Mon, 21 May 2012 17:02:54 -0600WeeblyMon, 21 May 2012 18:32:22 -0600http://www.calvarychapeljonesboro.org/3/post/2012/05/a-hilarious-proverb-about-a-guy-with-his-hand-in-a-pile-of-food-proverbs-1924.htmlThe sluggard buries his hand in the dish, But will not even bring it back to his mouth.   Proverbs 19:24

Here we have one incredibly lazy man. In fact this man's laziness is so bad it is almost comical to picture it. Here is a man who has buried his hand in the dish of food that is set before him. The picture is not of someone who is picking at the top of the food on his plate. This guy has buried his hand into the dish of food, probably covering his entire hand with it. It is as if his appetite has led him to grab all that he can. So we do see initially a selfish attitude - and one who has a huge appetite for what is set before him. But there is a disconnect with this man - because although he can bury his hand in it - there will be little or no real satisfaction from it.

The sluggard has a great appetite - and great desire for things - but he has no ability to bring those desires to pass. He buries his hand in the dish - but he won't work hard enough to even bring it up to his mouth. Again this picture is comical to us. Here is a man with his hand buried deep in the dish. He has grabbed all the food he can handle. The problem is that he is so lazy he won't lift his hand up to his mouth to eat it. This seems so comical that it is a farce to us. Who is so lazy that he won't even lift his food to his mouth to eat. Honestly - there is really no one who would do this at the supper table - but the farcial picture painted for us speaks beyond the supper table. It speaks to spiritual realities - and to the problem that exists with the sluggard.

The sluggard is lazy - that is his problem. The picture before us is one of a man who has great desire - but no discipline to bring it to pass. He has a voracious appetite - but he won't work to see it move from desire to decision to completion. The burying of his hand in the dish speaks of the lazy man's desires. He speaks of wanting things - and speaks of desiring to accomplish great things. He lacks no vision for what he wants - because for many a lazy man - they want the whole world. They do this because they have all the time in the world to develop such fanciful dreams of what could be. The problem is though they can bury their hand in the dish of desire and dreams - they never work to bring their hand up to their mouth and actually fulfill those desires. Here is the crux of this proverb. The lazy man won't work to fulfill his dreams and his desires. He won't apply himself to the tasks that have to be done to accomplish what he wants. Oh the dreams will be huge - but the actual accomplishment of them will be miniscule. His planning box will be full, but the completion box will be empty. We see this every day - in a myriad of men who just won't work - who won't be disciplined to do what is necessary to succeed in their plans.

Those who have just read this might be thinking, "Well why didn't God just say that the lazy man has plans, but he won't work to see them happen?" Because that would not catch our attention. If someone says that - people will ignore him - especially those who are lazy and undisciplined. The sluggard won't even pay attention to that statement. The genius therefore of the Scriptures is that they paint us a picture that catches our attention. To see a sluggard dreaming the hours away without working is . . . well, it's kind of boring. But to see a hungry man with his hand buried in a dish of food. To see that man leave it there, unwilling to even bring it up to his mouth so he can eat . . . well, that's wierd! That catches our attention - and makes us think. The sheer ridiculousness of it catches our eye - and makes us look longer - look deeper. It is in that moment that we work to unlock a proverb that will speak volumes to us. In that moment we will see deeply and learn like we have never learned before. We might even learn that our laziness and sluggardly behavior looks almost as ridiculous as that guy sitting there with his hand buried in a plate of food.
]]>Sat, 19 May 2012 11:38:00 -0600http://www.calvarychapeljonesboro.org/3/post/2012/05/what-is-leading-you-and-touching-your-life-proverbs-1923.htmlThe fear of the Lord leads to life, So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.  Proverbs 19:23

The fear of the Lord is a regular topic throughout the book of Proverbs.  It is the fear or respect of the Lord that leads to wisdom - and now we learn that it leads to life as well.  

Fearing the Lord is so important to us because of what God says it does for us.  We are fallen - and need to realize that this life is about far more than just us.   If we do not, we will live a life filled with selfishness and self-centered choices.  But life is not about us - it is about God and bringing Him glory.  It is about living for Him - His purposes and His plans.  But if we do not respect Him - honor Him - and yes, fear Him - we will not do this.  Fearing God does have an element of seeing the end (which is a recurring theme in Proverbs) and realizing that the end is His judgment and an accounting for how we've lived the life He has given to us.  It is also respecting Him, knowing His Word is right, true, and the sole place we can get perfect direction in our lives.  It is also honoring Him - as we truly appreciate our salvation - and see that He deserves all the honor, glory, and praise for all things.  This kind of fear - will "lead" us to life. 

Proverbs says that a wise man fears God - and sees that this "leads" to life.  It is not enough to just fear God occasionally - or to have a big "one-time" experience with God.  Fearing God means we are led every day of our lives.  That fear leads us every day of our lives to life.  We experience life as we turn to God.  He gives us His life by which we overcome sin - and live above the selfish, petty desires that rule our flesh.  As we turn to Him this way - we are led away from following this world as it marches toward death and destruction - and led to Jesus Who gives us life and life abundantly.

One of the blessings that comes with this life is we sleep well.  God tells us that we will sleep satisfied - untouched by evil.  There is a promise here that we will sleep well - but please do not see fearing God as just a sleep aid.  The passage points to our sleep being sweet BECAUSE we are untouched by evil.  The key here is that evil does not dominate - indeed - it does not touch our lives.  When you consider what evil has done to myriads over the centuries - you can understand why such peace is invaluable.  God keeps us from this evil - because as we fear Him - we fear being disobedient to Him.  We choose obedience and we are blessed.  We choose submimssion and surrender to God's will and evil  does not win the day.  Righteousness and peace are given to us - and come to reign in our lives as God grants His own holiness to us as we live for Him.  

I end today's proverb with a question for you.  What has the utmost respect and honor in your life?  This leads to a second question which is, where is this leading you?  We need to see that there is a direct correlation between what you fear, what leads you - and in the end - what touches and molds your life.  For the wise man - the answers to these questions lead them back to Jehovah God - to His Word - and to a life untouched by evil.  It also leads to a life blessed here on earch - an infinitely blessed for all eternity.]]>Fri, 18 May 2012 09:34:28 -0600http://www.calvarychapeljonesboro.org/3/post/2012/05/wanted-men-who-are-kind-honest-and-loyal.htmlWhat is desirable in a man is his kindness, And it is better to be a poor man than a liar.  Proverbs 19:22

Even in the original Hebrew this particular proverb is difficult to understand.  But when you grasp what is being said by this first phrase - and that it is more than just being nice and kind - and that the word means kindness manifest in loyalty - then the proverb begins to clear up in its meaning.

What is desirable in a man is kindness - manifesting itself through loyalty and honesty.  This is what the first part of our proverb is saying to us.  A wise man is an honest, kind, and loyal man.  What a great picture for us to examine for a few moments here.  

Here you have a wise man.  He is wise because he is kind.  This is important for us to see - because too many value the cut-throat approach to life, business, and even leisure activities like sports.  The cut-throat may have a period where he does well, but in the end this is not a desirable thing to others.  This one will be alone in his short lived success.  And, as with most people who are cut-throat in their dealings with others - unkind if you will - people will rejoice when they are gone.  But a kind man is one who is desired.  This does not mean that we cannot be competitive - I know men who are very competitive and who are also very successful - but who are kind in their victories.  Our society has moved away from this - valuing trash talking and "in-your-face" actions.  But it should be no shock to us that as these things are valued more and more in sports and business - we see less and less civility and loyalty in our world.

The wise man knows that kindness is manifest in loyalty.  What is desirable in a man is a loyalty to others.  Even more desired is a loyalty to principle in what they do.  The man of God is loyal to God and to His principles.  He is loyal to his wife - loyal to his children - loyal to his friends and those with whom he works.  Our society has thrown this idea of loyalty to the curb.  Marriages and families disintegrate - and we've just shrugged our shoulders and moved on.  We no longer demand loyalty in marriage in our leaders - and even have begun to scoff at the idea of loyalty to a guiding set of moral principles.  We see these as outdated and not applicable to us.  As we thrown these things away, seeing no value in them, we are dumb enough to be shocked when we see scandals in the business world where people are robbed of millions of dollars.  We are ignorant enough to gasp at the crookedness and lack of integrity in our government, in business, and even in the church.  Why are we shocked?  We threw away kindness and loyalty for pragmatism and results.  We are fools because when you throw these things away - you throw away your entire societies' structure for moral integrity.  

The wise man knows that kindness is also manifest in honesty.  The second half of our proverb says that it is better to be a poor man than a liar.  Let me help you understand this plainly.  Rather than lie and be rich and powerful - its better to be poor and honest.  It is more desirable to have nothing and still have your integrity - than to have all the riches in the world.  I fear that more and more this is no longer the way we think in America.  Integrity and honesty are not valued - and we are paying a very high price for it every day.  It is sad to watch the nation I love begin to degenerate into little more than a third world corrupt, thug-ridden, bribe-taking beaurocracy rather than a nation where its leaders are elected on the basis of their honesty - and willingness to lose everything before they will lose their integrity.  

What is truly desirable in a man is kindness, honesty, loyalty - and in this things - integrity.  These things are such wonderful traits that we should be willing to lose everything before losing them.  If we would become a nation that values these things again - we would once again become a nation that aspires to greatness.  To re-use a phrase that led to our demise - and to completely debunk it - "It is NOT about the economy, stupid," it is about kindness, honesty, and loyalty, sir."  Lose these and in the end whatever economy you have will be destroyed as it implodes on the basis of a collapse of integrity, honesty, and loyalty to priniciple and moral rectitude.
]]>Thu, 17 May 2012 09:38:21 -0600http://www.calvarychapeljonesboro.org/3/post/2012/05/blaming-the-holy-spirit-for-our-plans-and-leading-proverbs-1921.htmlMany plans are in a man's heart, But the counsel of the Lord will stand.   Proverbs 19:21

There is a practice among Christians - and honestly - I am ashamed to admit that I have followed this practice at times in my life.  The practice of which I speak is that of making plans - carrying them out - and then later blaming them on God or on the leading of the Holy Spirit.  Let me give you an example of this practice.  There was a time when I really wanted to do a certain thing.  Over time this plan, which was in my heart, began to dominate my mind and my thinking.  One day I decided that I would do it - and honestly - without really taking it to the Lord and seeing if it was His will or not.  As "the plans of my heart" continued to be implemented, I would tell people that God had led me to do this - or that the Holy Spirit put this on my heart.  Well, as with all plans of men that arise out of their flesh - the plans of my heart crashed and burned.  But now my resposne was to tell people God was responsible for leading me into them.  

This kind of thing happens again and again in the Christian world.  There are people who promise and swear that God is the One who led them into a certain choice or action - when it is pretty clear from a study of Scripture that this choice is unscriptural.  I've had people tell me that God was leading them to divorce their wife.  I've had young ladies tell me that God was the one who led them to date a non-Christian.  They joyfully asserted that God was going to bring their young man to Christ.  In the end - someone was converted - but it was not the non-Christian.  That is why today's proverb is so important for us to understand.

There are many plans in the hearts of men.  These plans reside in a heart that is fallen - and in a heart and mind that desperately needs repentance.  As a result, as Paul has said, their understanding is darkened - and they are unable to come to godly decisions.  "But I am a Christian," some will assert - as if simply being a Christian guarantees that we will always make decisions in concert with the will of God.  The fact is that if we are not renewing our minds with the Word of God we are prone to fatal errors in judgment.  The fact is that if we are not denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and following Christ - we will be sadly mistaken about a myriad of things.  The fact is that if we are not trusting in the Lord with all our heart, not leaning on our own understanding - acknowledging Him in all our ways - He will not be directing our paths.  The fact is without these things happening daily - and even hourly - we will be directing our own paths.  The "many plans" that dwell in our heart naturally - will be what lead us.  

The proverb today tells us that it is, "the counsel of the Lord" that will stand in the end.  What is the "counsel of the Lord?"  In previous posts we have seen that this word "counsel" refers not to advice given that we can either choose to follow or not.  It is not just God's opinion on something that we can reject. The word means counsel that is given that is expected to be followed.  This is God's Word - the Scriptures - and when God offers His counsel on a matter - that matter is decided.  To do anything else is now disobedience and rebellion against God.  I know that sounds harsh to our post-modern way of thinking - but what has post-modernism brought us that will stand in the end?  

This proverb is kind of a warning to us.  The warning is this . . . you have many plans in your heart.  This fact is not denied.  The problem is that your plans are not guaranteed to stand.  They may be good ideas or they may be bad ones.  You may even have plans that succeed according to the ways of this present world.  But the fact is that the only plans that will stand are God's plans.  Nothing else will stand - ever.  And please understand that God is speaking on an eternal basis.  It is one thing to have our plans blessed in the short term - but quite another for them to be blessed now, and forever more.  Psalm 73 speaks of how David saw the wicked prospering and almost lost his faith over it.  But then he came into the sanctuary and into God's counsel.  He saw that although their plans were doing well for the short term - in the long term there were serious - even infinite problems with their way of living.  In the end they were destroyed and consumed.  They fell all at once - and there was no recovery for them.  Their plans - all those plans that were in their heart - led them to a short term prosperity here and now . . . but to an eternal judgment in the long term because they had no regard for the counsel of the Lord.  

Here is a quick way to make sure your plans are blessed beyond the short-term.  Consider how your plans will fare at the judgment seat of Christ.  Think using the Scriptures.  Think and consider your plans with an eternal outlook.  I can guarantee you that a billion years into the afterlife - no one will be patting themselves on the back in hell.  They won't be joking about how good they had it back during the 60-70 years they were alive and doing their own thing - living according to the "plans that were in their own heart."  They won't find it comforting to see how they "outsmarted God" for a few years while they ignored all His warnings about their choices and behavior.  What will be of comfort for all eternity is the fact that God's counsel stood - and will stand forever.  The plans of His heart will be established and therefore, it is that counsel and those plans that we should seek to know and follow.  ]]>Wed, 16 May 2012 11:06:56 -0600http://www.calvarychapeljonesboro.org/3/post/2012/05/the-two-best-friends-of-wisdom-proverbs-1920.htmlListen to counsel and accept discipline, That you may be wise the rest of your days.   Proverbs 19:20

Two things that are key to being wise are counsel and discipline. If you will heed these two things in your life, you will be wise. According to today's proverb - your wisdom will be with you for the rest of your life.

The first of these two things that bring us wisdom is listening to counsel. The word for listen here is "sama" and it means listenting with a bent to obey what you hear. God used this word in Deuteronomy 6:4 when He said to Israel, "Hear O, Israel," and proceeded to call Israel to love Him with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. This was not meant as advice that could be received or rejected. When God called His people to "hear," He meant to hear with a view to obeying what they were about to hear. Wise men "hear" counsel from God and others who love Him - and do so knowing that they will also obey. When we do this we are not listening in order to pass judgment - or to correct all the things that may be wrong in what is being said. We are listening so that we can gather action points which will result in a more specific and joyful obedience to God.

One of the blessings of my life has been having godly men there to teach me and give me good, biblical counsel. Another blessing has been that I had such respect for them as men of God that I rarely if ever thought of questioning anything they said. My heart was set on obeying them as soon as they spoke. They were godly men! Why should I question what they said? Men like John Dale, Brother Russell, and pastor Al spoke with great authority because they used Scripture to make their point. Hearing godly counsel always went hand in hand with obeying what I heard. I felt like I was not wise enough to question them . . . therefore obedience was what I expected to be my response.

I've watched others though, who do question counsel. They do not listen with a bent to obey. They listen with a bent to question everything. In some situations this can be a positive thing - especially when the one counselling you is ungodly - or you get a quick check in your spirit about something that was said. But when you are with godly mentors and people who have consistently offered good counsel - it can be unwise. If we are busy questioning the counsel given - we probably won't know how to apply that counsel in practical ways.

The second thing mentioned here is to accept disciplline. "Musar" is the Hebrew word for discipline - and it is an old friend to us as we walk through Proverbs. Just as a reminder, it means child training from a father. The idea is that we are being not only instructed - but practically guided into a way of choosing. It means corrective as well as instructive discpline. When we move outside certain moral paths - there is corrective action and instruction to help us get back on track and away from moral failure. We are to accept this discipline - to receive it and take it on willingly. We are to be willing to be trained by it - even if the training can be painful at times.

The second half of this proverb actually offers the reward of these two actions. It is a Hebraism that speaks of being wise in the latter end of our lives. When we listen to obey godly counsel - our latter days will be blessed with wisdom. When we accept discpline and submit to the boundaries it provides we will be blessed to be wise in our latter days. The path of our lives will be blessed. The direction of our lives will be wise and filled with understanding. These are things people see in someone and want. They see a wiser man or woman and wish they were wise like them. The problem may come in that they think the wisdom came to them naturally - or was some kind of inherited trait. That is just not true. Wisdom comes when a person listens and obeys others wiser than themselves. It requires humbling ourselves and seeing problems and wrong ideas in our own thinking and working to change them. It requires being disciplined (even spanked when you were little) and learning from it. Wisdom comes to us because we choose to learn - even learn from very hard lessons and difficult moments. The path to wisdom is never easy - at least to the ones who are proud and who tend to bow-up when they are taught or corrected. But for the ones who humble themsevles under godly instruction - and submit themselves to painful lessons - wisdom abounds - and continues to do so all their days.
]]>Tue, 15 May 2012 13:10:28 -0600http://www.calvarychapeljonesboro.org/3/post/2012/05/paying-the-price-for-angry-outbursts-proverbs-1919.htmlA man of great anger will bear the penalty, For if you rescue him, you will only have to do it again. Proverbs 19:19

The "hot-head" is the focus of this proverb. The man who has a firey disposition and who is in the habit of responding and reacting to what happens to him in angry outbursts. He reacts to things with a rage - in fact what this passage says is that he does so with "great" rage. The word here is "gadol" which means something huge, mamoth, and gargantuan in size. This is not normal anger - it is enraged anger that loses control. What does God say to us about this kind of man? What does the Lord counsel us concerning acting on his behalf?

First of all God says that a man who has such huge anger issues is one who will bear the penalty of his actions. The word for penalty is "ownes" and means a fine, penalty, and referred to the fines that were levied against those who violated the law. The picture that is painted for us with the use of this particular word is that of someone whose anger lands them in jail. The enraged explosion they unleash on those who are the target of their anger goes beyond the law - and honestly - is very dangerous. You've heard of the man who in anger goes and gets a gun and returns to the bar or the house - and shoots the person with whom he is angry? That is this person's anger tactic at its worst. To join with this fellow is to risk being put in jail with him - for his actions are going to cross the line - and become illegal.

Second, we are told not to continue to resuce this man from his angry outbursts. The problem with him is that he does not learn from his previous outbursts. Instead - he continues in his rage and does it again and again. We are warned that if we rescue him from his outrageous outbursts - we will have to do it again. He does not need to be rescued from the consequences of his actions - instead he needs to face them squarely. Rescuing him from them will only mean that he will do it again. There is a lesson for him that can only be learned from facing stiff penalties for his outrageous behavior.

While we are dealing with this proverb, I would like to share something a very wise man taught me about anger - and something that can help those who struggle with it. This godly man said to me the following, "We become angry because we cannot control situations or people. When we cannot control them, we become infuriated at whatever or whoever is not doing what they should be doing - so we can be comfortable and uninterrupted in what WE want to do." This was, at the time, a devastating analysis of anger to me. I considered an angry outburst I had toward one of my children. According to this definition - my anger was not, as I asserted, because my child "made" me angry. My anger arose because my child was not doing what I wanted - and was interrupting what I wanted to be doing. Needless to say I was instantly convicted - repented - and had quite the crow-filled meal as I asked my son to forgive me. Later, when I realized I was not only angry at my son - I was also angry at God, Who in His perfect providence, decided that what I needed was an opportunity to be patient and kind. What I really wanted was a trial and testing free zone about me at all times. This led to a second meal of abundant crow as I sought God's forgiveness for my pride and arrogance in wanting Him to serve me in the providence He provided for me.

Anger - outbursts of anger - are a dangerous thing. We need to bear the penalty of these things so that we see them for what they are - manifestations of our pride and desire to control everything in our lives. We need to see them as a reminded that we DO NOT CONTROL our own lives. Angry outbursts are a warning sign to us that we are wanting the world around us to serve us at all times. This will NOT be the case - and unless we learn this - we will only have more of these times of "great anger" that will cost us dearly. Oh, to learn humility and submission to God and His providence quickly. Those who don't learn this - learn to feast on a whole lot of crow in their lives.


]]>Mon, 14 May 2012 21:15:48 -0600http://www.calvarychapeljonesboro.org/3/post/2012/05/wickedness-to-contempt-to-scorn-proverbs-183.htmlWhen a wicked man comes, contempt also comes, And with dishonor comes scorn. Proverbs 18:3

The wicked man mentioned here is one who is guilty of doing a wrong - thus a criminal or a transgressor. This is a man who has sinned against others in what he has done. We are told in this proverb that when this kind of man comes - contempt also comes. The contempt mentoined here is an attitude of disrespect and scron towards him. Thus when the wicked man comes around there is also disrespect and scorn. There is something about someone who breaks the law - who disregards what is right - that brings about a response of scorn and disgust. Look at the recent events surrounding Tiger Woods. He was viewed as a man of great integrity and honor until it became known that he was having multiple affairs. Suddenly all the respect turned to scorn. This is how a wicked man - a law breaker is received.

The rest of the proverb tells us that with dishonor comes scorn. Dishonor here refers to something disgraceful and full of shame. When this kind of thing comes, then scorn comes as well. This word means a reproach, a taunting - usually hurled at an enemy or someone who is ungodly. The wicked may be able to hide many of their actions for a time - but eventually things will come to light. When they do - then comes the contempt, the shame, the disgrace, and the scorn and reproach. It is better to walk with the Lord and keep to His paths and ways - than to face the reward of the wicked - contempt and scorn.

]]>Sun, 13 May 2012 21:10:05 -0600http://www.calvarychapeljonesboro.org/3/post/2012/05/avoiding-the-need-of-a-love-siege-proverbs-1819.htmlA brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a citadel.  Proverbs 18:19

Here is a proverb that is not difficult to understand, nor is it hard for us to see the ramifications of it in our everyday lives. We've all been in a situation where either we have offended someone, or we've been the offended party. We also all know how difficult it can be to remedy those situations. Therefore today's proverb just helps us see it in a word picture that is very descriptive and instructional.

The brother who is offended is harder to be won back to us than a strong city. The literal Hebrew here of the "strong city" is a walled city. To understand this we have to go back to days before there were air forces or artillery shells that could level a wall or a house. In those days a high, strong wall around a city was a formidible defense. When an army went within such a walled city, it was going to be very difficult to defeat them. The victorious strategy in these circumstances would involve a long seige of the city. It would involve starving the people until their ability to resist would be broken. It would also involve a final assault on the wall and the gates where they would be broken through - then the victory was assured. But such a seige might take months - and some of the more famous ones took even longer than a year. Therefore, when a brother is offended - he becomes like that walled city to our attempts to gain his trust and friendship again. That is why Proverbs 17:14 warns us that the beginning of a quarrel is like breaching a dam - therefore abandon the quarrel before it breaks out. Abandon your offensive actions and words - because if they come to the point of greatly offending someone, it will be very difficult to remedy the situation.

The second statement speaks of the bars of a citadel. The citadel was the place, usually at the center of the city where a large fortified tower was. It usually was high and barred. It had large stores of food and weapons for a last stand. If all else failed, the last people of the city would go here to try to make a last ditch stand against those who had breached the walls of the city. It was usually the place they would go to fight to the death - to the very last man.

Here is the picture shown to us about offending a brother. It is the one that warns us against having contentions, fights if you will, with a brother. Thus, we have MORE than just high walls to scale to overcome the problem of our brother being offended. We have to deal with the fact that even after we've breached the walls - they may retreat to the citadel to resist us to the bitter end. What a reminded to do all we can to be kind and gentle, loving and gracious, and patient and longsuffering in our dealings with our brothers. Too many don't practice such things and wind up seriously offending someone with their words or their actions. They don't think about the back end of such actions and choices. They don't consider how difficult this is going to be to fix. They don't see the walls being erected and the citadel of the heart being fortified against them. They are blind to all this - and blunder on in their offensive statements and actions. They are not wise in quickly diffusing arguments and abandoning quarrels. The sad result is broken relationships and long term bitterness in their familiies and with former friends.

Be wise, dear brothers and sisters, and see the value of being gracious and kind when you face a difficult relational situation. See the value of a long-term relationship with the other person rather than just wanting to win that particular argument. Realize that confrontation - even biblical, godly confrontation is something that needs to be approached in love - speaking in love - and acting in love. That may require hard words - but it seeks to avoid hard feelings. It helps us to enter into the problem with our eyes wide open not just to what we want solved, but even more importantly to the person with whom we want to solve them. We never need to forget that we work with people and want them to know two things more than anythinig else. Those two things are that God loves them and that no matter what the problem is - the answer ultimately will involve God's grace. With this is mind we need to respond both lovingly and graciously in all we say and do. That way we won't have to face a lengthy love siege in order to win back our brother.  
]]>Sat, 12 May 2012 16:39:00 -0600http://www.calvarychapeljonesboro.org/3/post/2012/05/a-wife-is-a-good-thing-proverbs-1822.htmlHe who finds a wife finds a good thing And obtains favor from the LORD. Proverbs 18:22

"It is not good for man to be alone, I will make a helper suitable for him." These were the words of God in the garden before the Lord made Eve. This is why it is a good thing - and by the way, a God thing, that a man get married and find a wife. When he finds one - he has found a good thing - and has obtained favor from God. What I find interesting though about this proverb is that it does not say, "He who finds a good wife finds a good thing." Many would like for this passage to say this - but it does not. Let's look at this then for a few moments today to obtain wisdom on the favor God gives us when giving us a wife.

The Hebrew word for "finds" in this opening sentence is "masa" which means not just to find, but also to obtain. The word means mor than just stumbling upon something. The idea of finding here means that someone is searching for something. In this case what the man is searching for is a wife from the Lord. That is the key here. When he obtains one - it is a very good thing he has gotten. Think about the kind of wife God would have us have - especially if we find one that is according to wisdom. This woman would be of the Proverbs 31 kind - she would be a godly woman - and one who delights in her biblical role. This is why finding her is a good thing! Since good here means something beneficial - something that makes us happy, glad, and joyful - this is a lady that came to us from God as His provision for a wife.

When I consider this favor from God (Which is what we learn this lady is to her husband) I think of the way that one of my sons went about seeking a wife from God. The first thing he did was learn how to be satisfied with God - and with seeking God's ultimate purpose and plan for his life. As he did this, he learned not only about the gospel - but about the kind of woman God wanted to give him. He searched out the Scriptures to learn what kind of woman that God wanted for him, knowing that God's will would be the very best for him. In time he had a list of character traits he desired in a wife - and had also learned a list of character traits that God wanted him to have as a husband and father. As he sought the Lord for the grace to become this kind of man - he also sought Him for grace to be joined to this kind of woman. He is married now - and I can tell you that when you do things God's ways - God blesses wonderfully. I could not have hand picked a more godly, wonderful lady than the one that God gave to him. Watching the two of them walk together through life is one of my greatest joys.

But before I leave this proverb, I think I also need to address the other end of this blessing as well. Some marry in a way that is not so wise. They may read this proverb and decide that they were not blessed in having a wife. They may see their wife as a curse rather than a blessing. But, contrary to what they think, this lady in their life is a blessing from God. There may have to be some discipline - and some character development - but the fact that this woman is a blessing is nonetheless a fact.

A wife is a blessing in that she rescues us from being selfish and self-centered. A wife is a blessing in that her femininity helps to break off the harsh edges of masculinity that need work. A wife is a blessing in that she is a provision for our sexual needs - so that we will not turn to pornography or to fornication. A wife is a blessing in that she is there to be a companion in our journey through life. Whether you fully access these blessings and many more may not be nearly as much a problem with her as it is a problem with you! We are so quick to adopt the view of the world and "blame the old lady." But God gave you your wife so that by your example and your choice you would lead her. When you do not - things don't work so well. So a wife is also a barometer of your walk with God. If you are living selflessly and for the will of God, you will most likely have a happy wife and a good marriage. But if you want a woman to be at your beckon-call and to do and be for you everything you want . . . well, you didn't want a wife - you wanted a slave. God meant to give you a wife - and that is for your benefit . . . and your sanctification and maturity. This is why no matter what kind of wife you received from God - she is a good thing - and you have received favor. You may just need to have your eyes opened so that you can see her that way. And I can promise you by the Word of the Lord - that if your eyes are opened to see this beautiful lady God has given you the way you should - you will see her as His glorious blessing to you!

]]>Fri, 11 May 2012 10:57:05 -0600http://www.calvarychapeljonesboro.org/3/post/2012/05/are-you-using-your-tongue-for-death-or-for-life-proverbs-1820.htmlDeath and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.  Proverbs 18:21

What is the most powerful part of the human body?  Contrary to what some may think, the tongue is considered the most powerful part of the human body according to what we see written in the Scriptures.  Here we read that it has the power of death and life.  Elsewhere we see that the words that come from it can injure like the thrusts of a sword.  James has what is probably the most powerful commentary on the power of the tongue in chapter three of his letter.  

"So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!  And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.  For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race.  But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison." (James 3:5-8)

James warns us of the very powerful, and potentially very destructive power of the tongue.  We can bless or curse with it.  A carelessly spoken word like a carelessly thrown match can set an entire forest on fire.  But the word can set a life - and indeed a whole group of lives on fire with gossip and slander.  Therefore we would be very wise in being very careful with how we let our tongue's loose in the world.  It would also be wise of us to heed the admonition given by Paul to the Ephesians when he said, "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29)  

Those who love this power of the tongue, are warned that they will eat of its fruit.  Consider the man who destroys others with his words.  He writes and speaks so as to destroy his political opponents - and loves the power that this brings to him.  He does so until the day another more silver-tongued than him uses this same power to dismember him in the public eye.  The power of the tongue is intoxicating - but it is also explosive and very dangerous if not used under the direction of Holy Spirit.  But when used in this way - the tongue is not something whcih brings death - but rather a tool in God's hand to bring life and life abundantly!  

The tongue is also the instrument in God's hands to bring the gospel to others.  "How blessed are the feet of those who bring good news," is the delightful refrain for those who speak forth the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Our tongues can share the gospel with others and be that aroma of life to life as they are born again by the power and mercies of God.  We have the glorious opportunity to speak life every day!  So, as we look at this proverb may we both fear and rejoice - may we be both overjoyed and cautious - may we both be silent and vociferous.  May we see the destructive power of the tongue and shun it completely - and - may we see the life-giving power of the tongue and joyeously share the good news with total abandon.


]]>