Proverbs 15

WEEK  1                                          Proverbs 15

WEDNESDAY  Reflections

Could you imagine living in Chicago in the 1920s? You need some money and a guy says come with me. You follow and the man grabs a well-dressed person. The man drags him into an alley and stabs him. He takes out the wallet and gives you the money. You recognize the victim, he is your neighbor who has helped you many a time. Now he is dead and the guy who identifies himself as Al is handing you his money. It's blood money. You take it and run, for you don't know if you will be next to die. As you run you want to throw up because the money in your hands cost a friend his life.

 

What does this story have to do with Proverbs 15? One piece of wisdom shared in this chapter is the sacrifices of the wicked are repulsive to God. Yes, they are giving to God, but what they are giving is little more than blood money and it makes God sick. People all over the world are trying to buy God off with their version of blood money. God isn't impressed, no matter the size. As Samuel told Saul in 1 Samuel 15:22  "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams"(NIV). David lists what God really wants in Psalm 51:17 "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise" (NIV). 

Pro 15:1-33
(1)  A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
(2)  The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
(3)  The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
(4)  A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
(5)  A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
(6)  In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
(7)  The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
(8)  The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
(9)  The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
(10)  Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
(11)  Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
(12)  A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
(13)  A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
(14)  The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
(15)  All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
(16)  Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
(17)  Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
(18)  A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
(19)  The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
(20)  A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
(21)  Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
(22)  Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
(23)  A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
(24)  The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
(25)  The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
(26)  The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
(27)  He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
(28)  The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
(29)  The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
(30)  The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.
(31)  The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
(32)  He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
(33)  The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

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Judges 2

WEEK 1                                                 Judges 2

TUESDAY  Reflections

It is easy to look at this chapter and see the displeasure of God. This chapter explains the basic outline of the rest of the book, the people disobeyed, God delivered, the people repented for a time, and repeat. The question one may ask is why? Why did Israel keep falling into sin?

First, they disobeyed. I note here it was the disobedience of the parents and grandparents (not driving out the inhabitants) which caused a problem for the next generation. John Wesley said, "What one generation tolerates, the next generation will embrace” and it can be seen in history.

Second, and I think is far more important than the first, is the next generations didn't know God. To know someone takes work and commitment. It seems the next generation, for the most part, didn't make the effort. God warned when things got easy it would be easy to forget God, and we see it demonstrated here. It is human nature to let things which are important but not urgent right now, slide to the side.

Jdg 2:1-23
(1)  And an angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you.
(2)  And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this?
(3)  Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.
(4)  And it came to pass, when the angel of the LORD spake these words unto all the children of Israel, that the people lifted up their voice, and wept.
(5)  And they called the name of that place Bochim: and they sacrificed there unto the LORD.
(6)  And when Joshua had let the people go, the children of Israel went every man unto his inheritance to possess the land.
(7)  And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the LORD, that he did for Israel.
(8)  And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten years old.
(9)  And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnathheres, in the mount of Ephraim, on the north side of the hill Gaash.
(10)  And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.
(11)  And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:
(12)  And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger.
(13)  And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.
(14)  And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.
(15)  Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for evil, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn unto them: and they were greatly distressed.
(16)  Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them.
(17)  And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; but they did not so.
(18)  And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them.
(19)  And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way.
(20)  And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and he said, Because that this people hath transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice;
(21)  I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died:
(22)  That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not.
(23)  Therefore the LORD left those nations, without driving them out hastily; neither delivered he them into the hand of Joshua.

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Judges 1

WEEK 1                                                 Judges 1 

MONDAY  Reflections

After Joshua passed away Israel continued to do well. By the end of this chapter, we see a problem. Israel can't or won't drive out the inhabitants God told them to. They didn't have the strength, they didn't have the will, or they just kept them to make money off of them.

Today, we are not asked by God to drive people away, but there are spiritual battles to fight inside us. I find the same reasons given today as Israel did back then. We are too weak., we don't have the will, or we enjoy some benefit from them. The problem with all of these is they are excuses.

I just finished reading a book called Change Anything. It listed the reasons why most people fail when they try to change. What I found most interesting is the same advice they gave can be found in the Bible. No, they didn't promise a quick or easy change but they did offer guidelines for people who really want to change and are really willing to work.

Israel here wasn't strong enough, but we don't see them praying for God's strength. We see they just didn't. There are plenty of reasons why they didn't and we don't. Perhaps they didn't think they needed to right then, or they were tired of war, or they didn't see them as a threat. The most amazing was they kept the people God said to drive away and made them pay tribute (note they had already defeated them). Yes, they were disobeying God, but, hey, they were making money.

As with anything when we choose to disobey God, we choose to pay the consequences. Israel did, and so will we.

 

Personal Note: I didn't like the lesson from this chapter, it hit too close to home. I admit I am struggling with an area in my life that many may not call sin, but it is something God has called me to deal with. I know what I must do, but I add this to encourage you to get up and try again. We only fail when we quit.

Jdg 1:1-36
(1)  Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them?
(2)  And the LORD said, Judah shall go up: behold, I have delivered the land into his hand.
(3)  And Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with thee into thy lot. So Simeon went with him.
(4)  And Judah went up; and the LORD delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand: and they slew of them in Bezek ten thousand men.
(5)  And they found Adonibezek in Bezek: and they fought against him, and they slew the Canaanites and the Perizzites.
(6)  But Adonibezek fled; and they pursued after him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes.
(7)  And Adonibezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table: as I have done, so God hath requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.
(8)  Now the children of Judah had fought against Jerusalem, and had taken it, and smitten it with the edge of the sword, and set the city on fire.
(9)  And afterward the children of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites, that dwelt in the mountain, and in the south, and in the valley.
(10)  And Judah went against the Canaanites that dwelt in Hebron: (now the name of Hebron before was Kirjatharba:) and they slew Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai.
(11)  And from thence he went against the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before was Kirjathsepher:
(12)  And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.
(13)  And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife.
(14)  And it came to pass, when she came to him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted from off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wilt thou?
(15)  And she said unto him, Give me a blessing: for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the nether springs.
(16)  And the children of the Kenite, Moses' father in law, went up out of the city of palm trees with the children of Judah into the wilderness of Judah, which lieth in the south of Arad; and they went and dwelt among the people.
(17)  And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they slew the Canaanites that inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. And the name of the city was called Hormah.
(18)  Also Judah took Gaza with the coast thereof, and Askelon with the coast thereof, and Ekron with the coast thereof.
(19)  And the LORD was with Judah; and he drave out the inhabitants of the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron.
(20)  And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said: and he expelled thence the three sons of Anak.
(21)  And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day.
(22)  And the house of Joseph, they also went up against Bethel: and the LORD was with them.
(23)  And the house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel. (Now the name of the city before was Luz.)
(24)  And the spies saw a man come forth out of the city, and they said unto him, Shew us, we pray thee, the entrance into the city, and we will shew thee mercy.
(25)  And when he shewed them the entrance into the city, they smote the city with the edge of the sword; but they let go the man and all his family.
(26)  And the man went into the land of the Hittites, and built a city, and called the name thereof Luz: which is the name thereof unto this day.
(27)  Neither did Manasseh drive out the inhabitants of Bethshean and her towns, nor Taanach and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns: but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.
(28)  And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute, and did not utterly drive them out.
(29)  Neither did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwelt in Gezer among them.
(30)  Neither did Zebulun drive out the inhabitants of Kitron, nor the inhabitants of Nahalol; but the Canaanites dwelt among them, and became tributaries.
(31)  Neither did Asher drive out the inhabitants of Accho, nor the inhabitants of Zidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob:
(32)  But the Asherites dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: for they did not drive them out.
(33)  Neither did Naphtali drive out the inhabitants of Bethshemesh, nor the inhabitants of Bethanath; but he dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: nevertheless the inhabitants of Bethshemesh and of Bethanath became tributaries unto them.
(34)  And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley:
(35)  But the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim: yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed, so that they became tributaries.
(36)  And the coast of the Amorites was from the going up to Akrabbim, from the rock, and upward.

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Jeremiah 10

WEEK    25                                       Jeremiah 10

SATURDAY  Reflections

"The shepherds of my people have lost their senses. They no longer seek wisdom from the LORD. Therefore, they fail completely, and their flocks are scattered" (verse 21, NLT).

 

The church in the West is currently shrinking. The ones who are shrinking the fastest are those who no longer believe or teach the Bible. It is no wonder and seeing this scripture reminds me why. You can't be the leaders of God's people and not seek God.

 

For me as a pastor this is a reminder, I have to keep seeking God if I want to see people gathered to God. No, I might not have a mega church, then again I might someday work in one, but the people who are under my care won't be scattered because of me if I'm seeking God.

Jer 10:1-25
(1)  Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:
(2)  Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
(3)  For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
(4)  They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
(5)  They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.
(6)  Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.
(7)  Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.
(8)  But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.
(9)  Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men.
(10)  But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.
(11)  Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.
(12)  He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.
(13)  When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.
(14)  Every man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
(15)  They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.
(16)  The portion of Jacob is not like them: for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: The LORD of hosts is his name.
(17)  Gather up thy wares out of the land, O inhabitant of the fortress.
(18)  For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will sling out the inhabitants of the land at this once, and will distress them, that they may find it so.
(19)  Woe is me for my hurt! my wound is grievous: but I said, Truly this is a grief, and I must bear it.
(20)  My tabernacle is spoiled, and all my cords are broken: my children are gone forth of me, and they are not: there is none to stretch forth my tent any more, and to set up my curtains.
(21)  For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.
(22)  Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons.
(23)  O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
(24)  O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.
(25)  Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name: for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate.

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1 Corinthians 7

WEEK  25                                    1 Corinthians 7

FRIDAY  Reflections

How does one put this chapter into a summary?

 

Here is my attempt.

 

1. Sex in marriage is for both parties and only for each other.

2. Don't use sex or the lack of it in marriage to hurt the other person.

3. It's okay not to get married

4. It's better to be married than be tempted to sin

5. Avoid divorce

6. You belong to God (but your body belongs to your spouse).

7. A husband has to be concerned about his wife (and the other way around)

8. It is really okay not to be married.

9 It really, really might be better not to be married ( especially during times of persecution).

1Co 7:1-40
(1)  Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
(2)  Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
(3)  Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
(4)  The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
(5)  Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
(6)  But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.
(7)  For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
(8)  I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.
(9)  But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
(10)  And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:
(11)  But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.
(12)  But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
(13)  And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.
(14)  For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
(15)  But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.
(16)  For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
(17)  But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.
(18)  Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
(19)  Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
(20)  Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
(21)  Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
(22)  For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.
(23)  Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
(24)  Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.
(25)  Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
(26)  I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.
(27)  Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.
(28)  But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.
(29)  But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;
(30)  And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;
(31)  And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
(32)  But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
(33)  But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.
(34)  There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
(35)  And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.
(36)  But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.
(37)  Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.
(38)  So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.
(39)  The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.
(40)  But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.

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