When I recommend to any person, the reading of scripture, I often am told about a lack of time, an inability to read for long periods of time, or about the difficulty of understanding what is being read. My answer to this is always the same. Start with one chapter from the book of Proverbs every day. The slowest reader can easily conquer the longest chapter in Proverbs within 15 minutes, while the quickest may finish in a minute or less. The advice of one proverb may be confusing, but the amount of information packed into each chapter assures the simplest of minds food for thought that is practical and beneficial in the common tasks of the day.

Studying scripture personally is always a struggle, even for those who have a vital, personal relationship with Christ. So almost certainly a non-scholar, non-christian reader may find the genealogy and high toned doctrine of many books of the Bible tedious. Yet, the Proverbs are straight forward, full of insight, sometimes humorous, and always informative. I am going to just share a few here, in the hopes that you will take some time to read Proverbs yourself, instead of reading my thoughts on them. For, after all, what God says to me is only applicable for you if He says it to you as well.

Proverbs 10:1B
“…A wise son makes his father glad, But a foolish son is a grief to his mother.”
NASB

Proverbs 10:19
“When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise.”
NASB

Proverbs 27:14
“He who blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning, It will bereckoned a curse to him.”
NASB

Try reading the Proverbs for yourself and see it you don’t find some nuggets to take with you through the day. After all, a little intelligence never hurt anyone too badly.

Words are such a treacherous thing to use and yet, they are all we have. How many times have you heard your child quote the lines to a song, only they get a word wrong…usually in the critical spot. That is why God requires actions behind our words…language is not enough. I remember that, as a child, I used to love the song “Bringing In The Cheese”….you know…”Bringing in the cheese, bringing in the cheese. We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the cheese”. Perhaps you aren’t familiar with that old hymn, but it is kind of odd how, even with the words wrong, the principle behind the thought still applies. Both deal with harvest of a sort and both deal with the subject of me bringing the harvest in. It is the action that makes the song mean something.

In this day in age, we have fallen into the need for “doctrinal purity” that apparently supersedes Christ’s call to action. My theological views are pretty well defined by this day in my life, but it all doesn’t mean a thing if I don’t live a life that is in step with the Savior. Some folks…no, let’s say “many folks” may disagree with me on various points, maybe all of the points of my theology, and yet I also know many who depend on me to live out those very “incorrect” beliefs on a daily basis. I may have it wrong…yes, I may have it all wrong. In fact I am quite sure that I have at least a portion of it wrong. Is my eternal destiny based on being completely right in the head, or right with God in my soul? Is my soul’s condition based on my knowledge or by my relationship to Him? Is that relationship based on my knowledge or my words and actions combined?

I have learned a valuable truth. The one who represents Jesus the best is the one who commits acts like Jesus. The greatest tell-tale of a changed heart is a changed habit. Now that changed habit has to come from a changed heart…but the action is the best evidence. When I act in a manner that represents God well, even if I don’t pronounce all the words right, there is evidence of the relationship within my heart. Sing with all your might…work at getting the right words, but don’t forget to live out the meaning of the song.

THREAD THOUGHTS

Psalm 6:8-10 8 “Depart from me, all you who do iniquity, For the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping. 9 The LORD has heard my supplication, The LORD receives my prayer. 10 All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly dismayed; They shall turn back, they shall suddenly be ashamed.”

Who, whom, or what are your enemies today?  Your enemies may not be in the form of a person.  Your enemies may be thoughts, emotions, or feelings from the evil one who wishes that those thoughts, emotions or feelings from him would take up permanent residence in your mind and/or heart in direct contradiction to the truths in God’s Word.  What are some examples of thoughts, emotions or feelings from the evil one?  How about the enemies of doubt, fear, guilt, which leads to condemnation rather than conviction, worry, anxious thoughts or feelings?

If any of the aforementioned enemies are present in your life today and wish to take up permanent residence in your mind and/or heart, what is a believer to do?

As an act of our own free will, we have the power of God through His Word to fight each and every enemy of the mind.  For example, if I am feeling anxious, I can look to Philippians 4:4-8.  Most believers know Philippians 4:6:  6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” This verse alone gives me direction in my free will to 1) not be anxious; 2) pray about everything; 3) be thankful; and 4) tell God.  You might have a conversation like this:  “Lord, this ____________ is making me anxious.  Your Word says that I am not to be anxious.  You tell me in that same verse to come to You in prayer, and not only to come to You in prayer but come to You grateful for all things.  Plus, when I come to You in faith, I can tell you anything.  In this instance, anything is this ___________, which is making me anxious.

It is not my intent, however, to point only to Philippians 4:6 as it is so very important when looking at a particular verse that you read verses above it and below it.  If you choose to rely on this verse when bringing your anxiety to the Lord, start reading at verse 4.  4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.” Do not miss this important part of the Scripture.  Rejoice in the Lord always.  No matter what the circumstances, a child of God can always rejoice in who God is.  A child of God can always rejoice that the Lord is near.

Then continue with verse 6  6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” 7 “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.”

Changing your mental focus to verse 8 rather than the anxious thought assists you in being patient while God is working His perfect work.

An Old Testament example of exercising free will when anxious is Jehoshaphat.  II Chronicles 20.  Verse 12 is key but we can learn from the entire chapter.

Living Christian in a World of Turmoil
John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you;. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Traditional statement before departing ones company in the early days of the Jewish friend often sounded like the statement above. It was customary to say Shalom which means ‘peace.’ When Jesus our Lord was making his final farewell he did so by saying, “My Peace.” It is in the Greek an emphatic My. It was not a run of the mill wish by a casual friend; it was Jesus and it was a personal and very special and certain blessing of peace. It was a peace that Jesus Christ can only give that banishes all fear and oppression from the heart. The reason was because Jesus was then and is now in control of all circumstances. Not that he promised to change the circumstances, but that he is in control of them.
As I grow older I often find myself not trusting in the promise made to all humankind for all time. The promise is that He did send “His Peace” no matter what my circumstances. I am reminded that worry cannot change circumstances, but Jesus can bring me victoriously through them. In my wondering and fear of what will become of me comes also in Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” So not only will Christ give us His peace He will give us His strength. Again paraphrasing from the Greek it means that we become literally “self sufficient.” Based upon verse 11, when it is written that “…for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content…”
If I find myself wondering where I am headed in my ministry I am brought to rational thought that I have proclaimed when it seemed apparent where I was headed, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.”So peace, courage, strength and hope as witnessed in Hebrews 11:1; “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Shalom,
Uncle John