Be the anchor for your family

S - Scripture
Proverbs 27 v. 8 Like a bird that strays from its nest, is a man who strays from its home. 

O - Observation
Be the anchor. Ever wonder what happens when a bird strays from its nest? It impacts several things. Family. The little birds in the nest won't be fed, they will die or be eaten. Home. The upkeep of the nest will deteriorate. Birds are always reinforcing their nests. Self. Birds left alone leave them open for prey. Such a great Proverb!! Wondering from home is destructive all around. It is critical that we stay at home, that we be the anchor for our families. There are many things that can cause us to stray. It all lies where our commitment, our priorities, our heart is. Is it work, is it play, is it books? Spend time with your family. Its critical.

A - Application
What is my priority? Am I an anchor? 

P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me to be there for my family. Love Will.

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Extend your family with Friends

S - Scripture
Proverbs 27 v. 6 Faithful are the words of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

O - Observation
Sincerity. Love. This Proverb points out the importance of sincerity. A friend will help to improve you. They may encourage you, but they should challenge you. Proverbs 27 v. 17, "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." Sincerity in friendship is about developing a relationship. Its about bringing them into your "family". 1 Timothy 5 v. 1-2 gives us some good instruction. "Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as you would a FATHER; treat young men as BROTHERS, older woman as MOTHERS, younger woman as SISTERS, in all purity."

A - Application
What is my approach to friends? Am I bringing them into the family?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me to extend my "family" with true friends.  Love Will.

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Don't keep it bottled up

S - Scripture
Proverbs 27 v. 5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love.

O - Observation
Don't keep it bottled up. God wants us to base our lives on love. It does NO GOOD if you don't share that love. Instead, its better to be rebuked, or criticized sharply than not to express your love. Romans 12 v. 9-10 gives us some instruction. "Let your love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor." Why do we want to love? It creates security. 1 John 4 v. 18, "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and he who fears is not perfected in love." Finally, Jesus commands us to Love, John 15 v. 12, "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."

A - Application
Am I driving out fear in my relationships? Am I expressing, showing my love to others? Really?

P - Prayer
Jesus, give me the energy to show true love to those around me.  Love Will.

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Avoid jealousy

S - Scripture
Proverbs 27 v. 4 Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming; but who can stand before Jealousy? 

O - Observation
The crown of hurtful emotions. Jealousy. Webster defines Jealous as, "wanting something or someone all to yourself." This gives us the key to why its so bad. Self. The focus gets pointed inward vs. upward (God) and outward (others). Jealousy is a great tool of the devil. It essentially puts blinders on you and you miss recognizing all the things that you have. God knew this was a bad emotion. He has two commandments that speak to it, the 9th and 10th. Exodus 20 v. 17, "You shall not covet your neighbors house; you shall not covet anything that is your neighbors." How do you break the chain of Jealousy? Philippians 4 v. 11b, "For I have learned in whatever state I am in to be content." Knowing and believing your a child of God will bring contentment.


A - Application
Am I jealous or content?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me to realize how much you have blessed me. Love Will.

Photo by Jametlene Reskp on Unsplash

Grow

 Guest Blog by Gary Riedel

S - SCRIPTURE: 

2Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen

O - OBSERVATION: 

Peter is addressing the early Christians with advice that is pertinent to every Christian in any age and of every age. In every period of history and in our own culture for sure, Christians are under constant pressure to compromise the truth of scripture and to be lead astray by false teachers who twist the truth. Peter is trying to reinforce the importance of growing in the knowledge of Christ.

A - APPLICATION: The best way I know of to grow in the grace and knowledge of God is to spend time in God’s Holy Word! Romans 10:17 says “so than faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. When our faith grows, our knowledge of God also grows by the power of the Holy Spirit. By gaining in knowledge and discernment we are able to fend off the attacks of false teachers, and are much less likely to say a half truth ourselves. 2Timothy 3:16,17, tell us exactly why reading the scriptures are so important to brothers and sisters in Christ. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God might be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” We grow through the Word by the power of God’s Holy Spirit.

P - PRAYER: Heavenly Father, you have made a way for us to grow, and it begins with Your Word. It can be taught by faithful parents, faithful teachers, faithful lay people, and faithful pastors. Lord lead us all to be faithful teachers so that many may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because Your Spirit if fundamental to any growth, we give You all the praise and glory. In Jesus Name, Amen

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Avoid unnecessary burdens

S - Scripture
Proverbs 27 v. 3 A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fools provocation is heavier than both. 

O - Observation
Unnecessary burdens. What we say and do to others can cause strain in our life. My critical eye, my "knowing what to do", my careless words have inflicted weights on people. But for what purpose? Self inflation? Feels good for the moment, but then results in isolation. An encourager is like gasoline. It can really fuel the fire to move things, to accomplish things, to inspire people. But, gasoline can also explode or catch fire or destroy things. It doesn't take much to switch from and encourager to a discourager. We need to remember 1 Thessalonians 5 v. 11, "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

A - Application
Do I encourage or discourage? Am I removing burdens or adding to them?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me to use the gasoline of encouragement. Give me wisdom on how to handle gasoline. Love Will.

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Let your actions do the talking

S - Scripture
Proverbs 27 v. 2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.

O - Observation
Let your actions do the talking. The ultimate example of this proverb is Jesus. He was a servant to all. Here is the King of Kings, and he humbled himself. Philippians 2 v. 7, "But (Jesus) emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men." We need to remove our self pride, and align our thinking and identity to the King of Kings. 1 Corinthians 4 v. 1. "this is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God." We should go and serve. We need to be loyal to the calling that God has given us.

A - Application
Is my actions dong the talking? Am I a servant of God?

P - Prayer
Heavenly Father, Let my actions produce glory for you.  Love Will.

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Remeber - It can be gone in an instant

S - Scripture
Proverbs 27 v. 1 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.

O - Observation
It can be gone in an instant. We have to be very careful on what we put our trust our confidence in. If it is how we have set ourselves up in in this world, we may be disappointed. Isaiah 31 v. 1 gives us insight to this Proverb, "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help (status & knowledge) and rely on horses (things), who trust in chariots because they are many (money) and in horsemen because they are very strong (power), but do not look to the Holy one of Israel or consult the Lord." All these things can be gone in an instant. Market crashes, an accident that manes or kills you, natural disasters that can wipe away your property. If we must boast, lets boast on the one sure thing. 2 Corinthians 10 v. 17, "Let him who boasts, boast of the Lord."

A - Application
What am I placing my confidence in for the future?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Thank you for securing my future with your birth, death and resurrection.  Love Will.

What goes around comes around

S - Scripture
Proverbs 26 v. 27 He who digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back upon him who starts it rolling.

O - Observation
What goes around comes around. This Proverb speaks to the end game of Jealousy, anger and revenge. All these at the onset seem like a good idea, or the proper thing to do. But, the end game is self destruction. Falling into your own pit or being crushed by your own stone. 2 Timothy 2 v. 23-24 addresses this Proverb. "Have nothing to do with stupid, senseless controversies, you know they bread quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome, but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, forbearing, correcting his opponents with gentleness."

A - Application
Am I digging pits or rolling stones?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me to pave over any pits I have dug. Help me to be an apt teacher. Love  Will

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You control the fire!

S - Scripture
Proverbs 26 v. 20 For lack of wood the fire goes out; and where there is no whisperer, quarrelling ceases.

O - Observation
You control the fire. What you say or don't say will influence people's reactions. James 3 v. 5 points this out. "So the tongue is a little member and boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire." We need to be judicious in the use of our words. We don't want to start fires of fan the flames. David writes a great prayer to remember as we start each day in Psalm 141 v. 3, "Set Guard over my mouth, O Lord, Keep watch over the door of my lips." We need to do two things to prevent forest fires. One. Keep quite. Don't say anything, don't gossip, don't dog pile on an existing drama. Two, use words of encouragement vs. teardown. Reflect God's love in us.

A - Application
How am I managing my tongue? Am I a fire starter or a firefighter?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me to be a peacemaker. Help me to chose my words wisely.  Love Will

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Don't be a know it all!!

S - Scripture
Proverbs 26 v. 12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than him.

O - Observation
Educational Snobbery. The curse of a know it all. We've all encountered these sort of people. They drive me crazy!! The problem with know it alls is that they believe they know it all. They have essentially elevated themselves to be above all. It can be lonely at the top. There's also a fatal flaw. Proverbs 15 v. 2 points this out. "Without counsel plans go wrong, but with many advisers they succeed." Those that go at it alone will not achieve the success of those that work together. Plus, there's this danger. 1 Corinthians 1 v. 19, "For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the cleaver I will thwart." A know it all is about pride - and God hates self pride.
 
A - Application
How do I see myself? Do I think I know it all?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me to realize that I don't know it all. Give me a good group of counsels for my life.  Love Will.

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Call to God

 Call to God

S - SCRIPTURE: Psalm 55:16 But I call to God and the Lord will save me.

O - OBSERVATION: If you read this entire psalm you’ll see that the psalmist is feeling totally besieged by trouble on all sides. Even his used to be friends have betrayed him. Violence and strife are everywhere, oppression and fraud are in the marketplace. Even a familiar friend has betrayed him. How sad is all of that, and yet it goes on in our world mired in sin, every single day. Look at the news, even locally where we are reasonably at peace, sin and Satan are still stirring up serious trouble.

A - APPLICATION: What is the psalmists answer? “But I call to God and the Lord will save me.” Several verses later he says “He hears my voice, He redeems my soul in safety.” How beautiful is the voice of the Lord when there is trouble, whether it is job challenges, grown or young children, disease, and even marital issues. God’s Word has the absolute best counsel. Read it study it; 2 Timothy 3:16,17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good works. Notice the first phrase of this text; “All scripture is given by inspiration of God!” That is exactly why it is so filled with wisdom for every situation. God has the answer, the cure, the protection and whatever His children need; Call upon Him! Psalm 50:15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble, I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me!

P - Prayer: Oh God You are so near, and yet sometimes You seem so far, help us to realize it was not You who wandered but us. Help us to learn to call to You, “Abba Father!” Galatians 4:6

In Jesus Name, Amen 

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Don't eat your vomit!

S - Scripture
Proverbs 26 v.11 Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool that repeats his folly.

O - Observation
What a great description of how the stranglehold of sin can be in our lives. We become numb to it and simply don't know any better or see anything better. It's the drug addiction, the porn addiction, the addiction to gossip, ect. How do we quit eating our vomit? We need to work to become Holy. Webster's definition of Holy is, "Set apart for religious purpose." God tells us to be Holy. Leviticus 11 v. 44a, "For I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves therefore, and BE HOLY, for I am Holy." God made us to worship, we are built in his image, we need to set us apart from the world. We need to be defined by love and a commitment to God's teachings. Hebrews 6 v. 12, "So that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those through faith and patience inherit the promises."
 
A - Application
Am I working to be Holy or set aside, or am I eating my own Vomit?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Encourage me, strengthen me, guide me to be separate from the world. Love Will.

Don't be lame!

S - Scripture
Proverbs 26 v. 7  Like a lame man's legs, which hangs useless, is a Proverb in the mouth of fools.

O - Observation
Get up and walk!! What good are these Proverbs, these teachings from God how to live life to the fullest, if you don't use and follow them? There worthless!! Isaiah tells about the impact of God and his word in Isaiah 35, v. 6, "Then shall the lame man leap like a hart." God's holy and perfect word if allowed in your heart will heal your lameness. And we all, by our sinful nature are lame. God's unfailing love, and forgiveness and instruction gives our legs strength to get up. Nehemiah 8 v. 10b, "For the joy of the Lord is your strength."

A - Application
Am I applying the words of wisdom in my life?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me apply all that you teach me to my life.  Love Will

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Stand firm in your faith

S - Scripture
Proverbs 26 v. 4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, least you are like him yourself.

O - Observation
Stand firm. Speak the truth. This Proverb really addresses today's culture where there is no absolute truths. Today's culture, is one of freedom. What you say or believe is OK as long as it doesn't hurt anyone, just impacts me. This is a DANGEROUS mindset!! Jesus clarifies for us what the truth is in John 14 v. 6, "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but by me." Knowing this and not acting on it, or standing on the sidelines, is like this proverb. We must stand for what is the truth. 1 Peter 3 v. 15, "But in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord, ALWAYS be prepared to make a defense to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence."

A - Application
Do I stand and give an account for what I believe or do I just avoid the issue?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me to stand firm and confidently share the truth with others.  Love Will.

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Control yourself!!!

S - Scripture
Proverbs 25 v. 28  A man without self control is like a city broken into and left without walls. 

O - Observation
Destruction. Living a life without self control is the path to destruction and desolation. A city with no walls becomes irrelevant, just as a person with no self control. Satan uses the gift of freedom of choice for his purpose. We after all, have the freedom to choose if we should be disciplined or not. Jesus points this out in John 10 v. 10, "The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly" The converse of this Proverb is also very applicable. A person with self control builds a strong city. A person that builds his city on the Lord will live abundantly!!
 
A - Application
What sort of city am I? Irrelevant or relevant?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me to be relevant for you.  Love Will.

Use a Godly approach to your enemies

S - Scripture
Proverbs 25 v. 21-22  If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you. 

O - Observation
A Godly approach. This proverb is counter intuitive to our nature. We want to strike back, get revenge. Kick the dog while he's down. Especially after he bites. But no, we need to love them. Help them. It produces some interesting results for you and them. For you, Jesus points this out in Matthew 5 v. 44-45a, "But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be Sons of your Father who is in Heaven." What better reward than to be a part of God's family and his inheritance. The results for them? Burning coals. The amazement of why? The wonderment of why? The reflection of their own actions.
 
A - Application
What is my approach to the enemies in my life?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Watch over those that don't like me. Help them to draw closer to you.  Love Will.

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Don't make promises you can't keep

S - Scripture
Proverbs 25 v. 14  Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boast of a gift that he does not give. 

O - Observation
Empty Promises. They are deflating to those that are expecting them and destroy or render useless the one offering them. A reputation built on empty promises is nothing.  Clouds without rain. No substance. James 5 v. 12 gives us some guidance, "But above all my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or earth, as with any other oath, BUT LET YOUR YES BE YES AND YOUR NO BE NO, that you not fall under any condemnation." Simply put, just say what it is. No need to make promises you can't keep. Likewise, think about a person who fulfills all his promises. There's only one. Jesus. He brings the sweet rain of life. Conversely, think of the great deceiver. Satan. His promise, his enticement to sin leaves us empty.

A - Application
Am I a cloud with rain? Do I deliver on my promises?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Let my Yes be Yes. Thank you for holding true all your promises.  Love Will. Photo by meriç tuna on Unsplash

Steadfast Love

Guest Blog by Gary Riedel

S - SCRIPTURE: 

Lamentations 3:22,23 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. 

O - OBSERVATION: 

These beautiful verses occur right in the middle of the book of Lamentations which is really all about the destruction of Jerusalem and the tribe of Judah because of their stubborn and consistent sin against God. The author Jeremiah, is lamenting the bitter suffering and heartache experienced in Jerusalem’s devastation and Judah’s seeming demise. In spite of all of this, Jeremiah still expresses his hope and faith in the goodness of God. 

A - APPLICATION: 

Wow, I look at this book and I think of all that’s going on in our world and in our own beloved country. How long Lord will You stay Your hand of judgment on our culture? In Judah’s day the Lord saved a remanent, one of who’s descendants was Joseph, the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus, Matthew 1:16. That’s an answer to the beautiful prayer in Lamentations 3:22,23. God is always faithful to the faithful, His people, sometimes in ways we are not privileged to see or understand, nonetheless, Great is His faithfulness and steadfast love, now and forever!

P- PRAYER: 

Oh Gracious Father, Your faithfulness is from old unto everlasting, Your mercies are new every morning, Your steadfast love never ceases, help us to know and trust that You have made a way through Jesus Christ our Saviour. It’s in His Name we pray, Amen

What you say can make a difference

S - Scripture
Proverbs 25 v. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of Gold in a setting of Silver. 

O - Observation
All of us have the opportunity and ability to make treasures. It’s with the words that we say that create them. Relationships are birthed by what we say and do. All relationships exist on communication. Its how we communicate that produces the treasures. The basis of the communication has to be in love. Romans 12 v. 9a, "Let love be genuine." Fitly words are words of encouragement. I Thessalonians 5 v. 11a, "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up." Also Romans 12 v. 10b, "Outdo one another in showing honor." Fitly words are words used in a loving way for correction. Proverbs 27 v. 17, "Iron sharpens Iron, and one man sharpens another."
 
A - Application
Am I making treasures with my words?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Guard me in what I say so as to build relationships for life.  Love Will.

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