Proverbs 19:21 I like "easy!"

I don’t know about you, but I like things that come easily to me! I’m not a fan of the challenging! Don just left at 6:30 in the morning to go for a hike up Mt. Baldy with a good friend. He was so excited to do this. I’m thinking, “Why on earth????” What could possibly be fun about a steep climb up a mountain on a hot day? Let me sit in the recliner and read a novel for a couple of hours! That’s my idea of fun!

This morning I read a devotional that reminded me, however, that if what I am doing for the LORD is easy, then it’s probably not what He has planned for me! Our God is so big and His plans are so great, why would we think He wants us to think small? And then I read this verse in Proverbs:

Many are the plans in a man’s heart,

    but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21 ESV)

My plans seem so puny! Finish out my teaching career in a few years, and then retire! Sounds fine, right? But what I want more than anything is what the LORD wants for my life. What might He have for me to do if I’ll only seek His will above mine? If I don’t need to rely completely on Him to accomplish something I’m doing, then I must not be reaching high enough! Now, this particular year of teaching actually DID need a complete and total reliance on Him to get me through! It was the most difficult year I’ve ever experienced for a myriad of reasons. But, as always, He has faithfully brought me through, and has taught me so many things in the process!

I think most of us, even if we honestly do want to be in His will, nevertheless make our own plans. We dream up our own area of ministry, hoping He’ll bless it. And don’t we love doing the things which come easily to us? Well, Jesus was very clear that being His follower was NOT the easy way! Picking up your cross requires a lot of sweat! He warns us over and over of the difficulty involved in choosing to be His disciple. So why are we surprised, and why do we whine when faced with a challenge?

One of my favorite life verses is Ephesians 3:20.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us... 

I’ve always read that with the thought that God does so much more than we can even imagine - and certainly that is what it says. But if you read what comes before and after this verse, you get a bigger picture of what that “more abundantly” might encompass. It is part of Paul’s glorious prayer for the Ephesians. Note the scope of the prayer:

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,  from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,  that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,  may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,  and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (verses 14-21)

What big plans God has for us! He wants us to glorify Him - and that does not involve easy and puny! Yet, whatever He calls us to do, He also equips us to do. He will strengthen us with that same power that raised Christ from the dead! Now, I’m truthfully hoping that won’t involve climbing a mountain, but I’m at least praying to be willing to think beyond retirement! How about you?

Can’t sign off without saying, “Happy Birthday” to my darling Molly! Thirty-eight years ago today my life completely changed when that sweet angel child was placed in my arms. Love you, dear Molly!  

Proverbs 19:18-19 To the rescue!

This morning we will be looking at two verses that today’s parents need to heed: 

Discipline your son, for there is hope;

    do not set your heart on putting him to death.   
A man of great wrath will pay the penalty,

    for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again. (Proverbs 19:18-19 ESV)

We live in an age in which children are the focus of the family - their sports, their lessons, their play dates, their clothing, everything about them is the center of the parents. The family revolves around the child. And that puts a family out of kilter. It creates problems in the marriage, and it certainly is not good for the child. In these families we have enabling parents who rush to rescue their children from any pain or consequences. To spare every child from “low self esteem” we provide trophies for all and we lower standards, so every child can meet them.

But the Bible makes it clear that consequences can actually save the child from future harm - even the death penalty, according to today’s verse! Feeling the consequences of poor choices from a young age can actually spare that child from continuing down the wrong path. If a child leaves his homework at home, mom should not rush into the classroom with it. If he instead misses a recess to redo it, he is much less likely to forget again. No one ever died from having to redo a homework assignment!

It shocked me when I asked my students the other day how many actually have regular chores that they do at home. Maybe four out of 36 do any regular chores (which may be something like occasionally doing the dishes or feeding the dog) - only one makes her own lunch, folds and puts away all the laundry and cleans the bathroom in addition to making her bed each day! Naturally, she’s one of my highest achievers! When do the parents figure these kids will learn how to do these things? When they go to college (if they even make that) or in a marriage???

We are in danger of raising a generation of self-indulgent wimps who are incapable of competing in the world! The child who is continually rescued from his mistakes, will continue to make bigger ones. If he receives a reward for everything he does - even those things which he should be expected to do (brush his teeth, make his bed, feed the pets, do his homework), he will never learn the value of persevering for the prize.

Parents are exhorted throughout the Bible to do the job of disciplining. A disciple is someone who follows a teacher closely. In our homes, we are to be training our children to be disciples of Christ. This requires intentional parenting. It requires disciplining. They need to see us occasionally fail and grow from the trial, and they need to experience failure and consequences themselves. It’s part of the training.

So, if you are tempted to continually rescue your child, resist the temptation! Look at the bigger picture: God wants your child to grow into the adult he was created to become. You need to partner with God - not get in the way.

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:11)  

Amen!

Proverbs 19:13-14 A curse of a blessing?

A foolish son is ruin to his father,

    and a wife's quarreling is a continual dripping of rain.  
House and wealth are inherited from fathers,

    but a prudent wife is from the Lord. (Proverbs 19:13-14 ESV)

Here’s the same passage from The Message, just for fun:

A parent is worn to a frazzle by a stupid child;

    a nagging spouse is a leaky faucet. 
 House and land are handed down from parents,

    but a congenial spouse comes straight from God.

I have to crack up at the parents “worn to a frazzle” by the dumb things their children do. Teachers, too, are worn to a frazzle, especially this time of year, by students who seem to be sleepwalking through life! And the idea of a house and wealth being inherited from parents? Not in this family! We received nothing from my side of the family. Mom and Dad barely had enough to cover themselves - nothing left for the children! We’re just praying that Don’s dad will have enough to carry him through. And our girls aren’t counting on getting any “wealth” from Don and me! :)

However, the main thought that jumped out at me in these two verses was the contrast between the “nagging spouse” and the “prudent wife.” Hmmm. . . I think sometimes I’m a bit of both! I’m certain there are times when Don considers me a curse - like when I’m in my “backseat driver” mode!

A couple of weeks ago we were heading to church, and we were approaching a newly reconfigured onramp to the freeway. As usual, Don was not making a timely lane change to get into the lane which merges onto the onramp. As he got closer, still making no attempt to get over, I just freaked out! Seriously! “Why aren’t you getting over??” I screeched. He just very calmly replied, “This lane also goes right.” I looked up at the new sign, and, sure enough, we were in the correct lane! Oh my goodness! I just cracked up and immediately apologized and confessed, “I don’t know how you have put up with me for 42 years!”

Now, I know Don would quickly confess that MOST of the time he considers me a blessing - the helpmate and “prudent wife” given by God! I am certain that, since I gave my life to Christ 37 years ago, I have been in a continual process of transformation by the Holy Spirit to be the wife God designed for Don. And I have always been convinced that we were absolutely purposed for each other. Even before I knew the LORD I understood that.

But it’s so easy to fall into the bad patterns if we aren’t alert to ungrateful attitudes. A few weeks ago, when I was at the women’s retreat for my church, we were given quiet time for individual Bible study and prayer - always my favorite part of retreat! As I was reading through Psalm 18, I stopped at verse 19:

He brought me out into a spacious place; 
   he rescued me because he delighted in me. (NIV 1984)

I had written sometime ago in the margin of the Bible, “Oh, LORD - I long for a spacious place!” I had not dated that comment, and I now have no idea what I was going through at the time - possibly great stress at school. . . earlier this year??? Anyway, as I read that verse this time, it struck me that I AM in a spacious place - it’s my marriage! My marriage has been a place where I can truly be myself and relax. Don has given me such a gift in the way he has always allowed me the space I need. He gets that, even though I’m very social, I truly need lots of alone time or down time. He also knows I need girlfriend time or time with my daughters. What a gift He has been to me! He’s my best cheerleader and has always been so helpful and supportive to me with any project I’ve undertaken. I see that in my girls’ marriages, as well, and just am so thankful that God has blessed them, too.

Unfortunately, my girls have just enough of their mother that they, too, need to be always on the alert against the tendency to be a “leaking faucet.” :) Help us, LORD!  

Proverbs 19:9 "I cannot tell a lie!"

We all remember the story about George Washington and the cherry tree. Unfortunately, it’s just a myth. However, the truth is that Washington was definitely known for his integrity. Did he ever lie? I’m sure he did! But he was held in such high esteem for his character that he remains the only President elected unanimously twice!

I’m always amazed by parents who claim, “My child NEVER lies!” Really? Of course children lie at some point - especially when they think the truth will get them into trouble! Maybe they just fail to tell the whole truth, leaving out bits of truth to cover up their culpability. Kind of like they see Mom do when she tells Dad that the new $199.99 purse only cost “about $100!” :) Hmmm... me thinks lying is a universal problem!

Now - there are some lies that are whoppers that do REAL long-term damage: cheating on a spouse; embezzling funds from a company; committing perjury in a trial; fraudulently representing an investment opportunity; giving false testimony to a Congressional committee. We can all pretty much check off that list with some self-satisfaction that we’ve never done any of THOSE things, right?

But there are also those little “white lies,” that strip away at our integrity. Sometimes we come up with our own little falsehoods that usually come to light to our great embarrassment. We make up reasons why we can’t attend an event or why we need to skip out on a meeting. We take a “sick” day to take the kids to Disneyland. We pretend we’re not home when “call waiting” shows the name of someone we’re avoiding. If these behaviors become a pattern, they eventually become part of our reputation. There is a cost.

Our verse in Proverbs promises this:

A false witness will not go unpunished,
    and he who breathes out lies will perish. (Proverbs 19:9 ESV)

Now I believe this verse is specifically referring to someone who is a BIG FAT LIAR! This phrase “breathes out lies” suggests a person for whom lying is the perpetual behavior - someone whose nose grows every time he opens his mouth! This behavior has become as easy as breathing to this person. This verse tells us that such people will be found out and will face justice at some point. Frankly, I find that comforting. Nevertheless, we need to be aware of how our own “tiny” lies will affect others and our own character. They hurt our witness for Christ. They model sin for our children and grandchildren.

Dear LORD, give us such a passion for the truth that we abhor lies of any kind. Keep our lying lips shut! And, thank you, LORD, that you faithfully expose lies, and that, in the end, their is justice.  

Job 1:18-22 When disaster strikes. . .

This morning, as we wake and prepare for a routine day, thousands in Moore, Oklahoma, are waking up to the nightmare that is the destruction from the tornado yesterday. Since yesterday afternoon we have been seeing images of what looks like a war zone - an area of about sixty square miles that has been forever changed, almost completely wiped off the map. The direct hit to the elementary school, in particular, fills the nation with sorrow. We cannot begin to imagine the agony of those parents who sat and waited through the night for word of their children who were buried beneath the rubble...

So my thoughts turned to Job, and the enormity of his personal loss in one day. The beginning verses of the Book of Job assure us that Job was called by God “blameless and upright.” We know that, for His own sovereign reasons, God allowed Satan to wreak havoc in Job’s life - to test him. So, in one day Job hears horrible news from one messenger after another.

The first messenger tells Job that all of his 500 oxen and 500 donkeys were slain by the Sabeans, along with the servants charged with caring for them. Before the first messenger even finishes his sentence, another runs in to tell him that a fire “fell from heaven” and consumed all 7,000 of his sheep and the servants. Then a third messenger runs in to tell Job that the Chaledeans raided the 3,000 camels and the servants and slaughtered them all.

In one instant, all of his livestock, his livelihood, was gone! And while he was reeling from this news, a final messenger comes in to tell him the truly tragic news:

“Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house,  and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” (Job 1:18-19 ESV)

Seeing the photos of Moore, Oklahoma, this story of Job’s devastation become more real to me. A great wind struck the house of one of his sons, and all ten of his children were buried in the rubble! It was one thing to lose all of his wealth, but Job lost ALL of his children! And we marvel at Job’s response:

Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped.  And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” 

In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong. (vs.20-22)

We know that Job was to go through much more suffering and even the misfortune of having “friends” who tried to “comfort” him but ended up just pouring more salt on his wounds. Yet, at the end of his trial, which he endured with amazing patience, we see Job transformed by his new understanding of God, and he proclaims, “I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you. . .” (Job 42:5)

My prayer is that the people of Oklahoma will see God as they never have before - that He will become so real to them as He comforts them and sends His people in to minister to them. May we be a part of that! Whether through the Salvation Army or the American Red Cross, which are already on the ground there, or through other organizations like Samaritan’s Purse or through local churches, let’s be part of the recovery with our donations - and with our prayers!

You may not be a victim of a tornado, but you may feel like your life is in ruins around you. Maybe you just heard “I want a divorce” from your spouse, or “You have cancer” from your doctor. Maybe your teenager has given you devastating news of pregnancy or drug usage or an eating disorder. Maybe your boss has said, “You’re fired.” Or maybe, like my sister, Jodi, you’ve been told that the chemotherapy has not been working, and she will now be starting another type of chemo.

Whatever the news that has completely changed your life overnight, our God is there to comfort and guide you. Pray that, like Job, you will be able to bless His name! I’m including a link here to a video that has Matt Redman’s wonderful song, “Blessed Be the Name of the Lord,” which is based on Job’s story. Watch it and enjoy the lyrics! [Note to daughters: this one is a must to be played at my funeral!!]

 

Proverbs 19:4,6-7 A Friend in Need?

Wealth brings many new friends,

    but a poor man is deserted by his friend. . . 
Many seek the favor of a generous man,

    and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.
All a poor man's brothers hate him;

    how much more do his friends go far from him!

He pursues them with words, but does not have them. (Proverbs 19:4, 6-7 ESV)

How we love our celebrities! The latest “American Idol” was chosen last week. The life of Candace Glover has been forever changed, as she joins the group of those who walk red carpets! People will now be seeking her out, asking for her autograph, and wanting to be near her. We fawn over those who have “made it!” But we also are very fickle, and we will run from a person when he hits the skids.

Our verses remind us today of our tendency to give preference to the wealthy, those from whom we stand to gain something. Being a “friend” to a wealthy person can have all kinds of perks. Maybe we can get an invitation to his vacation getaway mansion, or join him at a premiere event, or dine with him at the fancy restaurant, knowing he’ll pick up the tab. Would we be as enamored of this person if the money went away? Do we seek out the company of those who have lost everything?

Jon Courson reminds us of a saying: you can judge a man’s character by how he treats those who can do nothing for him. Do you remember how the Pharisees scorned Jesus for the company He kept? Jesus did not seek an audience with King Herod, and when He actually was forced to stand before Herod, Jesus said nothing to him. Jesus preferred the company of sinners, paupers, the lepers, the blind, the harlot. He was the friend of the needy. But He wasn’t a “reverse snob,” either. He engaged in dialogue with Nicodemus, Jairus, and the Roman centurion. It wasn’t social standing that moved Jesus. It was need.

Today’s verses remind us that we need to be mindful of the company we keep. Are we seeking out those from whom we can gain something (a better job, an advance up the social ladder, a link to “important people”)? Or do we seek out those in need, regardless of what they can offer? Do we turn away from those who are seeking something from us?

LORD, examine our hearts. Soften them to those in need. Teach us to look at those around us with your eyes. Protect us from the mindset of the world that loves “idols.”  

Proverbs 19:3 It’s all His fault!

Do you know someone who is mad at God for his life circumstances? Maybe you have been blaming God for your troubles. It can be a natural response to finding ourselves in the midst of a disaster. The Bible makes it clear that sometimes God refines us by putting us through a fiery trial. However, some of our disasters are of our own making! Today’s verse speaks to these times:

When a man's folly brings his way to ruin,

    his heart rages against the Lord. (Proverbs 19:3 ESV)

Here’s Jon Courson’s comment on this verse: “A foolish man doesn’t listen to the Lord, seek the Lord, or walk with the Lord. Yet, when he ends up in trouble, who does he blame? The Lord.” (Jon Courson’s Application Commentary: Old Testament, Vol. 2, P. 238)

This reminds me of yesterday’s point that, because we easily grow impatient to see our own plans come to pass, we will often manipulate situations to get our own way. Then we blame God for the mess that is created! That is folly!

Sometimes God allows illness in our lives to draw us nearer to Himself (always a good thing). But sometimes people get lung cancer because they smoked for 30 years! When distress comes, we need to take a long look at what may be behind it. Is it a “gift” from God to transform us, or is it our own folly that has landed us in this situation? Either way, God can and will use it for His glory and for our ultimate good. That’s the promise to believers:

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

The reverse of what Courson writes would be that wise person listens to God, seeks God, and walks with God. Then when he ends up in trouble, he turns to God for comfort, guidance, grace, and mercy, and he glorifies God in the midst of it! How are we responding to our trials?  Are we whining, complaining, and , in essence blaming God?  Or are we glorifying Him because we know He is sovereign and in control?