A Glad heart

On September 15, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Proverb 12: 25 

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad.

We looked at Philippians 4: 6 yesterday which instructs us to be anxiety free. Now see this adage from Proverbs regarding anxiety. There is a reason our Heavenly Father wants us to be free from anxiety. It is not healthy. Our hearts are not equipped to carry anxiety. It weighs down the heart and will eventually make the body sick. We must, therefore, learn how to counter it. Today’s verse joins yesterday’s to show us the way out of anxiety.

A good word makes the heart glad. How does that knowledge help us? Consider this verse, “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things,” (Philippians 4: 8). We can choose what we meditate on. You can ruminate on the bad news or you can get into the Good News! You can listen to news media, your negative uncle and the water cooler gossip or you can listen to the gospel. You can listen to what your relatives say about you or you can listen to what your Heavenly Father says about you. Now, which do you think is going to make you feel better? Which is going to make your heart glad?

You see, to some extent, we weigh down our own hearts by our choices of what we listen to and to what we give our attention. I am going to say this plainly, if you are listening to the evening news more than you are reading your Bible, YOU ARE MISSING IT. Your spirit is not a garbage disposal. It is the resting place of God. You cannot let the world fill it with contaminants and still feel light and glad. Of course, you are going to feel anxious, angry and frustrated. How can you not?

You’ve got to get the Good News into you. You need it! The Word is health to the soul, spirit and body. No joking! Whatever you meditate on is going to grow within you. That is why Solomon encourages us to find the good word. Hang out with those who are positive and affirming and definitely those who have God’s Word in their mouths. Let your heart be glad.

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Anxiety Free

On September 14, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Philippians 4:6

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

This is a familiar verse but one that is so very important that I am happy to have us look at it routinely. Any time we feel anxiety, it is a clear sign that we need to stop and counsel with the Father. We should not live with that anxiety. We must find our way back to peace. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Because we are in him, we should be in peace. That makes sense, right? So, how do we live in peace continually? How do we rid ourselves of anxiety, especially in these very anxious times?

I usually look at this verse in its conjunctive construction. In other words, there are two related thoughts joined together by the word “but.” Now, we know the word “but” signifies contrast. So, the ideas are related but more like antonyms than synonyms. Add the word “rather” and that becomes clearer. Or, “Instead of being anxious, through prayer, supplication and thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. This shows the contrasting behavior which is called for by this verse. The verse isn’t just about feelings or emotions. It shows a behavioral pattern. Instead of being anxious, DO this. When you do feel anxious, DO this.

The great revelation of this verse shows that it is by praying about everything, submitting to God in confidence, and giving thanks that we both cure and avoid anxiety. When one constantly takes their thoughts and concerns to the Father, there is less opportunity to anxiety to grip the heart. Father, instills us with confident assurance as we commune with Him. We just need to get much better at chatting with Him. And, I use the word “chat” to indicate the informality that can benefit us all. I am not trying to suggest that formal prayer does not have its place, only that if we are going to be in constant communion with our Father, then we must develop a daily voice. When the verse says, “in everything” it means that we pray at all times, pray without ceasing. In order to do that, you must learn to communicate with the Father in a normal way.

One will see that when we are in routine, daily communication with the Father of our hearts, then, of course, anxiety must flee. How can one be with the Father, truly with the Father, and at the same time anxious? So, we have come full circle. When anxiety does strike, we know that is a sign that we need to run into the Father’s presence. Subsequently, when we are in the Father’s presence there is peace. Life intervenes and the world brings trouble to our doorstep but pursue the Father and His peace relentlessly. Let the peace of the Lord be your habitation.

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Gentle Answer

On September 13, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Proverb 15: 1

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, but the mouth of fools spouts folly.

The way we say things can be as significant as what we say. This lesson is important in the homestead as well as the workplace. How we speak to our children and spouses will often be the message they hear. One can start a fight just in the way they speak, but let’s take a closer look at that.

The proverb says a gentle answer turns away wrath. That means the words we choose are important. It specifically does not suggest we choose scathing words and couch them in a chuckle or a smooth voice. That person is not a wise person being gentle. He is a weasel, a slick salesman who thinks so little of those around him that he believes he can fool them with his vocal gyrations. People see through that and are offended and angered. That can stir up a fight as much as a nasty tone. A wise person knows how to convey, even a difficult message, in a polite way. They choose words that are not harsh and they show respect for others even in correction.

Wise people are able to communicate wisdom in the face of adversity whereas fools spout so much foolishness in their pretense of being wise. They stir up strife where the wise person finds a way to soften a response and to defuse a situation. They are able to tell people the hard truth but in a way that causes the recipient to be grateful even when the truth stings a bit.

Truth is a value, but it must be delivered in a way that another can receive it. Don’t use truth to batter another but rather to free them. Show kindness and gentleness in your speech and in your choice of words.

Proverb 15

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The Stream of Knowledge

On September 6, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Proverb 14: 6

The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.

Again, this week, I find it challenging to choose only one verse from this powerhouse of a proverb. I hope you are utilizing the link at the bottom to read the entire proverb each Monday.

Today’s verse is taken, as usual, from the New American Standard Bible, my Bible of preference. However, I read many versions because sometimes the editors’ use of one different word opens up more understanding for me. Therefore, I wish to share The Passion Translation’s rendering of this verse today, “The intellectually arrogant seek for wisdom, but they never seem to discover what they claim they’re looking for. For revelation-knowledge flows to the one who hungers for understanding.”

I believe this rendition reveals much about knowledge and wisdom. First, we are enlightened as to its source. This passage shows that knowledge is “revealed.” What does that mean? It means that our God, who is the fountain of all knowledge and wisdom, passes that knowledge to us. He is the source. Second, He gives this wisdom and knowledge to those who hunger and thirst for it. Moreover, He gives it to those who seek Him for it rather than those who study and try to succeed in their own strength. Of course, when we are intellectually arrogant, we seek knowledge through our efforts and when we do, we do not seek God. That would require humility. No, instead we study and labor rather than simply humbling ourselves before our God in entreaty.

Third, wisdom and knowledge come to us as a flow. Isn’t that interesting? God downloads His knowledge to us like a stream flowing smoothly across the landscape. This isn’t a painful or labor-intensive method. Flow is found in relaxation. Picture yourself lying beside a quiet little stream and see how peaceful it makes you feel. While you lie there, the stream just bubbles along, seemingly without any energy compelling it. As you relax and breathe, you open your own channels so that the flow may enter you. It is not by striving, therefore, but rather by relaxing in the comfort of the Father that wisdom and knowledge are gained.

Yet, of all the things I ask of you, perhaps this is one of the most difficult, to relax in the presences of God. Stop everything else you are doing. Do not answer the phone or that incoming text. Just bask in the Lord’s presence in quiet, meditative peace, thinking more about your breathing than your “to do” list. If we could all do this more, we would have more answers. We would have more knowledge. Instead, we think, worry, and toil for answers. Stop for a moment. Give yourself a couple of breaths. Put your mind on Yahweh and let the answers come to you, in the name of Jesus.

Proverb 14

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Wisdom and Humility

On August 29, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Proverb 13: 10

Through overconfidence comes nothing but strife, but wisdom is with those who receive counsel.

The God’s Word translation uses the word “arrogance” in place of overconfidence. I guess either will do. The point is that when we think we have all the answers, are the font of knowledge, inevitably we come to ruin. Wisdom is in an abundance of counselors.

If the book of Proverbs stands for any one thing, it is wisdom. Here, then, is another dose of wisdom. Solicit advice, receive counsel. In the end, you still have to make your own decision, but you can do so with more perspective. There is something more here though.

Arrogance leads to strife; the verse tells us. This statement is an acknowledgement that we live in dynamic systems. No one is an island. Your decisions affect others. Even at times when it seems your life course is purely a matter of your own concern, it rarely is the case. Our decisions affect others. When we exclude those people from speaking into our lives, we sow seeds of strife. We convey their unimportance and our lack of respect for their thoughts.

My best friend in college didn’t see many things the way I did. You would think that would make us unlikely friends. However, it was just the opposite. I could have never thought the things she thought or seen from those perspectives without her. She always opened my mind to different views. Even if it was sometimes painful for me to stretch that far, it was always illustrative and valuable. Even to this day, I am a better person for having known her. And she is still someone I call when trying to sort out complicated questions.

My point is, first, you don’t have to have all the answers. That really is God’s job and way too heavy a burden for any of us. Second, being that person only makes others think of you as arrogant and dislike you. Third, it sows the seeds of strife in families, work settings and even in friendship. Fourth, it proves you to be unwise rather than wise. The arrogant prove themselves to be ignorant. What a Catch 22 that is. Only those humble enough to receive counsel prove themselves wise. Last, I would add that it is that person who receives counsel who proves themselves secure. The overconfident, arrogant person is anything but self-assured. The truly secure are able to hear other opinions without being intimidated.

So, who are you and who do you want to be? Can you graciously give advice? Can you receive counsel? It is not a sign of weakness to ask other’s opinions. It is a sign of strength.

Proverb 13

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Words, Deeds and Seeds

On August 23, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Proverb 12: 14

A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his words, and the deeds of a man’s hands will return to him.

You will see this proverb again. Because there were so many good verses to choose from, I will return here after Labor Day when we resume our normal schedule. I have added a link for the entire proverb again so you can see for yourself how rich it is.

God’s kingdom works differently than the world system. The Bible is an instruction manual leading us into the truths of life. In today’s verse we are given a great insight but as we look at it closely we find that it stands in direct opposition to the way most of us have been taught.

This passage reveals that success comes from our words, rather than our hands. Our hands, it says, are sowers of seed. Now, of course, seed bears a crop. That crop will be good if the seed was good or bad if the seed was bad. So, I am thinking of this verse as identifying that what you sow with your actions will return to you. Sow kindness, reap kindness. Sow selfishness, reap selfishness.

Your success, though, is in your mouth. What are you saying??? We cannot be overly cautious about the words of our mouths. I know sometimes we use phrases in a joking manner but honestly, why would we do that? Why would we say stupid stuff even in jest?  When I read that a person’s life is filled with the fruit of his words it warns me that I should guard my mouth and ALL the words I speak. For example, I am never “scared to death.” And, you may be annoying me but I don’t need to say, “You’re killing me here.” There are dozens of examples in that vein but let’s shift gears a bit. We do the same thing with our health and our welfare. “I’m so broke I can’t pay attention.” Look again at the verse. We are filled with good by the fruit of our words. Therefore, we must speak good, and that means speaking good about our financial wellbeing, our health, and every other aspect of life. “God blesses me in everything I do. The blessing of God is following me around. God blesses my pocketbook. God meets my every need.” Those statements are just as easy to say as anything else and they are not only true, but they are ultimate truth.

Tune in to the power in your words. Speak prosperity, health and wholeness. Meanwhile sow good seed with your actions. Be kind to others considering their needs above your own (Philippians 2: 3). Sow generosity, tolerance and patience. These shall return to you.

Proverb 12

 

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Kindness Benefit

On August 16, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Proverb 11: 17         NIV

Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.

Let’s begin our meditation on this verse by thinking of synonyms for cruel. The word that stands out for me is mean, but there are others, everything from brutal to unpleasant and harsh. Just being harsh or hard can turn the tide against us. Kindness, habitual kindness, brings rain in its season, a ripe harvest and other benefits.

We do not live in a world which is kind. Yet, you can see kindness some places and some people overwhelm with their kindness. This verse puts us in mind that kindness benefits us as much as the benefit we do to others. Kindness should be its own reward, I suppose, but it is also seed which, when planted, yields a crop. That crop, however, is a harvest of multiple benefits. Not only do you reap kindness, but other good crops come up in your garden too.

So here is the rub, as I see it. I cannot do this on my own. I know people, you do too, you radiate kindness. In fact, you are some of those very people. For me, though, it is only Christ within me that exudes those wonderful traits. But for Jesus, I would not be able to demonstrate the very characteristics I value. If I am not spending enough time with my Father, then I don’t act with temperance and gentleness.

When a pastor reads this verse, the first thought is to encourage everyone to be kind. However, you already have that desire for yourself. What we all need is more Christ in our life. If I spend a lot of time in the world and watching the news, etc., then I can promise my kindness and gentleness factor is going to decrease. Then, as I sow less kindness, I am going to reap less kindness and other benefits. So, sure, I want to encourage you to be kind but I also want to empower you to do so. It is the grace of our Father that helps us and spending time with Him is the way to release more of His presence in your life.

Proverb 11:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverb%2011&version=NASB1995,NIV

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