Friday, May 25, 2012 – Proverbs concluded

Friday, May 25, 2012 – Proverbs concluded

Proverbs 30:11-14
11 There are those who curse their fathers
and do not bless their mothers;
12 those who are pure in their own eyes
and yet are not cleansed of their filth;
13 those whose eyes are ever so haughty,
whose glances are so disdainful;
14 those whose teeth are swords
and whose jaws are set with knives
to devour the poor from the earth
and the needy from among mankind.

I like the questions proposed by Travis Steinmetz on Tuesday about our
imperfections. I'd like to offer those same questions to the verses
above – Who of us are not guilty of any of these things? Who of us can
really truthfully say that we are innocent?

If you have said one hurtful thing to your parents, you have sinned.
If you have not wished your parents well, you have sinned. If you have
exalted yourself in your own mind to be holier-than-thou, you have
sinned. If you have looked at someone and thought yourself better than
they, you have sinned. If you have thought someone to be unworthy of
your consideration or respect, you have sinned. If you have said one
hurtful thing to anyone, you have sinned. I tell you this not to put
guilt in your heart, but rather humility.

We need to look at people with merciful eyes, not judgmental eyes. How
can a sinner judge a sinner? That's not our job, nor do we have the
authority to do so. Our job is to love like Christ. Let God be the
judge. Even our Judge has compassion for us beyond our comprehension.
Remember, "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were
still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Let's have God's
compassion for other sinners and love them despite their
imperfections. There's a great new song out called "Jesus, Friend of
Sinners," which portrays the humble merciful outlook that much of the
church has strayed from and needs to work back towards. Here's a link
to the music video and some of the lyrics:

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=KZGWKLNX

Jesus, friend of sinners, we have strayed so far away
We cut down people in your name but the sword was never ours to swing
Jesus, friend of sinners, the truth's become so hard to see
The world is on their way to You but they're tripping over me
Always looking around but never looking up I'm so double minded
A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours


In addition, here are a couple other great Proverbs from today's reading:

Proverbs 30:7-9
"Two things I ask of you, LORD;
do not refuse me before I die:
8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, 'Who is the LORD?'
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God.

Have you asked for your daily bread today? Come Holy Spirit. Amen.


Proverbs 31:25-31 (a portion of "The Wife of Noble Character")
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Are you honoring God with your heart? Father God, we surrender our
lives to you. Please Lord, conform our will to yours. Teach us to
serve like the Noble Wife. Teach us to serve like Jesus Christ. In
Jesus Name. We love you Lord. Amen.


God Bless,
Anthony