Proverbs 18

"A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own mind....The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe." (Proverbs 18:2 & 10, NASB)

Basically, "A fool does not delight in," listening.  Have you ever noticed in "fellowship" how some people cannot wait until you are finished to, "reveal[] his own mind."  Or, when you are telling something about yourself, your family, your "ministry," they are tapping their fingers, really not interested, just being "polite" until it's time for, "revealing his own mind."  There was a Pentecostal lady I knew back in the 60s who once said, "I listen to everything every child of God has to say."  Great attitude; may we all be such.  To obtain, "understanding," in any sphere on any subject, one must listen.

And then what commentary would be worth its salt if it did not consider verse 10?  "The Name of the Lord...."  Jesus is the Name of the Lord.  Again, there is not an Old Testament, "name of the Lord," and a New Testament, "name of the Lord."  The truth of Scripture is, "....yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and ONE LORD JESUS CHRIST, through whom are all things, and through whom we live."  We should read the text, "The Name of the Lord Jesus is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it (Him) and is safe, literally, "set on high."  We run into Jesus, not to.  This is not as, "I ran into so and so and so the other day."  It is literally, "into," as in, "in Christ," and He in me.  I repeat over and over, I know, but the great reality of life in the Godhead is, "into," not "to."  Jesus, "Christ in you (the Church), [is] the hope of Glory."  We ran, "into," Father, Son Jesus and Holy Spirit when we received Him as our Lord and Savior.  We ran, "into," the Living Triune God when we were baptized in the Holy Spirit.  And every time I read the "God-Breathed" Words, I run into the Word of God Himself, Jesus the Christ.

One better: You and I live, "into," Jesus today.  He is not outside the office, and I have to run "out" to Him.  "What a fellowship, what a joy Divine, leaning on the Everlasting Arms," yes.  But even greater, living in "the Everlasting Arms." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that You are my exceeding, "Strong Tower."  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

Proverbs 17

"Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife....He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord." (Proverbs 17:1 & 15)

Verse 1:    This is another version of poor people can be happy, while rich people can be miserable.  Maybe it is akin to verse 22, "A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones."  Another translation of, "like medicine," is, "makes medicine even better."  There is no doubt that, "quietness," can be wonderful and healing, while, "strife," can be most upsetting and full of tension.  I wonder if that is one of the reasons I don't like talk shows where people are just arguing and arguing.  Forget the issue.  There is something about that confrontational atmosphere which cannot be good for our health, spiritual or physical.  The same is true at places of business, schools, in families.  I think people who delight in argument and are quick to argue do so to their own hurt.  Lord help me to be a sower of, "quietness," rather than, "strife."  By the way, this does not mean capitulation.  That can be just another form of, "justifies the wicked."

Verse 15: How does one, "justif[y] the wicked,..and condemn[] the just...."?  Well, of course there are many ways, but let's get real practical and specific here: By voting for, or, I might add, not voting at all, and thereby justifying by active participation or neglect, political leaders who advocate principles opposed to the Bible.  American "Christians" would do well to keep this in mind in the upcoming Congressional and Presidential elections.  We just cannot raise our hands in religious services, preach the Gospel, pray, read the Bible, evangelize, then go on in life living, voting, in general, conducting day to day business as though religious life and "personal life" have nothing in common.  This is one of the great reasons for the state of twenty-first century Christendom------ in our businesses, schools, families, and local churches, etc. 

There is great peace in Jesus Christ, in our abiding, indwelling fellowship in Him.  But there can be no, "peace which passes understanding," when the a professing Believer attempts to separate certain aspects of his life from the reign of, "the Lord of peace."  I cannot decide what and whom to obey and expect, "peace...like a river".  I encourage and challenge you and me today to be sure Jesus Christ is Lord of all, Lord of actions, decisions, words, life style.  Where there is, "strife," I pray to sow, "quietness."  Where there is, "the wicked," and, "the just," I pray I reverse the condemnation and justification, not so much with my words, but more by my actions/life style.  Proverbs can really reveal true "spirituality," can it not?!?

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray for, "but He gives more grace," to apply the Book of Proverbs to 24/7 living.  Amen.
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I will be starting the FHMP Fall Mission prayer requests and updates this coming Saturday for those who have requested them.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

Proverbs 16

"How much better to get wisdom than gold!  And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver."  (Proverbs 16:16)

An eighteenth century shoemaker was once asked what he did for a living.  He responded, "I serve the Lord Jesus Christ, and cobble shoes to pay the expenses." 

Face it.  Most people do not have the life philosophy of that shoemaker, and most certainly do not believe our text.  To most of the world, there is nothing so desired, so sought after, so worked for as "gold" and "silver."  Everyone wants more of it than they have.  One of my uncles once said to me, "You know when I was making $4,000.oo a year, that wasn't enough.  Then I made $8,000.00 a year, and that wasn't enough.  Then I made $12,000.00 a year, and that wasn't enough.  I'm beginning to think that it will never be enough."  Do you know why the US Government is in such an embarrassing mode right now?  No one in this country ever has enough.  That is the reason the US debt just keeps growing and growing.  I wonder if someday soon the words of our Lord Jesus Christ will come to pass in America, "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate."

Yet, in spite of all man's greed, in spite of so many people working hard at so many jobs and vocations over the centuries only to get more, "gold," and, "silver," the Word of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, declares, "How much better to get wisdom than gold!  And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver."  Without wisdom, man does not know what to do with gold.  Take the kings and czars of history as examples.  They spent all their gold on themselves and, as a result, lost their gold.  Wisdom and understanding would have enabled them to realize that if you take care of people under your care, they will take care of you.  1920's America is another example of fools with gold.  The Market crashed and so did many gold owners.  Then there are the sad stories of people without wisdom and understanding who win the lottery.  Many of them run through that money in a relatively short period of time.

The Bible places a premium on, "wisdom," and, "understanding."  These qualities are rooted in Jesus, not in our colleges.  Training the mind does not bring, "wisdom," and, "understanding."  They are gifts from the Blessed Trinity, "released" into us in Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit and the "God-Breathed" Words.

Father, in Jesus' Name, "Remove falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches-- feed me with the food allotted to me...."  Amen.
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FHMP Fall Mission: October 27-November 23, 2013

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

Eyes Are Everywhere

"The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good."  (Proverbs 15:3)

What a comforting and fearful reality all at the same time.  There is not one square centimeter in the Earth where there are not, "The eyes of the Lord."  He is in everyone area and place in Washington, DC, right now, "keeping watch on the evil and the good"; never doubt that.  The same is true in all nations, in all corporations, in all media, entertainment, sports, educational venues.  Right there in that room where you are, "The eyes of the Lord [Jesus Christ] are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good."  By the way, if you experience a little fear in this moment, you are in good company.  Proverbs 15 reminds us, "Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure with trouble....The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom...."  If our text puts some, "fear of the Lord," in us, it's a good thing.

I read Psalm 73 this morning and realize continually that no matter what seems to be going on in the world, the Lord Jesus Christ is at work, fulfilling His Words, keeping promises, "watching over" us (actually within us).  Exodus 23:23 says, "For My Angel will go before you and bring you in...."  The word for, "angel," does not refer to some created being with wings.  The word can mean, "ambassador, king, messenger, prophet, priest, teacher," all of which describe our Lord Jesus Christ.  There are indeed angels with angelic work, but to limit this word to them is a severe limitation on what the Living Triune God does in our lives and in the nations.  This one who, "will go before you and bring you in," is Jesus, alive, active, working in the Earth, "keeping watch on the evil and the good." 

"The eyes of the Lord [Jesus Christ] are in every place," today.  It is a delight and comfort to know this and be reminded of this.  Jesus is, "keeping watch on the evil and the good," and both reserved for the Day of Judgment.  I am praying more fervently in these days.  The word translated, "fervent," in James is the Greek word from which we get the English word, "energy."  It means "to be active, efficient, be mighty in, work."  When I told an apostolic person once what I was doing, his reply was, "Prayer is hard work."  It is, but most enjoyable.  What is that saying, "Find something you enjoy doing, and you'll never work a day in your life."  Our text today is a great encouragement to me; it should be to all who Follow Jesus.  Just picture with me, if you will, His Eyes, right now, right there and here, watching us, keeping us, correcting us, maturing us.  "Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep."

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You so much for the encouragement of Your Words.  Amen.
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FHMP Fall Mission:  October 27-November 23, 2013

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

Proverbs 12-14

"A man is not established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous cannot be moved....There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; and one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches....Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people."  (Proverbs 12:3; 13:7; 14:34)

"The root of the righteous cannot be moved."  Okay, there you have it.  If you are in Jesus Christ and Jesus in you, you simply, "cannot be moved."  The word for, "moved," also means, "shaken, totter, slip, gives way, staggers."  In Jesus we have nothing less than , "Therefore thus says the Lord God: 'Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; whoever believes will not act hastily'"; the NIV says, "....the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic."  Our, "root," is deep and Eternal.  We cannot be shaken.

"....One who makes himself poor, yet has great riches."  Most rich people work all their lives to get and stay rich, or some may hit the lottery.  Regardless, if they have not Jesus Christ, they have, "nothing."  The translation for, "I am nothing," in 1 Corinthians 13 literally means, "an absolute zero."  Be careful when you say someone "has it all."  If he has not Jesus, he has naught; his life is an absolute zero.  The literal translation of, "makes himself poor," is, "improverishes himself."  This is Who Jesus Christ Is.  This is who we are as those in whom Jesus lives.  "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich."  I pray the same life style for you and me.

"Righteousness exalts a nation...."  The word for, "exalts," also means, "rise."  Those reading this from other countries, forgive the American reference here, but no one can dispute the "rise" of the United States of America for it's first couple of centuries.  It became the world "leader;" it saved mankind from Naziism and Communism which, in the words of a prosecutor at Nuremberg, "were out to loot the__Planet."  Germany and Japan are still among the top four economies in the world.  We defeated, then we rebuilt; this is exalted greatness.  In the last 50 years, however, it has been a nation in decline.  The reason?  "....sin is a disgrace to any people."  The Message paraphrases it, "God-devotion makes a country strong; God-avoidance leaves people weak."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray for "God-devotion."  Amen.
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FHMP Fall Mission:  October 27-November 23

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2