November 28, 2014
Some bounce from job to job and deal to deal looking for their big break. Others keep their head down and work with what they have. The former often end up empty while the latter prosper. Be thankful and get busy with what you have now.
November 17, 2014
This proverb encourages us to be responsible stewards of all that God has given us. This begins with knowing the state of your “flocks.” What are your “flocks?” Another way to ask this question would be to say, “What has God entrusted to you to manage?” Do you know the state of your finances? Do you have a budget and do you know how much you spend monthly? Are you saving for emergencies, retirement, college…? What is the state of your marriage? What is the state of your children? If you are a pastor, the state of your flock is relevant. If you are in business, do you know the condition of your store and its bottom line? Many of us go through life with a blind eye towards our “flocks.” But God would have us open our eyes and “know the state” of that which He has entrusted to us.
November 4, 2014
Self aggrandizement is unwise. If you praise yourself, others will not only remain silent, they will think you immodest. Praise from a friend is good and praise from a stranger better still. An even greater tact is to humble yourself, so that the Lord Himself might lift you up (James 4:10).
August 11, 2014
This proverbs speaks to the reality that sin is more than an action, but is preceded by an attitude and heart condition. Jesus addressed this reality in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5) when he connected the outward prohibitions of the Decalogue with the attitudes of the heart. Certainly the full understanding of this should drive us to our need for a Savior. For who else can rescue us from this body of death? And as parents, it should also instruct our care for our children, so that our discipline is not just for the action, but aimed at the attitude of the heart. Here again, the desire to shepherd your child’s heart should drive you to your need for Christ’s help.
July 9, 2014
Marriage is God’s idea. It is His provision for man’s need for companionship and oneness. This oneness is three-dimensional, involving the physical, the soul and the spirit. It is God’s plan for having children and parenting. The Bible opens and closes with a wedding and God is intimately involved in both. This proverb describes God’s favor in the finding of a good wife. She is to be treasured and received as a gift from God. When a husband and wife view one another as a gift from God to be received and cherished, they begin to experience the oneness that He intended.
July 5, 2014
You’ve heard it said, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” Yet, the Bible teaches otherwise. Wisdom loves learning. No matter your age, retaining a child-like curiosity for learning is the secret to never growing old. Leaders are readers. And leaders are learners. The apathetic scoff at learning, while seeking the next passive entertainment. The know-it-all lacks the humility to learn, claiming to know better. Only the wise, the humble and curious are “always ready to learn.” The truly wise are those who have submitted their minds to Christ and experienced His transforming power over their thinking. As a result, according to Romans 12:2, they are able to “learn” God’s good, pleasing and perfect will for them.
July 2, 2014
As a father and grandfather, some special urge emerges within me when one of my children use the name “Daddy” or “Pawpaw.” When my grandson, Nate says, “Pawpaw, can you play Power Rangers with me?” It’s the name he calls me that moves me more than his request. I have no interest in being the red, blue or yellow Power Ranger, but I am moved to be Nate’s “Pawpaw.” Yet, not everyone can use my name in this way. Only my children and grandchildren have this right and influence with me. Perhaps this is a small insight into how God responds when we invoke His Name. We are His children and when we call upon His Name, He responds. As Jesus said, “If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it” (John 14:14).
June 8, 2014 | Proverbs 3:4-7 |
Do you ever struggle with control issues? Do you hesitate to stop and ask for directions? Mike Laramee helps us see the failure of the life strategy called, “I’ve Got This”. We must learn to depend not on our own wisdom but the wisdom of God as given to us by his Word, his Holy Spirit, and other believers.
May 29, 2014
There’s no biblical prohibition against making plans. There’s wisdom in planning for the future. Yet, it is foolish to leave the Lord out of our planning for God is the one who holds the future. So, ask for God’s wisdom when making plans. Seek godly counsel. Pray for clarity and follow God’s instruction. And when things don’t go according to plan, don’t get frustrated. Adjust. Perhaps God has a better plan.
May 17, 2014
Our heart condition determines how we perceive life. Yet, how do we have a “happy heart?” David knew something about this. When life circumstances turned from bad to worse around him, the Bible says that he “encouraged himself in the Lord” (1 Sam. 30:6 KJV). His circumstances didn’t immediately change, but his heart did. And when our heart changes, we see possibilities rather than limitations. Is your life full of trouble or like a continual feast? Perhaps it’s more a matter of your heart than your circumstances.