Weekly Protein (07/09/22)

“My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments” (Prov. 3:1, NASB 1977).

Quickly notice three things.

1.  The context of the teaching is relationship (“My son . . .”).

2.  The challenge to the son is remembrance (“ . . . do not forget my teaching . . .”).

3.  The consequence for such remembrance is integration (“ . . . keep my commandments . . .”).

To follow the counsel in this verse, we must read (or hear), understand, and then apply. Many Christians have a Bible reading plan. Without implementation, however, they will become storehouses of information, attaining the status of “professional hearer.” What we're warned against in Scripture is not hearing itself but hearing by itself (hearing that doesn't lead to doing).

Here is your weekly protein.

1.  Answer these questions.

• What is the point, anyway, of reading the Bible or listening to a sermon?

• Why is knowing God's commandments not enough? What does it mean to “keep” them?

2.  Read Psalm 103:18 and James 1:22-25.

3.  Communicate with your pastor. Ask him or her, “When I read the Bible or listen to one of your sermons, how do I know what it is that God wants me to do?”

Verse Of The Week (07/08/22)

 

photo: https://bit.ly/3nQf0Sw

Proverbs 3:1-10

Read Proverbs 3:1-10.

There are five sets of two verses each.  Each set gives an admonition followed by a pleasant consequence.  The unit of ten verses is a father-son talk about how to be successful in life.

It is interesting that the unit doesn't begin with an admonition concerning God.  Instead, the unit begins with an admonition to submit to parental guidance (specific and cumulative).  If one will not submit to the most immediate, visible authority structure, then is there high likelihood that he will submit life, heart and treasure to God?  

(All this assumes that parental guidance is sensible.  Certainly, God isn't asking the reader to implement guidance that is immoral, illegal or unbiblical.)

Three Actions of Immorality (Prov. 2:16-17)

Read Proverbs 2:6-7.

Three Actions of Immorality:  (1) flattery (speech); (2) forsaking (severing from the one bound to); (3) forgetting covenant.  It isn't passive forgetfulness but casual indifference (active trivialization) to covenant responsibility.

Obviously . . .
1.  Don't be this person to someone else.
2.  Pay attention to the home front.
3.  Be aware of the dangers out there and stay away from them.
4.  Pre-decide boundaries and allow zero tolerance for exceptions.

Verse Of The Week (10/27/17)

Outline of Proverbs 1:20-33

Read Proverbs 1:20-33.

1. The announcement:  wisdom calls clearly and consistently (1:20-21.)  It isn't that she isn't speaking; it is that people love their own ways.
2. The problem (1:22).  I just mentioned it. People are bent on doing what they want to do, not what wisdom demands.
3. The invitation (1:23).  It is an invitation to turn (the language of repentance) and to receive (the language of grace and mercy).  Wisdom (God's way) doesn't just want to stop something destructive in your life.  Wisdom wants to give you something superior.
4. The consequences for rejecting wisdom (1:24-31). 
• First, you will never forget the opportunity you did have not to pursue the path you walked.  Trouble will pursue you.  Fear will dominate you.  You will experience anguish, distress an desolation.  
• Second, you might be so far along the path that, short of a Holy-Spirit-induced revolution in your life, you can't get off.  You will get no help from wisdom.  She will  let you stew in the juice of judgment.  Expect no mercy from her.
5. The conclusion (1:32-33):  a restatement of the principles.

Testing What's In Your Heart

The following things will test what's in your heart:
* Trials (Prov. 17:3)
* Praise (Prov. 27:21)
* Honest self-inspection (1 Cor. 11:28; 2 Cor. 13:5; Prov. 14:10a; 20:27; 27:19)
* Conviction / searching by the Holy Spirit (Psa. 139:23-24; Prov. 16:2; 21:2; Jer. 17:9-10)
* Cross-examination by other people (Prov. 18:1, 17; 20:5; 26:12)

Your "House" (Prov. 24:3-4)

Your house -- build it.  It won't build itself correctly.  Effort, investment, consistency, details.
Your house -- establish it.  Durability, strength, continual reinforcement, habits.
Your house -- fill it.  Delayed gratification, occupation, training, teachable, etc.

Preserved & Prolonged (Prov. 20:28)

Read Proverbs 20:28.

Rulers, to be successful, need both truth and mercy. It is mercy (MEV) that is mentioned twice.  I would've expected truth to be mentioned doubly. Perhaps the double mention of mercy is to remind us that leadership, while it has principles and rules, is primarily about people. Our pursuits and decisions affect people. Let's not minimize truth; rather, let us maximize mercy. To whom can you show mercy today? What will that look like?

Hearing Ear & Seeing Eye (Prov. 20:12)

Read Proverbs 20:12.
1.  Gratitude for senses
2.  Hope for restoration
     (if something is wrong w/ sight or hearing)
3.  Questions for consideration
        - Do you see what God is revealing to you?
        - Do you hear what God is saying to you?
4.  Observation for investigation
        - The hearing ear is listed first.  This is significant.  If
        you don't prioritize hearing from God, you will end up
        seeing or pursuing something He doesn't authorize.
We live in a visually-driven society.  God says, "Hear.  Please listen to Me."

Flesh It Out (09/25/17)

Read Proverbs 20:9.  Set this verse against Psalm 32:1 and preach "The Possibility of a Clean Heart."  Explain how it happens.

Foolish But Not Stupid (Prov. 17:12)

Read Proverbs 17:12.

A fool can do more harm to me than my being mauled by a bear.  That means a fool can be a violent, disturbed and antagonistic individual.  A fool may be foolish, but he/she isn't stupid. Beware.

Why The Trials? (Prov. 17:3)

Read Proverbs 17:3.

The refining pot and the furnace both require heat to work correctly.  When God wants to test what's in your heart (trust, anxiety, peace, doubt, etc.), He uses trials.  He lets things "heat up" for a while.

Trials do not cause reactions in your heart; rather, trials reveal what's already in there.  God doesn't need your trials to educate Himself concerning you.  Why the trials, then?  That you might see what He does -- areas that still need to be brought under His lordship, areas where you still rely upon self, areas where He alone can satisfy.

Maintenance vs. Progress (Prov. 14:4)

Read Proverbs 14:4.

Here exists a tension between maintenance and progress.  Those on the maintenance side value tradition, order and appearance.  Image is everything.  Those on the progress side value growth, momentum and impact.  Results are paramount.

1.  If the area isn't clean, the oxen get sick and diseased.  Progress is hampered.

2.  If the area is sparkling clean but the oxen aren't fed (and thus, there are no droppings), you have a tourist attraction, a religious petting zoo* of sorts where nothing significant is getting done.

3.  Keep the tension.  Don't camp out on one side.

4.  Prayers

• Lord, bless the "oxen" as they labor for You. Help me to be patient when they upset my clean space.
• Lord, bless the "poop-scoopers" who clean up myy mess and maintain the environment so work can continue.  Help me never to look down on them.
• Lord, help me to esteem others more highly than myself.

* The analogy isn't mine.

Desire And Diligence (Prov. 13:4)

Read Proverbs 13:4.

Desire without diligence is an opportunity for complaining.  When you aren't seeing progress, one of three things is happening:  (1) you have the wrong desire; (2) you have the right desire but no diligence (you don't apply yourself); (3) you have the right desire and have shown diligence, but it isn't quite God's time (in which case, keep at it). Frustration is guaranteed to produce nothing positive.

My Prayer (09/06/17)

Read Proverbs 10:16.

Lord, as I live for You today, may my words, thoughts and deeds promote life.  May they be encouraging, strengthening, settling, soothing, fitting, liberating, expanding, uplifting. Should I begin to deviate into sourness or aloofness, warn me quickly by Your Holy Spirit.  May the result, the "fruit", of this day be life for me and others.

Truth And Lies (Prov. 12:22)

Read Proverbs 12:22.

Lying lips seek to cover sin, to divert attention from violation and irresponsibility.  Lies promote the continued convenience of self.  To deal truly is to look at things and call them what they are, not what you think they are or hope they become.  You must confront reality.

• May my mouth not speak until my heart, under tutelage of the Holy Spirit, has settled on the truth.
• May my mind think God-implanted thoughts and not entertain self-glorious, vain imaginings.
• May my hands do what is right and what is expected, not what is fruitless and unprofitable.
• May my feet pursue the direction and vision God is revealing.  Don't try to push forward that which is expedient but not anointed.
• May my knees bow regularly in submission and humility, drawing strength from God and depending upon Him.
• May I not live insulated and isolated, but may I receive counsel from others.

Generosity (Prov. 11:25)

Read Proverbs 11:25.

1.  This is not a verse that teaches "give to get."  Some suggest that the way to get money is to give it away.  Does that sound like generosity?  It sounds like well-disguised greed to me!

2.  Do you have a generous soul?  Generosity begins on the inside.  If you write a big check out of a small soul, are you being generous?

When You Are Asked For Input (Prov. 10:13)

Read Proverbs 10:13.

Whenever you are asked, "What do you think", you will peak from one of two positions: understanding or no understanding.  If you speak from the position of understanding, you give wisdom.  If you speak from the position of no understanding, you speak only your limited opinion or, worse, foolishness.  When people act based upon your words that aren't wise, you can be sure things won't go well and that those people will call you on it.  When they do, you're going to feel beat up. To avoid such a "beating", the wisest course is to acknowledge your non-expertise right up front.  Don't try to manufacture wisdom on the fly.

The Ant (Prov. 6:6-11)

photo: reuters.com

Read Proverbs 6:6-11.

1.  Its initiative.  An ant is not independent or rebellious but takes initiative.  It doesn't wait for another ant to tell it what to do.  It does intentionally and consistently what an ant was made to do. Don't wait for someone else to tell you what you already know you should be doing.

2.  Its diligence.  An ant is always mindful of its opportunity, understanding the current "season" and exerting itself accordingly.  When you work, work hard.  Apply yourself.  Don't rest when it is work time.