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What passions has the LORD kept you awake over? Proverbs 31:18--There's a great saying that goes: "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." Somehow, I think the Proverbs 31 woman loves a great many jobs. Her responsibilities include her husband, children, staff, work, investments, and the community. They are her business and she's always thinking of them. Have you ever spent sleepless nights feeling "compelled" to finish a project or pray or organize a closet? I used to fight those times of "kindling the lamp" by snuggling deeper into the covers and trying to go to back sleep. But as I grow older, I sense how precious my time is. A few hours less sleep at night from time to time to fulfill an inspired task is good, don't you think? May our lamp of passion and inspiration shine bright, my friends. Proverbs 31:18--She discerns that her business is good. Her lamp never goes out at night...
How do you treat those who serve? Proverbs 30:10--There are people working in the service industries that are regularly picked on. They tend to be the dumping ground for people's frustrations and insecurities and pride. From housekeeping to waitstaff to secretaries to police officers to cashiers, unfortunately, they are easy targets for insults, accusations, and general bullying. It's important to remember two things next time service is a bit slow, or we get pulled over for a speeding ticket. First, remember the Golden Rule, "So in all things, do to others what you would want them to do to you—for this is the Torah and the Prophets." Matthew 7:12. Second, remember that we all have the same "Master," our Creator and Heavenly Dad. He loves us all, but ultimately we are held accountable for our misdeeds. And, frankly, the last thing I want to do is have my Father watch me misbehave. Today, let's set a new standard to be kind to ...
Do people rejoice when you thrive? Proverbs 29:2--A few years ago, an obscure news outlet aired an interview of local Moslem residents in the Middle East--I think it was Syria, but I could be wrong. It was subtitled and roughly produced. The interviewer asked local business owners what they thought about the recent takeover of one of the radical Islamic groups. The discussion was lively and was surprisingly candid about their difficulties under the new regime, especially how it pertained to their businesses. One older gentleman was quiet, and gave simple responses. The interviewer posed the question again--what he thought of the new regime. The old man's eyes teared. He said he missed his Christian neighbors. The families had been run off by the radical group. The man said, "They were such happy people. There is no longer joy in our village." As followers of Yeshua--Jesus--we want our lives to be salt and light to those around us. Without utteri...
Do you give, wisely? Proverb 28:27--With the cacophony of images on all forms of media, there's little doubt there is great need around the world. It can feel overwhelming and stressful trying to figure out where to sow our hard-earned dollars or time. Or worse, because of the saturation of requests for aid, we can turn an apathetic eye away from the needs. So, how do we know when or who to give to? Of course we can pray for GOD's wisdom, but there's really a simple way to begin. Begin with those needs closest to home. Our families, congregation, neighborhood, city, and county. Then, see if and where GOD shows us anyone or anywhere else from there. GOD does call us to give. After our tithes and offerings, He's pretty clear about also giving to those in need and those working to help others in need. When we give wisely, we won't lack. That's GOD's promise. May we give wisely, my friends. Proverbs 28:27--One who gives to the...
Do you know the state of your "flocks?" Proverbs 27:25-27--Prudence. These verses personify the word. From seed to provision for the family, this is prudence in action. A prudent person is wise in practical applications to wisdom, by providing for the future. They are cautious even in the seemingly mundane routines, and can manage their resources frugally and well. Proverbs is big on prudence. It's one of the most effective tools in managing family, marriage, finances, and business. Looking ahead while being mindful of today is an art that takes counsel from time to time, and lots of practice. What can that look like in our life: Getting regular dental, physical, and eye exams. Maintaining our vehicles. Putting away funds--even if it's only $10 a month--in a retirement account. Saving for emergencies. Cleaning and organizing closets and cabinets to know what we have. Verse 23 speaks of knowing the condition of our "flock."...
Are you solving the wrong problem? Proverbs 26:8--This is a comical proverb. It brings up the image of someone attempting to master the sling, but with little success. They swing the weapon over their head only to have the stone fall out--maybe even on their head. Rather than continuing the practice, and figuring out how centrifugal force would eventually hold the stone in place, they tie the stone in, making the weapon useless. The fool solved the wrong problem. Do we sometimes solve the wrong problem? If the car is making a noise, do we turn up the radio to drown out the sound? If we're always running late, do we drive over the speed limit. If our jeans are getting too tight, do we buy new jeans? I think we all have chosen the easier solution, that never solves the real problem. The wisdom in all this is to: JUST DO IT! Fix the car. Get up earlier. Clean out the closet. Lose the weight. Just solve the right problem. In the long run, it...
Do you push people away with your words? Proverbs 25:24--Sigh. For many years of our marriage, I filled our home with words--complaints, whines, criticism, pettiness, things that were only important to me. I so filled our home I pushed those I loved away from me with my need to be right and in control. There was little room for my husband and daughter to share their lives because of my verbal hoarding. I couldn't understand why our dinner meals were one-sided conversations--my side. Believe it or not, I honestly didn't realize I was doing it. Not until the moment I saw the results of my toxic verbal trash on the face of my young daughter. She looked as though I had slapped her, when I hadn't touched a hair on her head. That was the key for me--seeing the looks on my loved ones faces. It was devastating to realize I was the cause of their pain. It was one of the most life-changing moments in my life. From that time on, I began observing the faces o...
Do you observe? Proverb 24:32--What's a sure sign that wisdom is growing inside us? When we learn from someone else's mistakes. Seeing the lessons of life around us without having to experience the pain of failure takes us to a new level of understanding. It also nurtures compassion, gratefulness, and humility in us. By living the Bible everyday, the Holy Spirit will grow those seeds of knowledge inside us. We'll be more able to observe the lessons around us because we have a foundation alre ady there. There's no doubt we'll still learn from our own mistakes--LORD willing quickly--but it is a precious gift to see the lessons all around us and heed them. May we take to heart the lessons around us, my friends. Proverbs 24:32--Then I took to heart what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw... Tree of Life Bible Society Tree of Life Version - TLV # tlvbible # tlvproverbs [WATCH Tree of Life Bible Society's CEO, Dania...
What do you crave? Proverbs 23:1-3--There's a scene in the movie, Mockingjay, Part 2 , when Katniss and her team are holed up in an abandoned, luxury apartment. They managed to find some food. Delicacies that were scientifically engineered to pleasure the taste buds. Gayle--one of the young men from her district who had to scrounge for food his whole life--looked thoughtfully at these morsels and made a powerful statement. He said he had never understood the extravagant and self-indulgent nature of the people of the Capitol until now. He says, "Eating this food you can believe anything." When our goals are only to gain wealth to seek pleasure, we deceive ourselves. We'll believe whatever our flesh will tell us. Even hard work to produce wealth can be deceptive. My opinion, my friends, I believe that in GOD's kingdom there are some folks who are called to carry the responsibility of wealth. Those with that anointing work hard to do it well--t...
Can you hear Him now? Proverbs 22:17--I used to have incredible hearing. A dog barking down the street, a bird in a neighbor's tree, my father's car coming down the street after a long day's work. I could hear it clearly. Likewise, if I was in a noisy room full of kids, I could pick out my daughter's voice, whether I could see her or not. A room full of adults having various conversations was a challenge only because I could hear everything and it was difficult to focus. These days, I have to work hard to hear someone in a noisy room or if they're some distance away. I can't trust what I think I hear. I either have to get closer or ask the person to repeat what they said--sometimes several times. Fortunately, my hearing loss has been a helpful object lesson for today's proverb. If you're new to the Proverbs' journey and have struggled with making wise decisions, begin with listening. Are there folks in your life that ...
Whose stuff is it anyway? Proverbs 21:20--Have you ever visited a home where the owner has many lovely things, but they are in disrepair? Or, have you visited a home where the owner lives very simply, but their house is immaculate? What is the difference? It's not about money. It's about stewardship. Treating the things we "own" as things GOD asks us to steward. What is stewardship? It is the conducting, supervising, or managing of something; the careful and responsible management of something entrust ed to one's care. If we treat our blessings as stewards rather than owners, then perhaps we will take better care of them. Manage them wisely rather than treating them as consumables, at our whim. What if we treated that living room furniture as GOD's, would we take better care of it. Our vehicle? Would we maintain and clean it? Our clothing? Mend rather than replace? Like the wise, faithful servant that is given more (Matthew 25:23), ...
Do you vow rashly? Proverbs 20:25--Probably one of the most rash vows in the Bible is the vow of Jephthah (Judges 11). Jephthah was the child of an adulterous relationship with a prostitute. The sons of the father's wife eventually banished Jephthah, whereupon he became the leader of a gang. After a time, another country declared war against Israel. The leaders of Israel approached Jephthah to fight for them and in return they vowed to make Jephthah their leader and judge. What a wonderful turn of events for the man. Rejected and now greatly respected. Jephthah was a bit prideful in his acceptance, but committed to the cause (Judges 11:9). However, in the heat of excitement, Jephthah made a vow that truly revealed his foolish ignorance. His vow: "Then Jephthah vowed a vow to ADONAI and said, 'If You will indeed give the children of Ammon into my hand, then it will be that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me when I return safely from t...
Uh oh. Are you scoffing? Proverbs 19:29--Question: Can followers of Yeshua--Jesus--be a scoffer? What IS a scoffer? There are various definitions but essentially, a scoffer is someone who jeers or mocks or treats something with contempt. They are disagreeable and will scorn the belief of another. Hmm. That might be coming a little close to home. Let's dig a little deeper. The act of scoffing comes from a place of contempt--of a person or belief. The ridicule comes from a place of bitterness. Bitterness. That is something we can all struggle with. A scoffer isn't born, they are made. Let's face it, there are ample opportunities to be offended, to get our feelings hurt, or for others to hurt and offend those we love. If we're not careful to forgive--and walk out that forgiveness--we can develop a root of bitterness. That root, when left unattended can become contempt. What are signs of bitterness: Withdrawal Difficulty resolving co...