Lamp . . . Light – April 29, 2024

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

Proverbs 1

Proverbs 1:3 for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just. NIV.

I read Proverbs on a monthly schedule. Today I experienced a spiritual de ja vou. Yesterday I meditated on the 31^st chapter and the description of the virtuous woman. I concluded God was not dictating what a woman must do, rather describing how a person can apply wisdom to the practical affairs of life. Today I consider Solomon’s stated rationale for the entire book. In this verse alone he provides five results of acquiring wisdom. They are: developing consistent discipline; becoming prudent in perspective; doing what is right; living a just life; and being fair in one’s relationships. (If you have time do this exercise of Proverbs 31. Use five colored highlighters or pencils, assign a color for each result, and then highlight each result the virtuous woman exhibits.)

If I am to accurately apply the book of Proverbs to my life, I can examine how I express these characteristics. Here are some reflections questions:

1. Disciplined life: How consistent am I in my sleep schedule? Do I retire at an appropriate time to maximize my rest? How punctual am I to appointments, work, church, and meetings? How often do I feel I have spent too much time on social media? How consistently do I connect with God in Bible reading, prayer, and medication? How intentional am I in spending time with my spouse, children, and close friends? How consistently do I work toward my highest priority goals?
2. Prudence: What have I come to see as God’s overarching purpose for me and my life? When I make decisions and goals, how consistently do I prioritize based on fulfilling God’s overarching purpose? How easily to I say, “no” to commitments which either do not directly further God’s purpose in my life or which actively undermine that purpose? How frequently do I ask God to show me His will for my day and the power to do it?
3. Doing what is right: Am I committed to accepting God’s direction as to what is right and wrong? How frequently when faced with life’s challenges do I look to the Bible and wise godly friends for advice on the correct path to take? When I do something wrong, how quickly to I acknowledge that and correct my actions?
4. A just life: Do I make excuses when I mistakes or take personal responsibility for my actions? When someone asks my opinion, how honest and forthright am I in my response, or do I try to say what the other person wants to hear? Do I forgive others as God has forgiven me? How consistent are my standards of behavior for others as compared for myself?
5. Fair in relationships: How frequently am I judgmental toward others and how often do I forgive and affirm them? Do I criticize others more often than I thank them or ask clarifying questions? Do I try to motivate people by sarcasm as opposed to stating facts and expectations? How negative (expecting the worst in others) am I instead of looking for the good in people? Would others describe me as a complainer or as someone who attempts to see the good in live?  How often do I gossip about others rather than speak with them directly to resolve and issue or support someone who struggles.

My hope is these questions will facilitate our growth in practical wisdom in daily living.

Let me grow in wise practical live and so become a beacon of light in a darkened world. Amen.

Lamp . . . Light – April 27, 2024

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

Proverbs 31

Proverbs 31:30 …but the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. NIV

I fear that some preachers, teachers, and individuals have misused the 31^st chapter of Proverbs. How I wish I am free from my concerns, but I have joined those who have made this chapter and incredible burden on women. We have used it as a cudgel to emotionally browbeat women to a standard impossible for anyone to meet. In doing so we have not only misused scripture as a weapon (rather than a source of encouragement and hope), we have also ignored Jesus’ admonition that we examine the log (major weaknesses) in our own lives before we demand others remove the speck (some minor irritation).

What then is the purpose of this chapter? Throughout Proverbs Solomon spoke about two contrasting women. One is the wise woman who has filled her banquet hall with every delicacy. The other is the foolish and wayward woman who fills her tables with stolen meals. One leads to wisdom and life; the other to death and destruction. Solomon then concludes with a practical illustration of applying the way of wisdom in one’s life. He continues with his feminine theme.

I suspect that this paeon of praise for the woman is more of a description of all the varied ways a godly person manages their household. He is not providing a list of mandates for all women to uphold. The underlying principles and themes include: prudence, thrift, compassion, and worship, all of which are themes reiterated through out the book of Proverbs. One example of this is the statement that her lamp does not go out at night. This does not mean that she stays up all night, rather that she has the foresight to insure the household has a supply of oil sufficient to their daily needs and so has no fear of plunging the house into unexpected darkness at night.

Much of Proverbs, and not just this exhortation to the godly woman, reiterates the truth that the Christian life is to be live and not simply believed. Godly living, though not a requirement to receive God’s offer of redemption, is a natural outflow of the new life we receive and an offering of gratitude for God’s love and faithfulness.

I offer myself to You today. Do with me and build with me as You please. Amen.

Lamp . . . Light – April 16, 2024

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

Proverbs 22

Proverbs 22:17-19 . . . apply your heart to what I teach, . . . so that your trust may be in the LORD . . . NIV.

Usually, each verse in proverbs stands alone. So, the principle of examining the context to understand a verse frequently is inapplicable when we read this book. The thoughts for this devotional come from a three-verse unit and the context of any one of the verses is related to the whole.

As surprising and unusual as it may be Solomon here, twenty-one chapters after his introduction, returns to the rationale for his writing. Perhaps he felt this was a good time to remind his readers of the purpose for the book. Anyone who has taught (or preached) understanded the importance of repetition. So, Solomon tells us that the wisdom he offers comes with a price. He desires us, the readers, to grow in our trust of God as demonstrated by a life of obedience, worship, service, integrity, and growth.

I want my wisdom like I want my patience – NOW!. In contrast Solomon stresses that wisdom is gained only by “applying your heart.” This means if I am to grow in wisdom I need to engage in hard work and disciplined activity over time. That last part requires the gift of patience and companions. Patience because I often have to relearn lessons for them to stick. Companions because I need the counsel of people who have learned the lessons of godly living to walk with me. I also need to share freely what God has (and still is) taught me with people who also want to grow in grace and wisdom, yet are not as far along as I.

Father, today I commit to undertaking what is needed to learn to apply the wisdom of Your Word to my daily life. Amen.

Lamp . . . Light – March 3, 2024

From March 1, 2024

Proverbs 1

Proverbs 1:4 For giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young. NIV.

I have heard it said that wisdom is wasted on the young. That is probably a misquote of George Benard Shaw’s “Wisdom is wasted on the old, and youth is wasted on the young.” Be that as it may, I know people who feel they should only share deep things and wisdom with people who can accept it. Among those who are unacceptable are the young physically, new employees with a company, or people deemed lacking education.

Solomon presents an alternate view. In his introduction to the book of Proverbs he says his intended audience are the simple (naive) and youth. He presents the consequences of get rich quick schemes and the bondage which can come from inordinate sexual behaviors. To counter the natural inclination of people he purports his writing will assist people to become prudent, and to attain knowledge and discretion.

What is prudence? Prudence is summarized in our slogan, “Look before you leap.” It is easy to make rash decisions and actions without looking at the consequences. I know a youth who probably won’t ever again run recklessly down a mountain path after doing so, falling, and ending up in an intensive care unit. It is not just the young who lack prudence. Enough people regretted their decision to purchase a time-share unit that they have spawned an industry (to get people out of their contracts!). We can all benefit from foresight. God, through Solomon, has provided us a valuable tool in Proverbs to develop this trait. And learning wisdom comes not only from reading Proverbs as the entire Bible is replete with God’s wisdom.

Prudence is also intertwined with both knowledge and discretion. Knowledge is the comprehension of God’s will and desires for both our character and actions. Discretion is the ability to act in accordance with God’s character in our dealings with others. For example, we are to speak the truth in love. Relationships are vital for growth. I must care enough for others to share my life with them and when appropriate share my experience in dealing with common issues. How to balance truth and love is discretion.

Father grant me prudence and the discretion to live a life of impact, in Jesus’ name, on the world around me. Amen.

Lamp . . . Light – February 19, 2024

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

Proverbs 19

Proverbs 19:8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers. NIV.

One of the remarkable instructions Jesus provided us was that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. The phrase “as ourselves” over the centuries has generated a tremendous amount of debate as to the correct meaning. Often, though, we look at the New Testament in isolation from its Old Testament roots. Jesus might very well have recently pondered this chapter of proverbs and the self-love about which He speaks is not some positive self-image or even self-care. It could very well be that the love is the love which places living in wisdom as a high (if not the highest) priority for those who follow Him.

As in this verse Proverbs frequently links wisdom and understanding. Understanding is more of an intellectual activity. For we, who love God, our goal is to understand God’s will for us today. We do this through prayer, meditation on His word, and reflection. Understanding God’s will for us is more than treating God as some magic diviner for future activities. His will is clearly stated in the Bible as the standards for living and serving God. We are to love God fully, love others, be ready to give an explanation of our hope, exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, and also to exbibit maturity in all aspects of our lives.

Wisdom is closely related to understanding but with a slightly different orientation. Wisdom is the practical implementation of our understanding of God’s will. James tells us that acceptable faith (wisdom) is to care for widows and orphans. In today’s world, this means we, who believe, will actively engage and encourage single-parent families. Wisdom and understanding are grounded in embracing the message of the Bible. We engage in both private personal study and meditation as well as corporate worship and teaching. There is no way to grow in understanding and wisdom without this basis.

To live out the implications and grow in practical wisdom we need the faith community. I often need to spend time with people who have the same desire and who are living out the implications of God’s Word in their lives. I see their lives, ask their advice, and pray with them. How wonderful to know that I am not the first person to go this way and that I can benefit from other believer’s life experience and growth.

Father, united our hearts to love and serve You as a united community of people maturing in understanding and wisdom. Amen.

Lamp . . . Light – February 5, 2024

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

Proverbs 4

Proverbs 4:2 for I am giving you good guidance. Don’t turn away from my instructions. NLT.

If we are anything alike, over the years you’ve received a tremendous amount of advice. Some of it good and some, well, not so good. Some of the good advice I’ve received is if you want friends, be a friend, honesty is indeed the best policy, listen before you speak, on the importance of preparation-measure twice and cut once. The not-so-good advice I received includes, don’t let people know your struggles, do just enough to get by and not attract attention, what the other person doesn’t know, it won’t hurt them, and keep a stiff upper lip, don’t show any “weak” emotions like sadness.

One of the realities of advice is that it retains its value only as long as we remember it. I usually remember to think before I speak, after I have just said something which had I thought a moment or two I would not have said. Proverbs is replete with advice on how to develop wisdom and godly living. I have engaged in the discipline of reading the proverb with the same number as the day of the month. Over the years I have read the book at least 200 times. Yet, each time I read I feel like I am reading it anew.

Part of the feeling is because God is changing me and I am in a different physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual place than even the prior month. So, the me of today has not previously approached the Bible as I currently am. Why shouldn’t I expect to encounter something new? Part of the change I that I have progressed on (what James reminds us) doing God’s word and not just hearing it. Or as Solomon said, “Don’t turn away from my instructions.”

I need both intention and attention in my spiritual life. Intention is reading God’s word to discern how God wants me to live. When I realize that the Word of God is active and powerful, able to guide me into right living and relationship, I will approach it as God’s direct involvement in my life. I have often heard people say that prayer is talking to God, but it is often, for me, very one sided. The flip side of prayer is approaching scripture to hear God speak.

This is one of the roles of the Spirit-to illumine my understanding and challenge my conscience. This is the other reason I often “discover” something new when I read the Bible. As the Spirit works in my life and I respond I become willing and able to hear Him lead me into further understanding of my need for growth in wisdom and maturity. As I respond and cultivate the character and behavior God desires, I not only grow, but I become open to new insights and opportunities for further growth.

I can never be satisfied and content that I have arrived. While in college a visiting speaker challenged us to “be satisfied with an unsatisfied satisfaction.” May this be true in my personal spiritual formation.

Spirit, as I read Scripture, open my eyes to what You desire me to see. Them empower me to act on that insight. Amen.

Lamp . . . Light – January 23, 2024

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

Proverbs 21

Proverbs 21:21 He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity, and honor. NIV.

In the book The Fellowship of the Ring, the fellowship sits at the doorway to the mines of Moria trying to figure how to open the magic doors. The instructions engraved above are simple “Speak friend and enter.” Yet, regardless of the ingenuity of Gandalf he cannot determine the secret password. Then Frodo receives a flash of insight. This was not some secret message but a specific instruction to say the word “friend.” Once they did that they entered to continue their journey, albeit with a bit of suspense and danger.

This reminds me that sometimes in life I do not get what I hope for because I go about achieving things in an incorrect manner. Yes, I want life, prosperity, and honor. So, to seek life, I read self-help books one after another. Surely, this will provide the key to my best life ever. I want prosperity, so I study and prepare for the best occupation possible. Then I invest into a long-term savings plan. This will get me to the point financially I can enjoy a nice house and cars. For receiving honor, I strive to understand what people expect of me and do everything in my power to meet their expectations. And, if I can exceed their expectations, I may just get even more honor. I suspect some of you who read this may relate.

Yet, what is the result of all these strivings? I age and it seems like more and more parts of my body are wearing out. My “best life ever” is slowing down and aches and pains increase. Prosperity, at least of the material kind, eludes me, even as unexpected expenses come and deplete my reserves. Even more disappointing is how little honor and satisfaction I receive when I try to live to please others and meet their expectations. Why does it seem people are not satisfied with what I do and they often don’t even appreciate my efforts.

This verse says I had my vision out of focus. Instead of life, prosperity, and honor, I should focus on pursuing righteousness and love. God is most concerned about my character – whom I am on the inside. His goal is that I become conformed to the image of His Son. This includes being filled with faith, hope, and love; of being dedicated to His will; and of loving Him fully and serving those around me. Jesus reminded us that we need to keep our hearts (inner character) pure because from the abundance of our hearts out mouths speak and our hands do.

Let us pray that God change our hearts. Let’s ask Him to help us love Him with our whole beings and those around us as we love ourselves.

We are Yours. Mold is into the image of Your Son that we might be beacons in our world. Amen.

Lamp . . . Light – January 19, 2024

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

Proverbs 4

Proverbs 4:21 Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, (NLT)

What were the key points and the key application of your pastor’s sermon last Sunday? Hmm. Can you remember? Ironically, I frequently cannot recall them, and I am the pastor who preached the message! It is no excuse to say I have moved on to a new message. The Word of God is intended to change us. So it’s strange, isn’t it, how quickly the hard work of the pastor passes from our minds once we exit the church after the service.

Lest we feel we are the only ones to experience this phenomenon, and therefore among the chief of sinners, we need to remember that Solomon, almost three thousand years ago, challenged his sons to pay attention to God’s word and wisdom. We are fortunate we have this message in printed form and much of what Solomon said was verbal instruction. Solomon challenges all of us to take seriously the principles of wisdom and living in light of God’s perspective. He encouraged us to both keep wisdom in the forefront of our attention and also to let the principles soak into our hearts and so become our pattern of living.

For me, when I hear someone preach, I pray beforehand that God would give me at least one concept or action to consider. Then I focus my attention on the speaker to hear not the preacher but God speaking to me through the sermon. I find it helpful to take notes. Not only does this help my maintain focus, but it also provides me a record to which I can refer during the days and even weeks after the message. When I discover God’s special concept I may star it, underline it, circle it, draw an arrow, or all of them. This way I can locate the concept with a mere glance. This process I find helpful in my daily Bible reading also. When I approach a scripture passage expecting God to impress some verse or concept on my mind, I find it amazing how God now does that daily!

But that it the initial aspect of keeping God’s message in sight. I need also to let it soak. This requires reflection. I look at the concept and see what implications for my daily life I might derive. After one extended meditation process on a passage in Colossians God clearly confronted me with a decade’s old resentment. By slowly saturating my heart with God’s word, I responded by forgiving the person and experiencing the joy of obedience. I recount that process in my book Union With Christ.

God, I commit my self to soak myself in Your Word and so to live my life in growing submission to You purposes. Amen.

Lamp . . . Light – January 17, 2024

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

Proverbs 14:8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought for their ways . . .

This verse intrigues me a couple of ways. First, it mentions someone called a prudent person. What is prudence? When I looked at the definition, I found it indicated those who see either the big picture or long term implications of their actions and therefore determine their behavior base on what will benefit reaching the broadest and best in the future to accomplish their goals. For example, if I want to spend $600 dollars on family Christmas gifts this year, as a prudent person I will set aside $50 a month and by December I will have my desired amount. If I am not as prudent, I will use my credit card to pay for gifts and wait until the following January to figure out how to pay on my debt.

This appeals to me as I am tired of living for the immediate and want to achieve as much for Christ in the time I have. So, what does David say about how a prudent person lives? He says they give thought to their ways. As I understand it, “ways” has at least two possible implications. It can mean my life’s journey and the course of action by which I guide my life. In education we talk about majors. This is the primary area of studies and the term reminds me of major highways as apposed to scenic, secondary routes. There it is, “way” in the concept.

When I worked incorporate America, part of the personal development plan involved articulating one’s career path. Did I want to pursue underwriting or management? Here again, is not path another term for way. In this verse David counsels us that as prudent people we are to give thought about our way. We do that by considering questions like: What is my life’s purpose? What gifts and abilities has God given me? What do I enjoy doing? Where can I be of the greatest help to God’s mission and to people’s needs? What would I do if money and job were not considered? Immersing myself in God’s word and His community will help me see what God desires and how other believers are thoughtfully considering their ways.

 Another broad implication of the term “way” is that of a manner of living. What am I like as a person? I know what I want to be like: kind, thoughtful, helpful, encouraging, and entertaining. But what do others think of me? What does God think of me? Becoming thoughtful about my ways is an issue of my heart and requires prayerful medication. An examination of the fruit of the Spirit, wisdom from above, and the marks of church leaders are an excellent place to start. If this is what God desires, how do I measure up? Spiritual companions are incredibly valuable along this journey of self-reflection. It also requires an ongoing lesson in humility to ask help from and listen to the advice of others on how we really are progressing in our spiritual maturation.

I am convinced this journey of examining my ways is worth it. I want to be a wise, prudent person and so I willingly submit myself to God to be come the person He wants me to be and to do the things He wants me to do.

God, make me an instrument of Your will in my world. Amen.

Lamp . . . Light – January 12, 2024

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

Proverbs 2

Proverbs 2:7 He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. NLT

As a child I dreamt of finding a hidden treasure and the wealth and fame which would then be mine. Although I lived in the hills of western Massachusetts, far from the coast and potential pirate treasure, I still tramped the woods on an ever enchanting quest for a trove, maybe of native American relics, a bank heist, or the spot a really, really, cleaver pirate had chosen. Alas, no find did I discover.

The only treasure I discovered withing my home town resided on the shelved in the stately columned edifice on the main drive. In that library I discovered my love for reading. Science fiction, mystery, historical novels, and an occasional classic entranced me. They also enriched my mind, captivated my heart, and ignited my imagination. I discovered that riches resided not simply in coins and jewels.

These treasures are among the bountiful riches our heavenly Father provides His children. Some He may entrust with great wealth of possessions, but to all He willingly imparts the riches of wisdom, knowledge, and life. In today’s reading we learn God imparts the treasure of common sense. It is ironic that the phrase “common sense” is for many an oxymoron. For to some common sense is very rarely common and also highly impractical; becoming neither common nor sense.

Yet, God calls us to a community of accountability and support. We are to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). For years I lived in an imaginary world. I walked among people, worked my job, and attended church. But my world was comprised of my choosing to live as I wanted, to decide on my own what was right and wrong and also the best course of action to, of course, benefit me. This underlying self-orientation caused me to evaluate everyone else by what they did and myself by my (perceived) good intentions. Little did I see how impoverished I was in the sphere of common sense.

But God – what a remarkable thought – God had other plans for me and He allowed me to see the futility of doing life with myself as my magnetic north. Once I realized my need, I found people who desired God’s presence more fully. From them I learned how to listen to God and look at my character from God’s perspective. They honestly spoke of not just their struggles, but also of practices of prayer, meditation, accountability, and service. These practices enabled them to develop common sense.

I began to see what I’d been missing. I heard people tell the truth on themselves. Instead of becoming overwhelmed with shame and guilt, they lived in freedom and serenity. And I began doing the same. Common sense is indeed becoming common.

God, thank You for people in my life who share their experience and learning with me. You are enriching me with common sense. Through Your Spirit’s guidance, may I pass those riches on to others. Amen.