by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Proverbs 13-16
Do you have a merry heart? Do you find humor even during the tough days? Do you laugh often? Laughter is like a medicine to us.
In recent years, many medical journals have reported on the importance of joy and laughter in physical health. Happy people generally suffer less illness and when they do get ill, recover faster.
It’s always interesting to me to see the many Biblical principles which “suddenly” appear in research as new-found truths. They have been there all along – in God’s great book of wisdom.
There is a definite spirit-mind-body connection, so that what affects one will affect the others. That’s why “hope deferred” makes the heart sick (13:12). That’s also why good news “makes your bones fat.” (15:30) (Bone marrow is the source of your healthy blood supply).
As we follow the principles laid out for us, we will be healthier all around.
One more note: twice during these proverbs do we get a certain message. “There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end of it is death.” (14:12; 16:25).
That could be, in a nutshell, what we have attempted to say over and over. If you just go by what “seems right” to the world, you are probably going down the wrong path – and it will eventually catch up with you. For instance, the social drink and happy hour may have seemed right. But to the alcoholic whose life has been shattered by it, it’s not as “happy” as they thought it would be.
Or maybe all of those extra pieces of pie, fried food, and gravy “seem right” at the time. But there is payback coming. Watch for it.
There are many other paths which lead to death. Greed, dishonest gain, strife, and many others.
God’s path is always a good path. There may be moments of trouble or sadness, which come to every life, but as we proceed down His path, we will see the wisdom He provides.
II Corinthians 6
Yesterday we talked about the new creation we become when we accept Jesus. Today, we read where Paul admonishes us to continue to live like the new person and not the old.
There are some who come to the Lord, but continue in their old ways. They allow their old friends to influence them to turn back to the sinful lives they once had. That’s not God’s way. He wants you to influence your friends, and not the other way around.
When people turn back to their old ways, they start disrespecting those who have influenced their growth. That’s what Paul was dealing with in this chapter. So he lists the many trials he has suffered for the sake of getting the gospel to the Corinthians.
Paul speaks of having been beaten, pursued by angry mobs, put in prison, worked to exhaustion, and gone without sleep or food in order to bring the gospel to these people. Yet they are now dishonoring him because of the company they keep.
He reminds these Corinthians that God has spoken to His people to “come out from among the unbelievers.” (V. 17)
There is a holiness which our God provides which is anathema to the way of the world. If we are not influencing others for Christ, they are influencing us to turn away.
It’s something to think about for our own lives. Who are you running with? It says something about you.
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Proverbs 9-12
Instruct a wise man and he will become wiser still … but not the fool. “Don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you.” (9:8 NLT).
These four proverbs explain in detail the difference between the wise man and the fool.
The wise man is industrious, humble, teachable, truthful, and just to all. His words are true and full of kindness and mercy. He has a desire to bless those around him, not taking advantage of others, and not thinking too highly of himself.
The fool is just the opposite. He puts himself on a pedestal and takes no instruction. In fact, because of his pride, he mocks advice and correction. He is dishonest and mean to others. And he often is lazy – trying to reap where he didn’t sow. His words often hurt those around him, as he tries to control them – and have his own way.
So what is the fruit of each man? What does he obtain for his chosen path?
The rewards are decidedly different as well. The wise man receives honor, riches, long life, a happy peaceful family – and a close walk with the Lord. His favor and His blessing.
The fool continues down the destructive path and reaps that reward. Hatred, strife in his home, poverty, illness, and everything we don’t want!
I know the path that I want to take. In fact, I want to be in dead center of it.
Lord, forgive me when I am proud and arrogant. Teach me your ways, and I want to be true to You all the days of my life.
II Corinthians 5
When we come to Christ we become new creatures in Him. Old things are passed away and all things become new – and all of these new things are from God. (V 17-18).
Such a mystery; so supernatural. Yet it’s absolutely the truth.
I am reminded of a story I read about Augustine. (You know, St. Augustine).
Before he became a Christian, he was an atheist and an extremely worldly person. During this time in his life, he lived with a woman for many years.
He finally received Jesus and was born again – to this new life we are talking about.
Many years went by and Augustine happened to run into his former lover. She came running to meet him, calling out his name. He ignored her and didn’t stop to talk. She said, “Augustine! Look at me. It is I.” He turned and said, “But you don’t understand. It is not I.”
Augustine was so aware of the new creature which God had made him that he didn’t even identify with his “old man.”
Now I admit that was extreme, and I think he should have stopped to witness to her. However, that’s not the point. The point is that he saw himself as a completely new individual – now a child of God. He no longer saw himself as he had been.
If we could just “get” this concept, our lives would be so different. We would be pursuing this new life we have , and not just trying to live in both worlds – the old and the new.
“All of this is a gift from God.” (V. 18). Let’s receive our gift and live in this new life He has made for us – with the Holy Spirit as our Teacher, and His Word as our guide.
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Proverbs 5-8
Don’t be tricked into following the wrong paths. These proverbs warn us in many ways.
One of the warnings has to do with laziness. “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and your poverty will come in like a vagabond, and your need like an armed man.” (6: 10-11).
Idleness is a danger to anyone. We all yearn for our vacation and play times, and indeed we do need those moments. But our happiest times are really our productive days. The days when we are challenged and meet the challenge. Or the days when we can go to sleep at night knowing we have accomplished a good amount. God created us to be productive, and we are happiest when we are doing just that.
Another warning is not to be a deceitful person. God calls the man a worthless man who secretly devises evil in his heart for others. He spreads strife, often even speaking lies in order to gain his upper hand. Such wickedness will not be rewarded by our Father.
Yet the greatest warning comes to those who are contemplating adultery. The Lord has some pretty ominous things to say about the adulteress, who tries to deceive someone into a relationship with her. She flatters with her words – and her eyelids. Her beauty may be tempting.
However, on account of her, you may be reduced to a loaf of bread. (6:26) If you follow her, you will be like an ox going to slaughter. (7:22)
These truths are relevant today in our permissive society, just as they were in the days of these proverbs. You can look around and see many homes destroyed and children wounded by those who run to adultery. And the sorrows of an adulterer are still numerous.
God’s way is still the best way! If we run to it and follow it, we will be following His path completely.
II Corinthians 3-4
Paul is constantly reminding his followers about the differences in the way of the law and the way of the Spirit. It’s hard to understand unless you have the Spirit of God within you.
The law was glorious in its time. When the law was presented to Moses, he had to wear a veil over his face because his face was too bright from God’s glory for the people to look at him.
Yet this is a new day – the day of the Spirit of God. No longer do we have the law, which is to be carried out by natural means. Now we have the Spirit of God living within us. He is changing us from within – not from without.
Now when people try to just “keep the law” for their righteousness, they put a veil over their faces again. They are trying to do with their natural abilities something which is impossible to do. (In fact, one of the things the Law was designed to do was to let people know that they can’t do it in their own strength).
When they turn to Christ, they have the veil removed and they are able to understand what God has for them.
Rather than nervous, self-righteous “keepers of the law,” we become letters of God’s grace for all to read. Many who embrace the call of God to the fullest are those who have had turbulent pasts. They know they need more than themselves, and they are willing to go with God’s best. In their humility, they find God’s glorious truth and the veil is removed.
What freedom comes with this new revelation! Their goodness is from Him and Him alone. Their love for Him and their confidence in Him cause them to live to higher standards – above anything the Law could ever do.
That’s the glorious gospel Paul is always talking about: the greatest life available.
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Proverbs 1-4
Wisdom, wisdom, wisdom. That’s what we all want, don’t we? Wisdom to live happy, successful lives – to have close families, and to find productive paths to prosperity and peace?
Well, here it is! The keys to all of these things lie within the book of Proverbs.
The first four chapters reiterate this concept over and over, making it clear that God’s way is the best way. And God’s way is within His Word.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (3:5-6)
When we trust in the Lord, we trust in His Word – and we obey it. We follow the principles, and we allow the Word to penetrate our hearts for our own transformation.
It’s a process, but all of life is a process. There are paths which we choose to take that allow us to go His way or another way. The longer we stay on either path, the more we will benefit – or not.
So the beginning of wisdom is to fear the Lord and take His Word seriously. As we experience the many different challenges of life, we can always find wisdom in God’s Word.
Is your challenge pertaining to wealth? Your answers are in the Word. Do you have challenges related to health? Look at the Word. Are your challenges in your family? Once again – the Word is your source of wisdom. It’s all there.
“How blessed is the man who finds wisdom. And the man who gains understanding.For its profit is better than the profit of silver and its gain than fine gold.” (3:13-14) Long life, riches and honor are promised to those who pursue diligently God’s wisdom.
“Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.” (4:23)
Do you believe it? I do!
Today, meditate on this one fact: God’s Word is true – and it is indeed the source of life for us. If we continue in His Word, we will find the keys to that abundant life we are all seeking.
II Corinthians 1-2
In the first two chapters of II Corinthians, we see one of the greatest principles of our faith.
Do you remember in Paul’s first letter how shocked and horrified he was concerning this man who had “taken his father’s wife?” Paul was adamant about separating him from the body of believers and showing him no mercy.
In these chapters, we see a different viewpoint. Why? The man had repented.
In this second letter the man had repented and was truly sorry for what he had done. Not only was he sorry, but he had changed his way and wanted to be back in fellowship with the others.
This time Paul rebukes those who are still treating the man with disrespect. They should “forgive and comfort” the man.
I have a hot news flash for you: we aren’t perfect. All of us fall short of God’s best from time to time. Hopefully we don’t commit gross sin, as this man did. But we sin. We hold unforgivenenss in our hearts. Or we gossip. Or we harm others with our unmerciful tongues. Or we are greedy. Or we judge others with a self-righteous attitude.
There are many ways that we can and do fall short, so all of us need God’s forgiveness – and all of us have it. That’s the beauty of the gospel, or at least one of the beauties. When we truly repent, we always have God’s forgiveness – and His restoration.
Just thinking about this makes me want to spend some time with Him and make sure that all of the vestiges of bitterness are removed from my heart.
That’s God’s way – and it has to be our way, if we live in the best He has for us.
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
Psalm 147-150
Today we wind up the book of Psalms and, as one might expect, we wind up on a high note. A high note of praise.
Let everything and everyone praise the Lord. Everything in the earth or above it. Every angel, all His hosts, the sun the moon and the stars, all of His creation – I mean everything! I love it!
There is another important lesson, however, which is planted in the midst of all the praise. It comes in Psalm 147:15-20. From time to time, as we study the Bible, we come across the concept of God’s Word and its many ramifications. Sometimes it is called “logos,” and sometimes “rhema.” (Those are the Greek words for “word”).
“Logos” means the general Word of God – the Bible and the words on the page which everyone can read. However, “rhema” means something different. It means the spoken Word. It can be spoken out loud for all to hear, or it can be spoken to you personally. When the latter happens, the words leap off of the page and you see something you never saw before – or you are reminded of something you need to hear again right now. You understand the Word.
When I am teaching, I sometimes bring some ice cubes in a glass. In that form, though they are water, they have no ability to reach the roots of a plant. They are water locked up. However, as I teach, they begin to melt and then they can begin to be useful for the watering process.
Psalm 147:15-20 is a good illustration of this concept. God speaks his Word into the earth, but it is locked up. It is icy fragments; snow like wool. No one can understand what He is saying.
Then He speaks again and the ice is melted. The wind of the Holy Spirit blows and the waters begin to flow. This second speaking is “rhema.” He is declaring His Word to His people. Understanding comes to those who are His.
As we study the Bible, we need to pray for “rhema.” We want more than just to read the words on the page; we want to understand it so that we can apply it to our lives.
The “rhema” is what we are counting on from God. That understood Word is what guides our lives and brings us deliverance.
Ask Him for more of His speaking to you personally – opening up the great truths locked up in His Word.
I Corinthians 16
“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” (V.13)
These are some of the words Paul leaves with the Corinthians in this letter. And these are words which we should take to heart everyday.
There is always an opposition to our walk with the Lord. There are disappointments and trials. There are also those who mock our faith and try to dissuade us.
We need to be strong – in Him and know that He is our answer in everything. His Word is true whether anyone believes it or not. His path is the right one, even if we see everyone around us going another way.
Be alert and stand strong. That’s how we obtain the good, abundant life He has promised.
