Proverbs 11:12-13:25

Sometimes I get so caught up in what’s going on around me that I lose sight of a kingdom focus.

The grass needs to be cut. Laundry needs to be washed and folded. Supplies and planning for a next school year are on my mind. I need to get the oil changed in the car … plan a menu for the week … go by the store. Pay this bill … plan that outing … put out that fire …

When I read through Proverbs, I try to fit the teachings into what’s around me, but the lessons lift my gaze to a kingdom where the things that are valued can be possessed, but not touched.

A kindhearted woman gains honor,
    but ruthless men gain only wealth. (Proverbs 11:16, NIV)

Honor straddles two realms. It is gain. But it can’t be measured or held. Wealth is also a type of gain that can be hoarded and held, but not taken past the grave.

When I read through Proverbs, honesty, generosity, honor, diligence, prudence, righteousness, and more are the sweet and juicy fruits and gains of a heart’s focus, a person’s choices and actions. These traits show true prosperity.

One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
    another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. (Proverbs 11:24, NIV)

A dear woman at my daughter’s church turns 101 years old today. She’s a fixture of the church and community–even one of these old country roads bears her family name. She invests her love by serving others. She’s an amazing seamstress and wears lovely clothing that she made herself. A neighbor of mine down the road spoke of her and her sewing skills, and I was taken by surprise that he knew her and had had his clothes altered by her! She attended my daughter’s piano recital. She always took time to greet us after church service and offer a kind and encouraging word to my daughter when she was finished playing. She gives gifts freely and randomly. She is loved dearly by the community and celebrated–because of her kindness.

… a kindhearted woman gains honor … one person gives freely, yet gains even more …

Lord, help me to keep a kingdom focus. I need you and your word–a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Courtney (66books365)

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Gen. 47; Lk. 1:1-38; Job 13; I Cor. 1

Belief and unbelief.

Joseph trusted in God. His brothers trusted in their own plans (their plot to be rid of a little brother–good thing for them that God had other plans!).

Job was grappling with faith in the midst of an unimaginable hardship. His friends were at work to find his human flaws to justify punishment.

Zechariah asked a question of the messenger–Mary did too!–but what was at work on a heart level differentiated them. One, who was perhaps doubtful. The other, seeking.

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” Luke 1:1:38 NLT.

Paul talks about God using the least expected to confound the wise–and it’s splayed across chapters: a brother sold into slavery who becomes a leader … a wealthy man who loses everything in moments … a virgin girl and a barren, old woman to both conceive children who would change everything … and even Paul, hater turned lover of Christ.

²⁶ Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. ²⁷ Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 1 Corinthians 1:26-27 NLT.

Overall, a message of being chosen, and a reminder that nothing is impossible with God.

Courtney (66books365)

 

Exodus 13, Luke 16, Job 31, 2 Corinthians 1

Worldly Wisdom vs.  Holiness and Sincerity

…by God’s grace

Consecrating the firstborn male to God… this could be an expensive prospect, especially if you have a propensity for progeny of the male gender.  Being of meager means could bring one to pray fervently and often to be granted only female offspring.  But God understood all that.  He was already ready to pay the great price.  The price of His ONLY Son.  That’s why He gave the Israelite father the words to say to his son, when he too might be questioning the wisdom…

“I do this because of what the Lord did for me…”  Exodus 13:8

As Americans, for a lot of us anyway, our basic instinct is to build wealth and hold on to it, or at least to earn to make our own lives better.  Perhaps innocent of the fact that this could be to the detriment of others.  It’s very revolutionary to go against this basic tenet of American culture.  But God is somewhat of a revolutionary…

“You cannot serve both God and Money.”  Luke 16:13

“What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.”

Luke 16:15

Love of wealth = idolatry

“If I have put my trust in gold or said to pure gold, ‘You are my security,’
if I have rejoiced over my great wealth, the fortune my hands had gained…
then these also would be sins to be judged
for I would have been unfaithful to God on high.”
Job 31:24-25, 28

Lord, convict us where we need convicting.  Let Your word sting in sensitive areas if need be.  That we would be made trustworthy with worldly wealth in order to be trusted with forever real riches.  Teach us recognize the Source of all that we have, and how to use it to benefit Your work on earth.  That with Paul, we would be able to wholeheartedly and unreservedly say..  “Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world… in the holiness and sincerity that are from God.  We have not done so according to worldly wisdom but according to God’s grace.”  By Your grace, help us be brutally generous in order to extend YOUR kingdom as we long for Your appearing, when You will take us to be with YOU…

You are more valuable than any words could ever express.  We love You.

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.  So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?”

Luke 16:10-11

amy in peru