by Chelsea Rohde | Dec 6, 2015 | Proverbs
Proverbs 12: 11-12
In every moment we have a chance to be a good steward: in your career, your relationships, your finances, your free time. What are you doing with what you have? End results are a reflection of what occurred in the process, also meaning that the work input determines the quality of the output. Chapter 12 of Proverbs gives us more instructions on the effects of how we live.
11 A hard worker has plenty of food,
but a person who chases fantasies has no sense.
The one with, not just some, but plenty of food is the one who is called a hard worker. The worker’s abundance is correlated to the quality of his work. Yet, the contrasting person, the one who chases fantasies is also one that lacks sense. Of the two which one is stewarding his resources well? Which one is rewarded for the way he lives? God blesses those who take care of what they are given and do not waste it.
12 Thieves are jealous of each other’s loot,
but the godly are well rooted and bear their own fruit.
A thief’s entitlement draws him to steal instead of work to satisfy his needs. With brooding envy, comparison breeds jealousy and causes us to stray from what God has for us. But as Proverbs shows us, the godly are centered and carry a different perspective. Instead of looking to their neighbor in envy and desiring to take what they feel they deserve, the godly work hard with what they have to multiply and satisfy their own needs. By bearing their own fruit, they no longer have to look outward to satisfy their needs.
God calls us to steward what we are given and he will provide plenty. When we root ourselves in him and keep our focus on His will for our lives, He will fully satisfy our needs.
by Chelsea Rohde | Nov 19, 2015 | Proverbs
Proverbs 11:12-13
In the midst of the social media age, gossip is no longer slotted to a column in a newspaper. With one click of a button you can pull up site after site with tell alls about the latest celebrity wrongdoings. But gossip doesn’t stop at celebrities, it seeps into our lives too. We are living in a culture that cultivates a sense of entitlement to cast judgement about others. Most hide behind the excuse that everyone has the right to their own opinion, but Proverbs warns otherwise.
Proverbs 11:12-13
12 It is foolish to belittle one’s neighbor;
a sensible person keeps quiet.
13 A gossip goes around telling secrets,
but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.
Throughout the Bible we are warned of the weight of our words and the divisive nature of our tongue. In Proverbs 11:12-13 we see another warning about what we choose to say. Our words are just that, a choice. We can use them to spread loving kindness or use them to infect others. When we say negative things about someone else or share their private matters, we are being foolish and unloving.
Living in a critical culture of all news is my news, how do we combat an age where gossip is all the rage? We have to pursue God. When we learn to follow his ways, our perspective is shifted. As we begin to understand the vastness of God, we in turn and start grasping our own sinful tendencies. With this perspective we aren’t degrading ourselves, but living in the reality that we are flawed and in need of God’s grace. When we understand the extension of God’s grace despite our own sin, we are drawn away from casting judgement on others.
In our quiteness, we are found sensible. In keeping confidence, we are found trustworthy. When we withhold our vocal judgements of others’ transgressions, we become closer to carrying out God’s character.
by Chelsea Rohde | Nov 3, 2015 | Proverbs
Proverbs 10: 11-12
Let’s take it back to our playground days: Breathe in the crisp fresh air. Take in the aroma of the wood chips. Feel the heat of the blacktop where you crushed it in foursquare. Hear the patterns of children at play… A skirmish breaks out between two friends and they sass back at each other:
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me!”
“I’m rubber you’re glue, whatever you say bounces off of me and sticks to you!”
Designed to protect the feelings of the speaker and deflect the power in the bully’s words, these chants gave the illusion that words cannot damage us. As children we may fiercely declared them at each other, but the reality is that words stick with us even longer than we realize. Words dictate action, incite emotion, and mold images. Words move people into conditions of life and death.
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
Words carry weight heavy enough to illustrate life or death. Like a fountain quenches thirst and water fuels life, the words of the righteous give life to those who hear. In contrast to the life giving words, Proverbs warns about the destruction of the words of the wicked. What will your words bring to those who hear them?
Hatred stirs up strife,
To stir up something is to provoke, stimulate or awaken it from rest. A heart that is consumed in hatred provokes anger and creates strife. Hatred steals joy, creates contention, and incites death in relationships.
but love covers all offenses.
In a world that slumps with the weight of hate there is hope. God’s love covered all the sins of his people with the sacrifice of his Son on the cross. His love covers our offenses. Love heals the infirmed, forgives the wrongdoers, and bears the hope that our lost world needs. When we imitate God’s love and mirror His character, we can bring this world back to life.
What weight do your words carry? Will you harbor hatred and let anger fester? Or will you choose to love and bring hope to those around you?
Photography: @arik
by Chelsea Rohde | Oct 19, 2015 | Proverbs
Proverbs 6: 20-35
In our house growing up, my parents had a beautiful stain glass lamp, the kind that just looks like it should be tucked away behind a protective barrier. Constantly, we were reminded to not play near the lamp, come close to the lamp, touch the lamp, or even breathe near the lamp. So naturally, my rambunctious curly haired little sister would get as close as possible to it. The lamp was just so pretty, so shiny, so alluring to her – how could she not gaze at its majesty?
The lure of the lamp reminds me of sin’s seduction. Proverbs 6: 20-35 gives a warning against an adulteress that draws in people with her beauty … much like a shiny breakable forbidden object to a 5 year old.
20 My son, keep your father’s commandment,
and forsake not your mother’s teaching.
21 Bind them on your heart always;
tie them around your neck.
22 When you walk, they will lead you;
when you lie down, they will watch over you;
and when you awake, they will talk with you.
Historically, children are known for rolling their eyes. Proverbs instructs us to do just the opposite. For a full life, we are to take hold of the commandments of our father and mother. Not just knowing them, but keeping those instructions close to our heart as they bring counsel and comfort.
23 For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light,
and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,
24 to preserve you from the evil woman,
from the smooth tongue of the adulteress.
25 Do not desire her beauty in your heart,
and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes;
26 for the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread,
but a married woman hunts down a precious life.
The commandments of our father serve to guide us not as rules for rules sake, but to keep us from harm and protect us from temptations that arise. Sin is attractive. The enemy knows just how to reel you in with the beauty and allure of the adulteress. Sin is seemingly easy as your nature bends towards it, but it will cost you everything; it will cost you your life.
27 Can a man carry fire next to his chest
and his clothes not be burned?
28 Or can one walk on hot coals
and his feet not be scorched?
29 So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife;
none who touches her will go unpunished.
30 People do not despise a thief if he steals
to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry,
31 but if he is caught, he will pay sevenfold;
he will give all the goods of his house.
With adultery, danger is lurking around the corner. The pain listed here is physical, but it can be equated to the emotional distress and pain that comes with an immoral relationship. Not only is there pain of the heart and mind, but then the facing of an angry husband. Proverbs makes it clear that disaster is guaranteed.
32 He who commits adultery lacks sense;
he who does it destroys himself.
33 He will get wounds and dishonor,
and his disgrace will not be wiped away.
34 For jealousy makes a man furious,
and he will not spare when he takes revenge.
35 He will accept no compensation;
he will refuse though you multiply gifts.
The message of this passage is completely clear: Sin isn’t worth it. What appears beautifully attractive, but is outside of God’s instructions is deadly. The instructions of our Father can only influence our lives if we obey them. Bind God’s commandments close to you, draw them near to your heart and He will steer you away from the traps of the adulteress.
Photography: @djaeoutlaw
by Chelsea Rohde | Oct 6, 2015 | Proverbs
Proverbs 3: 1-4
Nip this. Tuck that. Eat this. Drink that. From TV ads and billboards to forums and friendly conversations, we are inundated with the chase for youth. As we idolize the primetime of our being we go on a quest to extend it as long as possible. All the supplements, diet plans, and procedures point to the same thing: a desire to have fulfilling life.
Do you want a long satisfying life? Who doesn’t? There’s no fountain of youth streaming from the ground or miracle substance to be found, but Proverbs does give us some insight on how to live a satisfying life: Keep Gods commands in your heart.
Storing His commands in your heart means more than just memorizing them. To know Gods commands fully, you must allow them to guide and influence every part of your life. You have to take action in light of His commands.
Obeying God’s commands yields a fruitful life. Not legalistic rule execution, but true devotion to returning to loving obedience in each step we take. This action is born out of trusting that abiding by God’s guidance leads to a future beyond what our brains can conjure up.
Consider these questions as you unpack taking to heart God’s commands:
If the commands of your creator were written deep within your heart, how would your life look?
If you trusted the Lord and sought his guidance on your actions, how would your output change?
At what point do you lay down your selfish ambitions to seek what God is commanding you to do?
What needs to change for God’s commands to take their place in your heart and begin influencing your decisions?
Abraham Lincoln once said, “It’s not about the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” You have time here, what will you do with it? Make space. Invite God in. Start living a full life.
Photography: @fordyates
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