Wages or Reward

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
WAGES OR REWARD
Prov 11:18
18 The wicked man earns deceptive wages,
but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
NIV
I understand the wicked may well be good people with good intentions and deeds which benefit mankind, but if a person has not accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior God considers them wicked and that is that. Now as far as their earnings I am also sure they might well earn a great deal of money in this life and they may well earn it in an upright honest fashion without cheating, stealing or scheming to obtain it at the expense of someone else. But all those wages, all those earnings are for nothing, as they are deceptive. That wealth may surely deceive those who earn it into a false sense of security. So many people I know, even some believers place way too much value on the accumulation of wealth. Those wages can be so deceptive as to make a person believe they are the end all to trouble and problems and that their life will be filled with good things. Yet those wages cannot provide health, nor true happiness and security. They cannot provide against emotional hardships, or difficult situations in relationships. Those wages cannot guard against disappointments, depression, or a heart filled with jealousy, envy and hatred. But most of all those wages cannot provide eternal life and so what the wicked truly earn in wages is death for the wages of sin is just that. But the free gift of God is eternal life and that is the great and sure reward I shall reap, for because of what Jesus did for me on that cross, and the fact I acknowledge that and accept him as my Lord and Savior I am considered by God as the righteous, and what I plant in this life is the truth of God. I speak it, I preach it, I write about it, I try my best to live it out loud and in front of all who I come in contact with. I am not ashamed of my faith and trust in God. I do not apologize for being who I am, and what I am, and what I do for I know it is God who does all things for me, in me and through me, therefore I am only a simply man, yet I am an ambassador of God, an alien in a foreign land representing my king. I am so thankful I will receive a reward rather than wages.

Benefit or Trouble

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
BENEFIT OR TROUBLE
Prov 11:17
17 A kind man benefits himself,
but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.
NIV
Is this not much the same as a kindhearted woman in the last proverb? Yet she gained respect and here the man, or me, does a good thing for himself. So the question is how I benefit myself by being kind. Maybe the benefit can be seen clearer in contrast to what kind of trouble a cruel man brings on himself. Certainly if I were a cruel man, I would have little to no friends. If I were a cruel man I suppose I would be treated with distain and maybe even hatred. If I were a cruel man I suppose my heart would be filled with so much pain and anguish, as well as a great deal of anger. If I were a cruel man I would I would lack self-respect and dignity. If I were a cruel man I would not have any self-confidence. I would think all these things certainly would be trouble and would have been brought on me, by none other than myself. But, praise God, I am not a cruel man. Therefor I have to agree with God in that I am a kind man. Now being a kind man, again I have to ask how I benefit myself. I would think being kind would benefit those I am around. But then in contrast to cruel, I have friends. I am not treated with distain and hatred, but I am treated with care and love. I have no pain and no anguish nor even anger in my heart. I even respect myself because I know I am a child of God and that he does not make any junk. My Lord considers me of great value, so much so he died on a cross for me. I do have confidence in myself especially when I am serving him as I know he Spirit anoints me. There are times I seem to lack confidence in doing the simple tasks of this world, but at those times he has directed me to do a certain thing; I am bold and filled with confidence. So then when I think of these things as being a kind man, they do in fact, add to my own being. There is no doubt benefit is better than trouble.

Respect Over Wealth

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
RESPECT OVER WEALTH
Prov 11:16
16 A kindhearted woman gains respect,
but ruthless men gain only wealth.
NIV
There is no doubt in my heart whatsoever that I have a kindhearted woman to walk through life with. She has not only the respect of all who know her but their love for her as well. I am certainly blessed by God by being her husband. Although our beginning was not what I would call the most righteous, I believe it is a match made in heaven. I don’t understand how that is true remembering the past but it is. Her heart is filled with kindness toward me as well as toward all who she encounters. It is simply her nature to be kindhearted. Now, I am not going to fit myself into the second part of this saying, as I am confident I am not ruthless for I have not gain only wealth, in fact I have not gained wealth. I live on faith and trust in my Lord for all I have, in that sense I am a man of great wealth, but I think this speaks about worldly gain. There is in a sense a parallel between kindheartedness and ruthlessness which could apply to all peoples. This would show the difference between those of the household of faith, whose hearts have been changed and who lives to serve God, and those who have hatred and defiance for the things of God and serve only their own self-centered interests. It is a simply contract between kindheartedness and ruthlessness, the benefit of one and the result of the other. If life were only about gaining wealth, what a waste it would be. No man can take his wealth into the everlasting presence of God; in fact no man can take his wealth into the place where he will perish. Worldly gain is only for the here and now. A changed heart from believing the Word of God and becoming kindhearted has far greater rewards. Yes my wife is a kindhearted woman, and I am not a ruthless man, but I am exceedingly glad we both are walking the same path of righteousness following our Lord and Savior. I will take respect over wealth any day.

Convinced

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
CONVINCED
Prov 11:15
15 He who puts up security for another will surely suffer,
but whoever refuses to strike hands in pledge is safe.
NIV
I suppose it would be easy enough to consider this as just not cosigning for anyone and keeping all I have for myself and myself alone. But the word translated as another in this version is really better seen as a stranger, a foreigner, an alien. I think it is certainly a very unwise thing to partnership in any manner of trade or financial agreements with those outside the family that would be putting my resources at risk based on their efforts, now having said all that, I am certainly not opposed to charity. I have absolutely no qualms about giving to someone in need as I am directed by God, no matter if they are in the family, in the household of faith, or merely a stranger. But I do not think I should partnership with those in the world. Why would I want to strike a business deal, giving my resources for the benefit of someone outside the household of faith, who in actually, may well be serving the benefit of Satan. Not that I have so much resources to start with, but I think this is about being in partnership no matter of the amount. If I invest in the stock market, in a sense I am putting up security for the benefit of a worldly endeavor which is just a cleaver disguise of Satan. I shall not strike my hand in a pledge to benefit the devil in anyway. Sure I have to buy products made by the world’s businesses and yes that helps produce profit in their pockets. But that is not partnering with them. That is not striking hands with them. That is not investing my resources with them based on a promise for more resources in return. I have to live, and I am alright with making a purchase of products needed, but I am not alright with being in partnership with them. I will maintain this attitude no matter who tries to convince me otherwise because God has convinced me first.

Rise or Fall

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
RISE OR FALL
Prov 11:14
14 For lack of guidance a nation falls,
but many advisers make victory sure.
NIV
Although this might be taken in the direction of looking at various forms of governing nations and the rise or fall of such nations, I think I am inclined to see something more spiritual. If I am a part of the kingdom of God I surely have a great deal of advisers, which means I have great guidance and surely will see victory. If on the other hand I was a part of the nation of Satan I would be lacking in guidance, as least the correct guidance and I surely would fall. I do see this as one or the other spiritual kingdoms or nations. I could see that if an earthy nation were to be established on the guidance of God, it would be a great nation, such that which God told he would make out of Abraham. I also can see how a nation as under the direction of an evil self-elated dictator such as Hitler, Hussein, Castro as well as many others it will fall if left in that situation. But I think it is the condition of the human heart which has a greater value to God. If I live without his guidance and advice I am a lost soul and will not only fall, but will fail as a human being. Any and all of my feeble efforts to achieve victory on my own will be nothing of value and might as well be throw out as trash. I could see the advice of many as taken into consideration what Noah, David, Solomon, Luke, Matthew, Mark, John, and Paul have said alone with a host of others within the great book, but in essence they all spoke with the inspiration and guidance of God. I will maintain that if I am to be blessed I will not take the advice of the Godly nation, but will simply adhere to the counsel of my Lord, the King of the Nation of God, of which I am a citizen.

Mum is the Word

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
MUM IS THE WORD
Prov 11:13
13 A gossip betrays a confidence,
but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.
NIV
If I am not part of the problem or not part of the solution I have no business knowing any of the details, so don’t tell me about someone else. Please don’t even cloak your gossip as a prayer request either. I don’t know why it is so darn pleasing to some believers to share personal information about another person with everyone they know. I sure keep my personal stuff out of the hands and minds of all my fellow believers. I do have a couple of men with whom we are mutual confidants, but that is it. I simply do not trust most believers I know because I am absolutely sure anything I say to them of a personal nature, especially if it is juicy, will end up on the evening news. Is that bad? Should I not be able to trust any believer? On the other hand every believer should be able to trust me not to betray anything they tell me in confidence. Maybe that is the key word here. Maybe most things shared are in hopes of being spread throughout the land, all things other than a secret that is. If I share a secret I darn well hope and pray the friend I share it with holds it and keeps it within, as well as keeps the same love toward me as before the secret was known. This is my duty as well when my friend shares his secret. I also firmly believe any shared secrets must be shared and kept within the same gender. The trap which exists outside that rule is way too obvious. No, I shall maintain my secrets and those of my friends deep within myself. I will not be a part of that hideous chain of never ending stories and prolonged over detailed prayer requests for my sisters, friend who has a brother whose life-long friends niece is in trouble with the law because she stole something from her best friends cousins brother. What a crock! Maybe this gossip thing is why no one ever really asks for prayer for themselves. It sure is for me, unless of course I am asking for them to pray about something good in my life to happen, like my book to sell a lot of copies. So, I come back to the beginning, if I am not part of the problem or the solution, I do not need the details, which are merely gossip anyway. Mum is the word.

Think First, Speak Second

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
THINK FIRST, SPEAK SECOND
Prov 11:12
12 A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor,
but a man of understanding holds his tongue.
NIV
I think it is possibly one of the most harmful things in this world to speak ill about another person. What would possess a person to say things which would be disrespectful of or to his neighbor? I do know people who are compelled to say whatever is on their mind. But that leads me to wonder why such an attitude about their neighbor would even be on their mind. Is even thinking disrespectfully a lack of judgment? I would think whenever I begin thinking in that manner the Holy Spirit would slap me up beside the head with that two by four. Does God really allow such kind of thinking much less speaking? I would think one of the main reasons anyone would speak disrespectfully about another person would be only to make themselves feel better about their self. If I can make someone else out as not living in a certain manner, but I am, then I have lifted my own self up by putting them down. That simply is not right. No, I must agree, as should I, with God. If I have the understanding of the scriptures and the standards God has set out for me, then I will keep my tongue from speaking any words which would be out of place to or about another person. I think it is always a wise thing to find something good to say rather than something bad and if nothing good can be said, don’t say anything. I know I have been catch up in conversations which have turned the wrong way and I need to be more aware of those situations. I also need to be cognizant of my responses at times which might be seen as disrespectful by others. If I am to emulate Jesus, I certainly such not shy aware from speaking the truth, but I should do it with respect, love and a genuine concern for someone’s eternal position. The best course of action is always think first, speak second.

He is Exalted

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
HE IS EXALTED
Prov 11:11
11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.
NIV
Is this not much the same as the last devotion from the preceding verse? Or maybe if I consider the city as the local Kingdom of God, the local body of Christ, the church or community in which I reside than I might see some practical applications. The loving caring words spoken with compassion and grace to each of the other members within certainly builds up the church. How easy it is to speak other kinds of words such as judgment and condemnation. How easy it is to allow gossip to be the rule of thumb in conversation. Envy and jealousy never promote the exhortation of another. How could I ever built up the city of God when I have any ill feelings at all about anyone within, or for that matter without the city. If I am going to be a blessing to the city of God, his kingdom, than I need to be upright in the sight of all. I need to be that shining light on the hilltop, showing the way into the city. I need to live out my faith, in love and compassion to every person, saved and unsaved alike. I think that is the only way I can exalt the Kingdom of God. If I live any different I think I would have a very adverse effect on the city. I think of seeing those symbols of Jesus on the backs of cars as they weave in and out of traffic, speeding far above the limit and wonder how much destruction that does to the city. Then I think of the symbols of Jesus I wear in my being and if I do any harm to the city in my travels on the road of life with unbelievers. I think the key word here is blessing. I need to be a blessing both within and without the community of believers. I need to be a blessing to all peoples then the city of my God will be exalted on high. In the grand scheme of things, that is the only thing that matters. He is exalted.

City of Rejoicing

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
CITY OF REJOICING
Prov 11:10
10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;
when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
NIV
I am not sure about the second part of this, I will think about that while I consider the first part. I am not sure which city it is which rejoices. It has to be the city of God wherever that is now for I am not so sure the body of Christ is too enthusiastic about one of its members prospering. It seems to me there is way too much, either jealousy or envy going on within the certain cites within the Kingdom of God. Yet I still wonder if this prosper has anything to do with material gain in the world today. I think it might well speak of the spiritual prospering the righteous enjoy when we step into eternity and find ourselves bowing before our Lord and being embraced within his arms. But I cannot fathom how anyone will shout for joy as the wicked are thrown into the lake of burning sulfur and simple perish. What a sad commentary for the end of any life. How could any person spend so much energy fighting against God for the pleasures of self-satisfaction on the world when all that will happen is shouts of joy as they perish? Now in thinking of this world, and the time we spend here. I think I see how perhaps when one of those who strive to achieve so much and use that wealth and power for personal use, ignoring those who were used to attain it are brought down by some financial or health reason many might shout for joy. But that again is a sad commentary on mankind. To have joy in my heart because of some disaster befallen upon a wicked person is just not right. So I think I am stuck with the hereafter theory and have to leave it all to God. If he says someone will shout for joy as the wicked perish, then so be it. But for me I will be within a city of rejoicing.

Set Free

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
SET FREE
Prov 11:9
9 With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor,
but through knowledge the righteous escape.
NIV
I don’t think there is any question about the false prophets screaming around the air waves today which would certainly destroy those who are sucked into their fold. But I think this also speaks to the concept of Psalm 1. Why would I want to take any advice from the godless? Why would I want to listen to anything they have to say about religion and the things of the supernatural? I think anything those individuals who refuse to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior are either confused or simply uninformed. I am sure many of my neighbors are very nice people, but their thoughts about God are so far off base it would take a lifetime for them to simply get back in the ballpark. I know the word of God, I know what it says and therefore I will not be destroyed by what things are said by these godless people. I have escaped that destructive thinking. I have eluted those humanistic philosophies, those manmade schemes of refuting the truths of God. There is nothing these people have to say which could persuade me to agree with their doctrines. I think both the false teacher may be even more dangerous than the words of the godless world. At least the world makes no pretense of being righteous. The false teacher, preacher does, and therefore appears as a sheep but all the while is nothing more than that wolf seeking to devour who he might. He uses just enough of God’s truth in an effort to deceive even the elect. I see right through them both, because I have the knowledge of God in my heart and mind. There is nothing but God’s truth, and because of it I have escaped and will continue to do so. I have been set free.

Rescued

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
RESCUED
Prov 11:8
8 The righteous man is rescued from trouble,
and it comes on the wicked instead.
NIV
I wish not trouble on any person, but I think this is not my choice. I think of how the Israelites being in so much peril trapped by the Red Sea and the wicked army of pharaoh. God rescued his people and allowed them to cross over, but the peril of rhe Red Sea brought the Pharaoh and his army to their doom. I wonder if throughout my life there have been situations similar in nature which has occurred where I was not even aware. Have some people who tried to cause me trouble been tripped up by God and then received that same trouble themselves? I know I have been rescued many times by God in situations which would have been very troublesome. He has brought me through or rather out of situations where I would have been in deep trouble. But I cannot think of how others were troubled in my stead. Maybe I am not supposed to. Maybe God whisks me away and does not allow me to see backwards so I do not feel badly about what comes upon someone. Whatever he decides is the right thing anyway and all I need to really be concerned about is his power and his love in rescuing me. Now, could I expect the same treatment if the troubles headed my way is of my own doing, rather than from the hands of others? Who then does the troubles come upon if I am rescued? Maybe in this case, no one, but then maybe, just maybe, even if my actions are the reason for the troubles, they still might be caused by the wicked in some way. Was I influenced by some wicked scheme? Was I deceived in some way? Did I allow myself to get trapped by their suggestive ways? That is the entire world and all that is it in some sense. Still the fact remains, my Lord still rescues me from it all. What more could I ever need then to be rescued?

True Hope

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
TRUE HOPE
Prov 11:7
7 When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes;
all he expected from his power comes to nothing.
NIV
How do I deal with this proverb as it does not speak to me, but to those who are in a completely different frame of mind? It would appear when mankind refuses to accept the condition under which he was created all he is left with is his humanity. It would also appear, because God knows everything that in his humanity is wickedness. Within this state, those who do not accept God as the almighty creator of all things are left to hope for nothing but what they can achieve on their own. This is an empty hope and has absolutely no real future. I think of the pharaohs of Egypt and the emperors of China who built great places to take all their hopes with them into some form of afterlife. All those hopes have been left for this generation to take from those places. The only thing, the only hope any man can carry with him into death is his faith in Christ Jesus. All attempts to accumulate material goods, all the efforts to achieve fame, fortune and power have not a single shred of importance when death is met. I cannot understand how anyone could life with that thought. It seems to me to be so futile and meaningless. If all there was to life was this meager existence of surrounding myself with things, and storing up worthless symbols of monetary exchange and seeking to see how much authority over other people I could reach, then my life would be filled with so much tension, stress and disappointment. Why would I want to live like that? I would not. I am quite content with the provisions of God. I am exceedingly content with all God is doing for me, in me and through me. MY life is full; it is in fact filled to the brim and is flowing over. I have all I would ever need and so much more. The greatest of what I have is faith in Christ Jesus, my Lord and my Savior. I live with a true hope.

Among the Righteous

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
AMONG THE RIGHTEOUS
Prov 11:6
6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.
NIV
Here again I see the advantages of being upright over being unfaithful. Yet I do not think it is my uprightness which gives me righteousness. I do not know how I can be considered righteous on my own merits. I have always been of the belief that Christ is my righteousness and he alone is the source. Yes, in a sense I have to maintain a righteous lifestyle, an upright way of living. But I do not believe that outside of Christ I can be righteous. All throughout the entire Bible, I cannot find one person who was righteous outside of God. Even David who God testified was a man after his own heart was far from perfect and righteous within his own being. The one thing I do know about him and that applies to me as well, is when I do fail God, I know it and seek his forgiveness and attempt to move forward with his help to resist such failures again. I know God is my righteousness, my rock, my salvation. I have no doubt that I must make every effort to find out what pleases him and then live to the best of my ability in that manner, but I also know I am bound to fail just because I am not a perfect human being capable of an absolute perfect life. If I was I would not need Christ to have died on that cross for my sin and I cannot believe that was just for my past sin, and now I have no more. Christ did not make me perfect, but he did become my righteousness. The most upright thing I have ever done is to accept that. Why someone would choose to be trapped when they can be set free is beyond me, at least at this time in my life. I can remember being among those who are called unfaithful and I did not think I was trapped, but nevertheless I was trapped by my own evil desires. I no longer am, I have been set free and now am able to live as one of the righteous. Praise God for his salvation, Praise God for the advantage of being among the righteous.

Up or Down

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
UP OR DOWN
Prov 11:5
5 The righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them,
but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.
NIV
Repeating the same idea, the same thought, the same concept, but with slightly different words, is but only one way my Lord makes sure I have a firm understanding of his plan for my life. I am convinced that those individuals who are in the state of denial regarding the God and his plans will be snared by their own ways. How can anything a person does outside the realm of God prevent him from being brought down in the last day? They will have no defense but their own wicked behavior. One again I have full confidence many of them are very nice people and they do some very good deeds within the realm of mankind, but they care classified, by God, as wicked because of the refusal to do the only true deed that counts which is accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This is the true wickedness which shall bring them down. But on the other hand is me. I have accomplished that ultimate deed and therefore I am classified, by God, as one of the blameless. Because of Jesus God sees me as blameless, he not only forgave me of my sin, past, present and future, but he declared my more than not guilty, he declared me as without blame, innocent. Jesus is my righteousness and because I have made that choice, my path is straight and it leads me into the everlasting presence of God. God’s way are a straight path for my life, not that I am perfect, or without any more sin, but I am on the path set forth not by my own planning, but by Jesus. Jesus has made the path straight for me. There is no way I could make a path that straight. Any path I would make could not be that straight. I am exceedingly grateful I am on the path that lifts me up instead of the one that would brings me down.

New Book

Just an additional post about my new upcoming book which will be released sometime in mid 2012. The editorial process is very long and most go through three different edits before it actually goes into production. Each step must be submitted for me to either correct some spelling, which you all know I am not what would be consider a premier speller. Then the content editing goes around, which is when my publisher suggests perhaps a better way for me to phrase something in order for it to either flow better or make more sense, which again, sometimes I do not make much sense, but I still have the final authority as to how it is said as I am the author. I am rather enthused about Reverend Dean Miller writing a forward/endorsement for my book. I am still waiting for Pastor Forasteros comments which I will add to the endorsements. I have also asked Reverend Leif Anderson who is the HR Director at Athletes In Action in Xenia OH to review my manuscript and make comments to be added to the endorsements. I believe this work is crucial for believers to read, to clarify some issues I believe have been misunderstood over the years. If you are reading this make sure you check out my new website www.richwesterwelle.org for more information. Enough for now.

Number One Priority

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
NUMBER ONE PRIORITY
Prov 11:4
4 Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath,
but righteousness delivers from death.
NIV
I have been saying this ever since I read the Bible. The whole of scripture is full of this exact concept. I cannot understand how so many believers have been deceived into thinking it is not only alright, but it is scriptural to invest, save, hoard money for their future, so they can spend more of it on themselves. How do they actually believe putting trust in money for security is in accordance with the scriptures? Of what value is it when Jesus returns? But I think the worst part is the thinking God desires people to hoard their money. Yet maybe the worst part is the investing, the giving of money directly into the hands of Satan, for the furtherance of his kingdom instead of Gods’. I don’t know how believers justify that. I know that I need a certain portion of money in order to purchase the things of life. I know I have to pay the mortgage, and buy food and clothing as well as many other things needed to live in the society that God determined I would be in. I know I have always needed to work to provide for my family, which I have done. Yet since I have been a believer I think I can say I have lived and worked at the behest of my Lord. He has directed me to every occupation I have endeavored at. He has been the one who has provided the way for me to provide for my family. I also believe the ultimate provision I could ever make for my family is having led them to Jesus, which brings them eternal life and delivers them from death. Is there any greater provision? Does that not far exceed any material wealth I could ever give, or pass on to them? When Jesus returns they will be in the number called to his side. The grave cannot hold me nor can it hold them. Wealth is far overrated, but righteous cannot even be rated high enough. Why would someone even desire so much of a worthless thing? Seeking righteousness has to be my number one priority.

True Integrity

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
TRUE INTEGRITY
Prov 11:3
3 The integrity of the upright guides them,
but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.
NIV
I wonder if there is within any man, aside from the grace of God, any integrity. I think that God has to be the integrity spoken of here in order through him I can be guided safely through the course of my life, including all the stumbling blocks I shall encounter, to the everlasting city which is to come. Yes, I have to make a conscience effort to live my life with integrity, being honest and forthright in my dealings with others. Yes, I need to dedicate myself to being upfront and not withhold from another in order to achieve some form of personal gain. It is difficult at times when my defense mechanism kicks in and I refuse to admit error. I know that is not integrity, and I need to change or at least not allow that to happen. Being truthful about how I think may not always be the best course of action either through. Yet does integrity demand that? Still I think this is deeper in the sense of the choice of life. Integrity guides me in the ways of God, while those who refuse to acknowledge him live in the course of their own choosing which consists of something that will end up bringing them to an end. I cannot truly cannot judge what that would be, except the denial of faith in Christ Jesus. Perhaps the duplicity spoken of here is the talking of being a believer, but the living as if there is no belief in God. What I do know is I have to dedicate myself to a life which pleases God. I fail miserable at times and I hate those moments and wonder why I cannot keep myself from failing. Yet I know why, because I am human and that alone is flawed. Not that God created man with a flaw, but he also did not created man as perfect either, otherwise Adam would not have failed. So I must, admit failure to God, seek forgiveness, get up and keep going. Perhaps that is the truth of integrity.

Authority Without Pride

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
AUTHORITY WITHOUT PRIDE
Prov 11:2
2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom.
NIV
Being prideful of self is not a good thing for it is obvious that it will bring nothing but disgrace. I think it is alright for me to have pride in what I do. That is to take care to do exceptionally well at whatever I do. But if I have pride in whom I am, or that I am better than someone else, that is a different thing. If I even think to myself that I am better then another I am filled up to the brim with pride and for sure it will topple me. I still do not understand how some people I know can actually say they do not sin. Is that not spiritual pride? Will that not bring them down in the end? I surely cannot say I do not sin anymore. I have nothing to be prideful about when it comes to my own self. Sure I do things for the Kingdom of God. Yes I preach and teach and write books and post these devotions for others to read, and talk about the Kingdom whenever I get the opportunity with whomever I can, but that is simply being useful to God in the way he has gifted me. I have none of that ability in my own self. In fact, left to my own devises I would simply hide out in my basement and built my railroad, never ever speaking to anyone. Being out in the front is so far outside myself I certainly could not have ever imagined I would do that. I know it may appear to some that I think I am a know-it-all, and I cannot understand how people think that. Yes, I am confident of what I say about the scriptures. Yes, I may well speak with a certain amount of authority about the Word of God. But why shouldn’t I? When there is so much misunderstanding and uncertainty about his word, why should I not share with confidence and authority that which the Holy Spirit has revealed to me so that people will gain knowledge and understanding? If we all stand around, wishy washy about what the Word of God says what good comes from that. I understand any truth I know is because of God, not me and I believe that is true humility, not this false stuff I see people trying to show. I shall not be disgraced when I stand before my Lord and my God because I speak up and stand up for his truths with boldness and with authority for both come from him. I can have the authority without pride.

Honesty

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
HONESTY
Prov 11:1
The LORD abhors dishonest scales,
but accurate weights are his delight.
NIV
Although it is true that scales were the system of determining a fair trade of goods for money in those times, and we still see scales at the deli, and meat counters in the grocery store today, I have a feeling this is speaking to an even weightier matter. I cannot conduct any kind of business dealings with anyone other than in an upright forthright manner. For me to take advantage of any situation would be unfair and dishonest. All manner of conduct between me and any other person must include complete honesty a true sense of equality. I should also not expect anyone to lose out in any sale of material goods of which I am in need of. I need to pay for what I get, as well as charge correctly for what I sell. I should not promote any item as if it is worth more than it is, nor should I pay more or less for anything than it is worth. Yet there is still more here in the spiritual sense as well. I do not think I should project myself as being more spiritual than I am. I guess what I am saying is, I should not promote myself as someone who does not sin anymore, when in fact I still do. That is a dishonest scale if I ever saw one. One of my favorite lines from a movie is, “You have been weighted, you have been measured, and have been found wanting”. This is the true sense of the just and accurate weights. How to I measured up? I should not attempt to tip the scale in my favor misusing the scriptures so as to justify my being right and without sin. As I stand on the scale before God, his measure is true and just. I can see where I am not in balance with his word. But then at the same time when Jesus steps up on the scale with me, all is in perfect balance. Before God I am who I am and he still loves me, but before me, I must be who I am as well. I think I am, but I need to make sure I am who I am with whomever I am with. That is an honest scale, an honest life.

Fitting Words

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
FITTING WORDS
Prov 10:31-32
31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
but a perverse tongue will be cut out.
32 The lips of the righteous know what is fitting,
but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.
NIV
Let me deal with these two together as I am seeing a like meaning or at least a combined meaning here. I have no doubts that if the speech of those who refuse to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is of that nature, it is perverse and they will be cut out or off from the eternal Kingdom of God. When those who are considered wicked, talk like there is no God, it is perverse. Again, I have to believe some of them are exceptionally good people, and they are nice, kind, and loving toward others, but if their speech is against the living God, they are wicked and their words are perverse. They have no wisdom at all regarding the real truth. They can only recite the same old knowledge of the world, as grand as that might be, it is mere foolishness to God. I am convinced that because I speak of God, my words are filled with wisdom and I know what if fitting to say. When I preach, teach or write about the things of God, I am not guided by my human mind only, but by the Spirit of God. The wicked can only speak from the human mind and thus they words are empty, hollow and without true substance. When the Holy Spirit is at work within, he guides my thoughts to the wisdom of God, and so my words are full, solid and have concreteness. My words are fitting for the world to hear. Now I am not alone here, I speak of me, but I know that other believers are in the same situation I am. Their words are like mine as well because they speak of the things of God. These words are fitting for the world to hear because they are words which can bring peace, joy, love, kindness, goodness, patience gentleness, self-control and above all else eternal life to a lost and dying world. These are the words which must be spoken, fitting words.

Blessed Assurance

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
BLESSED ASSURANCE
Prov 10:30
30 The righteous will never be uprooted,
but the wicked will not remain in the land.
NIV
Is this repetitive? How many ways does God want to say this? Surely he must think I am not getting it or maybe he knows I get it but wants to make sure those who are classified as wicked get it. The thing is I don’t think they are reading it but I am alone with all the others who would fit in the category of the righteous. So I have to see this as a great promise for me and my fellow believers. I shall never be taken from my place in Christ. I shall remain as a tree planted by the stream of living water bearing much fruit. I will never have to worry in the times of drought or when the heat comes, my leaves shall remain green. There is nothing in the world which can cause me to worry, be anxious, fret, or depressed. I will remain blessed, happy, content, fulfilled, satisfied and in fellowship with God. Nothing can tear me from the palm of his hand. When much of the world is screaming “Buy gold, it is the only thing that will save you from the pending financial disaster”, “Gold is the only security for your future”, and all the other slogans, I know the real truth. I shall never be uprooted, but all those who look to gold for their security will not remain in this land. God is the only secure source for my future, both here on this earth and the one to come. I shall have a place in the new earth firmly planted because of my God. But those who refuse to see him as the only true God, and the only source for a secure future, will not have a place in the new city on the new earth. Life is so good be firmly rooted in Christ. I am at peace with God and what could be any better? Well, God is at peace with me! I cannot imagine what it would be like to be at war with God, and have him be at war with me. I know I would lose big time, I would not be able to remain in the land. But I will, because a peace treaty has been signed, at the cross and now I will never be uprooted. I have a blessed assurance.

I Choose Righteous

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
I CHOOSE RIGHTEOUS
Prov 10:29
29 The way of the LORD is a refuge for the righteous,
but it is the ruin of those who do evil.
NIV
Once more I am faced with this contrast but this time it is all about what God is and to whom. His way is the only way to live if I want to live for all eternity. Now is that the only reason I live his way? Is the fact his way is a refuge for me the purpose of my following him? Sure I desire eternal life, who doesn’t? Why would anyone choose not to have eternal life? That may have been the initial impulse which drove my search for God. In fact it was the drive to find eternal life which brought me to God. But through the years of living in fellowship with him, I have found even more security than eternal life. I have found a peace, a hiding place from the ravages, havoc and chaos of this world. But the greatest of all the refuges of God is the cross of Jesus Christ. In the cross I find total forgiveness of my sin, past, present and future. What more could I ever need? But for those who refuse to acknowledge Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will come to ruin, to an end, a perishing that will not be eternally happening, but an absolute end of any life whatsoever. God has declared is so. Why would any intelligent person choose ruin over eternal life in the everlasting presence of God? Can the pleasures of evil be that good? True, when I sin, I fail him, and I know it thus I repent and seek forgiveness, but those times do not mean I have left his way, in fact, my repentance and seeking of forgiveness is his way. Those others simply never repent, nor ask for forgiveness, because they refuse to acknowledge the need to do so. They simply live for their own self pleasure without considering his way at all. That is sad. But the choice is for the taking, righteous or evil. I choose righteous.

Very Joyous Indeed

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
VERY JOYOUS INDEED
Prov 10:28
28 The prospect of the righteous is joy,
but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.
NIV
Once again I most deal with the comparison between me and those others. Is that a presumption that I am the righteous? I think not, as Jesus Christ is my righteousness and those who are considered the wicked have not yet come to that conclusion. They are in a hopeless state of affairs as they have either not heard about Jesus or have determined to attempt to live in denial of his authority. In either case all they could hope for in this life will come to nothing because it is absolutely meaningless in gaining eternal life in the everlasting presence of God within the new city of Jerusalem, his paradise. All their hopes and dreams, all their wealth and power, all their deeds whether good or bad, will mean nothing as the grave welcomes them, for they shall not be ushered into his paradise. I, on the other hand, alone with all my fellow believers who are considered the righteous have our hearts filled with joy for we know what awaits us at the conclusion of this portion of our lives. My prospects are great, they are the greatest of all things, far greater than anything this world with all its trappings could ever offer. What greater joy could I ever experience in my entire life than to hear those words, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into my rest” and walk into the paradise of God. That is where I will rejoice with all those who have preceded me, and will await those who will follow me. What joy will fill my heart when I embrace once again those of my family, my wife, daughters, granddaughters, sons-in law, and who knows how many great grandchildren will follow in my footsteps? What joy will fill my heart to see those believers who touched my life, which helped me to grow, who mentored me as well as those who I have influenced toward God, and have mentored and helped them grow in their faith? Yes, my prospects are very joyous, very joyous indeed!

Add or Substract

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
ADD OR SUBSTRACT
Prov 10:27
27 The fear of the LORD adds length to life,
but the years of the wicked are cut short.
NIV
Is this all about clean living? If I fear the lord then I will refrain from indulging in all the horrible things this world has to offer. Now I do not speak about the wonderful earth which God created for me to live upon, but the darkness of the world which man has created to live in. I know that my days have already been extended and I expect them to extend even further. I feel as though I sense the same treatment from God as King David received. It was not until he accomplished God’s purpose did he sleep. I believe I will remain here in this present life until I fulfill God purpose for my life. Now I do not think I should procrastinate just to I live longer either. I know I need to be about my Fathers business and be diligent about it. Time is a factor and I know that I must be aware of that. It does take some time to get things done, and sometimes I do get a bit distracted but I know I need to stay focused. There is more here as well in the sense as I live my life in fear of God I do live a far better, healthier lifestyle then if I were to be spending my days in the mode of self-pleasure. Still one more thing strikes me here in the sense of eternal life verse non-eternal life. How much length to my life will be added in eternity is simply unlimited. But the wicked will have their days cut short, end, perish in eternity, which is like very limited. I know my life here and now is far better than it would have been had I refused to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I also know that my life is going to be way better in eternity because I did accept Jesus. How long I will be here on earth in this form is completely up to God, although because I fear him and desire to benefit the Kingdom of God, I believe I have some years ahead of me before I sleep. I am satisfied to add instead of substract.

Sluggard?

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
SLUGGARD?
Prov 10:26
26 As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
so is a sluggard to those who send him.
NIV
Even though this may apply well enough to the type of individual which simply is not worth employing because he has no desire to apply himself to the task for which he has been employed to do, I think it speaks to a still another issue. But I do think God has a point here about not giving one hundred percent of my ability for the duties I am being paid to do. I think I have done so throughout my life, although I may be a slight bit slowing down in my later years. I do not think I have caused any I have labored for to consider me as vinegar to their teeth or smoke in their eyes, except maybe when I worked for unbelievers who heard me speak of my faith. I do not think I have a slothful disposition about anything, but the greatest concern I have is about being a minister of God. I would think if I had that type of mind set, I would not be fit to be a minister of God, a messenger of his Word. But I am thankful I am not a sluggard about his Word, or the task he has sent me on. I have been called to do what I do, and I hope I am faithful to that calling. Surely God would not call anyone to a task if that person were a sluggard. I know everyone is part of the body of Christ and I know each person being a living stone, is placed somewhere in the temple of God. I also know that each servant of God has been given a talent, a gift, and will be held to task for what he or she has done with it to further the Kingdom of God, when he returns. This is all true no matter if anyone is a sluggard or not, but to be called to serve has to be reserved for those who will not be slothful in the disposition of duties, but will serve will passion and vigor for the benefit of the Kingdom of God. The last thing I would ever want is for God to think of me as a sluggard. No, I desire to fulfill my purpose.

Firm Foundation

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
FIRM FOUNDATION
Prov 10:25
25 When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone,
but the righteous stand firm forever.
NIV
Another comparison between the wicked and the righteous is here for me to deal with once more. How many ways can God spell this out? Should I see this as simply a storm, a hurricane as the Hebrew implies as how the wicked are so violent in their passion for sin? Perhaps that is true but as violent as they are in the pursuit of self-interest and the pure desire of self-satisfaction, with that same violence will God as a whirlwind descend upon them. They end will be with this kind of whirlwind and they will in fact be swept away and throw into the lake of burning sulfur. Now I know it does not have to be like that, they could repent and accept Jesus Christ in order to escape that end, but alas I think they refuse and this is why they are referred to as the wicked. I know some of them and they are kind and loving people, appearing for all practical purposes good people without the evil intent of those really bad individuals, yet because of their refusal to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior they are deemed wicked or morally wrong. Now on the other side of this illustration stand the righteous. Again I must admit I am not righteous in and of myself, but only because of Jesus. I stand on the firm foundation of God himself. My feet are on solid ground because they are planted in the word of God. I am like a tree planted by the stream of living water and I obtain all the nourishment I need for life from Jesus Christ, the spring of living water. The life I gain is not temporal nor will it be swept away by any storm which comes my way. It matters not what kind of whirlwind assaults me, I am firmly planted forever upon the truth of God. Even when I fail him, I have not lost my footing or my right standing with him, because of Jesus. I know I am not perfect, and I am not able to stand on my own. I need the righteousness of Christ as my foundation for a firm standing forever in the everlasting presence of God.

I Desire

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
I DESIRE
Prov 10:24
24 What the wicked dreads will overtake him;
what the righteous desire will be granted.
NIV
I remember being wicked and I remember the dread of death which permeated my being. For me it was because I did not believe in God and thus there was nothing after this life, but death, nothingness, no conscience of ever being alive, no awareness of anything at all, completely dead. I remember feeling hopeless and full of fear. I think there are, however, wicked people who know of God and simply refuse to accept his ways and go their own course in life, but still have those fears, not like me, but because of their own conscience. They know the evil they do and are aware of the fate or result of that lifestyle, thus have a certain element of fear and how the result will overtake them. I, on the other hand, have been redeemed and know my Lord and Savior and have experienced his grace in my life. I have had many personal encounters with him, healings, miracles and gifts. I have seen firsthand many signs and wonders and have absolutely no doubt in my mind at all of his existence and his almighty power. I do think however as a believer I have a responsibility not to desire all sorts of things which to lavish my own being with, but that I should desire that which can enhance the Kingdom of God. Now, it is true in the opposing view of the wicked fearing death, I my desire is God and so life will be granted to me. But I also think as my desire is to bring honor and glory to my God that will be granted to be as well. God will also grant to me the gifts I need to accomplish his purpose for my life. In turn I also believe I need to desire to accomplish his purpose for my life. I truly believe I will not die until I do fulfill his plan for my life, his purpose. I have more to do, more to accomplish, more sermons to preach, more lessons to teach, more words to write, more believer to encourage, more and more of everything and anything he desires for me to do. I know I am not finished, in fact, as I have said before, I feel as though I am just getting warmed up and ready for the race. I am so looking forward to seeing what God is going to do. That is what I desire.

Committed To

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
COMMITTED TO
Prov 10:23
23 A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct,
but a man of understanding delights in wisdom.
NIV
Here I am again in the middle of a comparison between a foolish man and one of understanding. I would suppose the only reason God would call anyone a fool is because they have not yet come to the realization they need him. I think anyone who would go about his or her own life thinking they are the center of their own self and do whatever they think is the right thing to do is a fool. I think many people do some great humanistic deeds which result in the betterment of human kind, but if it is not centered on God, it is still evil conduct and they are fools. I cannot imagine this evil conduct just talking about the sin issue, because every believer, including me, still commits sin, and this would, in a sense, be finding pleasure in evil conduct. So if everyone finds pleasure in evil conduct, saved and unsaved alike, then there is no one of understanding. So I have to come to the conclusion that the true evil conduct which is spoken of here is the refusal to accept Jesus Christ as the resurrected Son of God and the Lord and Savior of their life. The fool does commit this act of refusal so he can continue to live his life to please just himself and himself alone. The man of understanding, which I am, lives his life with the knowledge of God and what he has done for me. I accept his provision for my salvation, and I know the only righteousness I have is in Christ Jesus. I understand what it is all about. I do delight in that knowledge and in the wisdom of God. Yes, I still do some foolish things, I still act, react in improper behaviors, I still commit sins I wish I did not and I still do not do the things I wish I did. But I know the difference, and that is because I understand the difference because I delight in wisdom, in God. So what do I do? I continue to walk with him, stumbling at times, but never walking my own way without him at my side. I know he will help me to travel the path I am on. He will guide me and direct me, he will correct me, rebuke me, and discipline me when I need it. I am committed to this walk of understanding and delighting in wisdom.

Life is Good

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
LIFE IS GOOD
Prov 10:22
22 The blessing of the LORD brings wealth,
and he adds no trouble to it.
NIV
I think maybe God is trying to tell his people something here. I believe I have understood this for a very long time. I know he has blessed me. Now do I have wealth? Not according to some, or in comparison to others, but I am indeed a very wealthy man. These Hebrew words could just as easily said that the blessing of the Lord brings accumulation, or growth and it is without difficult labor. It might well be about spiritual growth rather than material, but as I trust the Lord to guide those scholars in correctly dividing the word into English I must see this wealth as to make rich. Still I certainly can be made rich in the spirit rather than in the flesh, or at least along with the flesh. I have to say as long as I have been a believer I really have had no trouble in my life. Oh sure there have been times which might be considered difficult by others, but not to me. If I know the Lord and understand that I am in the palm of his hand what could anything in this world do to really harm me. Little hiccups in life are just that and in the grand scheme of things, nothing. I have been given great spiritual wealth; I have been given his word. There can be no greater wealth in the entire world which could compare to that. Still I could also say that in compared to many people of the world I have great material wealth, but that is only because I live in the country I do. If I apply this verse to all believers all over the world, some live in extreme material poverty and thus this verse does not apply to them, or it does in the spiritual wealth sense. What matters most to God? I have to say I am blessed spiritually, as much as any other believer in any material situation. In this blissful state of blessings I can live far above all the circumstances of live and thus have no trouble. Life is good, my life is good!

One of The Righteous

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
ONE OF THE RIGHTEOUS
Prov 10:21
21 The lips of the righteous nourish many,
but fools die for lack of judgment.
NIV
Certainly a repeat of what has been said before about the difference between the righteous and the wicked or fool in this case. Again I have to think about the useless conversations of those who lack the judgment regarding God, and accepting his provision in Jesus Christ for their redemption. The words of a fool, no matter how intelligent they may sound, still result in the death of the fool. Surely many of them are very nice people and think their lives are full of great deeds, humanitarian effects, improving mankind’s position and such, but they still lack sound judgment regarding God. They may have handfuls of degrees and pockets full of gold, but they are still poor in proper judgment about the real purpose of life. They may serve their fellow man well enough and with good intentions, but if they are not serving God then by default they are serving the devil and fulfilling his desires for their lives, which is death. How foolish is that? But I do not fit into any of that category for I am one of the righteous. The words I speak about has to do with God, and with his plan for man, his purpose for mankind and what is desire is for our lives. Those are the words which can bring real nourishment to people. The truth of God is the only real substance for life, everything else brings death. I know from personal experience, once being just a baby in Christ, that I was nourished by the lips of the righteous, and I grew and became stronger and mature in my faith, because of the truth of God being delivered to me via the righteous. I read, no devoured the Word until it was buried deep within me. I have totally trusted the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth of the Word to me each and every day since I accepted Jesus Christ. There is no doubt in my mind, my heart, my spirit I shall inherit eternal life, rather than death. I am certain I do not lack judgment about this. I am no fool, I am one of the righteous.

Worth Something

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
WORTH SOMETHING
Prov 10:20
20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,
but the heart of the wicked is of little value.
NIV
What is the difference between the righteous and the wicked? I know without question I am in and of myself not righteous, but I have accepted Jesus Christ he is my righteousness. The wicked are just people, many good people, who simply have not accepted Jesus and thus have no righteousness. What they have to offer me is absolutely nothing. Their ways have no value to me whatsoever. What they consider of value is meaningless. There words of wisdom is simply foolishness to God and thus also to me. As I learned from my study of the first psalm, I should never take any type of advice from them at all. I also should not be in any form of partnership with them as being unequally yoked is just simply wrong. Nothing the wicked have or believe is of any value to me at all. It is the Word of God which holds all the cards. The Word is the only thing which is of true value to me. As such whenever I speak about the Word of God, preaching teaching, or writing, my words have value to others. I think there is a lot of chitter chatter even among believers. Meaningless dibble about meaningless things may help pass the time, but for a believer it simply wastes the time and is of little to no value. Sure small talk might help to develop relationships, but about what? Why do I want to talk about some worldly sport team, or superstar, who lives a lascivious lifestyle? Why would I want to spend any time at all talking about some movie star, or television personality who has no clue about living for God, but lives completely for self and lives in total sin? Why do I have to discuss the weather or some other mundane topic I cannot do anything about? Even all the words I speak about politics are worthless, except of course that does affect people’s lives, and I should be a concerned citizen as a believer. Still there are so many junk words that can fill up my mind, when I need to be focused on words of value. I have a small amount of time on this earth and I need to make my words count. If I remain focused on words from God, then my words will be as choice silver. Now that is worth something.

To Speak or Not To Speak

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
TO SPEAK OR NOT TO SPEAK
Prov 10:19
19 When words are many, sin is not absent,
but he who holds his tongue is wise.
NIV
God told James to write the tongue is the most difficult member of the body to train and that if anyone is never at fault in what he says he is a perfect man. I think I have certainly said things I should not have at times and afterwards wished I had kept silent. I have been in situation in a group where it seems the words are flowing like a raging river and for the most part those words are scandalous or at best uncharitable. I think when people have nothing else to talk about they talk about other people. I have been a little frustrated at times when socializing with other believers and gossip or other non-profitable discussions ensure. I would like to talk about God and his word, but that seems to always cause trouble in some way. I don’t understand that, but I think I have learned to just keep my mouth shut. I know it doesn’t seem so, but I am a man of few words. Sure I write a lot of them, and I am pretty well animated when I preach, but that is because I am excited about God’s Word and how it can change a person’s life. His word can make a major difference in how someone approaches life. So I say many words when I am about my Father’s business. I can talk a lot when I am engaged in his purpose for my life. But as for the rest of the time, in normal social settings, I just don’t have much to say, if were are not talking about substance, but talking about other people, or nonsense stuff. Although I have fallen into that trap at times, and regretted it later. I have to learn to be more in control of my words. I need to be more aware of when it is fat better to just remain silent. I think silent appears wiser then a bunch of foolish words. But it is difficult to keep silent about God when the conversation affords the opportunity. So I just have to be conscience of the Spirit and his prompting, to speak or not to speak, that is the answer.