Here’s another quick teaser of our interview with Nita Woodson. Stop by the church library if you’d like to see the whole thing!
Verse of the DayHere’s another quick teaser of our interview with Nita Woodson. Stop by the church library if you’d like to see the whole thing!
“Common sense” isn’t all that common. That’s what a quick look at the evening news makes me think, at least! People spend more than they make, and can’t figure out why they’re strapped for cash. Families fight more than they love, and can’t figure out why they’re drifting apart. Individual Christians are more concerned about their wants than the good of the body, and they can’t figure out why churches stagnate and falter.
I love the “Wisdom Literature” of the Bible. That’s why I’m excited about our new Wednesday night offerings from Proverbs. Wisdom isn’t some theoretical head-knowledge; it is the art of being truly successful where it counts—with God. Wisdom guides the head and the heart. In its fullest sense, it belongs to God alone. Job said, “With God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding. If he tears down, none can rebuild; if he shuts a man in, none can open…With him are strength and sound wisdom” (Job 12:13-16).
Can I share a few nuggets of wisdom?
“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.” (Prov. 12:1)
“Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.” (12:11)
“Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.” (13:11)
“The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.” (14:27)
Will you drink from Proverbs, God’s fountain of wisdom? See you Wednesday night!
Did you know the average person speaks about 6,500 words in a day? (Yes, men use fewer and women use more—but that’s not my point!) One recent paper says that college students talk more than anyone else, saying nearly 16,000 words per day!
If you take the more conservative number and multiply it across a person’s average lifespan, you get somewhere in the neighborhood of 200 million words spoken! An average novel holds a measly .07 million words. By the end of your life, your daily speech accounts for the equivalent of writing 2,800 novels!
I don’t know about you, but I’m glad that all those words aren’t getting published. James says the tongue is restless, a dangerous evil (James 2). It’s like a serpent, waiting to strike. Based on these numbers, it has plenty of opportunities.
We should remember that what comes out of the mouth reveals what is inside the heart (Matthew 15:11). What would the novels of our lives reveal? Books of gossip, slander, anger, complaining, and hate? Or are our words “seasoned with salt” (Colossians 4:6) or are they just useless, idle chatter?
I’m not sure I’d like to see what the volumes of the words of my life would contain. I can’t do anything about the books I’ve already written, but I can improve the next chapter. Consider these words of Proverbs 10:8, “The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.”
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:32
Knowing and learning are the tools of the preacher. He must always be reading and studying to be sure that he speaks from the overflow and not drain the brain before he completes a lesson. The ministry of study is a choice that preachers must make early in their ministry or they will not last long in the pulpit.
The problem that I have is that the more I study the more I realize my ignorance. The wider my knowledge becomes the more I know I don’t know. It is only the ignorant who know everything and can be positive. It is only the ignorant who become fanatics. The more I learn, the more I know I need to learn.
Many years ago I heard a prominent preacher say that he had not changed his mind on a subject since he was very young. That seems to be a rash statement to me. I am ever learning as I study my Bible. I learn new truths and desire to share them with others. I did that last Sunday and I will have another go at it this Lord’s Day.
The Bible is an ocean of God’s truth and none can swim the Atlantic. We study and learn and grow and prepare. We open the books and wade into the ocean of truth and put into action the things we learn. It is a wonderful day when we give up on perfect understanding of the Word and just do the parts we understand.
It is a happy day when we realize that it is because of the death of Jesus that we can be right with God. Christians are not perfect people but people who have been perfected by the grace of God found in Christ Jesus.
Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1 James
As we approach the New Year it is important for us to “make the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil”. (Ephesians 5:16) This time of the year we are more likely to evaluate where we are in our relational, financial, physical and spiritual lives. If things have gone well we can approach the New Year with confidence. If things have gone sour for us this year we will look at the New Year with some fear and trepidation.
It is a wise man who knows how to be patient. Many are there who want everything today and don’t give a hoot about tomorrow. Some want everything yesterday but can’t pay for it tomorrow.
he times are going to put a strain on us and we may find that it is wise to be patient and fugal as we look to 2009. It probably is wise to live this way in any and every year. Those who have lived frugally and have been diligent in their approach to life will fine the new year will turn out right. Those who have overextended themselves will be found scrambling for ways to meet the demands of the New Year.
There is an old saying that goes something like this: “All things come to those who wait”. But those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
The New Year will have many challenges. We may be faced with tough decisions about life, family, finances, health, jobs, children and homes. Those who go into the next year with Jesus as their companion and determined to follow His ways have a better chance of making it through with flying colors. Until the coming of the Lord.
I have never had much of a desire to be a referee. A friend of mine who has coached for a number of years calls them “Zebras”. Most of the fans think they know more rules than the officials. They certainly see the play “right” as opposed to the official who sees it “wrong”. Most of us fans know the call was wrong but the official made it as he saw it.
Now since I don’t ever plan to be a referee in a game of sports, I probably won’t get yelled at by irate fans. I was trying to imagine what would be the most difficult contest to officiate. A soccer contest between Iran and Israel? A match between Al Qaeda and the Taliban?
I think it would be very difficult to umpire a baseball game between the Knights of Columbus and the Ku Klux Klan. Any of these would put any official between a rock and a hard place.
Blessing those who curse you isn’t that easy. Jesus was able to do it because he looked beyond the offence to the Father above. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. (I Peter 2:23)
I suppose that the flesh will fail us if we are faced with such dire circumstances. Flesh calls out for vengeance, justice, retribution. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25)
Now, I never expect to be an official in any of the above matches. What I would like to be able to do is to respond in kindness to the worst of situations. I would like to answer as Jesus answered. Perhaps you will forgive me if I am not yet perfect in these areas. I will try to forgive you as well. Maybe we can remain silent even if we are not quiet ready to bless those who curse us.
