrow,
For you do not know what a day may bring forth.
2 Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth;
A stranger, and not your own lips.

Lord, let all my praise be for You and my faith be in You alone.

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These sayings contrast the faithful, hard-working person with the "get rich quick" schemer. We are each on a path that it going somewhere.

Proverbs 28.18-20
18 Whoever walks blamelessly will be saved,
But he who is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.
19 He who tills his land will have plenty of bread,
But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough.
20 A faithful man will abound with blessings,
But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.

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Proverbs 29.8-11
8 Scoffers set a city aflame,
But wise men turn away wrath. 
9 If a wise man contends with a foolish man,
Whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace. 
10 The bloodthirsty hate the blameless,
But the upright seek his well-being.
11 A fool vents all his feelings,
But a wise man holds them back.

These verses paint a picture of the self-controlled, peacemaking, wise person who is a thorn to the bloodthirsty and foolish much like Jesus was.

Lord, continue to confirm me to the image of your son.

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This set of Agur's sayings traces a progression of a person with no conscience as a youth, no sensibility of sin, haughtiness, and finally an opportunistic viciousness towards the defenseless.

Proverbs 30:11-14
There is a generation that curses its father,
And does not bless its mother. 
There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes,
Yet is not washed from its filthiness.
There is a generation—oh, how lofty are their eyes!
And their eyelids are lifted up.
There is a generation whose teeth are like swords,
And whose fangs are like knives,
To devour the poor from off the earth,
And the needy from among men.

Lord, give a sensitive, humble heart and eyes of compassion that see the poor as Christ does.

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This classic section on the virtuous (or talented, capable) wife highlights the classic contrast between "good looks and a charming personality" and a hard working, God fearing woman. It seems that is a description to which men should aspire also.

Proverbs 31:30-31
Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates.

Lord, give me industries hands that serve you,

During a Crisis remember to "Comfort IN, Dump OUT."

United Methodist North Texas Conference News

A New Vision, A New Voice ~ The North Texas Conference

How Not to Say the Wrong Thing in Death, Illness, Divorce, and Other Crises

"Draw a circle. This is the center ring. In it, put the name of the person at the center of the current trauma. For Katie’s aneurysm, that’s Katie. Now draw a larger circle around the first one. In that ring put the name of the person next closest to the trauma. In the case of Katie’s aneurysm, that was Katie’s husband, Pat. Repeat the process as many times as you need to. In each larger ring put the next closest people. Parents and children before more distant relatives. Intimate friends in smaller rings, less intimate friends in larger ones. When you are done you have a Kvetching Order. One of Susan’s patients found it useful to tape it to her refrigerator.

Here are the rules. The person in the center ring can say anything she wants to anyone, anywhere. She can kvetch and complain and whine and moan and curse the heavens and say, “Life is unfair” and “Why me?” That’s the one payoff for being in the center ring.

Everyone else can say those things too, but only to people in larger rings.

When you are talking to a person in a ring smaller than yours, someone closer to the center of the crisis, the goal is to help. Listening is often more helpful than talking. But if you’re going to open your mouth, ask yourself if what you are about to say is likely to provide comfort and support. If it isn’t, don’t say it. Don’t, for example, give advice. People who are suffering from trauma don’t need advice. They need comfort and support. So say, “I’m sorry” or “This must really be hard for you” or “Can I bring you a pot roast?” Don’t say, “You should hear what happened to me” or “Here’s what I would do if I were you.” And don’t say, “This is really bringing me down.”

If you want to scream or cry or complain, if you want to tell someone how shocked you are or how icky you feel, or whine about how it reminds you of all the terrible things that have happened to you lately, that’s fine. It’s a perfectly normal response. Just do it to someone in a bigger ring.

Comfort IN, dump OUT."

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Mark 4.40-41 "Fear"

Mark 4.40-41

Notice that the disciples' fear did not go away.  It changed in the kind and focus, from the cowardly fear of the storm to the reverent fear of the One with the power to calm the storm. 

Faith has many antonyms.  Fear is one of them.

FEAR

^{Mark 4.40} But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? ^bHow ⁸is it that you have no faith?”^[1]

25.268 δειλός, ή, όν: pertaining to being cowardly—‘cowardly, coward.’ τοῖς δὲ δειλοῖς καὶ ἀπίστοις … τὸ μέρος αὐτῶν ἐν τῇ λίμνῃ τῇ καιομένῃ πυρὶ καὶ θείῳ ‘but for cowards and traitors … the place for them is the lake burning with fire and brimstone’ Re 21:8. In some languages a ‘coward’ is ‘one who always runs’ or ‘one who runs away at nothing.’^[2]

^{Mark 4.41} And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”^[3]

25.252 φοβέομαι^a: (derivative of φόβος^a ‘fear,’ 25.251) to be in a state of fearing—‘to fear, to be afraid.’ καὶ ἀκούσαντες οἱ μαθηταὶ ἔπεσαν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτῶν καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν σφόδρα ‘when the disciples heard this, they fell face downward and were extremely afraid’ Mt 17:6; καὶ μὴ φοβεῖσθε ἀπὸ τῶν ἀποκτεννόντων τὸ σῶμα ‘and do not fear those who are able to kill the body’ Mt 10:28; ἐφοβοῦντο γὰρ τὸν λαόν, μὴ λιθασθῶσιν ‘they were afraid that the people might stone them’ Ac 5:26.^[4]

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^b Matt. 14:31, 32; Luke 8:25

⁸ NU Have you still no faith?

^[1] The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Mk 4:40.

^[2] Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 317.

^[3] The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Mk 4:41.

^[4] Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 315.

2 Coirinthians 5.1-10 / 160710PM@TulsaBibleChurch

Introduction

Theme of 2 Corinthians

“Suffering and weakness are the patterns of Gospel ministry.”

Segway

The picture painted by the patriarch Abraham in a good backdrop for our passage tonight.

Hebrews 11.8-10

⁸ By faith, Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. ⁹ By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; ¹⁰ for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Big Idea

The confidence

that the Holy Spirit gives us in the resurrection

is a powerful motivation

to please God.

I. Our Groan

For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.  ² For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, ³ if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked.  ⁴ For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.  

Tent    used to denote the body

            Emphasizes the temporary/transient character of the body

            Compared to a house

Destroyed  like “dismantled” (net) or taken down (wuest, nlt)

A. We Know—we have a building from God (resurrection body)

From God

Not made with hands

Eternal

In the Heavens

B.  We Groan—desiring our habitation from Heaven

Creation groans 

cf Romans 8.23-25

20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. ²³ Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.  ²⁴ For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?  ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

C. We Want—mortality to be swallowed up by life

“It may be that tin emphasizing the future embodied state he is countering the Gnostic ideas of salvation (the release of the soul from the prison of the body) which may have been of some influence in Corinth.”  --Colin Kruse TNTC

THOUGHT

We don’t want to be rid of the body.  (Hinduism, etc.)

The Christian hope is not for the body to be dissolved but to be transformed.

“With Paul there is a difference. He is not looking for a Nirvana with the peace of extinction; he is not looking for absorption in the divine; he is not looking for the freedom of a disembodies spirit; he is waiting for the day when God will give him a new body, a spiritual body, in which he will still be able, even in the heavenly places, to service and to adore God.”  William Barclay.

II. Our Confidence

⁵ Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.  ⁶ So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. ⁷ For we walk by faith, not by sight. ⁸ We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

A.  Our Guarantee—the Holy Spirit

cf.   2 Corinthians 1:20-22

²⁰ For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. ²¹ Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, ²² who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

Ephesians 1.13b-14  …you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴ who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Ephesians 4:30  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

B.  Our Walk—by faith  not by sight (what is seen)

cf.   2 Corinthians 1:20-22

²⁰ For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. ²¹ Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, ²² who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

The patriarchs in Hebrews 11.13-14

¹³ These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.  ¹⁴ For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

C.  Our Confidence—absent from the body is present with the Lord  Phil’p 1

Believers have not need to fear death.  It is the realization of their hopes.

APPLICATION:

For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.         Philippians 1:21

III. Our Aim

⁹ Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.  ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.  ¹¹ Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.

A. Our Aim (goal)—to please God

Well pleasing

How to we please God?

1. Do not live according to the flesh  --Romans 8.5-8

2. Be spiritually minded  --Romans 8:6-8

3. Have faith in God  --Hebrews 11:6

4. Fear God and hope in His mercy   --Psalm 147:10-11

5. Praise God with our lips  --Hebrews  :15-16

B. Our motivation—the judgment seat of Christ

2 Corinthians 5.10 "... whether good or bad."
Good is "agathos" useful, pleasant, honorable, etc...
Bad is "phaulos" common, worthless, of no account.
These are helpful constructs for us to evaluate our thoughts, words, and actions. We should go beyond (not away from) simple do's and don'ts to the idea of considering what has eternal value versus the temporal rubbish that just takes up space. Maybe think of it as editing out unnecessary, vague words in a paper or article. Think of it as throwing out the clutter or avoiding substandard building materials for high-quality ones that will stand up to normal wear and tear.

cf. 1 Cor. 3.10-15   (Cf. Romans 14:10-12)

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. 

APPLICATION:  Don’t despise the treasure of Christ for a passing pleasure.    A Moss

Proverbs in June 2016

When you walk with friends, you will end up where they a going.

Lord, help my ear be attentive to Your wise voice.

Proverbs 1.15-18
15 My son, do not walk in the way with them,
Keep your foot from their path;
16 For their feet run to evil,
And they make haste to shed blood.
17 Surely, in vain the net is spread In the sight of any bird;
18 But they lie in wait for their own blood,
They lurk secretly for their own lives.

Proverbs 2.4-6
4 If you seek her (wisdom) as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
5 Then you will understand the fear of the LORD,
And find the knowledge of God. 
6 For the LORD gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;

I was struck by the juxtaposition of the command to seek wisdom and reality that we will understand because the Lord gives wisdom. It kinda sounds soteriological.

Lord help the seek you. Fill me Your Spirit of wisdom.

Verses 5-6 are iconic favorites that are often understood in the sense of individual decisions like which car to buy. 7-8 seem to complement trusting the Lord with fearing the Lord, and pairing leaning on your own understanding with being wise in your own eyes, etc...

Proverbs 3.5-8
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding; 
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and depart from evil.
8 It will be health to your flesh,
And strength to your bones.

Lord, keep me leaning on You and walking in Your paths.

Proverbs 4.20-22
20 My son, give attention to my words;
Incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them depart from your eyes;
Keep them in the midst of your heart;
22 For they are life to those who find them, 
And health to all their flesh.

Another series of proverbs that encourages us in consistent and continuous Bible reading and meditation.

Lord, don't let me forget your wisdom.

Proverbs 5.5-6 (NASA)
Her feet go down to death,
Her steps take hold of Sheol.
She does not ponder the path of life; Her ways are unstable,
she does not know it.

The description of the woman the son should avoid is striking, especially in light of the mention in chapter seven of her offering purification sacrifices. She does not know she is on the path to Sheol because she doesn't ponder (to weigh, prepare) the way of life.

Lord, give me the Spirit of understanding to take the time and thought to truly contemplate on Your way, the way of life.

Proverbs 6.23-25
For the commandment is a lamp,
And the law a light;
Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,
To keep you from the evil woman, 
From the flattering tongue of a seductress.
Do not lust after her beauty in your heart,
Nor let her allure you with her eyelids.

Do I resent the "reproof of instruction" from the commandment more than the seductress (or fill in the blank with your besetting sin)?

Lord, give me a heart and desire for Your law that eclipses other things that seduce my affections.

The contrast between the opening call to wisdom in verses 1 & 2 and the senseless young man wandering thoughtlessly to his doom is heartbreaking.

Proverbs 7.1-2 & 7-9
1 My son, keep my words,
And treasure my commands within you. 
2 Keep my commands and live,
And my law as the apple of your eye.
...
7 And saw among the simple,
I perceived among the youths,
A young man devoid of understanding,
8 Passing along the street near her corner;
And he took the path to her house
9 In the twilight, in the evening,
In the black and dark night.

"I want a principle within of watchful Godly fear,
A sensibility of sin, a pain to feel it near."

How often do I sin against my soul by disdaining correction? Lord, help me to love Your wisdom, watch daily, and obtain your favor.

Proverbs 8.33-36
33 Hear instruction and be wise, And do not disdain it.
34 Blessed is the man who listens to me (Wisdom),
Watching daily at my gates,
Waiting at the posts of my doors.
35 For whoever finds me finds life,
And obtains favor from the LORD;
36 But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul;
All those who hate me love death."

Proverbs 9.10-12
10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied,
And years of life will be added to you. 
12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself,
And if you scoff, you will bear it alone."

Wisdom in this sense is grounded in our relationship with the Lord, The Holy One. I am thinking about how "fear" and knowledge fit together in a salvation sense.

Lord, help me respect you more and joyfully know You in Your holiness.

Proverbs 10:23-25
23 To do evil is like sport to a fool,
But a man of understanding has wisdom.
24 The fear of the wicked will come upon him,
And the desire of the righteous will be granted.
25 When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more,
But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.

The shortsighted fool's life has no enduring future.

Lord, grant me the wisdom to live for keeps.

Dishonesty and pride drive one to obtain riches, which have no eternal value of themselves, by any means, but, it is integrity, humility, and righteousness that have eternal value.

Proverbs 11.1-4
Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD,
But a just weight is His delight. 
When pride comes, then comes shame;
But with the humble is wisdom.
The integrity of the upright will guide them,
But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.
Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
But righteousness delivers from death.

Lord, help me seek those things which are above where Christ sits at Your right hand.

These two antithetical proverbs contrast the rash, impulsive fool with the thoughtful listener who is wise.

Proverbs 12.15-16
The way of a fool is right in his own opinion,
but the one who listens to advice is wise.
A fool's annoyance is known at once,
but the prudent overlooks an insult.

Lord, give me the patient wisdom to patiently and thoughtfully response.thoughtfully

Proverbs 13.5-6
A righteous man hates lying,
But a wicked man is loathsome and comes to shame.
Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless,
But wickedness overthrows the sinner.

Verse 5 & 6b are pretty straightforward, but I am intrigued by the idea of how righteousness guards.

Lord, help me be the man that righteousness guards.

The awareness that God is watching and waiting and rewarding all that we do, say, and think can have a powerful and positive impact on our life when we are walking with the Lord.

Proverbs 15.26-27
In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence,
And His children will have a place of refuge. 
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life,
To turn one away from the snares of death.

Lord, help me live for You and rest in You.

Three sayings contrast gentle, healing speech that uses knowledge correctly with a harsh, foolish tongue that breaks the spirit. In the middle is a reminder that the Lord is keeping watch on all we say.

Proverbs 15.1-4
1 A soft answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger. 
2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,
But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place,
Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 A wholesome (healing) tongue is a tree of life,
But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

Lord help me speak good words that heal and bring peace.

Three proverbs in a set of five about wisdom and our speech that end with a reminder about the healing potential of words.

Proverbs 16.22-24 (net)
22 Insight is like a life-giving fountain to the one who possesses it,
but folly leads to the discipline of fools.
23 A wise person's heart makes his speech wise
and it adds persuasiveness to his words.
24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Lord, let my tongue bring Your healing to others.

The evil person who is always causing trouble will continually have trouble and should be avoided.

Proverbs 17.11-13
11 An evil man seeks only rebellion;
Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him. 
12 Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs,
Rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Whoever rewards evil for good,
Evil will not depart from his house.

Lord help we love goodness and kindness and have the discernment to avoid those that don't.

The foolish resistance to understanding wise council begins a downward spiral.

Proverbs 18.1-3
1 A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire;
He rages against all wise judgment. 
2 A fool has no delight in understanding,
But in expressing his own heart.
3 When the wicked comes, contempt comes also;
And with dishonor comes reproach.

Lord, help me love and listen to Your wisdom.

These proverbs expound on the truth that there are few choices more important than choosing a wife (or husband) and few blessings better than a good one.

Proverbs 19.13-14
13 A foolish son is the ruin of his father,
And the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping. 
14 Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers,
But a prudent wife is from the LORD.

Lord, thank you for blessing me with my wife.

Proverbs 20.26-28
26 A wise king sifts out the wicked,
And brings the threshing wheel over them.
27 The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD,
Searching all the inner depths of his heart.
28 Mercy and truth preserve the king,
And by lovingkindness he upholds his throne.

Proverbs 20:27 (HCSB)
The Lord's lamp sheds light on a person's life, searching the innermost parts.

Prepare AND pray because it is the Lord and not our preparation alone that bring victory.

Proverbs 21.30-31
30 There is no wisdom or understanding
Or counsel against the LORD.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But deliverance is of the LORD.

Verses 3-5 help clarify "the way he should go." Teaching children prudence, humility, and the straight and true path will set them on course to a good end.

Proverbs 22.3-6
3 A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself,
But the simple pass on and are punished. 
4 By humility and the fear of the LORD
Are riches and honor and life.
5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse;
He who guards his soul will be far from them.
6 Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.

Lord, help me stay out of the thorns and teach children to say on the way.

These two Sayings of the Wise balance the critical and eternally important duty of raising children to follow the Lord's way with the joy of having children who walk in the Lord's wisdom.

Proverbs 23.13-14, 15-16
Do not withhold correction from a child,
For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die.
You shall beat him with a rod, And deliver his soul from hell.

My son, if your heart is wise,
My heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself;
Yes, my inmost being will rejoice
When your lips speak right things.

Revenge is not the way of wisdom, especially to a neighbor.

Proverbs 24.28-29
28 Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause,
For would you deceive with your lips? 
29 Do not say,
"I will do to him just as he has done to me;
I will render to the man according to his work."

Lord, help me experience and practice your forgiveness.

This concept makes a great prayer request for our country's leaders and those who lead large organizations.

Proverbs 25.4-5
Take away the dross from silver,
And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry. 
Take away the wicked from before the king,
And his throne will be established in righteousness.

Proverbs 26.16-17
The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes
Than seven men who can answer sensibly.
He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own
Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.

The lazy man who does not have the initiative and wisdom to tackle his own problems is quick with a solution for other's quarrels.

Lord, make me diligent to work on my challenges and wise to know which quarrels I should leave alone.

Proverbs 27.3-6
A stone is heavy and sand is weighty,
But a fool's wrath is heavier than both of them.
Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent,
But who is able to stand before jealousy? 
Open rebuke is better
Than love carefully concealed.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

We see a fool's silent wrath turning to jealously contrasted with the open relationship of friends who are willing to speak honest words that bring reconciliation.

Lord, give me those friends.

Proverbs 28.6
Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

Proverbs is full of sayings that highlight the expected benefits of wisdom and righteousness. This one reminds us that integrity is better even if material prosperity hasn't come yet (or doesn't on this side of glory).

Lord, give me the grace to walk with you in Your way through thick or thin. (Philippians 4.12-13)

When the iconic phrase from Proverbs 29.18, "Where there is no vision the people perish," is seen in its context, it transforms from a mushy thought about some vague inspirational urge to a practical precept highlighting the need to correct and teach (especially your children) the Word.

Proverbs 29.17-18
17 Correct your son, and he will give you rest;
Yes, he will give delight to your soul. 
18 Where there is no revelation [prophetic vision], the people cast off restraint;
But happy is he who keeps the law.

Lord, help the correction of the Word make me and my children a delight.

Proverbs 30.32-33
If you have been foolish in exalting yourself,
Or if you have devised evil,
Put your hand on your mouth.
For as the churning of milk produces butter, 
And wringing the nose produces blood,
So the forcing (stirring up) of wrath produces strife.

We probably don't do that third line often enough. 

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Hebrews 12.7-8

But if you are without chastening ... Then you are illegitimate and not sons.

I remember my mom warning me over and over that I should be concerned when I sin and do not get caught because getting caught was a sign of God's concern for me.

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"All God’s giants have been weak men who did great things for God because they reckoned on Him being with them.” Hudson Taylor