Honor your Mom and Dad all your life!

S – Scripture

Proverbs 23 v. 22, 25   Hearken to your father who begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Let your father and mother be glad, let her bore you rejoice.

 

O – Observation

Honor your Mom and Dad for life. This proverb is a reminder of the forth commandment. Exodus 20 v. 12, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be ling in the land which the Lord your God gives you.”  So often we think of this Commandment as kids, but most of us have our parents when we get old. How are we treating them? Are we helping them out? 1 Timothy 5 v.8 provides us a reminder, “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his own family, (Mom and Dad) he has disowned the faith and is worse than an unbelievers.” Walking with God, living by his instructions is a clear way to show honor to your parents. 3 John v1 v. 4 sums it up. “No greater joy can I have than this, to hear that my children follow the truth.”

 

A – Application

How am I honoring my Father and Mother?

 

P – Prayer

Jesus. Thanks for giving me Mom and Dad!!! Love Will.

Glory from Man

Guest Blog by Gary Riedel

S - SCRIPTURE:

John 12:43, For they loved the glory that comes from man more, more than the glory that comes from God.

O - OBSERVATION: I chose this very unlikely verse because I happen to feel many of this worlds problems are caused by that fact. People love money, power, sensationalism, anything that appeals to the senses more than we love God. In this particular case people were afraid to show any sign of belief in Jesus because they did not want to be thrown out of the synagogue 

by the Pharisees. A going through the motions religious ritualism was more important than following the very Son of God, and believing in Him. Being a part of a synagogue was an important status symbol.

A - APPLICATION: What about today, are we still caught in that same trap with eyes blinded by culture and what is popular with our peers? I dare say we are and it starts at an early age, for sure by the fifth or sixth grade if not sooner. God gives us the 10 Commandments to govern our behavior. Jesus summarized these in Matthew 22:37-39 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is a great and first commandment. And a second is like unto it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Can you imagine what our world would be like if everyone followed these commands of Jesus. No wars, no lawsuits, no crime, only love, but mankind likes to have his own way, and Jesus came to rescue us from our blindness.

P - PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we ask for Your forgiveness for our waywardness and pray Lord that your people can make a difference for Your Kingdom by seeking to follow the Commandments of Jesus. In Jesus Name, Amen 

Be careful of short-term pleasures

S – Scripture

Proverbs 23 v. 20-21  Be not among the winebibbers, or among glutinous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will cloth a man with rags.

 

O – Observation

Temporal pleasures. This proverb encourages us to avoid temporal pleasures that feel good for the moment, but long term and in large quantities, leads to ruin. Note, It doesn’t say, don’t drink and or don’t eat some quality meats, its – Don’ do it in excess. When you do these things in excess, it becomes our focus, it becomes your God. Or… You elevate yourself to be God since you crave these pleasure and It’s about full-filling them. Remember this about your body. It’s not yours!!! ! Corinthians 3 v. 16, “Do you know know that you are God’s temple and the God’s Spirit dwell in you?”

 

A – Application

So… How am I taking care of God’s temple? Am I driven by self-satisfaction or Godly satisfaction?

 

P – Prayer

Jesus. Help me to be among the Body of Christ. Help me to honor your temple (myself/!!) Love Will.

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Think about what entices you

S – Scripture

Proverbs 23 v. 17 Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day.

 

O – Observation

Sin is good for a season. Sin is like a shinny apple that looks great to eat, but once you’ve bitten into it, is mushy and full of worms.  Moses is a great example for us. Instead of being enticed by what he saw, he was enticed by his faith. Hebrews 11 v. 24-26 talks about Moses. “By faith Moses when he was grown up, refused to be called the Son of Pharaohs’ daughter choosing rather to share ill treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasers of sin. He considered abuse suffer for the Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he looked to the reward.” Think about it. What can possibly be better than what God is preparing for us? 1 Corinthians 2 v. 9, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.

 

A – Application

What is enticing to you?

 

P – Prayer

Jesus. Let my eyes be focused on you and not the things of this world. Love Will.

Priscilla Du Preez

Disicipline is training

S – Scripture

Proverbs 23 v. 13  Do not withhold discipline from a child; if your beat him with a rod, he will not die.

 

O – Observation

Discipline has consequences. There is the immediate impact. The correction of a wrong. The training of what not to do. This proverb, is not about beating your kids. It really points out that even in the most severe form (beating with a rod) it will not kill a child. All this assumes that the one giving the disciple actually loves and cares for their kids. Disciplining has to be teachable moments. Ephesians 6 v. 4, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the disciple and instruction of the Lord.” Withholding disciple will lead to anarchy. And.. Anarchy’s end game is destruction. Discipline is a form of love for our kids.

 

A – Application

Am I disciplining my kids out of Love? Is it guiding them towards a healthy Christian lifestyle?

 

P – Prayer

Jesus. Give me wisdom on how to dispense discipline. Love Will.

Develop a training plan for wisdom

S – Scripture

Proverbs 23 v. 12  Apply your mind to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge.

 

O – Observation

Training for wisdom. This Proverb speaks to the approach for developing wisdom. Before we can begin training we need to select a program. And for wisdom, we need to go to the truth. That source is the Bible, 2 Timothy 3 v. 16 , “ All scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness.” What what abut other sources for wisdom?  1 Timothy 4 v. 7b-8, “Train yourself in Godliness, for while bodily training is of some value, godliness I s of value in EVERY WAY, as it hold promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” Sure there are some sources of wisdom (some value), the Bible and training in its word is the complete package.

 

A – Application

What training program am I selecting for wisdom?

 

P – Prayer

Jesus. Thank you for your words of wisdom and instruction. Help me to apply them in my life. Love Will.

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Remember where your at

S – Scripture

Proverbs 23 v. 10  Do not remove an ancient landmark or enter the fields of the fatherless.

 

O – Observation

Remember where you are. Webster defines landmark as something that helps you recognize or remember a place. This must be an important proverb since it was repeated a couple verse back in Proverbs 22 v. 29, “Remove not the ancient landmark which your fathers have set.” If you remove a landmark, you lose sight of where you are. The boundaries get blurred, one may get lost. Think about our ancient landmark, Calvary. The cross reminds us of where we are – in God’s hands. When we remove the Power of the Cross from our lives, we get lost, we wonder. We blur our lives from what is important. The world is working very hard to remove this ancient landmark. We must keep it.

 

A – Application

Do I keep or remove the Cross of Calvary in my life?

 

P – Prayer

Jesus. Thank  you for Calvary. Thank you for dying on the cross for me. Love Will.

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Consider your approach to self centered people

S – Scripture

Proverbs 23 v. 6 Do not eat the bread of a man who is stingy, do not desire his delicacies.

 

O – Observation

Self centered people. This Proverb gives some insight into our approach to self-centered people. The following verse gives insight to their mind, Proverbs 23 v. 7b, “Eat and Drink he says to you, but his heart is not with you.” There is danger in thinking you have a relationship with them.  You will only be used as they see fit. They have ulterior motives to who they have as friends. The end results is reflected in Proverbs 23 v. 8, “You will vomit up the morsels which you have eaten, and waste your pleasant words.” So, what should our approach to self-centered people be? 2 Corinthians 5 v.16a, sets the mindset. “From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view.” We have to view these people as people with souls. We need to reach out to them vs. Reaching to them. We need to show them love and the value of a servant heart.

 

A – Application

What is my approach to self centered people?

 

P – Prayer

Jesus. Help me to reach out to the self-centered people in my life. Love Will.

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Yet Shall He Live

 Guest Blog by Gary Riedel

S - SCRIPTURE:  John11:25,26 I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me though he die, YET SHALL HE LIVE, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?

O - OBSERVATION: I have always loved this verse, to me it is the grace of God guaranteeing all who believe eternal life. God’s great guarantee is far better than any you can buy on your car or dishwasher! His guarantee assures His people of life eternal, that should give us great peace, even in the turmoil of a pandemic like Covid or any other challenge that life throws at us.

A - APPLICATION:In spite of the pain that may stand between us and eternal life, we can find peace in focusing on eternity with Jesus! Jesus knows we will face hardship in our lives. Sin causes that, and in Ecclesiastes 7:20, scripture tells us there is not a just man on earth that doeth good and sinneth not. But this verse is the beautiful Gospel giving us a way out, believe in Jesus and enjoy eternity with Him.
That is indeed the good news of the gospel! The question at the end of these verses is all important;
Do you believe this? If not, read the book of John daily, over and over if you must, and ask God’s Spirit to help you have saving faith in Jesus.

P - PRAYER: O Father, please allow Your people to have an absolute faith in these verses from John. May they know without doubt that they shall live eternally with Jesus. In His Name, Amen

A great Trait - Knowledge

S - Scripture
Proverbs 31 v. 10a, 25  A good wife who can find? She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

O - Observation
The power of words. This point is applicable to everyone. When a person has wisdom, especially that from God, it is only natural that they will teach kindness and love. James 3 v. 17-18, "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insecurity. And the harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." Love is the driving force. 1 Corinthians 8 v. 16, "We know that all of us posses knowledge; 'knowledge' puffs up, but LOVE BUILDS UP." So we can conclude, that although being wise is good, its the sharing of Love that is best for everyone.

A - Application
What is the source of my knowledge? What do I teach?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Fill me with your wisdom, help me to share your love.  Love Will.

Photo by Alex Shute on Unsplash

A great trait - Confidence

S - Scripture
Proverbs 31 v. 10a, 25  A good wife who can find? Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.

O - Observation
Confidence in who you are. Although this Proverb is for a Good wife, it 's really applicable across the genders. A person who is comfortable in their own skin, knows who they are and what they are about, is an awesome force. So who are we? 1 John 3 v. 2a-3, "Beloved, we are God's children now; and everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure." And... 2 Corinthians 6 v. 18, "And I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." Knowing our identity as a Child of God allows me to laugh at the time to come. Plus, knowing that as a Child of God I will inherit everlasting life in heaven gives me strength and dignity to face the world.
 
A - Application
What is my confidence? Am I comfortable in whom I am?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Remind me daily that I am your child. Give me strength and dignity. Love Will.

Photo by Elisabeth Wales on Unsplash

A great trait - Preparedness

S - Scripture
Proverbs 31 v. 10a, 21 A good wife who can find? She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.

O - Observation
Being prepared. What an awesome trait and skill set to have. This Proverb is applicable to all. Jesus uses this principle in the parable of the ten maiden found in Matthew 25 v. 1-13. This is where 10 maidens went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were wise and brought oil for their lamps. Five of them didn't. It took a while for the bridegroom to come. So, those that were prepared was able to see the bridegroom and was let into the party. The other five were left behind. Just as this Proverb and Parable talk about the value of being prepared for worldly things, so we must use this principle for eternal things. We need to be prepared, have our faith, hope and trust in Jesus.

A - Application
How prepared am I? For both today and eternity?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me to  be prepared.  Love Will.

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A great trait - Knowing what to do with opportunities

S - Scripture
Proverbs 31 v. 10a, 16  A good wife who can find? She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

O - Observation
Recognizing opportunity. This proverb is in relation to wives, but it is applicable to all. How do we recognize the opportunities that are around us? Do we see their potential? Jesus uses this principle in the Parable of the Talents found in Matthew 25 v. 14-30. This is where a King gives 10, 5, and 1 talent's) to three people. The ones with 10 and 5 took the talent and doubled it. The one with one just hid it. When the King came back he rewarded those who doubled it. He told them "well done good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over little, I will set you over much." Jesus then applies this parable for our lives in Matthew 25 v. 29, "For everyone who has will more be given, and hew will have abundance; but for him who has not, even what he has will be taken away."

A - Application
What am I doing with my talents, my opportunities?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me to recognize opportunities and invest my talents for your glory. Love Will.

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How to view your wife

S - Scripture
Proverbs 31 v. 10 A good wife who can find? She is far more precious than Jewels.

O - Observation
A very special gift. The gift of a good wife. She is invaluable. Which makes me think, how do I treat what is invaluable in my life? Just like jewels, I should keep it safe. I should protect the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of my wife. I should know what areas are venerable and protect them, not attack them. Just like Jewels, I should be proud of them, shine them, wear them. Do I compliment my wife? Do I do this when I'm alone with her and with others? Do I like having her around with me? Do I take her with me, or just do my thing? Just as wealth and status are gifts from God, do I realize and thank God for the wonderful Gift I have been given?

A - Application
How am I treating my very special gift?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Thanks for giving me Sam (Sandi). What an awesome gift. Love Will.

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Wives!!! Love 'em!!!

S - Scripture

Proverbs 19 v. 14  House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.

 

O - Observation

The best gift. The gift of an awesome wife. That is from God. Webster defines prudent as wise, judgment in practical affairs. Think about the affairs of this life: raising kids, planning meals, planning life, what a great treasure it is to have someone to help mange those things with me. Sam's (Sandi) a great list maker, which reflects her prudence. What a gift she is to me!! Awesome. Proverbs 31 v. 10 says it all, "A good wife who can find? She is far more precious than Jewels." Really, I could do with out my house and things, but I would be devastated without Sam (Sandi).

 

 

A - Application

Have I thanked God for such an awesome gift?

 

P - Prayer

Jesus, Thanks for giving me Sam (Sandi). What an awesome gift. She makes me complete.  Love Will.

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Blind Will See

 Guest Blog by Gary Riedel

S - Scripture: John 9:39 Jesus’s said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”

O- OBSERVATION: Jesus had just healed the man born blind, and the religious leaders of the day did not like it at all. They exhibited their blindness by not accepting that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah. Rather they in their blindness continued to investigate the healing, trying to find fault with Him. Eventually when the now healed blind man sort of put them in their place, they threw him out. So, the one who was physically born blind, could now see, in fact in verse 35-37, Jesus explained He was the son of man and in verse 38, the man born blind confessed he believed Jesus was who He said He was. So now his physical blindness was healed as well as his spiritual blindness. The religious leaders however were still stuck in their spiritual blindness.

A - APPLICATION: So, what about us? When we read these stories, do we take them as God’s Holy and accurate Word? 2 Timothy 3:16 says all scripture is given by inspiration of God which means it is the infallible truth of God! There are many today who don’t believe this, mostly because it doesn’t suit their theology or life style. However they suffer from the same ailment of spiritual blindness that occurred among the religious leaders of Jesus day. Regrettably they will suffer the same fate unless they repent and trust God as He is portrayed in Scripture. Who is Jesus? Peter gives us the answer in Matthew 16:16 “Thou art the Christ the Son of the Living God.” That is indeed the correct answer as Jesus stated in verse 17, interestingly enough, He also revealed why Peter believed this, because Father God revealed it to Him. What must we do to have the truth revealed to us? Study scripture, and ask God to give you sight, He will not refuse such a request.

P - PRAYER: Gracious Father, give each of us spiritual insight or sight so that we are not blind to the beautiful promises in Your Word. In Jesus Name, Amen

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Training produces results

S – Scripture

Proverbs 22 v. 6  Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

 

O – Observation

Training produces results. Training requires discipline. Training requires a goal. Training is different than trying. As a parent, we got to b personal trainers for our children. What’s the goal.? 3 John 1 v. 4, “ No greater joy can I have than this, to hear that my children follow the truth.” What should be our approach to training our children? Is has to be a way of life. It can’t be a one time thing. Deuteronomy 6 v. 7-9 gives great instructions regarding God’s word, “And you shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise. And you shall write them on the door posts of your house and gates.

 

A – Application

Am I immersing my family, myself on God’s word so that we will be trained in the right way to go?

 

P – Prayer

Jesus. Bless my training program for me and my family. Love Will.

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