May 31 | A God-Fearing Woman

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT // THIS IS THE LAST DAY HERE // Starting June 1st 2014, this website will no longer send out daily devotions. We have moved everything over to our new website, http://lifechangingdevotions.org. So please go NOW to the new site and sign up for the daily devotions. We believe you will love the changes we made!

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Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 2

Scripture | Proverbs 31:30, “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

Lesson 31 | A God-Fearing Woman

I wonder what kind of ladies would be on the cover of magazines if the criteria were to be “God-fearing?”  What kind of outfits would these women wear?  And would people still buy Maxim, Vogue, and Playboy if all they pictured were these God-fearing women dressed in modesty?

The above proverb gives great insight to what really matters in life- to fear the Lord.  Charm and beauty refer to a pleasant personality and attractive physical appearance.  Though there is nothing wrong with beauty or charm, these things are only temporary and should not be valued above inner character.  To truly fear the Lord is to live a life of integrity and obey all God’s commands.

Too often we judge people, especially woman, by their outside appearance and flattering words.  Some of the most beautiful people on the outside are really moral monsters on the inside.  Mainstream media for the most part is based on selling a lie and making people believe it.  Many sinful and unholy celebrities, models, rock stars, and TV personalities are influencing the way we see praise worthy things in our generation.

Take for example, there may be a talk show host who lives in adultery and gives advice about marriage because she is charming and millions of women listen to her.  At the same time, a woman of God, with over 30 years of marriage experience may only speak to an audience of 50 and be ignored by the media!  Or a young sexy singing star can influence tens of millions of people with her songs of perversion, while a young lady gets laughed at in her high school because she is a virgin- God have mercy. 

I would like to challenge everyone, especially women, to be what really matters in life- God fearing.  Don’t let this world deceive you- charm and beauty is fleeting, but those who fear the Lord will be praised!

Reflection | Do you value keeping God’s commands over charm and beauty? 

Action | (1) Ask God to expose any vanity you may have, i.e., “Look at me.” (2) Guard your heart and eyes from the lust of the flesh. (3) Lastly, live a God-fearing life.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | 2 Samuel 17:1-29, John 19:23-42, Psalm 119:129-152, &Proverbs 16:12-13. Click here to read online. 

May 30 | A Proverbs 31 Woman

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT // Starting June 1st 2014, this website will no longer send out daily devotions. We have moved everything over to our new website, http://lifechangingdevotions.org. So please go NOW to the new site and sign up for the daily devotions. We believe you will love the changes we made!

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Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 2

Scripture | Proverbs 31:10, “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.”

Lesson 30 | A Proverbs 31 Woman

Proverbs 31 is a famous passage of Scripture that beautifully describes the best wife and mom a person can hope to have.  For women the standard is set high, but by God’s grace it can be achieved.  The reward for the Proverbs 31 women is found in Proverbs 31:28, “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.”

Therefore, what she does between verses 10-31 makes her great.  I will briefly list each of her main attributes in hopes that all women will aim to live by them and be blessed.  And that men will encourage the women in their lives to be follow this these powerful words.

(1) vs. 11-12, TRUSTED // She is trusted by her husband and brings him good all the days of her life; (2) vs. 13-15, HARD WORKING // She gets up early and works with her hands to provide food and clothes for everyone in her house. 

(3) vs.16-19, SUCCESSFUL // She works hard and sees profit in all she does. (4) vs. 20-24, COMPASSIONATE // She helps the poor, her husband, and all those around her be prosperous- even in her business interactions.  

(5) vs. 25-27, DILIGENT& WISE // She is focused in her work and speaks with wisdom. (6) vs. 28-31, HONORED // She fears the Lord, has true beauty, and is blessed by her family.

Special Note to the Women: All the attributes in Proverbs 31 may seem impossible to achieve but remember with God’s grace all things are possible.  Rely upon the Holy Spirit to strengthen you and if you should stumble, repent, get back up and keep going.  God made you to be a leader! 

Reflection | Do you believe its possible in our culture for women to be a “Proverbs 31-Kind-of-Woman?” 

Action | (1) Ask God to make the women in your life a Proverbs 31 woman. (2) Women, ask God for strength to be all that He called you to be. (3) Lastly, Men, encourage the godly women in your life by sharing how thankful you are for them and all that they do!

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | 2 Samuel 15:23-16:23, John 18:25-19:22, Psalm 119:113-128, & Proverbs 16:10-11. Click here to read online. 

May 29 | Stiff-Necked

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT // Starting June 1st 2014, this website will no longer send out daily devotions. We have moved everything over to our new website, http://lifechangingdevotions.org. So please go NOW to the new site and sign up for the daily devotions. We believe you will love the changes we made!

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Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 2

Scripture | Proverbs 29:1, “Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed without remedy.”

Lesson 29 | Stiff-Necked

Everyone in life from time to time will be rebuked- either by the Lord in prayer, a trusted pastor, a loving friend, or even a spouse or parent.  How you respond to correction will determine your ultimate outcome.  If you are stiff and unmovable you will eventually be broken beyond repair.  However, if you are flexible and willing to change you will prosper.

What is most terrifying about this proverb is the warning to the stiff-necked.  King Solomon wrote that they will “suddenly” be “destroyed without remedy.”  Without remedy means, “nothing will be able to fix or repair them.”  This kind of judgment can be seen with the people of Israel when God continually sent them warnings but they did not listen, Jeremiah 2:30.  Eventually God punished them by allowing their enemies to conquer and capture them and there was nothing anyone could do to stop the destruction, Jeremiah 6:19. 

The same is true in the end times when God hands over the people to a delusion and allows them to be destroyed because they refused to listen to the truth and be saved, 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12.  During this end time tribulation after people receive the mark of the Beast they can no longer be saved, Revelation 14:11.

As a result, I believe this proverb is best understood in the context of God’s judgment because when we do make some mistakes in pride we can have restoration.  However, when we refuse to listen to God after many warnings the judgment is sure.  The Bible also says in Hebrews 10:26-27, “26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.”

Therefore, make a decision today to listen to what God is saying through the rebukes He may give you personally and through others.

Reflection | Do you receive correction from the Lord in humility? 

Action | (1) Ask God to remove any pride you may have in your life in regards to receiving correction. (2) Lastly, be quick to listen and repent whenever the Lord corrects you.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | 2 Samuel 14:1-15:22, John 18:1-24, Psalm 119:97-112, &Proverbs 16:8-9. Click here to read online. 

May 28 | Don’t Trust in Yourself

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 2

Scripture | Proverbs 28:26, “Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.”

Lesson 28 | Don’t Trust in Yourself

If you were to be honest I’m sure you can think of many times that you trusted yourself and were let down.  Whether it was a time you trusted your feelings and got hurt in a relationship or a time when you tried to rely upon your judgment in a situation and failed.  All of us at different times have been our own worst enemy.

There is an ole’ proverb that gives a good definition of insanity, which is, “ insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results.”  Therefore, based on that definition supported by Proverbs 29:1, “Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed —without remedy,” we can clearly see if we have let ourselves down in the past we shouldn’t keep trusting only in our own wisdom.

As a result, we should be open to the wisdom of others.  First, from the Word of God, then from what God says directly to our hearts, and lastly, from successful people around us.  King Solomon is teaching a simple, yet powerful principle- “if you only trust yourself you are a fool, but if you walk in wisdom you will be safe.”

Ofcourse, we can trust ourselves in many ways when it comes to what shoes to wear, how to walk, etc… but we shouldn't live a “self-reliant” life.  To experience true success we must rely upon God.  The easiest way to see this is concerning life after death.  If you only trust yourself in regards to the after life you are a fool.  However, if you trust what God has said, you will be kept safe.

Make a decision today to trust God and His Word above your own thoughts and emotions.

Reflection | Do you trust God more than yourself? 

Action | (1) Repent of the sin of “self-reliance.” (2) Ask God to lead you in His wisdom. (3) Lastly, be open to receive and give God’s wisdom to others. 

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | 2 Samuel 13:1-39, John 17:1-26, Psalm 119:81-96, &Proverbs 16:6-7. Click here to read online. 

May 27 | Tremble Before God

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 2

Scripture | Proverbs 28:14, “Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.”

Lesson 27 | Tremble Before God

There is a false notion today among some Christians that believe because God is now our Father there is nothing to revere about Him anymore.  The idea is rooted in misunderstandings of such verses where the believer is told to call God “Abba” and that perfect love drives out all fear. 

Yes, it is completely true we now can approach God as our “Heavenly Daddy (Abba)” and not have any fear of punishment in regards to our sins.  At the same time, King Solomon reminds us in the above proverb that we should always tremble before God.  In other words, we shouldn't lose our deep respect for who God is and how great His power is.

On one hand, I don’t believe Christians should always be walking around shaking like a leaf or quaking wherever they go because they should have a confidence of God’s love and genuine mercy in their lives.  On the other hand, we shouldn’t be so hardhearted and naïve to think that God is now our “tame lion” that only roars when we let Him because He cannot be tamed or controlled by man.  

Therefore, I believe balance is the key to understanding how the believer should both be madly in love with God and always tremble before Him.  We should have the balance to understand in regards to sonship, adoption, and salvation that God has covenanted with His people to always love and protect us.  And we should also have the balance to understand that for those who turn away from God He will destroy and eternally damn.  Thus, in the presence of God as judge we should always tremble and at the same time be comforted because He is our Father.

Take for example when God would appear to His people- they would first tremble and then be comforted, Revelation 1:17.  Thus, trembling should be our reaction to God and love and comfort is His reaction to our trembling heart.  However, those who refuse to tremble (humble themselves), like people in the time of the Anti-Christ will be destroyed, Job 15:25 & Revelation 19:19.

Therefore, always tremble before God and don’t let your heart become hard because of the deceitfulness of pride and sin, Hebrews 3:13.

Reflection | Do you still tremble before God? 

Action | (1) Ask God to reveal any pride or misunderstandings you may have concerning God’s greatness. (2) Allow your heart to tremble in God’s presence when He reveals His great power to you like He did with Isaiah in Isaiah 6. (3) Lastly, always love and revere God for His is worthy of both.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | 2 Samuel 12:1-31, John 16:1-33, Psalm 119:65-80, &Proverbs 16:4-5. Click here to read online. 

May 26 | Never Hide Your Sin

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 2

Scripture | Proverbs 28:13, “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”

Lesson 26 | Never Hide Your Sin

What is the difference between a hypocrite and a genuine follow of Christ?  Repentance.  Both the hypocrite and genuine disciple may sin, stumble, and make the same mistakes over and over again.  However, what makes the hypocrite a double minded deceptive person is that they will not confess and renounce their sin, but rather they conceal (hide) it.

Simply said, hypocrites say one thing and do another.  Plus, when they sin they conceal it from both God and man and instead make excuses and get offended.  However, when a disciple sins they confess it and renounce it- and if they sin again they confess and renounce their sin until they stop sinning in that area of their life. 

Hypocrites conceal their sin and according to both King Solomon and Jesus- they will never prosper, Matthew 23:27.  Solomon also said in Proverbs 24:16, “for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.”  Therefore, the righteous will always rise again and prosper (have success) because they are willing to let God transform their life inside and out.

The worst thing you can when you sin is try to hide it and pretend it didn't happen.  You become a disobedient child in relationship with God and a hypocrite before people.  When you sin, first be quick to confess it and make it known to God and others you may have affected.  Second, renounce your sin by truly allowing God to give you the desire to never to do it again, Romans 12:1-2.

I challenge you from this day forward to never be a hypocrite but live a righteous and prosper life. 

Reflection | Are you a hypocrite or a genuine disciple of Christ? 

Action | (1) What is your first reaction when you sin- to confess and renounce it or to conceal it? (2) Repent for any of the times you may have concealed your sin.  (3) Lastly, always be quick to confess and renounce your sin.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | 2 Samuel 9:1-11:27, John 15:1-27, Psalm 119:49-64, &Proverbs 16:1-3. Click here to read online. 

May 25 | Iron Sharping Iron

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 2

Scripture | Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

Lesson 25 | Iron Sharping Iron

King Solomon lived in a time when iron swords were commonplace.  For these swords to stay sharp and effective they needed to be sharpened regularly.  The same is true with constructive dialogue between disciples of Christ.

When disciples get together and challenge each other in the things of God it keeps their spiritual life sharp and effective.  The writer of Hebrews wrote in Hebrews 10:24, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”  The idea of “spurring” is the same as “sharpening.”  We should always want to encourage our friends to love God and do good deeds. 

Sometimes we may have dull spots in our lives, areas we have overlooked or become complacent in and the only way we can notice it is when God uses someone to sharpen us.  Thus, when a good brother or sister can challenge our weaknesses and sharpen them out with their wisdom the benefits are tremendous. 

When iron sharpens iron there may be sparks, but this is just part of the process.  And sometimes in healthy dialogue “sparks” may fly, it may get heated, but as long as everyone remains in love sparks are harmless.  We should all be mindful not to be argumentative, prideful, or offensive in our approach but its okay to be zealous.  God is passionate about truth and we as His children should be passionate about what we believe, Galatians 4:18.

Here are some ways to sharpen your iron, (a) Share theological discussions with Christians who believe differently than you about certain topics, (b) Have an accountability partner that gives you constructive criticism, and (c) Give and take advice with those around you who are open to giving and receiving it (this could be on your job, family, etc).

Reflection | Are you keeping your iron sharp? If yes, then how? 

Action | (1) Look for good people to have in your life to sharpen your iron with. (2) Be willing to sharpen others as you are being sharpened.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | 2 Samuel 7:1-8:18, John 14:15-31, Psalm 119:33-48, &Proverbs 15:33. Click here to read online. 

May 24 | Trusted Wounds

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT // Starting June 1st 2014, this website will no longer send out daily devotions. We have moved everything over to our new website, http://lifechangingdevotions.org. So please go NOW to the new site and sign up for the daily devotions. We believe you will love the changes we made!

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Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 2

Scripture | Proverbs 27:6, “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.”

Lesson 24 | Trusted Wounds

If you were in a bad place with God and headed towards hell would you want a godly friend to tell you?  And if you were so self-deceived and truly convinced that you were right but were actually wrong in God’s eyes and the only way God could open your eyes would be to use a friend to hurt your feelings would you trust those wounds?  I pray your answer to both questions is, “yes.”

Often times we believe that God values our “feelings” above all else.  Meaning, we can sometimes think that our feelings are the most important thing to God.  However, this is not true, there are many things that God values over our feelings.  For example, God treasures His Gospel over our feelings.  He would rather the Gospel be preached and we feel harassed, and mocked then for us to remain silent and feel respected (just read Acts and study the life of Paul to see what the first disciples suffered emotionally to preach God’s Word), 1 Corinthians 4:9-13.

Also, God values righteousness more than our feelings.  The Bible teaches us that God is like a Father who would rather discipline us through emotional trials so we might live more righteous lives than to allows us to feel good with an undisciplined soul.

Hebrews 12:6 says, “… the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”  Both words “discipline and chasten” by very nature infer discomfort and temporary displeasure.  Ofcourse, God is not an abusive, pain loving, moral monster- He is a loving Father that only uses discomfort and temporary pain as a “last resort.”

On the other hand, kisses, warm fuzzies, and “good feelings” can be deceptive.  Take for example Judas; he didn’t really love Jesus when he gave him a kiss.  The kiss was a signal to the Roman soldiers to identify Jesus, it meant nothing of value to Judas, otherwise he wouldn’t have betrayed Jesus.  However, when Jesus openly rebuked Peter and called him, “Satan” He did so in genuine love, Matthew 16:23. The temporary public embarrassment and wound to Peter’s feelings showed that Jesus loved Peter enough to hurt his feelings because He didn’t want him to perish.

Therefore, in your friendships aim to be the kind of friend that speaks the truth in the love like Jesus- even if it hurts feelings.  And be open to corrections from your godly friends- even if your feelings get hurt.  For it is far better to have your feelings hurt and be right with God than to be kissed and feel good headed for eternal destruction. 

Reflection | Do you believe trusted wounds from a friend are a good thing? 

Action | (1) Repent for the times you may have been corrected by a godly person but were offended because your feelings were hurt. (2) Ask God to give you good friends who care enough about your well being to tell you the truth even if it emotionally hurts.  (3) Lastly, be the kind of friend who shares the truth in love.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | 2 Samuel 4:1-6:23, John 13:31-14:14, Psalm 119:17-32, &Proverbs 15:31-32. Click here to read online. 

May 23 | Better Open Rebuke

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 2

Scripture | Proverbs 27:5, “Better is open rebuke than hidden love.”

Lesson 23 | Better Open Rebuke

Today in the American culture “moral relativism” is the new trend.  Moral relativism is a philosophy that believes, “All moral truths are relative to each person’s beliefs.  And since there is not absolute right or wrong, everyone is to be tolerant or supporting of each person’s own moral standard.”  The famous quote from moral relativists is, “What’s right for you is right for you, but it may not be right for me.”

As a result, this kind of thinking has led to people in popular society being tolerant and supporting of every kind of belief system except the belief system that states there is a moral standard.  In other words, the moral relativist has tolerance for every person’s belief, except the person that believes moral relativism is wrong.

First, moral relativism is a self-contradictory way of thinking because for relativists to make the statement, “there are no moral absolutes,” is itself a moral absolute statement.  Meaning, the relativist believes their perspective on there being no absolute moral truth is absolute.

Second, no one really lives as a moral relativist (besides a few criminally insane people).  Meaning, there are no sane rational people that believe it is okay for a mother to eat her child if she believes it will give her “good luck.”  Every relativist draws their own lines and make objective statements like, “its never okay for a mother to eat her child.”  Thus, moral relativists tend to make a box (or system) of moral standards to live by that are unchanging and then inside that box they will allow each person to do what’s right in their own eyes.  For example, the sane relativist will not allow people to rape and molest children according to their beliefs but they will be tolerant of those who believe in same sex marriage, sex changes, and the like.  Thus, even for the moral relativist, not all beliefs are treated equally. 

Lastly, God is not a moral relativist- He is a divine Lawgiver.  Therefore, according to King Solomon it is better to rebuke people openly when they break the laws of God then to try to support them in their sins in the name of “tolerance.”  As a result, hidden love is a love that is not trusting and genuine enough to believe that correction is a necessity to true love.  No one would respect a parent that didn’t correct his or her child.  Nor would anyone value a friendship where the friend didn’t warn them of impending danger.  Therefore hidden love is morally useless and extremely dangerous. 

In closing, true disciples of Christ should be willing to rebuke and correct others in love when they see people breaking God’s commands, 2 Timothy 4:2.  True love demands that we share moral correction with people around us.    

Reflection | Do you love people enough to let them know when they are wrong?

Action | (1) Ask God to reveal any times in your life when you acted with “hidden love,” i.e., you didn’t share God’s moral standard. (2) Make a decision to let God lead you to preach His Word to people around you. (3) Lastly, pray that those you rebuke will listen and follow God’s commands.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | 2 Samuel 2:12-3:39, John 13:1-30, Psalm 119:1-16, &Proverbs 15:29-30. Click here to read online. 

May 22 | The Fool and Their Vomit

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 2

Scripture | Proverbs 26:11, “As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.”

Lesson 22 | The Fool and Their Vomit

Have you ever watched a dog eat its own vomit?  I have and it’s totally disgusting. The dog ate it up and didn’t seem to mind at all that it was its own puke.

King Solomon in the above proverb is making the comparison between a fool and a dog that eats it own vomit.  The fool’s folly is comparable to the disgusting nature of puke.  And as the dog returns to eat its own puke the fool is seen as someone who will repeat the same disgusting act over and over again without feeling any sense of shame because like the dog, the fool in their very nature is disgusting. 

Peter uses this same Proverb in 2 Peter 2:22 but also adds the pig as an example of the fool in sin, “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”  In other words, just like how the dog feels no shame in eating its own vomit, the washed pig feels no wrong in returning to its mire (mud and feces).

The lesson is simple, “don’t be like a fool who keeps repeating their folly.”  Yes it is true that God will forgive all your sin and be patient with you.  However, do not use the grace of God as a license to continue in sin.  Whenever you sin your heart should be always willing to never do it again.  True repentance that brings forgiveness comes with humility to change.  Otherwise, you become like that dog who continues to eats it own puke and never feels any shame. 

Therefore, make a decision today to not continue in any sin or folly.  Ask God to deliver you from all temptation (vomit). You can live righteous because when you were born again you were made righteous! 

Reflection | Do you like to repeat your sins, i.e., “eat your own vomit?” 

Action | (1) Identify any sins that you continue to do. (2) Ask the Lord to set you free from the habit of all sins. (3) Lastly, allow the Holy Spirit to keep you from eating your own vomit, i.e., “repeating your same sins over and over again.”

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | 2 Samuel 1:1-2:11, John 12:20-50, Psalm 118:19-29, &Proverbs 15:27-28.  Click here to read online.

May 21 | Two Kinds of Fools

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 2

Scripture | Proverbs 25:28, “4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.”

Lesson 21 | Two Kinds of Fools

Hmmmmm… Did you catch the supposed contradiction in the two proverbs noted above?  If you didn’t, please slowly read them again.  Now do you see it?  Did King Solomon make a mistake and somehow let these verses into his book?  Or were the translators not paying attention and accidently wrote the proverb in two different ways?

Either way, many critics read these two proverbs and say, “Aha, the Bible does contradict itself!  In one proverb it says, “to not answer a fool” and the other “to answer a fool.”  Which one is it?” The simple answer is, “both.”  Let me explain. 

First, King Solomon didn’t make a mistake and the Holy Spirit wasn’t sleeping when these two proverbs were written.  The Bible says in 2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”  Therefore, these two proverbs are both inspired and useful.

Second, and more to the point, there is no contradiction.  Thus, the best question to ask isn’t “How should I answer a fool?”  But rather, “What kind of fool am I talking to?”  Meaning, King Solomon is giving two different approaches because there are two different kinds of fools in life. 

In verse four he is referring to the kind of fool that is not willing to listen and will only mock and ridicule whatever you say.  Thus, when dealing with a “mocking-not-listening-kind-of-fool” don’t even waste your time answering them because they will never listen.  However, in verse five he is referring to the kind of fool that is ignorant and unlearned but willing to listen.  In turn, if you are dealing with an “ignorant-ready-to-listen-fool” then give them a response in wisdom to reveal their folly in hopes they will repent.

Therefore, the main lesson from these proverbs is to ask the Lord when dealing with people in their foolishness- “what kind of fool are they?”  And then answer or not answer accordingly!

Reflection | Do you see different kinds of foolish people in your life? 

Action | (1) Ask God to always keep you from folly. (2) Identify the kind of foolish people you encounter in life.  (3) Lastly, be led by the Holy Spirit to respond in wisdom to people in their folly.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | 1 Samuel 29:1-31:13, John 11:55-12:19, Psalm 118:1-18, & Proverbs 15:24-26. Click here to read online. 

May 20 | Lack of Self Control

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 2

Scripture | Proverbs 25:28, “Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.”

Lesson 20 | Lack of Self Control

I’ll never forget the first time I really understood this proverb.  I was talking to an older friend who was giving me counsel after I had been in an argument with another pastor.  In my hurt and frustration I asked him, “Why is it I feel so drained and overwhelmed with all this emotion?”

He then responded back with this proverb and explained to me that when I lacked self-control by losing my temper in my disagreement with the other pastor I became an easy target for the enemy.  Since my emotional guard was down it was easy for the devil to come steal my peace and bring confusion.

My biggest temptation is to lose control of my temper.  For others it is hard for them to control their sex drive.  Some find it difficult to control their eating and spending habits.  And some people cannot control their thoughts and words.  As a result, in Christianity we often think that though God’s grace saved us its now up to us to obey God’s commands and do what’s right in our own efforts.  However, without God’s grace we cannot please God and obey any of His commands.

Therefore, the answer to lack of self-control isn’t to build up the self and try to have more self-discipline.  The opposite is actually true.  Jesus commanded us to “deny ourselves” (Luke 9:23) and Paul said to count the old sinful self as “crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20).  As a result, the only way we can have true self-control is to yield our self to the control (guidance) of the Holy Spirit and let Him lead us.

When we are full of God’s Spirit and led by His Word we will always be able to keep our self in control, 2 Timothy 1:7.  Plus, the Bible actually says that “self-control” is one of the fruits (manifestations) of the Holy Spirit and should be in every believer’s life, Galatians 5:23.  Thus, we should always be able to resist emotional invasion from the enemy because God guards the walls of our heart!

Reflection | Do you walk in self-control, led by God’s Spirit? 

Action | (1) Repent for the times you have lacked self-control. (2) Ask God to develop in you the fruit of self-control by His Spirit.  (3) Lastly, if you ever notice your emotional walls are coming down, repent and ask God to build them back up!  

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | 1 Samuel 26:1-28:25, John 11:1-54, Psalm 117:1-2, &Proverbs 15:22-23. Click here to read online. 

May 19 | Feed Your Enemy

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 2

Scripture | Proverbs 25:19, “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.”

Lesson 19 | Feed Your Enemy

Some people have the impression that God was “mean” in the Old Testament and “nice” in the New Testament.  However, Hebrews 13:8 states, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”  Therefore, the same Jesus that said, “love your enemy” in Matthew 5:44 is the same one who inspired King Solomon in the Old Testament to write the above proverb.

God has always been kind to sinners who are His enemies.  God said in Ezekiel 33:11. “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.”  Therefore, as Christ’s followers we shouldn’t treat people the way they treat us, but rather we should treat all people the way we want to be treated.

The same is true with our enemies.  If we see them suffering we should offer them our help because it is not right to delight in their suffering.  For example, imagine if one of your co-workers who dislikes you forgets their wallet at home.  Buy them lunch and say it's a gift they don’t have to repay.  By treating your enemy like this you are showing yourself to be a child of God because God sends rain to both the just and the unjust, Matthew 5:45.

Ofcourse, there are times in which God judges the wicked and commands us to protect the innocent from evildoers, Psalms 2 & Romans 13:1-5.  At the same time, the kind of enemy we can love and reach out to are the ones who we share life with and are able to possibly affect for the good.

Therefore, make a decision today to be kind to your enemies as God in times past has been kind to you! 

Reflection | Would you give your enemy something to eat if they were hungry? 

Action | (1) Ask God to show you who are the people in your life that don’t like you. (2) Go out of your way to do something nice for them.  (3) Lastly, pray that your act of kindness will be used by God to do something good in their lives.  

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | 1 Samuel 24:1-25:44, John 10:22-42, Psalm 116:1-19, &Proverbs 15:20-21. Click here to read online. 

May 18 | Unfaithful People

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 2

Scripture | Proverbs 25:19, “Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.”

Lesson 18 | Unfaithful People

Have you ever had a broken tooth or an injured foot?  Or in general have you ever suffered injury in your physical body to the point where you couldn’t do what you would normally be able to do?  I have many times! 

My worst injury happened while snowboarding and trying to catch “big air.”  I was heading down the hill around 20-25mph and hit a jump and went about 10-12 feet in the air and landed with all of my 230lbs directly on my shoulder.  I had never felt pain like that before because I could hardly move my arm. 

I remember coming home and my wife was so upset that I as a father of two at that time and 34yrs old would put myself in that kind of situation.  Literally for two months every time I tried to lift my arm excoriating pain would shoot through my whole body.  Thankfully after getting it checked out I only had minor tears that could heal on their own without any surgery.  But it seemed to take forever to get my full strength back.   

The lesson I learned from the injury (besides not trying to catch big air) was how to use one arm to do all my everyday functions- like putting on my pants, playing with my kids, and driving a car.  However, at certain times out of habit, I would forget my arm was injured and I would try to use it for a task and instantly the pain would come and remind to not use that arm.

The same is true with people who are unfaithful and are apart of your life.  When you need them to be there in troubling times instead of helping and making the situation better they cause pain and make things worse.  Unfaithful people hurt people that depend on them, period.    

Do you know any people like that?  That in times of trouble you try to count on them, but they only cause pain?  Have you ever been that kind of person that when someone was counting on you- you let them down and gave them tremendous pain?

Take some time today to first evaluate your life and see if you have ever been unfaithful to others in times of trouble and caused them pain.  And then recognize the people that can’t be relied upon in your times of hardship because they only make things worse.

The solution to unfaithfulness is simple- first, for those who are unfaithful stop causing people hurt and start being dependable.  Second, stop relying on unfaithful people in times of trouble.  Instead find a good friend to lean on in your times of trouble!      

Reflection | What kind of person are you; faithful or unfaithful? 

Action | (1) Ask God to show you the kind of person you are for others in their troubling times. (2) Repent of any unfaithfulness you might have had in the past.  (3) Lastly, ask God to make you a faithful person and to have wisdom to choose the right people to depend on in your times of trouble.  

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | 1 Samuel 22:1-23:29, John 10:1-21, Psalm 115:1-18, &Proverbs 15:18-19. Click here to read online.