by Maddie Watson | Oct 16, 2015 | Proverbs
Proverbs 5:15-23
Stop for a moment, and think of the most wonderful and wished for gift that you ever received as a child, the gift that you waited and waited and begged and begged for. Remember that gift that you persistently petitioned your parents for, on top of writing a letter or two to Santa Claus. Maybe you even prayed for it! Now, remember the excitement that you felt when you finally received the gift, the thrill of unwrapping the red and green wrapping paper on a crisp Christmas morning, or the joy of tearing into the gift at a birthday celebration. Everything that you had been hoping for was finally in your hands, all was right in the world. You treasured this gift with all your heart, until… Weeks turn into months, and months to years; the gift became a little bit less thrilling, and seemingly less important. Eventually, this once so precious present that you so longed for ended up under the bed, cast to the side, just like all of the other toys, and you went on to wishing for the next thing.
All too often, this is how people of this day in age behave toward their spouse after a few months or years of marriage. We wait our entire lives to find “the one,” and when we finally find that “one” we are overjoyed – everything is perfect! Completely enthralled, completely in love, the newlyweds enjoy each moment they have with each other in complete adoration. A few months pass, then a few years, and the newness begins to wear off. Things aren’t as bright and shiny as they were in the beginning; the couple feel less satisfied. That “gift” that they prayed for tirelessly feels a little bit less special. It’s just so routine.
But hear me clearly:
Your spouse is NOT a TOY. You can’t just cast him or her aside when things aren’t as perfect as they once seemed. Your spouse is a human being who was chosen by the God of the universe. Our world today has fallen far too deeply into the trench of casting the gift of marriage aside when things get hard.
What a horrible way to treat a gift given by the God who created you.
In light of comparing the great gift of marriage to material gifts; a spouse should be treated more like a classic, vintage, extremely valuable automobile. Perhaps that auto has been passed down from generation to generation in your family, making it even more valuable. You spend hours and hours gently and carefully tending to this car; polishing, washing, cleaning, restoring, fueling, etc. Now, I am not a car expert, but I do know that a car that is neglected and left out through different seasons of weather and storms without being driven or cared for will eventually rust and stop running. I can safely assume that no one who is passionate about a treasured family entity would leave it untouched and uncared for because it is entirely irreplaceable.
In the same way that one would tirelessly slave to repair or maintain a classic car, a spouse should strive to maintain the marriage relationship. So we must tirelessly strive to care for our marriage and spouse, because marriage is a special gift from God – not a toy. Enjoy that one that the Lord has chosen specifically for you. Don’t even think about finding satisfaction in anyone or anywhere else.
And if the Lord has not blessed you with this beautiful gift quite yet…
keep on waiting…
by Priscilla Bowin | Oct 15, 2015 | Proverbs
Proverbs 5:1-14
We all have seen the warning labels on items not good for human consumption. WARNING!! CAUTION! HAZARDOUS to your health! It usually is followed by ways to treat someone if they have been exposed to that poison or chemical.
In Proverbs, Solomon is the voice of wisdom, the warning voice. Teaching and instructing in order to spare the listener pain and even possibly death. Today as we read the warnings that Solomon wrote we MUST pay attention.
1My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel. 2 Then you will show discernment, and your lips will express what you’ve learned.
LISTEN carefully! Pay attention! Here comes a warning. . .
3 For the lips of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil. 4 But in the end she is as bitter as poison, as dangerous as a double-edged sword. 5 Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave.
Proverbs includes many warnings against prostitutes and sexual sin. It is an example of being charmed to do wrong or being led away from God’s wisdom. Sexual immorality destroys what God has deemed to be right and good. It destroys families, it degrades human beings, it causes some to lose the ability to love. Most importantly it comes between us and our relationship with God.
Solomon continues to plead with young men:
7 So now, my sons, listen to me. Never stray from what I am about to say: 8 Stay away from her! Don’t go near the door of her house! 9 If you do, you will lose your honor and will lose to merciless people all you have achieved.
One of the saddest scriptures in this portion of Proverbs is vs. 13 Oh, why didn’t I listen to my teachers? Why didn’t I pay attention to my instructors?
Brothers and sisters, listen, be on guard! Prepare yourself for temptation long before temptation comes.
1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.
Photography: @mattglenn
by Morgan Lunsford | Oct 13, 2015 | Proverbs
Proverbs 4: 14-27
14 Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of evildoers. 15 Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way. Turn away and keep moving. 16 For evil people can’t sleep until they’ve done their evil deed for the day. They can’t rest until they’ve caused someone to stumble. 17 They eat the food of wickedness and drink the wine of violence!
At first glance, these few verses seem harsh or blunt. It is almost as if the author of this passage knew that if he did not just come out and say what needed to be heard, it would probably just be skimmed over and not taken very seriously. Essentially, these verses are saying that as Christ followers, it is our responsibility to be accountable for who we decide to befriend in this world. It is very easy to fall into the wrong group of friends and not even realize it. He is saying this as a warning to us. Don’t be distracted or enticed by the things of this world that are not meant for us. As Christ followers, we have an important responsibility to be an example to those who are not believers. How foolish would we look if we were easily swayed by worldly evils?
18 The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day. 19 But the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over. 20 My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. 21 Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, 22 for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.
I think it is important to note the urgency in the author’s writing. It amplifies the importance of this idea. He is reminding us that even though it will be challenging and we will most definitely be tempted by the world, it is imperative that we hold strong to the Lord and his guidance. What I think I love the most about these verses is that the author is so persistent. He knows what it would mean if we stumbled into darkness with those evildoers and he does not want it to happen to us. I love that. I think as Christians we should do the exact same for our friends that are also Christians. We should stop at nothing to make sure that they know the importance of following the ways of the righteous and the consequences of following the wicked.
23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. 24 Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. 25 Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. 26 Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. 27 Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.
In all we do, we must keep our eyes locked on the Lord. It is going to be difficult and we are guaranteed to slip away a time or two, but God will be on our side the entire time.
by Dan A Thomas Jr | Oct 13, 2015 | Proverbs
Proverbs 4:1-13
Wisdom is the most important thing of all. It’s what provides security in times of uncertainty and light in dark places.
1 My children, listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgment, 2 for I am giving you good guidance.
I didn’t grow up with my father, but I know the value of godly correction from a man. It saves you from pitfalls and quicksand that detain you for years from your God-ordained destiny. It pays to listen to those who have traveled down roads you have yet to traverse. Look at their scars and pay attention to their advice. A smart man learns from his mistakes, a wise man learns from other men’s mistakes.
3 For I, too, was once my father’s son, tenderly loved as my mother’s only child. 4 My father taught me, “Take my words to heart. Follow my commands, and you will live. 5 Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them.
I can’t help to think how this sounds like a talk your parents have with you right before you go to college. This is “the talk.” The “don’t do anything I wouldn’t do” talk. It seems fairly corny at the time until you have to make a critical decision in crunch time that tests your values and beliefs and you have to make a decision on your own.
6 Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you. 7 Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment. 8 If you prize wisdom, she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will honor you. 9 She will place a lovely wreath on your head; she will present you with a beautiful crown.”
Wise people know what to do in any given situation. We all have that one person that we go to or we are that one person that people go to for advice when they are stuck in life and can’t make proper decisions. Making the right decision can mean the difference between years of sorrow or years of happiness, poverty or prosperity, pain or healing. No matter how long or rough the journey wisdom always ends up in the right place at the right time.
10 My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. 11 I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths.
Three times he admonishes us to listen. Three times. Are you listening? Most of are only listening to reply. We live as if we already know the way, taking limited information into an unknown territory of life that without a guide destruction and disaster is imminent. Although it may hurt our pride to hear that we don’t know, we can’t afford ignore the wooing of wisdom as she guides us through the rough terrain of the human existence hoping we will avoid the missteps of our predecessors.
12 When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble. 13 Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life.
The reward for wisdom is freedom from unnecessary hurt and harm. Listen, look, and learn from others. The writer mentions that his instructions are the key to life itself. Keys open doors. Keys unlock things. Keys gain entrance and access to places once prohibited. One does not have to struggle with the same challenges of the previous generation. A better life is possible and attainable when wisdom leads the way.
Photography: @klby
by Maison Tiradoegas | Oct 12, 2015 | Proverbs
Proverbs 3:27-35
Subconsciously, I’ve become more tolerant with violence. I’m very selective with the kind of movies / shows I watch that have sexual content, but when it comes to violence it’s really, “whatever” because it’s all fake right? I watched the first episode of Gotham, and it’s violent, but I enjoyed it. I’m not saying not to watch Gotham; I am saying I think violence is subconsciously rooted within me.
Here’s why I care: Several months ago, our team was playing in a soccer championship. Game’s tied, and everyone on the pitch is tired—we’re in America so it’s “field” not “pitch.” The player from the other team and I are aggressively running shoulder-to-shoulder. After a few yards, he irritably pushes me over. I laid there for a second and realized, “Wait this guy just pushed me!” So I jumped up and put my hands around his neck. Here’s the deal: I don’t normally try to choke people out, I’m not a violent person, but I think subconsciously I was acting out what I saw on TV. If I have a problem with someone, then I should do something about it. We’re never too old to be influenced by what we watch. Now to God’s Word!
27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.
28 If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say,“Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.”
The book of Proverbs is about action. Take action of your life. Understand that wisdom is elusive, and if you don’t seek it out, you’ll miss it. Same principle here: If someone comes to you in need—whatever that may look like—don’t put them off. Solomon’s two parameters:
First, give to those who deserves it. If it’s in your means “ power” to help them.
When I was younger, there was a homeless individual in a wheel chair begging for cash. She told me of her miserable story and the circumstances that landed her in a wheel chair. So I gave her some money. I moved on. She moved on. An hour later, I was walking and saw this same homeless woman jump up from her wheel chair and ride off in a cadillac… Hustled.
Second parameter Solomon gives: if you have the means. Giving something you don’t have is extremely dangerous. I’ve fallen into this many times. You want to pay for a special dinner, but you know you’ll have no money for the week. That’s not wise.
29 Don’t plot harm against your neighbor, for those who live nearby trust you.
30 Don’t pick a fight without reason, when no one has done you harm.
31 Don’t envy violent people or copy their ways.
Honestly, when I read passages like this, I naturally feel that they don’t apply to me. I don’t strategically plot to hurt someone. It’s not my intention to bring harm to anyone, but according to Jesus, sinful thoughts are just as bad. What leads to violence? Anger does. Are you angry with someone? Angry to the point that you wish something negative may happen to them? Not just physical harm, but maybe you wish that this person wouldn’t grow in their influence, that this person wouldn’t get a promotion, that God wouldn’t elevate this person. I think those thoughts reflect our hearts more accurately.
32 Such wicked people are detestable to the lord, but he offers his friendship to the godly.
33 The lord curses the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the upright.
34 The lord mocks the mockers but is gracious to the humble.
These verses have the sentence structure of, The Lord doesn’t like this, BUT he likes this instead. As Christ followers our prayer each day must be, “God please make me humble. Make me upright. Make me godly.” Each day, we must be striving to become closer to Him and shed our sin.
35 The wise inherit honor, but fools are put to shame!
This is my prayer and hope for everyone I meet. I want everyone to to inherit honor. Another word for honor is glory. I want everyone to inherit glory! I want everyone I meet to put the foolish worldly things away and inherit the beautiful honor & glory that God has prepared for his people.
We need to tell everyone! We need to desire to see people inherit this honor! Our lives need to be a reflection of Jesus’ redemptive work. Our lives are the biggest reflection of Jesus’ love and the best tool we have to share the gospel. For many, seeing is believing and what better physical proof that Jesus exists than our lives!
Photography: @carrlosluna
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