NOTE TO SELF--and anyone else interested

Do you live selfishly or selflessly? TODAY'S PROVERB: Men do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy himself when he is starving. Yet if he is caught, he must repay sevenfold, giving up all the wealth of his house. Proverbs 6:30-31 Another blink passage. In fact, most of chapter 6 might be passed over as not relevant to us. But, you know me, up sprouted something relevant. At least, I hope so. Today's verses are a double-blink.  They seem to randomly appear within this pericope (vss. 20-35) about adultery and prostitution. But, of course, the two verses about stealing are pertinent to adultery. There are certain sins we commit that are serious, but understandable -- as these verses about stealing in order to feed our ourselves and/or family indicate. Then there are the sins that break covenants and can destroy families. For the followers of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and His Messiah, these sins are not understandable. And for clear reasons. So why did th...

The importance of following directions. Those little details can make a difference. https://www.facebook.com/tlvbiblesociety/videos/524146708108174/?notif_id=1549286954354299&notif_t=live_video_explicit

Do you get lost easily? TODAY'S PROVERB: The iniquities of a wicked man will ensnare him. The cords of his sin will hold him down. He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly. Proverbs 5:22-23 Have you ever missed a turn, thought you could figure out how to get back on track, only to realize, "I'm lost!"? If you're someone who doesn't like asking for directions, or know how to read a map, or u se your GPS, I bet it happens more times than you'd like. Getting lost or being led astray can happen to us spiritually. Our own stubbornness can hold us back from our hopes and goals. Our inconsistency and impatience can keep us from seeking God's direction -- ultimately that will lead us astray. The antithesis of this behavior is to stay open and sensitive to God's will. To study His "map" and stay the course He has designed for us -- from the beginning of time, by the way.   That's why living the discipline ...

Looking at things that can divert us from our focus . . . https://www.facebook.com/tlvbiblesociety/videos/321825825133469/

Are you being diverted? TODAY'S PROVERB: Do not turn to the right or to the left. Divert your foot from evil. Proverbs 4:27 I love flying at night. It's a vivid perspective of just how small we really are. Looking at the expanse of the sky with its stars is peaceful, stable. Gazing below at the man-made lights that glow with seemingly brighter intensity. But, that glow is temperamental. Subject to the frailties of humanity and technology, and believe it or not, dependent upon the grace of God. This verse reminds me that until we rise above our humanity, we'll be diverted from the bigness of the Creator of the Universe. It seems our world offers a plethora of distractions. They don't have to be evil, they simply have to be distractions that lead to diverting us from God's calling and purpose in our life. Like the bright city lights, they can drown out the still, small pinpricks of true light from the stars. Until we rise above. What are some of the distract...

Do we need to be right? At any cost? TODAY'S PROVERB: Do not quarrel with a man for no reason—if he has done you no harm. Proverbs 3:30 Have you noticed? There's been a lot of quarreling lately. The vehemence in people's eyes and actions can be frightening. Have you also noticed, for the most part, the reason for all this anger boils down to differences of opinion? Not because someone stole our dog or vandalized our property or, Go d-forbid, hurt a loved one. It's because we don't believe the same way. Or we voted for another person. Or we didn't like the tone of someone's remark. When did difference of opinion become an affront to our honor? It's the enemy of our souls that causes division. He stirs up so much anger we no longer see the person God created. We only see their offense. Unity can't grow in a hostile environment. And our Savior prayed for unity (John 17:6-26). It's important to Him. So what does the enemy want to destroy? W...