Proverbs 14: 18-19

“18 Simpletons are clothed with foolishness, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.” – Proverbs 14:18

Isn’t it easy to take the easy way out? The less work, the better. Am I right? Or am I right? No. This way of thinking is actually quite wrong. Today’s society and generation is all about shortcuts and the fastest way to get things done. However, in a constant lifestyle of shortcuts, you are not able to learn the life lessons that come with doing things the long way- the right way. Not to say that shortcuts are never good, sometimes they can be a blessing! Mostly, however, taking the “long way” to do things results in perfection and the mastering of a skill. Though you may try and fall flat on your face in an attempt to do something new the right way, you get right back up and “try, try again.” As you continue to learn a new skill, you fail and succeed back and forth until the skill is perfected.

This idea of truly working at something instead of taking shortcuts can be used in the example of evangelizing and engaging in a discipleship relationship with people. The shortcut way of doing this would be to take the outline of the Gospel message and throw it at anyone who has ears, then packing up your bags because you’ve done your good deed for the day. The “long way” would be to get to know the person through intentional conversation, and prayerfully approach that person with the Gospel when the Holy Spirit leads, involving- no, depending on the Lord in every step of the way. Then from there, walking with the new believer in a discipleship relationship so that you are not just telling and winning them to the Lord to rack up “Salvation Points” (there is no such thing), rather, you are telling them the Gospel, winning them to the Lord, building them up in this new relationship with God, and then sending them out to do the same for others. The shortcut type of way leaves people out in the cold to fend and figure this faith thing out for themselves. I would rather not abandon a newborn (Christian), leaving them out in the cold. Conforming to the pattern of the world is not the only thing that leads to a lifestyle of shortcuts, the next verse in Proverbs 14 shows us another example.

“19 Evil people will bow before good people; the wicked will bow at the gates of the godly.”

Do you ever feel like you just aren’t being recognized for the good things that you are doing? You’re overwhelmed by to do lists and exhausted from work, on top of being at every church service and being a Good Samaritan everywhere you go. This exhausting cycle wears you down to the point that inside you are screaming, “CAN SOMEONE PLEASE JUST SAY THANK YOU? Or Good Job? Or I appreciate you?!?” The tough combination of being overwhelmed and underappreciated have just about worn you down to the core, and you are so close to just giving up the servant hearted Christian lifestyle because it’s just not worth it anymore. You begin to consider taking shortcuts- because no one is noticing or appreciating your hard work anyways, so it’s pointless. Sound familiar? Allow me to give you some refreshing news.

What you are doing does not go unseen. You have a Good Father in Heaven who sees everything you do, and treasures those little hidden things that you think no one appreciates you for. Think of it this way: when a young child competes in a competition and does their very best, but does not win the trophy, their parents are not going to cast the child our of their family because they did not earn a piece of metal (or plastic). A good parent will be thrilled with their kid for trying their best and leaving it all on the floor, or field, or court- wherever. The Lord is the same way. He sees everything you do and smiles at you because of them. Just because you may not always be recognized for the things that you do on earth does not mean that you aren’t appreciated at all. No, at the end of time, the final triumph of good over evil will come and Proverbs 14:19 will come to fruition. For now, avoid the “shortcut lifestyle” and continue to work humbly for the Lord, expecting nothing in return except for a smile from the Father.

Proverbs 14:16-17

When we are wise we have respect for God, and a fear of what we ourselves are capable of doing. We will be cautious; being aware of the pitfalls of life, so as to not fall into them. We will be mindful of who God is, we will love Him and want to serve Him with our lives. Seeking God’s direction, though His word, by communication with Him, helps us to avoid evil! We will remain humble before our God.

The contrast of seeking God is becoming confident in our own abilities, puffed up in our own understanding and pride; we plunge headlong into reckless behavior, shutting God out of our plans. We make decisions on our own, in our own knowledge. Helter skelter, with reckless confidence in ourselves.

In Psalm 71:5 we read, For You are my hope; O Lord God, You are my trust and the source of my confidence. . .

The book of Proverbs is full of contrasts, so many warnings and instructions on how to behave. Just in these two verses alone we are instructed, “Be wise, prepare for what’s ahead, don’t be angry and do foolish things, don’t scheme and plan wickedness.”

We read, we study, we know . . . now we must act!

So let us choose to put our confidence in God today. To let Him direct our steps as we walk through our day with Him. He is our hope and confidence!

Proverbs 14:12-13 

In 1989 one of my favorite rappers, Heavy D, put out a song called, “We Got Our Own Thang.” The song was HOT! There is a particular section in the song when Heavy D shows off his fast talking skills and says, “A diddley-diddley-diddley-diddely-diddely-Deee!” My head is bopping to it right now! What Heavy D was expressing was his privilege to be different, distinct, and divergent than his rap industry counterparts. He wanted to do things his own way. There are times in our lives when we have to break from the norm and set out on unchartered paths, but there are also times when we need to adhere to old landmarks and well-paved roads that have been set before us to avoid the mistakes of our predecessors.

12 There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.

In John 14:6 Jesus famously said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father, but by me.” It’s a well-known verse, but even though we know Jesus is the way and we know that he knows the way, and to boot we know that he has paved the way, we yet have a proclivity to go our own way. I don’t know if you’ve ever been convinced of your “own way.” In my generation we called it being “caught up.” It normally referred to a relationship that was bad for you, but was good to you and you couldn’t break away from it. As a matter of fact you hated that you loved it. No matter how much anyone told you how bad it would end, you still had to have your way. However, though our way may seem right, oftentimes following our own musings can end disastrous if we do not allow wise and godly counsel to help us navigate through what others have survived, but with scars.

13 Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains.

The bible calls laughter medicine. There have also been numerous medical reports that cite laughter as an “extender of life” of sorts for those in hospice. Laughter can also provide temporary salve for a heart burdened with the heavy troubles of this world, but it is not a permanent solution. Once the joke has passed, once the moment is over the grief remains. Grief is a subject that seldom get attention in our churches, but it is something that is real and can be extremely destructive. The word for grief here is a word that means “heaviness.” It’s a when a person literally feels the weight of what they are experiencing. Thankfully, the bible provides a remedy for this weight. In Isaiah 61:3 God said he would give us the “garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” In other words, if the grief is still there you have to change clothes. Take off the heaviness and put on some praise and watch God work!

It’s a new year! The success and failures of 2015 are over and it’s time to focus on 2016. My wife and I rented a room and spent a night planning our top 10 goals for 2016.

Here’s 3 crucial things I learned:

1. Don’t Chase Empty, Vain Goals.

“In the house of the righteous there is much treasure…” Proverbs 15:6

Here’s the truth: I focus more on accomplishing goals that are centered around my career and family than improving my spiritual life. I want to see my career go to another level. I want Macy and I to achieve a new depth in our relationship. Ok fine… I want to go vegan! These are not bad goals, but how often am I asking this question, “how can my family honor God more this year?”

Why does this matter?

God Brings Ultimate Satisfaction.

I’ve never believed this more until recently. The past few months was more prosperous than most for Macy and I. I got my health back, had a very comfortable Christmas, and had the opportunity to buy a few toys! ; ) Despite these apparent wins, I was still feeling down.

Why?

Because I wasn’t spending any time connecting with God.

“There is much treasure in the arms of the Lord.”

So this year I’ve committed to reading the Bible in a year, work on a Systematic Theology Bible study for our Church, and set aside time every day for intentional prayer and worship.

2. Focus on Learning.

“Perceptive words spread knowledge;” proverbs 15:7

Our mind is the most powerful thing God has given us. Our minds are either our greatest enemy or our biggest asset.

Being someone who is known for speaking perceptive words will only grow your influence with others, and grow you personally.

So how do you become more perceptive?

Read God’s Word. Let God’s words saturate your heart. I also recommend reading other classic works from C.S Lewis, A.W Tozer, or Jonathan Edwards. I promise, read a book from these guys and you’ll be one step closer to being a person that is known for speaking wise words.

3. Prioritize Who You Allow In Your Life.

“fools are hollow—there’s nothing to them…” proverbs 15:7

Nobody likes to do this, but let’s be honest, you have to protect your time. More importantly, you have to guard who you allow in. I’m not talking about excluding everyone, but rather choosing who you are going to invest in and allow invest into you.

We can’t invest in everyone, and we can’t allow everyone to invest in us.

Jesus did this with the twelve and further with His inner 3. So if Jesus did this, then I’m ok practicing this too! : )

Really, the principle is about maximizing your time.

Action steps:

1. Write 1 spiritual goal for 2016
2. Choose 1 book you’re going to read in 2016
3. Make a list of the people you want to invest in and who you want investing into you.