Apply

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

APPLY

Prov 23:12

12 Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.

NIV

Although both instruction and knowledge are desirable to have, the key word here is apply. With so many opportunities to attend institutions of instruction or knowledge they might seem to be the end of the means, rather than mean to the end. What good is instruction if we do not apply it to our lives? What good in knowledge if we do not use it or apply it to our lives? But the point of applying both has to do with what kind of instruction and knowledge is being spoken of here. We might be tempted to think in the natural or worldly sense. We know attending school and attaining degrees in various fields of study is a result of instruction and we certainly need all the knowledge we can get to practice our particular area of study in which we are degreed. However the heart issue is in the forefront here and that can only mean the instruction which we are to apply is that of the Lord.

Job 22:21-22

21 "Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you. 22 Accept instruction from his mouth and lay up his words in your heart.

NIV

We are to apply the instruction of the Lord to our hearts. It is a good thing to know the word of God. It is a marvelous ability to be able to quote a verse and include chapter and verse. But we have to apply that verse to our hearts and open our ears to its knowledge for our lives. In using the principle of hermeneutics we might be tempted to see some scriptures as simply history, which is for those in the time it was written, and not for us today.  But that principle serves to give us more knowledge about the meaning of that truth for our lives and how we might apply it to our heart. We must always remember God is always present, he is not past tense and therefore his word is also always presence tense, which means it was written for all mankind, every tribe, every nation, in every time in our linear view. So we must apply all the truth of God to our lives. This is more than just having knowledge of his word. His knowledge is considered the greatest wisdom we can attain. We learn about who God is. This is the knowledge we are to seek. We learn about him, but more importantly we learn who he is. Then knowing him we accept his instruction for our lives, but more importantly we apply his instruction to our heart. Then it becomes our life. Jesus tells us he and the Father are one.

John 10:30

30 I and the Father are on."

NIV

In his prayer to the Father Jesus, prays that we also would be one as he and the Father are one so that we might bring glory to the Father. But also that we have the glory of God. 

John 17:20-23

20 "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one : 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

NIV

We also see that we have been given glory so that the world may know we are of God. This is the result of our applying his instruction to our hearts. This is a result of accepting his knowledge, his wisdom given to us through the power of the Spirit. Yet all of it is useless unless we apply it to our hearts. Yet more importantly we are to apply our hearts to his instruction and knowledge. That is we are to make it the central theme of our heart. We are to focus our heart in his instruction, his knowledge, not of the things of this world. The Lord tells us that where our treasure is there also is our heart. So then if we consider anything in this world as important or of value, as a treasure, than our heart is not being applied to his instruction, but rather to the world. The greatest treasure in our lives should be God, his instructions, his knowledge and thus our heart should be applied in him. 

The Father and the Orphan

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

THE FATHER AND THE ORPHAN

Prov 23:10-11

10 Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless, 11 for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you.

NIV

We have seen this principle before just a short while ago about moving boundary stones, but this time it in regards to the fatherless. Children may not know exactly what their property consists of. Certainly in the time of Solomon there were not orphanages to care to the fatherless. But does fatherless also mean motherless and thus an orphan? Of course in the time of Solomon women had no identity of their own and could not be land owners or have any property at all. There whole identity was first as a daughter then as a wife and mother. So it did not matter about the mother, but only if the father was dead then the first born son would inherit all his father owned. If that son was very young and was not aware of the boundary lines it would be rather easy for the neighbor to encroach on that land. The widowed mother would have not voice in the matter. It is also clear the Defender, who is defined as their kinsman, is strong. The Hebrew word here carries the meaning of the law of kinship, a redeemer. This person by the law given to Moses was to marry the widow and buy or take back all that belongs to the son, if it were encroached upon or lost. But how does this, if any, apply to us today. As we noticed in the previous proverb about boundaries. We considered not moving any benchmarks in religion, creating new dogmas, rites and ceremonies. We considered not making any new religions that make more sense to us and fit our needs rather than God’s. But here it is about the fatherless. This could apply to those of us who have children and that we should be careful to train them up in the ways of the Lord, rather than in the ways we think they should be trained, as in our moved position from the truth. But this also can apply to those who are not considered yet as children of God. It is possible we could view the unbeliever as not being considered as a child of God and thus in a sense fatherless, as we once were. It is possible that we move the boundary lines of the truth of God in order to either take advantage of them, or bring them to some form of man-made religion rather than bringing them to the Father. We see all too often some high profile supposed evangelists leading the fatherless done a path other than the truth, for their own benefit. But God will not stand still for that kind of stone moving. He will not stand for those who are not yet his to be deceived, to have their heart and minds encroached upon. We know it is his desire that none should perish, but that all should be saved. All people are his creation, believers and unbelievers alike. Jesus went to the cross for every sin for all people, not just an elect few. So then we should be careful not to move the standard of God, not to move the benchmark in order to bring someone to some form of religion. All mankind is in a scene a kinsman of God as he is the Father. Yet in a sense because we who have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior have been given the right to be called children of God.

John 1:10-13

10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

NIV

So then in this sense those who are of the world, the unbeliever has not been given the right to be called children of God and thus are then fatherless. Yet God still watches over them and we should not take advantage of them in any way, or look down on them as orphans, but bring them to our Father. 

Shut up and get out

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

SHUT UP AND GET OUT

Prov 23:9

9 Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words.

NIV

This agrees with the scripture which tells us not to cast our pearls among the swine.

Matt 7:6

6 "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.

NIV

There are just some people no matter how much of the truth we tell them, they will not hear it. Their ears are closed as is their mind and heart. Their heart is darkened to a point they have shut out any chance of letting the light in. They have locked up their darkness with their secularism. Some might say they have been predestined to hell by God, to be objects of his wrath. But the scripture is clear that it is men who love the darkness, who have suppressed the truth by their evil deeds. These are the same people who scorn the wisdom of our words. This wisdom is the word of God, certainly not ours. Should we be the one to determine who the fool is and to not waste the wisdom of God on them? We are told not to speak to the fool. The Hebrew word translated as fool means stupid or silly. Both of those meanings would apply to someone who refuses to listen to the wisdom of God, the gospel message. It is just plain stupid to not accept eternal life. It is the silliest thing a person could do. Yet we are told to go into all the world and preach the gospel. So it is not up to us to separate out the fools from those who would listen. But as we encounter the fool in our conversations about the gospel, we then need to see the fool for who he is, and leave, shake the dust off our shoes and move on. But let us not be the ones to decide a person is a fool and never speak to them at all. Of course it is always easier to speak up when we see someone in need, who is experiencing inner turmoil. Perhaps even a fool under those circumstances might open his ears. The Spirit will let us know. He will show us who is ready to hear. But we should remember the fool is out there and as Jesus referred to them as swine, they could trample us and tear us to pieces. It is best to share, but when it is certain we are with the fool, stop sharing and get out of there. 

How it tastes

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

HOW IT TASTES

Prov 23:6-8

6 Do not eat the food of a stingy man, do not crave his delicacies; 7 for he is the kind of man who is always thinking about the cost. "Eat and drink," he says to you, but his heart is not with you. 8 You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments.

NIV

A strange saying or at least a strange way of saying it. Why bother going out to dinner with a friend who says he wants to pay for the dinner, but then is telling you how high priced the food is in this place. Or he orders the cheapest thing on the menu making you feel guilty for ordering anything higher priced. If a person is always thinking about the cost of the meal then his heart is really not in paying for you to have a good time, but to simply make you think he enjoys giving, when in reality he only thinks about his own finances. This also applies to our hearts. When we invite someone to dine with us, make them feel free to order anything on the menu. When we invite them over for dinner put on a spread that is fit for a king, not some stingy halfhearted attempt to feed them. The idea here is when we are treated that way or treat a guest with a stingy attitude it leaves a bad taste in our and their mouths. The only reason a person who is being stingy is they really are not interested in the other person, but only themselves. How about the times we get together with new people for a dinner out or maybe just desert. When the wait person asks, “Will this be separate or one check?” what is our response? What is the others response? Do we wait for them to say, “Separate” or do we chime in with, “One check please” and tell our new acquaintances, “It is our pleasure”?  Waiting for them to say something might give them the impression we are stingy, leaving a bad taste in their mouths. It would seem it is far better to be generous. God will reward the generous, but we cannot be sure about any reward the stingy will receive. Let us not be the person concerned about the cost of food. Let us be the kind of person who considers the cost of life. We represent Christ who gave his life for us. How can we not be generous when it comes to others? This idea of that being stingy is good stewardship is simply bunk, it is not true. Good stewardship is trusting God to supply all our needs. Let us not give people a bad taste in their mouths, after all we are the salt of the earth. Salt is not only a preservative, but it awakens the taste buds making the food taste the best it can be. Let us leave a good taste in others mouths. This principle applies to all aspects of life. What kind of taste do we as believers leave in the mouths of others? If they are unbelievers what taste do we leave them with? If with other believers, what kind of taste do we leave them with? It comes down to how does our life taste to others? Is it sweet and savory, or sour and chewy? How it tastes matters. 

Burden or rest

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

BURDEN OR REST

Prov 23:4-5

4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. 5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

NIV

It might be the common perception that it is true wisdom to make money the chief object. Today we have hours of radio programming devoted to the idea of making more money, or learning how to keep more of our money. There are many methods in play for investing for the future gains or increase of our money. On some networks there are multiply companies that would tell us the true, the wise thing to do to secure our future is to buy their gold and silver. It is difficult to incorporate the desire for riches into the life of being a believer. Some Christians have developed a theology which allows them to separate the things of God and the things of the world. Thus they are able to chase after wealth while chasing after God. It does seem odd how they are able to ignore all the scriptures which warn us about chasing after wealth while finding one obscure verse to quote about saving or storing up in season. Here again we are warned not to wear ourselves out to gain wealth. That we should have the wisdom to show restraint. What can be gained by human strength can disappear even faster than it takes to gain it. In wearing ourselves out in the pursuit of riches, we have nothing left for the service of our Lord. Concern or anxiety about our position in life, the amount of money we have, the security of our future state, all wear on the peace Christ has given to us. When Jesus told us that if we are heavy burdened, if the burdens of life are overwhelming, if all our anxieties about life, about money, about financial security are wearing us out, we are to come to him and he will give us rest.

Matt 11:28-30

28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest . 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." 

NIV

Chasing after the things of this world will wear us out, but chasing after God will give us rest. We can live in his rest, his peace, his serenity, his comfort and his security. All God has for us is eternal while all the world has to offer is temporal. Let us keep our focus on God. 

At the table

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

AT THE TABLE

Prov 23:1-3

When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, 2 and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. 3 Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.

NIV

We have witnessed such a sin of gluttony from ladies who did think themselves more refined then their eating did reveal. A banquet table full of all sorts of delicacies devoured in a fashion as a feeding frenzy of sharks. It would appear these fine ladies and some gentlemen had been starving to death at home. This is the meaning of this saying. When in public, especially when invited to someone’s party, dine with dignity. There is something about eating food that is deceptive. That is many times at events where delicacies are presented for our pleasure, they may well be things our bodies are not accustomed to and a rather uncomfortable condition results. The food all looks so delicious and we are tempted to gobble it up. But watch out, it might have a negative effect both on our bodies and our reputation. We must remember we are always representing Christ, especially when dining in the assembly of unbelievers. This would also include the over indulgence of adult beverage as well as food. People are watching us, especially if we have been vocal regarding our faith. Now should we remain silent about our faith and simply live like an unbeliever, it might not matter if we appear to be one of those sharks in a feeding frenzy. But still do not polite manners matters, even to the unbeliever? What if they find out we are believers, and even become a believer, then recall our behavior at that affair. We have taught them well how believers behave in public. No, we should always be aware who we are dining with. Note well what or who is before us and put a knife to our throat is we are given to gluttony. Polite manners should always be our guidepost, eat our full at home, but modestly in public or group events. Now on the spiritual side of this truth. The word of God is food for our soul, or spirit. The prince of this world has set before us find delicacies to tempt us to gorge ourselves upon. The delicacies can be defined a savory meat, which would be anything other than the word of God. This could be the wisdom or intellectual knowledge of this world. It could be materialism, or security. It could be sensual in nature, physical. This could appear in the form of lust or the constant pursuit for a more youthful skin, or appearance. Our preoccupation with beauty or form. It is not we should abandon the temple of the Holy Spirit, sending into ruin. But to be preoccupied with the temptations of this world, gorging ourselves upon them, for our body, when we have food enough in the word of God for our souls, is simply foolishness. We must remember who it is we are at the table with. Are we at the table of the world, or at the table with our Lord? 

Prince of King

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

PRINCE OR KING

Prov 22:29

29 Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.

NIV

We might be tempted to think this is about a person who is diligent in his work or intellect will rise to a high position in society. That such greatest should not be wasted on mean people. But the Hebrew word translated work or business also carries the meaning of deputyship, i.e. ministry, but also generally employment. We could then also see this in a sense that we who are diligent or skillful in our ministry or service to the Lord will stand before the King of Kings. Obscure refers to dark men, mean men and thus we do not serve such, who would be the prince of darkness. Two entirely different persons to serve, the King of kings and the prince of darkness. Because we are skilled in our administration of the gospel message to our hearts, we will serve before God. That skillfulness is accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior. That diligence is allowing the Spirit of God to lead us, both into all the truth and in our daily walk, guiding us, ordering our footsteps, as it were. Those who are not skilled in the business of God, who have not administered his truth into their hearts serve the dark side. Although as part of our serving the King of kings we should be bringing his message to those who live in the darkness, we should not serve them, or be involved in their dark domain. Once we lived in that dark domain, but the word of God, Jesus, the Light of the world shone brightly into our darkened heart and open our eyes to see the city of light and love. We crossed over from that darkness into the light and it is, or should be a one way street. Now living in the Light of God, we serve him. Yet also at the same time we call across the bridge to those in darkness, but we do not cross over to live among in their darkness, to serve alongside them to their prince. Why would we serve a prince when we can serve a king? 

Living in the Land

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

LIVE IN THE LAND

Prov 22:28

28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your forefathers.

NIV

Well our property lines are pretty well set, having been surveyed and recorded with the local government as legal lots. So it would be difficult for us to move the markers as they are deep stakes set in the ground. Of course during the time of Solomon the farmer or land owner marked their property with stones, perhaps even with markings on them to signify his name and the name of the name of the neighboring farmer. A shared landmark as it were. It would be possible for a one of the farmers or land owners to move the stone over even a few feet to increase the size of his lot. What this appears to imply is the first settlers of the land established their landmarks and respected the others land, but generation after generation may have started to want more then what they had and started moving the stones. But how does this have anything to do with us.

Jer 6:16

16 This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.

NIV

We could relate this to our walk with the Lord. Standing in the crossroads of religion. It might be wise not to bring any new dogmas, rites, ceremonies, into religion that has not be established by our forefathers, who would be the writers within the scriptures. This would also apply to the author of those writers, the Spirit. We should not move the benchmark of the sacred writings, the Holy Scriptures, even in the worship of God. It is possible some churches have attempted to move those ancient ways, those ancient truths in order to advance their own agendas to further their own cause. Is the worship of God intended to include laser light shows with mist machines? Have we moved the stones too far to increase our own land, our own idea of worship? Have we made worship into a show for men, rather than a worship of God? Have we built structures or overtaken old ones that do not even appear to be a house of worship, so to attract more people? Is that acceptable or have we moved the ancient boundaries? Did not God instruct Solomon to build a temple worthy enough to be a place to signify God dwelling with his people? Yes the veil has been torn, to give us access to the Holy of Holies. Do our churches look at all like the Holy of Holies?  Have we brought new theologies into the gospel? Have we added anything to Jesus? Have we added lists of do’s and don’ts to the gospel? Have we added good deeds to the gospel? Have we subtracted anything from the ancient ways? Have we taken things away so as to not offend or make the walk with God more palatable to men? Have we moved the benchmark God has established?  The ancient way says we are saved by faith. Is there anything else? Sure being saved means we follow Jesus and that implies we will need to serve him in some way, being a part of the body of Christ, doing something, not just being a church attender. But we cannot add anything to the gospel message nor can we subtract anything from it.  It is by faith and faith alone in Jesus that we are saved. Nothing else can be added to that. We cannot move that truth at all, not even one ten thousandth of an inch. Once we have been saved, we are born a new creation. The old self has died and we have been born again. We cannot live as the old man, we must live as the new man. We cannot change that fact, we cannot move that truth to suit our own idea of life. Facts are facts and they cannot be changed. Let us not try to move the benchmark to increase our own land in any way. The truth has been established and we should live within the land of truth God has given to us. 

Let's make a deal

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

LET’S MAKE A DEAL

Prov 22:26-27

26 Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; 27 if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.

NIV

The idea here is not about owning a debt, but promising our home as security, in a contract, in order to buy something we cannot afford. The lack of means to pay is the point being make here. That could be simply seen as a warning not to live beyond our means. But it has deeper implications because of the striking our hand in a pledge or putting up security for debts. Of course we always strike our hand in pledge whenever we sign an agreement of any kind, whether that be a bank credit card, or financing a new car or home. However, we surely need a place to live, and even if we rent a place, we are striking our hand in a rental contract. But the idea is not just buying a home or a car or even having a credit card, but striking those deals in which we have no means to pay them. It would seem today that is not possible for we would not be approved to purchase anything on a “pay over time” method, or incurring a debt, unless our credit score is acceptable. In the time of Solomon there was no such system of keeping score of a person’s reliability or ability to pay. A man’s word was his bond, a handshake consummated the deal. Failure to pay because of not being able to pay, was being a liar and whatever possessions a person had were taken as payment. We might consider that to occur in some sense when something is repossessed because of failure to pay, or when filing for bankruptcy, although many possessions are not taken.  Yet how do we make sense of this in order to make any applications for our lives today. Our culture would almost make it impossible for us to incur a debt we cannot afford to pay. Now we could see this in a spiritual sense. Striking our hand in a pledge with the world, or let us say the prince of the world, might apply here.  Have we made a deal with the devil? Surely we would not put up our soul as security in order to gain the things of the world. Certainly we would not make such a deal. However, have we adopted his methods in pursuit of material gain? Just a thought, but it would seem this is directly related to material debt and the incurring of more debt than we can pay.  Again, it would seem the world system would not allow that to happen. So then because of transcultural truth, we must be able to apply a truth of this saying to the lives of all people in every culture and in all times throughout the past, present and the future. It is also true that according to hermeneutics we have to see the truth based on the time and in the culture it was written or to the people it was written to in order to see the truth for us today. Both methods are true, yet we are still left with the fact we need to live within our means. That may be the one main truth of this saying. We also have to be careful in making any deal. 

Friend

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

FRIEND

Prov 22:24-25

24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, 25 or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.

NIV

The key word here is friend. The idea in the Hebrew means do not pasture with him, to not be part of the same flock as this hot-tempered man is. This certainly does not relieve us from sharing the gospel with him, or giving a witness of Christ working in our lives. But the idea is that we should not be running in the same crowd or socializing with this type of person on a regular basis, becoming close friends. We know it is true that it is easy to become somewhat like the people we associate with. That is for the most part we want to be like what people expect us to be. That old saying that we are not who we think we are, and we are not who they think we are, but we are who we think they think we are, may be at the center of this truth. That is if we hang around with this hot-tempered man we begin to think they think we are like them and in order to associate with them we begin to get like them. It sounds confusing, but this is what Solomon is saying. If we associate with them, we will get caught up in the same kind of thinking and start being short-tempered ourselves. Again, this is not to say that we should exclude ourselves from all society so as to not allow any faction of it to have influence on us. We are to be involved with society, but being the influence rather than being influenced. However making friends with it, pasturing with it, implies we are living as the same flock, being led by the same shepherd. This is absolute not the case nor should it be. We have the Good Shepherd, Jesus who leads us beside still waters. The hot-tempered man has an entirely different shepherd that leads him into anger, into chaos and has but one agenda to snare us into his fold. But Jesus said we know the voice of our Shepherd and we listen only to his voice. So we can be in the world, telling the story of Jesus, but not of the world, living in the same manner as those in the world under the leadership, the shepherding of the evil one. We truly have but one real friend. He calls us friend. Let us not make friends with the world, but live as a friend of Jesus, calling out to the world, come unto him and he will give you rest. Let us be like our friend. 

Contentment

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

CONTENTMENT

Prov 22:22-23

22 Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, 23 for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who plunder them.

NIV

We have had other sayings which are similar in nature regarding the poor. However here the word exploit is somewhat new to the mix. The Hebrew word means to rob, strip, to pluck off. In this sense the poor cannot defend themselves against those who would have the power to do so to them. They are poor and have no means to afford an adequate defense against the wealthy who would take advantage of them, especially in court. But how does this apply to our lives as we are neither the poor nor among those who would exploit the poor? It might be interesting to consider Solomon was among the wealthy and powerful people of his time. Throughout the ages and in all parts of the world there have been and still are wealthy and powerful people. Any form of government is made up of those type individuals. Dictators, emperors, kings, presidents and either their courts or other governing bodies would all be considered those who could exploit the poor, the common people under their rule, whatever form that is. We then would be considered the common people who could well be exploited by those who supposedly serve us in government. Whatever the case is, it might serve us to consider the Lord is on the side of those who are oppressed or exploited and those who do the exploiting will in fact be plundered by the Lord. This would agree with the Lord's saying the revenge is his. Our task is not to take revenge, or exact any form of retaliation upon those who would use us for gaining their own wealth and power. In our country we do have the freedom to vote to change the people who govern us, but it would seem only the rich and already powerful are our only chose. It is a difficult thing to be in the ruling or governing class unless money and influence is not already in their pocket. But our task is to live as onto the Lord. It matters not how we are treated by those in power, which ever form of leadership that is. Our task is not to take or think about revenge, for our God will exact that punishment upon those who act or behave in any exploitive manner toward the common people. This again is a show of our need to trust in God, to believe he will take up our case, without our even asking him to do so. He sees how those who plunder our wallets for their own benefit. He sees those who would attempt to crush the poor with laws that extract whatever the poor have in order to gain more for themselves. We simply need to live a life pleasing to him, whatever our situation in life is. We are to be content in whatever we find ourselves in. If we have a lot, if we have little, if we have some money and power, if we have no money and no power, it matters not. We have learned to be content in whatever condition we live in. Our contentment is in the Lord. We have already seen a saying by Solomon about this.

Prov 19:23

23 The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content , untouched by trouble.

NIV

To rest content because we reverence the Lord. Paul gives us the standard by which we learn contentment.

Phil 4:10-13

10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

NIV

Those who would plunder the poor have been addressed regarding their desires and their resulting condition.

1 Tim 6:6-10

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

NIV

We are to be content. Those who would exploit, plunder, exact undue taxes for their own desires will pierce themselves with many griefs, for the Lord God will plunder them at some point in time. He will exact his revenge on those who act in such a way. Therefor let us renew our faith in his judgement. Let us continue to live in contentment with our lot in live. We have the joy of the Lord, we have the peace of Christ, and we have the Spirit as a deposit of our salvation, our everlasting life in the paradise of God. Let us not get caught up in the trap of desire for wealth, for financial security. Trust in God, he is the only means of life. Contentment is ours in Christ. 

In our heart

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

IN OUR HEART

Prov 22:17-21

17 Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, 18 for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. 19 So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you. 20 Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge, 21 teaching you true and reliable words, so that you can give sound answers to him who sent you?

NIV

We now come to the reason for all these wise sayings, for the wisdom of God, for Jesus and listening to and applying him to our heart and have him on our lips. Here it is. So we may trust in the Lord, we are being taught, yes even today. We have his counsel and knowledge available to us as he teaches them to us. His words are reliable, we can trust in him and his word. He is truth. How can we ever think we could trust in ourselves? Surely we are absolutely confident we cannot save ourselves. There is nothing we can do as far as our flesh or human strength is able to gain eternal life. We know it is all Jesus and our trust in him for our salvation. But what about the rest of our life? Having his word in our heart and on our lips should also give us reason to trust him for every aspect of our life. Everything he says to us about providing for our needs, that we should seek his kingdom first and his righteousness and he will add all the stuff in life we need. He tells us not to worry about food, clothes, money, things, etc. He tells us he will make sure we have what we need. The thing is, it seems we want far more then we need, so we start making our own ways to get them. This then leaves God behind in our lives and we are no longer affording him the trust we should be having in him. We cannot even be totally good all the time. We make mistakes, we fail, we submit to some temptation more then we want to. We fail to do all that we know we should be doing. That is why we have to trust in Jesus, because we are weak, but he is strong. But we need to keep learning, keep trying, and keeping working on the trust issue more and more each day. We think we can do all the right things by our own will, but that is not true. We cannot will ourselves to be strong. We cannot will ourselves to be righteous or holy. What we can do is hide his word, hide Jesus in our heart, allowing him to live in us, as us, as one man puts it. Even then the flesh and the spirit are at odds with each other. Our spirit says yes to the Spirit, but our flesh has another answer. Our mind sees the truth and understands it’s meaning, but our body does not always pay attention to our mind, or our mind does not always pay attention to our spirit. But what we do know for sure is we can trust in him all the time. He is always faithful. He is always there for us, with us, and in us. Thus in the hour of our day before the Lord, we can say, we can give a sound answer, Yes Lord, we have Jesus in our heart. 

Heart and lips

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

HEART AND LIPS

Prov 22:17-21

17 Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, 18 for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. 19 So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you. 20 Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge, 21 teaching you true and reliable words, so that you can give sound answers to him who sent you?

NIV

Day two of our look into this discourse. We know we should pay attention and listen. We know we should apply the wisdom of God to our hearts. The reason we should be paying attention and listening is so we can apply this wisdom to our hearts, because it is pleasing to God when we keep his word in our heart and have them ready on our lips. This is our function, our place in both the body of Christ and in the society we live. How can we build each other up until we reach the unity in the faith unless we have the wisdom of God on our lips? How can we have them on our lips unless we keep them in our heart? But the point about having them on our lips seems obvious enough. If we look ahead to the conclusion of this whole saying, we would get the impression we would be speaking this words to God. He is the one who sent us into the world to preach the gospel. We will need to give sound answers to him. That would imply we need to be ready to give him an account of what is in our heart. This would then indicate we need to be ready to tell God we have Jesus in our heart, after all he is the Word. He is the wisdom from God.

1 Cor 1:26-31

26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things — and the things that are not — to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God — that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.   31 Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."  

NIV

So our sound answer to God is that we have Christ in our hearts. But also that we would have him on our lips. That is we should boast in him, we should be saying his praises to men. We should be sharing Jesus, the word, the wisdom of God who is in our hearts and on our lips. 

Pay attention

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

PAY ATTENTION

Prov 22:17-21

17 Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, 18 for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. 19 So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you. 20 Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge, 21 teaching you true and reliable words, so that you can give sound answers to him who sent you?

NIV

Pay attention and listen. Pay attention and listen. How plainer can it be? The world, the daily life we each live among the distractions of this world gives us all the more reason to pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise. Who is the wise, God of course? Is they any other wisdom worth listening to? Sure man thinks he has some wisdom, but in truth God tells us if we lack wisdom we should ask him for it and he will give his wisdom to us liberally.

James 1:4-5

 5 If any of you lacks wisdom , he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

NIV

But there is more here which we will need to spend a couple of days pondering. The first of those is to apply what we have been paying attention to and listening, to our hearts. Here again it surely requires ignoring the distractions of the world. How can we pay attention to more than one thing? In a world which heralds multi-tasking, we should not be doing so. We are told over and over again in various ways that we cannot multi-task, we cannot serve both God and money, or God and the world, or God and self, or the wisdom of God and the wisdom of the world. He says the wisdom of this world is foolishness to him. In fact he confounds the wisdom of the world. So then we cannot pay attention to both God and the world. We have to give up any attention we pay to the wisdom of the world and focus only in the wisdom of God and apply his wisdom to our hearts. That is a start, we will continue with the rest. But for now that is enough to ponder on. Pay attention. 

As us

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

AS US

Prov 22:16

16 He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich — both come to poverty.

NIV

Being neither rich nor poor, it would seem this saying has little to do with our way of life. Yet is their not always someone who is either poorer or richer than us? Still we would certainly not consider we are anywhere among those who would oppose those poorer then us. That would simply be unconscionable. It would also seem we would never give to the rich simply to be in their good graces. What value would that be? Why would anyone give a gift to the rich? But in a sense is that what we all do within our social economic group? We give gifts to each other, for birthdays, Christmas and perhaps baby and wedding showers. Some gift for an engagement party, or a reveal party, or whatever else occasion is appropriate for gift giving. Yet we have not oppressed the poor in order to obtain the gift. So then how could this bear any truth for our lives? Just wondering if by ignoring the poor, not giving to them, not lending a helping hand, is that a form of oppression? By not giving are we increasing our own wealth, however much that is? If we keep all our wealth simply to spend it either on ourselves or others of similar wealth, does this apply to us then? It is not that we are told we should give all we have to the poor, as then we would be poor. Jesus was not actually telling the rich young man to sell all he had and give to the poor, then follow him. The truth was the man was putting his trust in his wealth, he was self or man centered. He thought he held to the commands of God, but he was looking at the temporal view of life. We too might be in that same situation. If we think our security is in our income, and simply ignore the needs of the poor, we might be in this saying. But how do we not oppress? How do we give? How do we know who the poor are? To some, we are the poor. Are we being oppressed by them? It seems that might be the case in a sense when we think of the powerful people of our country. The politicians enact laws taking more of our money while enacting laws to increase theirs. This could be the whole of the meaning here. Solomon was certainly both the richest and the most powerful person in his time. Sometimes we might get a little cynical about our government officials and their becoming wealthy off the backs of the common people. If that is the meaning of this saying then we should pray for them, as we are instructed, for God’s justice is upon them. His wrath will be poured out on them, and in the end they will be the poorest of the poor, being cast out of the presence of God into the lake of burning sulfur. The gift giver to the rich may well be seen as all the lobbyists paid and owned by big business in order to oppress the common folk for the sake of larger profits. All this could bear true in this saying and we are then just the poor. Yet that does not relieve us from praying for those in authority, nor giving to those poorer then us. The fact is we should be living our life in Christ or having Christ live his life in or, as us, as one man has put it. Then we would see all men who do not know Jesus as poor and in need of the free gift of salvation. By withholding this gift are we keeping them poor? Is that a form of oppression? In that case we are truly then the rich. Lots of random thoughts, but it still comes down to living for or in Christ, or rather Christ living in us, as us. 

Live free

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

LIVE FREE

Prov 22:15

15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.

NIV

This has to be where that saying, spare the rod, spoil the child, is based on. The idea here is that not merely is folly bound up, but it is chained heavily in the heart of a child. This is to say it is within the very nature of children to act foolishly or in silliness. It would seem we are being told that we need to apply the rod of correction so that we take away that foolishness from our children. It almost makes us think we should not allow our children to be children. It seems to tell us we need to crack the whip, break the spirit of funning around and make them into little adults. This is not to say children do not need disciple, for surely without any direction or correction, they will run rampant and never become useful adults to God, or society for that matter. Children surely need the hand of correction from parents. We are told that it is the responsibly of the father to disciple his children.

Eph 6:4

4 Fathers , do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

NIV  

Of course we should not exasperate them, but they need correction and to be trained in the ways of the Lord. This certainly means more than just taking them to church so the Sunday school teacher can give them something to draw while giving them a little bible lesson. This is the father engaged in the lives of his children. It is not being a hard man with a whip, but a loving father showing them how God loves them. It would seem this is of course while they are children and within the home of the parents. Once adulthood has been reached it is most difficult to apply the rod of correction. But we should not ruin the heart of the children either while they are with us. Let children have fun. Let them be children. It seems in some cultures the child is made to grow up way to fast, or used too soon for family labor, thus stripping them of those precious youthful years. But they need guidance, training, correction in the way of life. They fun can be fun, but it should not be sinful as the word folly or silliness would imply in respect to God. They can still be children enjoying being children but have the respect and mindfulness of God in their lives. For some of us, that time of life has escaped us. For some of us it is just beginning. But there also is something here for us all. As we are the children of God. He, being our Father needs to correct our folly, our silliness. He gives us the proper guidance, direction, correction we need in order not to have our heart chained to folly or sinfulness. When God declared man’s heart is bent toward evil all the time, it reveals to us he certainly knows our heart. If we think our heart is that pure, that holy, that upright that it never ever thinks an evil thought, then we have lost sight of God, and are focused on self-righteousness. This is something we should never do. We know our own heart and although it may not be absolutely chained to folly, it has strong ties to folly. This may be the war that wages within. We want to do that which is right, but we don’t, not all the time anyway. We may not want to do that which is not right, but we still do, at least some of the time. Maybe not all the time, maybe not bent continually toward folly or sin, but not totally free of it either. So God disciples us, not with the whip of punishment, but with the hand of a loving Father. God does correct us, he does give us the way we should go. Sometimes we think he punishes us, but that is not so, we are in Christ. He took all the punishment for us. He took the stick, the branch of the tree for us. But we should know our heart has folly in it. God has given us everything we need to loss any bindings our heart has toward folly. Let us allow him to break every fetter. He is the author and the perfecter of our faith. He lives within us and so we can live free. 

Smooth talk

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

SMOOTH TALK

Prov 22:14

14 The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; he who is under the LORD's wrath will fall into it.

NIV

It would seem this speaks of sexually immorality using an adulteress as the trap. Those who have rejected Christ live in the trap of the adulteress. There could be some history here in the sense that during the time before, during and after the time of Christ there were temple prostitutes in some form of religion. Certainly it was not Christianity, or Jewish but nevertheless it was thought as a form of worship to some god, by those who would be considered pagan. This form of religious rite would have been present in the time of Solomon. Being the son of King David and having built the temple of God in Jerusalem we would have to believe Solomon was openly opposed to this behavior. He worshipped the God Almighty who certainly is opposed to the adulteress. However, Jesus encountered a woman caught in adultery and did not punish her, but rather taught the men they too are not without sin. Is one sin more damning then another? But there may be another idea here that is spoken about in regards to the mouth of the adulteress. Although we think of the believer as a child of God, all of mankind is his creation. God did not send his Son into the world just for the believer, but yet while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Rom 5:8

8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners , Christ died for us.

NIV

We would have to conclude that Jesus died for all mankind, for all his creation. We know God desires that none should perish.

2 Peter 3:8-9

8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish , but everyone to come to repentance.

NIV

Therefore we have to consider those who have not come to repentant, who are still the Lords people, his creation are in fact committing adultery with the world. It is bad enough that we believers would consider having an affair with the world. The world is the adulteress and her mouth beckons us. But it is those who worship her are those who are under the Lords wrath. It is not that he wants that, but it is his justice which demands that result for that adulteress behavior. But this also speaks to us as believers. We are in fact the bride of Christ and we should not be enticed by the mouth of this adulteress world. Sure we might say we live a holy life, but do we? We might say we do not smoke, drink or run around with woman who do, so to speak, but is that really all there is to being a believer? There are so many ways we are enticed by the world it would be difficult to list them all. Yet being enticed is not the sin. James makes that clear.

James 1:13-15

13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

NIV

Yet it may not even be the world which entices us, but our own evil desires. Our own heart may be the mouth of the adulteress, or at less could be. Nevertheless the idea is we are being enticed and if we allow that enticement to have reign in our hearts, it gives birth to sin. We start having an affair with sin, we get involved with it and there is when we get in trouble. Do we become objects of wrath because we fall, we slip in some way and commit a sin? No; we do not lose our salvation because we fail to maintain a perfect life. We cannot ever be perfect. But it is when we lose sight of God, and slip from the life centered on Christ to the life centered on ourselves we might be giving up our salvation. It is then we have been enticed into action that leads us away from God and into the arms of the world. We know the world apart from God is already under his wrath and those who live for the world fall even more into the trap of it’s wooing. Let us remain unaffected by its smooth talk. 

No Excuses

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

  NO EXCUSES

Prov 22:13

13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside!" or, "I will be murdered in the streets!"

NIV

It is quite obvious this lazy person is finding any excuse not to get out and work for his own sustenance. Please, I am so afraid of life out there, I am sure I will either be devoured by a lion if I go to work in the fields, can’t you just give me some food?  I am so afraid to go to the streets and find employment, surely someone will assassinate me, and can’t you please just provide me with money to live? Give us a break. This type of person preys on others, and in our culture today they prey on either the government or the church. The government, or at least some of the people in power, want as many as possible to be dependent on them, it is what keeps them in power, for as long as the government supports the sluggard, the sluggard votes for those who provide for him. But when it comes to the sluggard preying on the church, the community of believers, he knows full well we have been programmed to give to the poor. The sluggard knows enough of the scriptures to know Christians give to the poor out of a sense of duty to God. This is why all the bible missions in the poor areas of town are filled each dinner hour. Sure people are hungry. Yes, we should be showing them the love of God. Yes, some would say we need to feed their belly in order to attempt to feed their soul. It may be true that through such efforts some have come to the saving knowledge of Christ. But not the sluggard. He just wants a free ride through life, or thinks life or others owe him. These same type of excuses are given when the gospel is presented.  People make up all sorts of excuses, but no true reason, as to why they cannot accept Christ. In essence, they are afraid something is going to happen to them, they will die. That is exactly what will happen, they will die, but they will be born again a new creature in Christ. The sluggard says, I do not want to die, I like being the way I am. I do not want a change to occur in me, I like what I do and don’t do so just support me, the way I am. They do want what to hear about change. They do not want to hear about going out of their sin, and coming to Christ. Just accept me the way I am and support my lifestyle. There is a fine line between showing them the love of God and accepting their lifestyle. In true love there is truth, love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. If we love them as Christ does, we should be able to tell them the truth about their sluggard-like life. We should be able to tell them of the truth of God and let the chips fall where they may. We are not to judge, but we also are not supposed to let people simply live anyway they want without showing them the right path to walk. Just because a church gives to the sluggard or to true needs, does not mean they understand the gospel message and our giving is from the heart of God, not just an earthly based, faith based organization. But will a sluggard always be a sluggard? Only God knows. What we know for sure is the sluggard is always full of excuses. Let us not find ourselves making excuses to God for not doing that which he calls us to do. Let us not make some excuse that it might change our lives. Let us not give him the excuse we are afraid to go into the world and preach the gospel. Let us not give him an excuse we might be harmed in the streets, because we speak up for the truth. Fear is the weapon of the evil one. He keeps the sluggard from going out doing what he needs to do. When it comes to fulfilling the will of God, no excuses. 

Keep watch

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

KEEP WATCH

Prov 22:12

12 The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.

NIV

At first glance this might cause us to think God watches over the educated who have gained all sorts of knowledge. But that would not fit in context with being a friend of the King because of seeking a pure heart. However the coming to the saving knowledge of the King of kings might well be this knowledge the Lord keeps watch over. That is those who have this saving knowledge, those who are known to him as believers. He watches over us. He keeps his eye upon us as we are his friend. Just as we stay in touch with our friends, getting together with them on occasion  for the pure sake of enjoyment, fun and fellowship. God desires to get together with us, for the pure sake of enjoyment, fun and fellowship. This is why he created man in the first place and put him in a paradise where he could have fellowship with him. We cannot be certain God actually showed up in some physical form to walk with Adam in the cool of the day. What we can be sure of that sometime in the twilight of the day, Adam and Eve spent time with God. Perhaps that was their time of worship. Nevertheless the presence of the Lord God was there. They heard his voice. This comes to us from Gen 3:8 when then heard him but hide instead of doing whatever they were accustomed to when they heard his voice. Still, he did not create them to simple leave them alone to their own selves. Why would God want a world full of people if he did not derive pleasure from us? This would especially apply to those who have retained the knowledge of him and worship him.

2 Cor 2:14-16

14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him . 15 For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life.

NIV

However for those who did not see fit to retain the knowledge of him he frustrates their words.

Rom 1:28-32

28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

NIV

It seems rather simple to see it is a far better life to have the eyes of God watching over us, then to be given over to a life of frustration. Where is peace in this life for those Paul describes here, who live in rebellion to God? Although we may not be completely free of sin, we are still the children of God, co-heirs with Christ and God has hidden us with Christ within himself.

Col 3:1-4

3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

NIV

Then it would make perfect sense that because we are hidden with Christ in God, his eyes would be upon us, he would be maintaining us, keeping watch over us. He is the great King, who stands guard over us, over our hearts and minds. It would seem we are not able to keep watch over ourselves, but God keeps watch. He is our Rock, He is our refuge, He is our strong tower in times of trouble. God keeps watch. 

Friend

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

FRIEND

Prov 22:11

11 He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend.

NIV

There might just be a difference of loving a pure heart and having one. However it certainly seems the person who does love a pure heart also has gracious speech. Could that also mean the one whose speech is not gracious would mean their heart is not pure, or they do not desire a pure heart? It would also seem that if we love a pure heart it would mean we love God. Loving God would mean we have invited Jesus into our heart. This would in all acutuality mean we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. Jesus sent the Spirit to be with us and we are told our bodies are the temple of the Spirit. So being baptized in the Spirit would then mean there should be some evidence. This proverb would imply at least one of the evidences of being filled with the Spirit is gracious speech. That is speech filled with grace, kindness and favor. This kind of pure heart and speech makes us friends with the King of kings, because it is the result of our being in fellowship with him, having him reign supreme in our lives. It would make sense the only way to have a pure heart is to have Jesus in it. We are told that men’s hearts are darkened having refused Jesus. A darkened heart is not a pure heart nor is of a person who loves a pure heart. The only true pure heart is the heart of God. Therefore it would make sense loving the heart of God makes us his friend. So then let us continue to pursue the heart of God. Let us wait patiently, if needed, to hear from the heart of God. Of course all we have to do, in most cases, is to be in his word to know and hear his heart. But there are also times he speaks directly to us. Sometimes it is through the Spirit speaking directly to our spirit. Sometimes he speaks through another person, as in a sermon, or a bible study group, or anyone he desires to use. Sometimes he speaks in an audible voice. It may not be a thundering overwhelming, head-splitting experience. It could be that soft gentle voice in the breeze that Elijah heard. Sometimes God might use that 2x4 method to get our attention, if we are not paying attention that is. But if we love a pure heart and are seeking the heart of God, we will be paying attention and we will hear his gentle voice one way or another, for he does not call us servants, but he calls us friend. We are friends with God. 

Stop or leave

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

STOP OR LEAVE

Prov 22:10                                                                             

10 Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended.

NIV

It seems we have a slight bit of confusion regarding this mocker and what to do with him. Although several of our scholars of old would compare this to the time Ishmael mocked the great festival Abraham gave because of the weaning of Isaac. Sarah demanded that Hagar and her son should be cast out of their society. That would then put an end to the strife, quarrels and insults. However we know this did not happen. Many who may well be descendants of Ishmael still to this day cause discord in the Middle East and especially against the descendants of Isaac. This Hebrew word used in the mocking of Ishmael meant to laugh out loud, to make sport. The word used here in this proverb is entirely a different Hebrew word which means to make mouth at. This can be applied in the sense of a believer simply giving God lip service. It also can be applied in the sense of speaking arrogantly. In both cases, with Ishmael and with this mocker in the proverb the result is the same. They are to be cast out of our society, in the case of the believers of today that would be the church. But why?  What does the mocker, the scoffer do that causes strife, quarrels and insults? Certainly it is within the spiritual realm for the deceiver, the devil to send a mocker, a person who only gives God lip service into the midst of a believing church. This then is not a true follower of Jesus, a born again, spirit-filled believer. They function only to question every aspect of faith. They bring doubt regarding faith, healing, God’s divine plan, his working in our lives, his provisions, even in trusting God completely. They bring questions which cause people to stumble in their faith. They question everything. This brings strife. This brings discussions which develop into quarrels. In fact they are not insulting us, but rather God. They insult his power, his ability to provide all we need. They want to deploy the idea of trusting in our own ability. They misuse the scriptures endeavoring to prove we must partnership with God in some way. The true believer functions in the complete opposite. We build each other up until we reach the unity in the faith.

1 Thess 5:11

11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

NIV

This is also why we, the Body of Christ have been given apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. So we will become united in our faith, not divided as the mocker would do.

Eph 4:11-13

11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

NIV

But with the mocker, the idea is we need to rout them out. Cast them from among us. That sounds so harsh. We are also admonished to bring the misinformed, the sinner to the truth.

Gal 6:1-2

6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.

NIV

But this is a brother in Christ, a believer who is involved in sin, who is being led astray, this is not the mocker, the scoffer. So then we have to live in the Spirit and allow the Spirit to discern to our spirit the mocker, the scoffer, the trouble maker in the body of believers and deal with them in the way we are told. We need to face them, in love of course, and give them the truth of their ways. This is especially true for the stronger believers for there may be those who are spiritually weaker in the church and are more subject to the destructive talk of the mocker. It may well be the task of the elders or even the pastor. But the truth is, the mocker either stops, or leaves the assembly. 

Bread

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

BREAD

Prov 22:9

9 A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

NIV

A generous person is one how has a generous heart. A generous heart sees the need through generous eyes. The Hebrew reads a bountiful eye shall be blessed. We first must be able to see the one in want, the person who indeed has a need. So often we see life through the lens of a mirror. That is we are usually focused on our own needs, whether they be material, mental or emotional. But here we are admonished to look outward, to be aware of those who have a need. This proverb is mainly focused on the need of food or bread or even the grain for making it. Although there is a great truth about feeding the poor, and perhaps we fall short all too often. But again we must first be able to see those who are in need. How do we see them? Where are they? Can we count on some someone else to point them out to us? Can we count on someone else to bring their need to our attention? Should we wait for a missionary to tell us of the poor conditions those he ministers to? Should we support some group that continually sends us mail advertising the need of a certain group they say they minister to. It would seem we cannot count on others as we are supposed to have the bountiful eyes, we should see the need. This implies we are to be able to see someone who has a need and then simply help meet it. It seems this is a one on one basis rather the being a part of a group supporting another group. Although we have examples of that within the early New Testament church. One church took up an offering to be sent to another church in need.

1 Cor 16:1-4

16:1 Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 3 Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.

NIV

It is a little strange those offerings were not used to feed the poor in the local area of Corinth. Why send it to the church in Jerusalem? But then at least this was giving to the needs of others. But another thought also has occurred to us. Jesus said he was the bread of life. He that eats of this bread will no longer hunger.

John 6:35

 35 Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry , and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.

NIV

If we are to give actual bread to the poor, they will remain poor and always be hungry for more bread. It is in essence developing a welfare state of the rich supporting the poor, continually giving them bread to eat. But do we have the bountiful eyes to see the poor in need of the bread of life? Our hearts are full of the joy of the Lord. Our hearts are filled to the brim with the blessings of God, for we have Jesus in our heart. We have eternal life. Do we see the need of the poor who live without those blessings, who live in the pains of life? Those who do not know Christ are indeed the poorest of all mankind and are in desperate need of the bread of life. Because we live such an abundant life in Christ, should we not see and give this bread to those in need?