2020-11-02
Proverbs 18:4 NKJV
When Solomon speaks of “deep waters,” he’s referring to the water at the bottom of the well that’s the cleanest and coolest. If you want to know what kind of water a well has, go down to the bottom. And if you want to know what’s in a person’s heart, listen to his or her words. An old country farmer put it this way: “What’s down in the well always comes up in the bucket!”
One of the surest signs of wisdom and maturity is the ability to say the right thing, in the right way, at the right time, to the right person – or to say nothing at all. Indeed, as you become wiser, you’ll talk less and say more.
In the U.S. legal system, when someone is arrested, the police are required to read them their Miranda Rights: “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.” So unless your words are intended to build someone up rather than tear them down, silence is a “right” you should exercise every day. Sometimes the wisest words are the ones never spoken.
Someone said, “A wise man is someone who thinks twice before saying nothing.” Again, Solomon weighs in: “The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent” (Proverbs 17:27-28 NIV). So, it’s better to keep your mouth shut and let people think you’re a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
Soul food: Ezra 6-8; John 7:45-53; Ps 9; Prov 24:30-34
2020-11-01
Genesis 18:19 CEV
The story of these two families told over a century ago contains lessons that are more relevant now than ever. Family number one. Did you know that the father of acclaimed New England reformer and pastor, Jonathan Edwards, was a clergyman? And his mother was the descendant of a minister? In fact, Edwards’ family includes 14 college presidents, more than 100 university professors, 100-plus lawyers, 30 judges, 60 physicians, over 100 clergymen, missionaries and theology professors, and some 60 authors. Throughout history, there’s scarcely been a great American industry that hasn’t featured an Edwards family member among its chief promoters. Such was the product of one Christian family reared under the most favourable conditions.
Family number two. Members of the infamous Jukes family couldn’t be made to study, wouldn’t work, and are reputed to have cost the state of New York millions of dollars. Their entire record is one of pauperism, crime, and insanity. From among their descendants, 310 were professional paupers, 440 were physically wrecked by their own wickedness, 60 were habitual thieves, 133 were convicted criminals, and 55 were victims of impurity. Only 20 actually learned a trade (10 of those learned it in prison), and this notorious family produced 7 murderers.
Yes, if Dennis becomes a menace, he can poison the stream. But if he’s raised to be godly, he can bless an entire family, as well as influence the world for generations to come. So what’s the bottom line here? Simply this: As a parent, if you’re wise, you’ll seek God’s guidance every single day of your life.
Soul food: 1 Chr 17:1-20; Heb 11:4-12:3; Ps 18:20-29; Prov 4:18
2020-10-31
Proverbs 14:23 NIV
One day a grandfather told his grandchildren the story of how he came to America. He told about the trains and ship that brought him from his home in Eastern Europe. He told of being processed along with other immigrants at Ellis Island, and how he’d gone to a cafeteria in Lower Manhattan to get something to eat. He sat down at an empty table and waited a long time for someone to take his order, but nobody came.
Finally a woman with a tray full of food sat down opposite him and explained how a cafeteria works. “You start at the end,” she said, pointing toward a stack of trays. “Then you go along the food line and pick out what you want. At the other end they’ll tell you how much you have to pay.”
The grandfather reflected for a moment and said, “I soon learned that’s how everything works in this country. Life is a cafeteria here. You can get anything you want – even very great success – if you’re willing to pay the price. But you’ll never get what you want if you wait for someone to bring it to you. You have to get up and get it yourself.”
The difference between where you are right now and where you want to be can be summed up in two words – hard work! “Does God want me to succeed?” you ask. Yes, but He won’t drop success into your lap. He promised to “bless all the work of your hands” (Deuteronomy 28:12 NIV). Countless hours, persistent effort, and constant improvement make the difference between ambition and success.
Soul food: Deut 18:9-18; Isa 47:5-15; Acts 16:16-34; Dan 2
2020-10-30
Proverbs 15:23 NLT
William Penn, founder of the British colony of Pennsylvania in 1677 (the U.S. state of Pennsylvania is named in his honour), formulated six principles for conversation:
“(1) Avoid company where it is not profitable or necessary, and on those occasions, speak little, and last. (2) Silence is wisdom, where speaking is folly; and always safe. (3) Some are so foolish as to interrupt and anticipate those that speak, instead of hearing and thinking before they answer, which is uncivil, as well as silly. (4) If you think twice before you speak once, you will speak twice the better for it. (5) Better to say nothing, than not to the purpose. And to speak pertinently, consider both what is fit, and when it is fit to speak. (6) In all debates, let truth be your aim, not victory or unjust interest; endeavor to gain, rather than to expose your critic.”
In short: Never speak without thinking! Give yourself time to incorporate wisdom into your words, avoiding those that make others feel intimidated or inferior. One of the best ways to persuade others is by listening to them.
A gossip talks about others and a bore talks about himself, but a good conversationalist talks about what interests you, and listens attentively to what you have to say. The truth is, sometimes the more you speak, the less people remember. And they’re more likely to remember your words if they feel like you care enough to listen to their thoughts and concerns. The Bible says, “Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!”
Soul food: Ezra 3-5; John 7:25-44; Ps 108; Prov 24:29
2020-10-29
Colossians 3:2 AMPC
The Bible says, “Set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.” There are many things that happen in this world which can easily affect our mind and emotions, and we need to learn how to rise above them. When negative thoughts are building up and trying to take control of our emotions, we need to take a few minutes to “set our minds and keep them set” on “the higher things.”
It often helps to speak positively about whatever is bothering you. For example, have a chat with yourself that goes something like this: “My family may not be everything I’d like it to be, but I’m thankful I have a family. My house may not be as nice as I’d like it to be, but it’s still a good place to live. I might be going through a difficult time right now, but Jesus is with me and He’s going to get me through it.” The Devil knows which of your buttons to push to get an emotional reaction. So what should you do?
Stand on God’s Word: “Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man whom You discipline…instruct…and teach out of Your law, that You may give him power to keep himself calm in the days of adversity” (Psalm 94:12-13 AMPC).
The more you discipline yourself to say no to your feelings and yes to the wisdom of God, the easier it becomes to defeat the Enemy in a spiritual tug-of-war. So decide today that you won’t arrange your life around unreliable emotions, and focus instead on “the higher things”!
Soul food: Ezra 1-2; John 7:14-24; Ps 104:24-35; Prov 24:28
2020-10-28
Philippians 4:6 CEV
Rachel and Jim owned a commercial building, half of which Jim used for his dental practice. For fifteen years they had no difficulty renting out the other half, which provided extra money to pay their bills. Then they lost their renter, and a real estate agent told them, “Forget about advertising for a while – absolutely nobody is renting.”
To ease her stress, Rachel started swimming laps at the local YMCA pool. One day when she was feeling especially anxious, she decided to pray as she swam, using the alphabet to keep track of the number of laps. She focused on adjectives to describe God, starting with the letter A. “You are Almighty God,” she prayed during lap one. B. “A benevolent God, a bountiful God,” she prayed on the next lap. And then C, “You are a caring, creative, can-do God.” By the time she’d completed twenty-six laps, an hour had passed and her fears were gone. She knew God would provide.
A short time later a physical therapist called to say she’d noticed the “For Rent” sign, and asked to see the office. It was exactly what she wanted, so she and her partner rented the space.
Rachel still prays while she’s swimming laps. “After all,” she says, “I’ve discovered God’s goodness stretches from A to Z.”
Are you worrying about something today? Here’s a better option: “With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Jesus Christ, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel” (vv. 6-7 CEV).
Soul food: Zeph 1-3; John 7:1-13; Ps 104:1-23; Prov 24:26-27
