Choose your friends wisely

S - Scripture  
Proverbs  13 v.  20  He who walks with wise men become wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.  

O - Observation
Choices. Chose your friends wisely. That's what I have told my kids as they have hit the teen years. Its true for adults as well. I think there's some key words in this verse, walk and companion. This is more than just listen to wise men or fools, but being a part of their lives. Expanding your own energy. Investment. A requirement of all relationships. The bible gives us advice on our choices. 1 Corinthians 15 v. 33, " Do not be deceived: Bad company runs good morals." and James 4 v. 4, "Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." The reality is, we will live forever, either in Heaven or Hell. Those that reject God will suffer harm. 

 

 A - Application
 What is my  choice among friends? Am I investing in them?   

P - Prayer   
Jesus,   Help me to walk with wise men. Let me be a wise man for others to walk with.  Love Will.

 

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Think Long Term for Results

S - Scripture  
Proverbs  13 v. 11 Wealth hastily gotten will dwindle, but he who gathers little by little will increase it.    

O - Observation
Approach for results. This Proverb addresses long term results and the approaches to them. Get rich schemes, lotteries, may be a quick win, but, easy come easy go. However, the reward of discipline, the reward of saving little by little will reap results. You can apply this Proverb to more than wealth. It’s true for diets, its applicable for your walk with God. Its about, little by little, its a lifestyle change. It’s about commitment. It’s about spending time with God every day. It’s work. 1 Corinthians 3 v. 13 talks about our work, "Each man's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done."

A - Application
What is my approach? Is it quick fixes or lifestyle?   

P - Prayer   
Jesus,   Give me the discipline to make lifestyle change in my approach for all long term things. Love Will.

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A Shoot from Jesse

 A Shoot from Jesse

Guest Blog by Gary Riedel

S - SCRIPTURE:

Isaiah11:1 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots
shall bear fruit.

O - OBSERVATION: We just finished the study of Revelation and in Revelation 5:5 it says,”Do not weep! See the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and it’s seven seals.” David is the youngest son of Jesse an ancestor of Jesus, who is able to open the scroll. Jesus is the Righteous Branch in Jeremiah33:15. There is an old hymn “Behold a Branch is Growing” that is based on this text from Isaiah 11:1,2. My favorite line in this hymn is verse 4, the last sentence: “From sin and death He saves us and lightens every load.” This was the purpose of the Christ Child whose birth we prepare for in this 

season of Advent.

A - APPLICATION: This is a season of anticipation, a season of joy, for we know the time is near when we will celebrate another anniversary of the Birthday or First Coming of Jesus. But after just finishing Revelation what strikes me is we don’t know when Jesus is coming again, or when he is coming for us, so dear brothers and sisters may we always be ready to say “I’m Ready”. In the mean time love Him and serve Him with all we are and have, and enjoy the “Advent of Our King”.

P - PRAYER: 

Gracious Father, You have prepared a way for us to enter into Your Kingdom, in spite of who we are, because “from sin and death He saves us” as the hymn says. We daily thank You for that and because of that we can say I’m Ready. In Jesus Name, Amen

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Learn from your Dad!!!

S - Scripture  
Proverbs  13 v. 1 A wise son hears his fathers instructions, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. 

O - Observation
The wisdom of your elders. This Proverb lets us know that your Father, (who's older, more experienced) has a lot that we can learn from. Listening to your Father's instruction is a form of respect or honor. Which happens to be the only commandment with a promise. Exodus 201 v.12, "Honor your Father and Mother, that your days may be long in the Land with your Lord gives you." Still, an active form of listening is observing body language, the fruits of your Father's experience. Whether or not they admit it, we can learn from their mistakes. Things not to do, and the subtle things to do. I still learn from my Dad even as a grown up. Great Man!!! 

A - Application
Am I listening, observing, learning from my Dad?  

P - Prayer   
Jesus,  Thanks for Fathers. Thanks for their experiences. Help me to learn from them. Love Will.

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Don't carry the Load!

S - Scripture  
Proverbs  12 v. 25 Anxiety in a mans heart weights him down, but a good word makes him glad.  

O - Observation
The weight of the world. We don't have to carry the load. There is a lot that's going on right now that can really burden you, Killer economic times, crazy situations at work, local and global issues. It can be depressing. Jesus points out the fallacy of anxiety. Matthew 6 v. 27, "And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life?" Anxiety, worry actually decreases life span. But a good word makes him Glad. Jesus provides GREAT words for us Matthew 6 v. 25a, 26, "Therefore I tell you do not be anxious about your life... Look at the birds in the air, they neither sow nor reap nor gather in barns, and yet, your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not MORE VALUABLE than they?" - Absolutely!!!

A - Application
What is my anxiety level? Do I realize and believe that God loves me?

P - Prayer   
Jesus, Thank you for your good word in these troubling times. Help me to share that word with others.  Love Will.

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Go "All In" to praise God

S - Scripture

Psalm 150 v. 2 Praise him for his mighty deeds, praise him according to his exceeding greatness!

 

O - Observation

Equal proportion? The last half of this verse is very convicting to me. Praise him ACCORDING to his exceeding greatness. I interpret according to mean equal to. Webster defines it as, "Agreement. In a way that agrees with something that was said." So am I praising him with exceeding greatness? Psalm 150 v. 3-5 gives a list of things to help in our accordance. I love this list. Trumpets, lute, harp trimble and Dance. (What?? Dance?? - Yep!!) strings, pipe, cymbals, and just to make sure, LOUD CLASHING cymbals. Everything you got, sing praise to the Lord. Sometimes God's is amazing in subtle ways. Praise him in private. Sometimes God's amazing in Big ways - Go all out!!!

 

A - Application

Is my praise to God equally proportionate to his Greatness?

 

P - Prayer

Jesus, Help me to praise you according to your greatness. Love Will

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Listen to Christian Council

S - Scripture  
Proverbs  12 v. 9  The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. 

O - Observation
Council. This verse is all about how we approach life, problems, opportunities. A fool goes at it alone, wise seek council and listens. So lets focus on the wise men. Notice the Proverb says "listens" vs. "hears".  Listening is much more than hearing. Hearing is a part of listening, but listening is comprehension. Its active. Its dialog between the people. A person that listens well fully understands what is being said. There's intentionality on the listener’s part. Also wise men will seek wise council. The council of fools will beget fools. Where's some great sources? The Bible and the accounts of the people in it. Hebrews 12 v. 1a. "Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witness, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.

A - Application
I'm I actively listening to Christian council for the problems of my life?

P - Prayer   
Jesus,  Help me to be a wise man. Love Will.

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Be a Man (or Woman) of Humble Standing

S - Scripture  

Proverbs  12 v. 9  Better is a man of humble standing who works for himself than one who plays the great man but lacks bread.

 

O - Observation

Shallowness. This verse clearly has been lost, forgotten in today's world. This is the anti-marketer's verse. Because, in today's world, image is everything. Status is everything. So much of that status, the fancy clothes the glitzy toys hides a broken spirit. Were in debt up to our eyes. Our friends are surface level only. There's tension in our house and family. There's only one cure for that, its called Jesus. Jesus calls for us to have a servant heart. Mark 9 v. 35b, "If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all." A servant is humble, hardworking and obedient. Servant hood is the anti shallowness.

 

A - Application

So... Who am I? A man of humble standing or a Great man with no substance?

 

P - Prayer   

Jesus,  Fill me with a humble heart. Lead me to servant hood.  Love Will.

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Don't be Stupid

S - Scripture  
Proverbs 12 v. 1  Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

O - Observation
The discipline of discipline. No one likes to be corrected. No one likes to have their errors, mistakes pointed out and to be told what to do. But God tells us to love discipline. How backwards is that? But, there's some merit to it. Hebrews 12 v. 11, "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant; later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." The Key word in this passage is - TRAIN. Can you learn from your mistakes? Or will you fight the discipline? We need to remember this, Hebrews 12 v. 5b - 6a, " My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage when you are punished by him. For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves." So don't be STUPID, learn, rejoice (yes rejoice) in your discipline.

A - Application
Do I have the discipline of discipline?

P - Prayer   
Jesus, Thank you for loving me by disciplining me.    Love Will.

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The River of Life

 The River of Life

Guest Blog by Gary Riedel

S - SCRIPTURE:

Revelation 22:1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as bright as crystal,
flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.

O - OBSERVATION:

My first thought when I read this was that it reminds me of the living water Jesus talked about with the woman at the well in John 4. In verse 14, He says; but whoever drinks of the water that

I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. Going back to our scripture, it seems logical to me that the water of life would be God’s Holy Spirit bright as crystal flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In John the Spirit is the spring of water welling up to eternal life. In John 3:5 is it any wonder Jesus tells Nicodemus he must be born of water and the Spirit to enter the Kingdom of God?

A - APPLICATION: Wow, it’s no surprise that water is the physical element in the Sacrament of Baptism. Everything in God’s word is tied together so neatly and it all leads to salvation for those who diligently study it and believe. Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. God’s Spirit works through water and the word in Baptism, and through the word to grow saving faith in our hearts, welling up to eternal life for those who believe! Alleluia!!

P - PRAYER: 

Gracious Father, You have made a way through Jesus and the power of Your Spirit that all who believe might be a part of that special scene near the end of Revelation. May we remain

faithful to You, Father until our last hour comes. In Jesus Name, Amen

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Choose the right thing to train on

S - Scripture  

Proverbs 11 v.  22  Like a gold ring in a swine's snout is a beautiful woman without discretion.

 

O - Observation

What's in the package? I love this verse. It's really applicable to both sexes. What value is something if the outside is nice but the inside is yucky? Or.. Why would you put something of value on an animal that will roll around in the mud? What value is our looks (those that have them) if the inside is crummy? It’s interesting today there is so much emphasis on physical beauty. Keeping your body in shape, looking good. God gives us some great instruction regarding this in 1 Timothy 4 v. 7b-8; "Train yourself in godliness, for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and for the life to come."

 

A - Application

What is my training regime? Am I training? Am I training in Godliness?

 

P - Prayer   

Jesus,  Be my trainer and inspiration. Encourage me to do both trainings, both physical and spiritual.  Love Will.

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Have a long term vision

S - Scripture   
Proverbs 11 v. 7-8  When the wicked dies, his hope perishes, and the expectations of the godless come to naught. The righteous is delivered from trouble, and the wicked gets into it instead. 

O - Observation

Short term or long term vision. That's what this verse is all about. Job 7 v. 7a, "Remember that my life is a breath." or Psalm 37 1b -3, " Be not envious of wrong doers! For they will soon fade like the grass, and wither like the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good so that you will dwell in the Lord and enjoy security." It is true, you can't take it with you. All your money (given to someone else), all your honor (on a tombstone or mentioned among the living), your status (umm... your dead), NONE of that you can take with you. The only real thing that you can take with you is your relationship with Jesus. He is the key to our long term lives.

A - Application 
What is my investment? Where am I spending my time? For the short term or the long term?  

P - Prayer    
Jesus, Thanks for being my God and my Savior. Help me to keep focus on eternal things. Love Will.

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Choose the Right Shield for your Life

S - Scripture   

Proverbs 11 v. 4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.

 

O - Observation

Shield. This verse is really about shields. What's the shield in your life? Is it riches? Is it position or power? Is it knowledge? Is it Jesus Christ? This proverb speaks to the truth as stated by Jesus in Matthew 24 v. 35, "Heaven and Earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." When the time comes, riches, position, power and worldly knowledge will be gone. What will be left standing is those with Godly knowledge. Those with the Shield of Faith.  Ephesians 6 v. 16; "besides all these, taking the shield of faith, which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one." This shield provides maximum assurance that all will be OK, because this shield is impervious to any attack. Psalm 28 v. 7a, "The Lord is my strength and my Shield, in him my heart trusts."

 

A - Application 

What shield am I choosing to use in my life? 

 

P - Prayer    

Jesus, Help me to select your shield, teach me how to use it. Love Will.

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Have Jesus as the Fulcrum of your scale

S - Scripture   

Proverbs 11 v. 1  A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight.

 

O - Observation

Integrity. God wants us to live our lives full of integrity. He does not want us to cheat on the things we do in our lives. I think its important to notice that this really focuses on the very small details of our lives. If a balance was obviously weighted, then the end user would either, not use the balance or compensate for the inequity. It’s the slight weight, the one that is hard to see, in the balance that this Proverb addresses: people that are taken advantage of while being unaware. It becomes easy and the norm to be out of balance. It may lead to larger, greedier in balances. 

 

A - Application 

So as our lives as our scales - How do we balance? Do we do the right things, even when no one is around? Are we
living our lives with integrity?  

 

P - Prayer    

Jesus, Be the fulcrum of my scale. Help me to be balanced in the things I do in life. Love Will.

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Learn the Language of Righteousness

S - Scripture   

Proverbs 10 v.32  The lips of the righteous knows what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked what is perverse.

 

O - Observation

Linguistics. And we are not talking about foreign languages. We are talking about the languages from our heart. Just like learning another language, its when you think and dream in that language will you become proficient at it. Matthew 15 v. 18a, "But what comes out of the month proceeds from the Heart." Jesus then goes on to describe the heart of a sinful man. Matthew 15 v. 19, "For out of the Heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness and slander." This is our native sinful tongue. How do we learn the tongue of the righteous? 1st, recognize this, we need God to master our Hearts. 1 John 3 v. 20, "Whenever our Hearts condemn us, for God is greater than our hearts." We need to pray for God's help. Psalm 50 v. 10, "Create in me a CLEAN heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me."

 

A - Application 

What am I doing to learn the language of the righteous?  

 

P - Prayer    

Jesus,  You are greater than my Heart. Create in me a clean heart. Love Will.

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