Remembering Two Women of Faith

Scripture – Exodus 1:15-17: 15The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, 16“When you help the Hebrew women in childbirth and observe them on the delivery stool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live.” 17The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live.

Reflection: My guess is most people are not familiar with these two women – Shiphrah and Puah. Yet in this Exodus story their faith and courage pop out as examples for life today. They were given a clear, direct order from the king of Egypt. In the face of that, they chose to obey God instead.

Today I’m going to keep an eye out for choices like this. When will I be challenged to bend my beliefs instead of standing firm? Seldom is the issue as clear-cut as it was for Shiphrah and Puah. It usually comes to me in more subtle forms. If I’m not paying attention, I find myself compromising my faith “just a little.” Yet that’s a slippery slope that easily leads to obeying the king rather than God.

Keep these two women in mind today. They risked their lives because of their faith. By the grace of God, I really don’t expect to face that consequence today. Still, how will I respond? How will you?

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting tomorrow morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We’ll meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.

Reading for Sunday, November 30
Scripture – Exodus 1:20-22: 20So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. 21And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own. 22Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: “Every boy that is born you must throw into the Nile, but let every girl live.”

The Stage is Set

Scripture – Exodus 1:11-14: 11So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. 12But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites 13and worked them ruthlessly. 14They made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields; in all their hard labor the Egyptians used them ruthlessly.

Reflection: So here’s the new strategy. The Egyptians began physically oppressing the Israelites. It’s sort of the “bully” approach. Presumably Egypt had the muscle and organization to do that. This would not be the last time a minority government would oppress the majority.

They used the Israelites as slaves. “But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread.” It seems to me the Egyptian king missed the fact that these were God’s chosen people. As such, nothing was going to stop them. Nothing will stop God’s will from moving forward.

So far the writer of Exodus has set the stage for us. God is about to return to taking an active role in the life of His people. In some ways it’s an old plot line. The evil side has been established. Now we wait for the good side to come into play and join the battle.

At the same time this is our contemporary spiritual struggle, as well. However, while our battle sometimes is hard, we have the great advantage of knowing, in Christ, we have already prevailed.

Tomorrow, we’ll meet two unlikely heroines as our story continues. So stay tuned. And stand firm today.

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting this coming Sunday morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.

A New Chapter Begins

Scripture – Exodus 1:6-10: 6Now Joseph and all his brothers and all that generation died, 7but the Israelites were fruitful and multiplied greatly and became exceedingly numerous, so that the land was filled with them. 8Then a new king, who did not know about Joseph, came to power in Egypt. 9“Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become much too numerous for us. 10Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.”

Reflection: Greetings, everyone! Happy Thanksgiving! This is a day to stop and appreciate the many ways the Lord has blessed us. I know I should do that every day. Still, the fact is it’s far easier to focus on the bad things in life. I have to consciously remember that there are still many good things. And for those I give thanks to God.

Today also marks a change of pace for us in this Mini-Journal. As you can see, we’re shifting to the Old Testament. As we begin in the book of Exodus, we see there’s a new king in town. He doesn’t remember the old promises and alliances. He’s a take-charge kind of guy. He seems to recognize the Egyptian economy rests in large part on the Israelites. So he begins hatching a plan to keep them from leaving. (It sort of makes me wonder why our country’s political leaders are giving the car companies so much hassle. But that’s a different story.)

This is the beginning of a new chapter in Israel’s story – and in ours, as well. Over these next few weeks be open to what the Lord will be saying – in the Exodus story and in your own life.

Intention and Attention

Scripture – 2 Peter 3:17-18: 17Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. 18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

Reflection: As we come to end of 2 Peter, this final instruction is plain and simple. Growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ is a continuing process for me. It’s something I need to pay attention to daily. It doesn’t come naturally. It takes intention and attention.

That’s not to say it’s not enjoyable. Some days, yes, it is hard. But most of the time it’s interesting and fun to learn more about who Christ is – to explore the meaning of discipleship at greater depths – to take risks of faith as I learn to trust Him more and more. Growing in Him continues to enrich my life and my whole experience of life.

However, if I don’t pay attention and act with intention, I start getting carried away by error-filled teachings of the culture around me. That’s what comes naturally. And that will always lead me into trouble.

So today I’ll keep my focus on Christ, I’ll learn from Him even as I learn about Him. “To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”

Good Questions for Us All

Scripture – 2 Peter 3:14-16: 14So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

Reflection: This is an interesting reference to the letters of Paul. It’s intriguing because the writer seems to put Paul’s letters on par with “the other Scriptures.” While that’s certainly true for us, it’s hard to imagine the first century church acknowledged that. It’s just one of those interesting things that pop up in the Bible from time to time.

In the meantime, I don’t want to overlook vs. 14. Since we are looking forward to a new future (vs. 13), it’s important that I make “every effort” to live a good life today. Among other things, that means I need to be intentional about making conscious, good decisions. For in my daily life I am a model of the difference Christ makes. How does that show? What do people see in me?

What does “every effort” look like for you? What will you do today to be found “spotless, blameless and at peace with him?” As long as the Lord waits to return, those are good questions for us all.

How Will I Live Today?

Scripture – 2 Peter 3:11-13: 11Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

Reflection: Here’s a good question to begin each day: What kind of person will I be today? Given the fact that I live in a temporary world, how will I live today? Nothing that we can see or touch will last. How will I live in light of that?

The writer tells us simply to live holy and godly lives. “Holy” means to be set apart for God’s use. What are the implications for me if I live from that perspective? What will happen if I view my life and my self and my stuff as instruments for Christ to use any way He chooses?

There’s only one way to find out. Do I have the nerve to follow that way? Do you?

Living in These Last Days

Scripture – 2 Peter 3:3-7: 3First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

Reflection: Two things catch my eye here. The first is the reference to “the last days.” Are we in those? How long will the “last days” go on? As tomorrow’s reading will show, God’s time is far different than ours. His patience exceeds anything we can imagine. We may well be in the last days today and still have a couple thousand more years to go. The key is to be ready. And I am ready through faith in Christ. In Him it doesn’t matter if He returns in my lifetime or not. That’s the great assurance He gives.

The second thing that strikes me here is the simple observation that we’ll always have scoffers. We’ll always have people raising questions aimed at stirring up doubt. Again, that’s when tomorrow’s reading comes into play. The simple truth is Christ will return one day. Be ready for that as you live today.

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting tomorrow morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We’ll meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.

Reading for Sunday, November 23
Scripture – 2 Peter 3:8-10: 8But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.

Old Words for a New Day

Scripture – 2 Peter 3:1-2: 1Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. 2I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.

Reflection: The older I get in my walk with Christ, the more I find myself remembering basic lessons and truths. In fact, much of my spiritual growth is essentially recalling what I already know. I just have to remember the Biblical promises God has given and trust Him to keep His word.

The Bible stories many of us learned as kids continue to come alive in new ways. Whether from the Old Testament or the New, the stories remind me of who I am and who Christ sees when He looks into me.

So I keep reading and re-reading the Bible. I keep bringing fresh eyes and openness when I read the words preserved for all these centuries. I keep finding myself stimulated to wholesome and new ways of thinking.

What Biblical reminders have special meaning for you? What do you need to recall today? How will you let what you already know about Jesus shape your life this day?

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting this coming Sunday morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.

Staying Free

Scripture – 2 Peter 2:17-22: 17These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. 18For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. 19They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. 20If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. 21It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. 22Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.”

Reflection: One more time, the writer has some devastating words about these false prophets. The heart of the concern is that they are preying on new Christians and leading them away from Christ. They apparently approach people who are still unsure about their new faith, and they use convincing words to take away their freedom in Christ and return them to being slaves of their human nature.

I’ll be very careful as I share the gospel. I’ll encourage new believers to find their way in Christ without showing them what that way should look like. That is, I won’t expect them to do things the way I do things as though that’s the only right way.

I’ll also tend to my own life – making sure my faith stays centered in Christ. Lately, I’ve let a number of things distract me. I’ll let the joy of the Lord come alive again. I’ll let the peace and truth of Christ rule in my heart. I’ll let Him lift me above the distractions and into His vision of ministry and mission.

The Words We Choose

Scripture – 2 Peter 2:13-16: 13They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you. 14With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed—an accursed brood! 15They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness. 16But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey—a beast without speech—who spoke with a man’s voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.

Reflection: It’s hard to find much to write about here. The writer of 2 Peter clearly has some strong feelings bout these false prophets. The key point seems to be that they will be paid back.

As for me, I’ve learned the stronger the feelings I have toward someone the more careful I must be in choosing my words. The language we use is powerful. The words we choose shape and frame our world. I’ll keep that in mind today as I face various people and situations.

Lord, please guide my thoughts and my words this day. Teach me to speak as you did.

Christ Is All We Need

Scripture – 2 Peter 2:10-12: Bold and arrogant, these men are not afraid to slander celestial beings; 11yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not bring slanderous accusations against such beings in the presence of the Lord. 12But these men blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like brute beasts, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like beasts they too will perish.

Reflection: This passage is still connected with Sunday’s reading about the “false prophets” who are at work. (2 Peter 2:1) These are people who are clearly teaching against the Christian faith. They are not people who are a little off track or who don’t understand. They know exactly what they’re doing. They’re intentionally trying to lead people away from Christ by any means – even by slandering good people and fabricating accusations against them.

I’m not sure who these people are today. I only know I have to keep myself aware of false teaching when it comes.

At the risk of being too simplistic, a basic rule of thumb I picked up many years ago is this: If someone says I need Jesus plus something or someone else, look out. Just a week ago we saw in 2 Peter 1:3, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him…” “Everything” is quite an inclusive word.

Be on the lookout today. While it may be hard to pinpoint false teachers, false teaching abounds in our culture. Remember, in Christ we have all we need. Don’t let anyone mislead you on that.

If....Then!

Scripture – 2 Peter 2:4-10: 4For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment; 5if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; 6if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; 7and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men 8(for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—9if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment. 10This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority.

Reflection: There are a lot of “ifs” in this passage. They all lay the groundwork for God’s great “then.”

History and faith show that God, indeed, rescues godly people from trials. Sometimes He lifts them out of the trials. Sometimes He sustains them in the midst of the trials. Always He beings new life after the trials.

In the same way, the “unrighteous” will pay for their sin – in this life or the next. It’s a bit scary to realize even angels are not immune to this.

The key today is to remain faithful. Like Lot, I can stand firm in the midst of my culture’s destructive behavior. Perhaps I can be an instrument through whom God changes things. Regardless, if I keep my eyes on Christ, then God will rescue me. Such is the promise and call for the church – for all of us.

An Understated Command

Scripture – 2 Peter 1:19-21: 19And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. 21For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Reflection: This seems to be a bit of an understatement. The “word of the prophets” was essentially the Bible the early church had. The New Testament, of course, did not yet exist. And so the direction comes: “You will do well to pay attention to it.”

I spend a fair amount of time reading and studying the Bible. This passage is a gentle reminder to pay attention to it as I read – to allow the Spirit to speak through the words I read. Then, if it’s to make any difference, I must apply what I’ve read to my life in a deliberate, practical way. The simple question is, how will I be different because of what I’ve read today?

So as I read more today, I’ll pay attention. I’ll take time to savor some of the words and phrases. I will let God’s word impact my life. And most important of all, I will let the Bible re-shape who I am and how I live.

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting tomorrow morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We’ll meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.

Reading for Sunday, November 16
Scripture – 2 Peter 2:1-3: 1But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

A Personal Word

Scripture – 2 Peter 1:16-18: 16We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 18We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

Reflection: The most reliable stories I can tell are those from my own experience. I can repeat stories other have told, and sometimes that’s a good thing to do. But nothing beats a personal story.

I’m an eyewitness of the majesty of Christ. I have seen and experienced what He can do with people. A lot of times people are hesitant to get into discussions about their faith because they’re afraid they’ll be asked questions they can’t answer. I’ve learned to simply own up to that when it happens. Rather than being shut up by what I don’t know, I can open up to what I do.

Christ has changed my life in miraculous ways. I am nothing less than a new creation in Him. That continues to be an on-going experience. Trusting Him is the best decision I’ve ever made. I can talk about the meaning and implications of that.

What is your experience of Christ? What can you talk about with authority? What will you?

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting this coming Sunday morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.

Reminding Ourselves

Scripture – 2 Peter 1:10-15: 10Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 12So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. 13I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, 14because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.

Reflection: Let me repeat again a phrase that has stayed with me for several years now: “We do no better even though we do know better.” I know that sounds pretty negative by itself. At the same time, it helps me remember that I really do know better.

Many times I’ll do something and it turns out wrong. I’ll realize I know better. The question then comes, why don’t I do better?

One of the things we can do for one another in the Body of Christ is to remind ourselves of who we are and what we believe. When I find myself ready to get even with someone, I need to be reminded. When I find myself tempted to fall into the world’s pattern, I need to be reminded. When I see friends slipping off track, I need to be a reminder. The trick is to do that, not out of judgment, but out of love.

What reminding to you need today? What kind of reminder will you be today?

Building Our Pillar of Faith

Scripture – 2 Peter 1:5-9: 5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Reflection: What an intriguing image. It’s like a pillar of faith, made up of layer upon layer of different qualities that culminate in love.

As I look at my life and my experience of those various layers, I sometimes have to back down a little because I’ve sort of skipped over one. I’ll look at “perseverance,” for example, and think I’ve got that, so I can jump on ahead to working on “godliness.” All the while, I’ve still got some perseverance issues to resolve or practice.

The directive that really stands out is that I am to “possess these qualities in increasing measure.” It’s like I get everything stacked up like it should be, and then I begin a new pillar where each layer is a bit stronger or deeper than before. For example, I’m in my third year of following an outline to read through the Bible in a year. I read a few chapters each day and reflect on what the Lord is saying to me in them. Each year has been a new experience – a deepening experience – an experience of “increasing measure.”

How are you doing with this pillar of faith? What layer are you working on today?

Everything We Need

Scripture – 2 Peter 1:3-4 3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

Reflection: Here’s a truth that’s easy to overlook: In Christ God has given us “everything we need for life and godliness.” There are a lot of times I still tend to focus on what I don’t have. That just leads to dissatisfaction. The fact is, I have always had all I needed. The Lord has provided that as sure as He makes the sun rise every morning.

This passage also reminds me that, in Christ, I have all I need spiritually. Sometimes I get distracted by random philosophical and even theological questions that lead to pointless debate. The basic truth is, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth because He loves us all. Jesus came to fix what we had broken – our relationship with God. He died on the cross so we can have forgiveness for our sins. God raised Him from the dead so we can have assurance of eternal life with him. I surely don’t need more that that.

As the old chorus goes, “Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul; thank you, Lord, for making me whole. Thank you, Lord, for giving to me thy great salvation, so rich and free.”

Remembering to Remember

Scripture – 2 Peter 1:1-2: 1Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: 2Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Reflection: Well, this is quite a change of pace after the last few weeks in Proverbs. At the same time, right off the bat, I see this reminder of God’s grace. The precious faith that is ours comes through the righteousness of Christ. It comes as a gift from God. It’s not something I have earned or deserved.

Because of that, grace and peace are ours in abundance. I have no reason to be proud. I have every reason to live in humility – always thankful for what Christ done for me.

This is one of the basic truths of Christian experience. I’ll be consciously aware of it as I go through life today. I just have to remember to remember.

A Troublesome Question

Scripture – Proverbs 19:17: He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.

Reflection: This is quite a powerful truth! What is my attitude toward people who are poor? This very day our church will be distributing food to families in need through our Community Emergency Food Pantry. At the same time, we’ll also have several volunteers serving food at the Spirit of Hope Soup Kitchen in Detroit.

While we’re being kind to people today, how open am I to having them join us for Sunday School and worship tomorrow? That’s a troublesome question for me.

The so-called “poor” are not a separate class of people we are to serve, but not touch. They are people created and loved by God. They are people for whom Christ died on the cross. They are people to be embraced – people with whom I am called to share my life.

Lord, forgive me for my prejudicial attitude. Please forgive my smallness of heart. Create in me a clean heart. Open me to all people as you are. For in loving them I love you. In welcoming them I welcome you.

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting tomorrow morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We’ll meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us. And I do mean everyone!

Reading for Sunday, November 9
Scripture – Proverbs 19:20-21: Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’S purpose that prevails

Wisdom From Above

Scripture – Proverbs 19:11: A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.

Reflection: Just this morning I was reading in the 32nd chapter of Job that real wisdom comes from the Spirit of God. It does not come from my best and deepest thinking and reflecting. It does not come automatically as I get older.

This wisdom from above has been the dominant theme in all these Proverbs. In wisdom, we find a patience that surpasses human understanding. Through it we find the grace to overlook an offense.

That’s a great gift for the one who’s offended me and for me. This isn’t about not saying anything while I store up some resentment for use at a later time. It’s the God-given ability to simply overlook it – to let it pass and let it go as it happens.

Once again, I will stay open to God’s wisdom. I’ll let Him guide me to live wisely today – making wise decisions as I encounter different people.

Lord, please help me with this. I anticipate some conversations with people today that may be very difficult. If they come, guide my thoughts and my tongue. I need you this day.

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting this coming Sunday morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.

Who Are My Friends?

Scripture – Proverbs 18:24: A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Reflection: I’m not part of the IM culture. I’ve never used it. I’m not sure how it works. And I certainly don’t understand the language.

At the same time, a few of those phrases have found their way into the wider lexicon of today’s world. One of them is, “bff.” Some questions come to mind about that: Who is that person? Is there only one? How is that person chosen? What’s the difference between a companion and a friend?

Now, it’s easy to jump right ahead and equate Jesus with the friend “who sticks closer than a brother.” And there’s good reason to make that connection.

However, as you think of people in your life, who are your friends? How close do they stick with you? Do your best friends share a common faith with you? How many companions do you have as opposed to friends?

I realize I have more questions than answers today. I’ll work on some answers for myself. I encourage you to do the same.

Watch Your Language

Scripture – Proverbs 17:27-28: A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.

Reflection: A few different themes have emerged over these past few weeks with Proverbs – God’s wisdom for us all. One of them has to do with the words we speak – or don’t speak.

Words have great power. I’ve learned it’s very important to use them with restraint. Sometimes at home, I’ll blurt things out about different issues and/or people without thinking. That gives me a safe place and time to look at how I need to act in public.

I’ll be very careful with my words today. I’ll keep in mind “restraint” and “even-tempered.” Lord, teach me when to speak and when to be silent. Keep me vigilant as I watch my language today.

Keeping Little Things Little

Scripture – Proverbs 17:14: Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.

Reflection: The other day I was talking with a friend about some problems I have with another person. Little things were building up between us. I was just absorbing them rather than confronting them. My friend pointed out the obvious fact: if I keep absorbing the little things they’ll eventually explode into a major thing.

To me this proverb speaks directly to that. Sometimes people start a fight about one thing, when all the while they’re really fighting about something else – something that’s been building up along the way. I’ll take my friend’s advice and follow the wisdom of Proverbs. I’ll not let little things grow into big things so the dam is breached. I’ll deal with the little things as they come up.

Lord, help me do that. Teach me how to live constructively as a member of your church. Show me how to live in a way that gives you reason to be proud.

Having All I Need

Scripture – Proverbs 17:1: Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.

Reflection: Yesterday in our discussion group, we talked about the basic truths expressed in these proverbs. They are so basic and yet we constantly are called back to them. Hardly anyone would disagree with today’s verse. Yet I am certainly not content to sit down with a dry crust of bread. Somehow I think we can have a feast and still have peace and quiet. That’s just a half step away from thinking I should have a feast. Somehow, I convince myself I deserve that.

Lord Jesus, keep teaching me to be satisfied with what I have. Everything I need is here. In addition to that, you have provided many things beyond my needs – things just to make my life a bit more comfortable. Thank you for doing that. I’m sorry for the times I look around and focus on what I don’t have. Teach me to use what you have entrusted to me.

A Haughty Spirit

Scripture – Proverbs 16:18-19: Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.

Reflection: This lesson keeps coming back to me over and over it seems. That haughty kind of pride can build up without my even noticing it. Then one day I look around and realize I’ve become pretty full of myself. The Lord has blessed me in so many ways, yet I’ll take credit for it.

The fall that follows that realization is humbling and sometimes painful. Yet it’s a gift from God – one that gets me back on track.

I’ll pay close attention today to my pride. I will remember that Christ in me is my hope and my strength. I will avoid taking credit for what He has done.
Thank you, Lord, for your grace and forgiveness. Teach me to live as you lived – in humble obedience and trust.

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting tomorrow morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We’ll meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.

Reading for Sunday, November 2
Scripture – Proverbs 16:23-24: A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.