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But I want to touch the hot stove top!!!

Last night we got to hear my daughter play in her band concert and enjoy her talents and her commitment to making music and the arts part of her life. We will get to hear her chorus concert next week. This weekend she will have friends over for her birthday party. We are getting to celebrate moments like this, and we get to be involved in the day to day commitment and challenges that allow for these celebrations. Teenage girl relationships are not always easy to navigate, and committing to practice is not always the most fun choice available to her in a given moment — but they are a part of the process.

I want my daughter to work hard, do well and succeed — but these are not the reasons that I love her. I cannot imagine disowning her (or my love for her ever ending) because of something shameful or foolish she might do in life. It isn’t her strength that I love, and I don’t hate the things about her that will improve over time with growth. She doesn’t have to earn my love — it is constant.

And as a father who loves his daughter and wants the best for her, love isn’t just letting her have her own way — it is helping her learn, teaching her discipline, correcting her, and sharing the values of wisdom and faith.

It seems that it is easy for us to be confused about God’s love for His children. We might hear things about “fearing God”, about “His wrath”, about “His law”, about “hell” — and be reminded of abusive people who want people to fear them, who are full of wrath and vengeance, and who enjoy hurting and torturing others — and we cannot see any good in serving, sorting, praising or worshipping such people. If we do not know God as a loving Father and do not trust that He is merciful, we might miss out on His love.

Since she was very young, we have taught my daughter that there are expectations that we should all have in our household when it comes to respectful behavior towards each other. We’ve also shared with her that we are helping her to grow into a healthy, responsible, caring, self-sufficient, and productive adult and that some of this long term growth may be contrary to her own wants, desires, passions, opinions, and feelings at any given moment. So having wise advisors that you can trust, who can provide outside perspective and not just be an echo chamber amplifying our own desires and demands of the moment — this is valuable.

Life comes with enough unexpected consequences for poor decisions — so when she was young, we tried to explain why certain decisions/choices were bad and set up known punishments/ consequences we could enforce to help her learn to avoid things that could be a very real danger later in life. Simple “rules” helped before she was old enough to be reasoned with. Then explanations, expectations and consequences when she could be taught precepts and concepts. And at some point it seems we might transition into more of a supportive advisor role.

My point in this is that we’ve had the concept of a belt, and she has understood very clearly from a young age what actions would result in the belt being used — and that was enough. We have never wanted to use it, and we have never had to use it on her — but she knew that we were WILLING to use it IF she demanded by her actions that we correct her in that way now — so that she wouldn’t establish patterns in her behavior that could be very dangerous to her as an adult.

This is how I see God as my good Father in Heaven. This is how I can have a reverent fear and awe of Him and of His mercy — because I know it is not that He demands that I arbitrarily do it “his way” just to satisfy his demands — no! He loves me and wants the best for me. He wants to protect me from things that are dangerous to me and that will steal from me. There is wisdom behind why he teaches me these things even when I might not feel like hearing them — because they are good for me! He even knows that at times when I’m feeling defiant, that I’m not going to want to hear Him, and that I’m going to sometimes try to ignore Him and do it my own way.

He doesn’t only love me when I’m “obedient” — in fact, it isn’t about being obedient to some arbitrary list of rules. A spoiled toddler might throw a tantrum about mommy and daddy saying “No” when they try to touch the hot stove top. But are so many of us spiritually still raging toddlers (who refuse to understand and trust that God’s guidance is wise and good and for our own benefit)?

It is see inspiring to realize how the favor of God is revealed when we listen to and follow His wisdom. He has created and architected everything — so trusting and following wisdom from Him is better than relying on our own strength. If one man has a detailed map of safe instructions for a long and dangerous journey, and another has a fun, fast car with loud music, the scent of drugs floating out of the windows and no plan or sense of direction — which of these will a wise person choose and which one is for the fool?

Lord, help us to appreciate and be in awe of the wisdom and guidance that you offer us. Help us to wait and trust when we cannot see it, help us to know your mercy and your love. When we have put ourselves in danger, please correction us not in anger but with what must be done to set us back on the path. Help us to learn wisdom and give up our foolishness. Help us to give up on striving for our own desires or even striving to prove our own worth and to rest in our Father’s love. Amen.

‭Psalms‬ ‭147:10‭-‬11‬ ‭AMP‬
[10] He does not delight in the strength (military power) of the horse, Nor does He take pleasure in the legs (strength) of a man. [11] The Lord favors those who fear and worship Him [with awe-inspired reverence and obedience], Those who wait for His mercy and lovingkindness.

https://bible.com/bible/1588/psa.147.10.AMP

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Facts are only a Google, Siri or Alexa away. But Wisdom?

People know how to find many answers. These days, facts are only a Google, Siri, or Alexa away.

But what about wisdom?

What about those things that go beyond written books that the ears and eyes and senses of an apprentice can watch in awe and receive from a master of his craft?

What about those things to go beyond trades and talents and speak to the deeper, political, philosophical, even spiritual things of life and eternity?

Have you sat quiet enough in your mind to listen for the teacher’s voice that is not your own?

Have you sought out to find this “God” that others speak about, that many worship, that people see fit to pass down generation after generation in tradition and ceremonies?

Where have you gotten all these wise sayings? Whose spirit speaks through you?
Job 26:4 NLT

And this is what he says to all humanity: ‘The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.’”
Job 28:28 NLT

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Safety or Danger

I learned about Mark Wahlberg’s daily schedule last night and began rethinking my own, so I read my chapters for today before bed and “slept on it” instead of reading it first thing. I took an intentional step last night to better prepare me for the day ahead — just like establishing and implementing a plan for exercise (both physical and spiritual) will better prepare me for the days ahead.

Associated Reading:

  • Genesis 6
  • Psalm 6
  • Joshua 6

As I read Genesis 6, Psalm 6, and Joshua 6 last night, I found Noah finding safety from the world in his task of building the Ark, and David finding mercy in a time of trouble through prayer, and Rahab finding safety when Jericho fell because of her choosing to help the people of Israel — and this was a stark contrast to the depravity of mankind to be destroyed in the flood, the enemies who will turn back ashamed and horrified at what they have done to David, and the city of Jericho and everything in it utterly destroyed as a tribute to the Lord.

There was a clear contrast in each reading between what led these intentionally into safety, while others continued on unmodified towards their own destruction. And there is the same for us today.

Benjamin Franklin put this wisdom into easily accessible and non- religious words when he said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!” And we also have some great quotable that we can pull from scripture about planning, about being intentional, and for aligning our purpose with God’s will:

Proverbs 21:5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

Proverbs 16:3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

Luke 14:28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?

Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

We are choosing today to intentionally receive this word into our minds to be written upon our hearts. We ask our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who prays on our behalf at the right hand of God the Father, that our purpose and plan would established one step at a time in His will and His purpose. In that, we find safety not damger, and mercy not shame, and deliverance not destruction. We are no better than Noah the drunk, David the adulterous murderer, or Rahab the prostitute in our own sinfulness, so we rely upon the mercies, grace and blessings of the Lord just as they have. And just as they are no longer called drunk, murderer, and whore neither are we. By His blood and through the faith we have been granted, we are children of God. Safe in our Heavenly Father’s arms. Amen.

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The Contrast

There is a great contrast between the grace and mercies found in intimate closeness to God — versus the harsh reality of death, darkness, and destruction that comes to those separated from and opposed to God.

Genesis 2 lays out for Adam and Eve an explanation of the consequences of “choosing the wrong side” when they are told “If you eat its fruit, you will surely die.” And Psalm 2 contrasts those who do not submit as “you will be destroyed in the midst of all of your activities” to “what joy for all who take refuge in Him!” And even Joshua 2 lays out a choice and consequences for Rahab the prostitute, who helped them.

In each of these situations, we see kind advice communicated — like a good father would warn his children about not touching a hot stove top — but we also see the opportunity for submission or opposition. And even more importantly, we see that the ones giving advice and extending grace have the wisdom and insight to indicate the “If you choose X, your consequences will be X — our If you choose Y, your consequences will be Y.” It would be foolish for a father to not warn his child about the consequences of a hot stove — just as it would be foolish of a child not to heed his father’s advice about the hot stove.

But we have all at times in our lives ignored the advice of our heavenly Father and traded what is best for a different set of consequences. In fact, being a slave to sin is having our joy and our greatest blessings stolen from us repeatedly, day after day, as we are tricked into giving up willingly what is best — in trade it for the momentary pleasures of “sin”.

Instead of seeing sin as “getting to do what I want instead of having to follow God’s rules” — we must understand that sin is always us “giving up what is best for us in trade for something less”.

A good father knows that his child might be foolish, and isn’t telling him “don’t touch the hot stovetop” to keep him from enjoying exploring some new areas of the kitchen — but to protect him from the hurt that he knows will be the inevitable consequence. In fact, a good father isn’t waiting eagerly to beat the foolish child for touching the hot stove and getting burnt — he longs to share wisdom and good advice for the benefit of the child.

Unfortunately, I fear that much of what extreme evangelical teaching has used (seemingly as a shortcut for denomination centered religious “conversions” not Christ centered life-altering “salvations”) — by scaring people with an emphasis upon hell and eternal torment and a wrathful, vengeful Father God, with Jesus as a “get out of hell free card” if they can explain the “Roman road” and recite a “sinner’s prayer” — has completely skewed the common understanding of God as Heavenly Father and how “sin” is understood. I know that I personally misunderstood this for decades of my young church going life.

To look at “sin” from a “do this and don’t do that” perspective alone is having information but not knowing how to truly understand it. This is what is meant by “the letter of the law kills”. That is the religious, judgemental, hypocritical perspective that would enjoy and take pleasure in repeatedly beating a child for placing their hand on a stovetop that wasn’t even hot — while using the excuse “it’s for his own good” to justify their perverse pleasure in doing harm to the child. That is not how God operates, and those who act as if it is — not only do not know Him personally — but clearly know very little “about Him” as well.

When we look at the love of a father who warns us of the dangers, yet allows us to learn — either by being his advice and enjoying the fruit of wisdom — or by ignoring his advice and experiencing the consequences of the prodigal — that grace available for both the wise and the foolish, will either have us grateful like the prodigal son, or confused and mad like the jealous older son in that story. This is the gospel, and it sees things from a spiritual perspective.

Related reading:

  • Genesis 2
  • Psalm 2
  • Joshua 2

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Wisdom is Living, not just Knowing

What if our life’s example (not just our words):

— teaches people to live disciplined and successful lives

— helps them do what is right, just, and fair

#MeaningfulGoals #Proverbs1_3 #WalkTheLivingWord

We aren’t going to get it perfect every time, but if we don’t aim for the target, we are guaranteed to miss.

Our decisions, our words, and our actions today will not only bring us personal consequences, but they will influence lives around us — and leave the world “changed”.

You are a “world changer” with everything you do.

What change are you bringing today?

These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel. Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young. Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles. Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Proverbs 1:1‭-‬7 NLT ( https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.1.1-7.NLT )

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[Spruce Pine] Proverbs 8 NLT

Proverbs 8 (NLT)

Wisdom Calls for a Hearing

8 Listen as Wisdom calls out!
Hear as understanding raises her voice!
2 On the hilltop along the road,
she takes her stand at the crossroads.
3 By the gates at the entrance to the town,
on the road leading in, she cries aloud,
4 “I call to you, to all of you!
I raise my voice to all people.
5 You simple people, use good judgment.
You foolish people, show some understanding.
6 Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you.
Everything I say is right,
7 for I speak the truth
and detest every kind of deception.
8 My advice is wholesome.
There is nothing devious or crooked in it.
9 My words are plain to anyone with understanding,
clear to those with knowledge.
10 Choose my instruction rather than silver,
and knowledge rather than pure gold.
11 For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies.
Nothing you desire can compare with it.

12 “I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment.
I know where to discover knowledge and discernment.
13 All who fear the Lord will hate evil.
Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance,
corruption and perverse speech.
14 Common sense and success belong to me.
Insight and strength are mine.
15 Because of me, kings reign,
and rulers make just decrees.
16 Rulers lead with my help,
and nobles make righteous judgments.

17 “I love all who love me.
Those who search will surely find me.
18 I have riches and honor,
as well as enduring wealth and justice.
19 My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold,
my wages better than sterling silver!
20 I walk in righteousness,
in paths of justice.
21 Those who love me inherit wealth.
I will fill their treasuries.

22 “The Lord formed me from the beginning,
before he created anything else.
23 I was appointed in ages past,
at the very first, before the earth began.
24 I was born before the oceans were created,
before the springs bubbled forth their waters.
25 Before the mountains were formed,
before the hills, I was born—
26 before he had made the earth and fields
and the first handfuls of soil.
27 I was there when he established the heavens,
when he drew the horizon on the oceans.
28 I was there when he set the clouds above,
when he established springs deep in the earth.
29 I was there when he set the limits of the seas,
so they would not spread beyond their boundaries.
And when he marked off the earth’s foundations,
30 I was the architect at his side.
I was his constant delight,
rejoicing always in his presence.
31 And how happy I was with the world he created;
how I rejoiced with the human family!

32 “And so, my children, listen to me,
for all who follow my ways are joyful.
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise.
Don’t ignore it.
34 Joyful are those who listen to me,
watching for me daily at my gates,
waiting for me outside my home!
35 For whoever finds me finds life
and receives favor from the Lord.
36 But those who miss me injure themselves.
All who hate me love death.”

Commentary

http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/proverbs/8.html

http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-the-bible/proverbs-8/

Sermons

https://youtu.be/opLvBUGcvz0

https://youtu.be/vdsMtV6NgoI

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[Spruce Pine] Proverbs 9 Questions

Chapter 9 – Judgement

1) What does wisdom urge the simple to do? (Verses 4-6)

2) What do fools & mockers do in return for correction or rebuke? (Verse 7)

3) How do the wise respond to correction? (Verses 8-9)

4) Where do the guests of folly go? (Verse 18)

Cross References

How does the proclamation in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 confirm and agree with what we have read in Proverbs chapter 9?

How does the encouragement of 1 Corinthians 6:11 confirm and agree with what wisdom urges the simple to do in Proverbs 9:4-6?

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[Spruce Pine] Proverbs 3 Questions

Chapter 3 – Trust His Discipline

1) How does he instruct us which path to take? (Verses 1, 5-6)

2) What does he say about Discipline? (Verses 11-12)

3) How valuable is wisdom? (Verses 13-18)

4) How is the Lord’s outpouring conditional? (Verses 32-35)

Cross References

How does the New Testament words in Hebrews 12:5-11 and Revelation 3:19 confirm and agree with what we have learned in Proverbs chapter 3?

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[Spruce Pine] Proverbs 2 Questions

Chapter 2 – Paths

1) Where does wisdom come from? (Verses 5-6)

2) How does he describe evil people? (Verses 12-15)

3) What advice does he give for following? (Verses 20-22)

Cross References

How do Jesus’s words in John 8:12 agree and align with the advice given for following the wise path in Proverbs chapter 2?

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[Spruce Pine] Proverbs 1 Questions

Chapter 1 – Purpose

1) Whose proverbs are these? (Verse 1)

2) What is their purpose? (Verse 2)

3) What do the wise do with instruction, wisdom, discipline and correction? (Verses 3, 5, 7a, 33)

4 ) How does a fool react to instruction, wisdom, discipline, and correction? (Verses 7b, 16, 22, 25, 29-32)

Cross References

What does Deuteronomy 6:5 as quoted by Jesus in Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30, and Luke 10:27 tell us about our purpose?

How do Jesus Christ’s statements in John 14:15 And John 14:21 reinforce and agree with in the new testament — what Proverbs chapter 1 had already established about our purpose and the purpose of God’s instruction, wisdom, ducklings and correction?