Month: May 2013

Proverbs 24:17-18:  “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and turn away His anger from him.”

 I have spent most of my life reading Proverbs, and the Proverbs have become “checks” to my soul, pointing out and uprooting weeds of negative thoughts and desires before they root themselves deeply in me and affect my character. At times, I am completely unaware of “bad weeds” beginning to make my soul their growing grounds, so subtle do the thoughts enter. The Spirit uses the scriptures, especially Proverbs, to reveal these “weeds” to me. Then I feel really stupid, but also so very grateful that the Lord is watching over me as He watches over all of us and speaks to us through His Word, as we commit to spending time with Him. Interestingly enough, there are 31 chapters in Proverbs and 31 days in a month, so a chapter can be read daily—like taking your “spiritual vitamin.” Between the clamor of the day and the constant bombardment of secular influences, it is refreshing to know that God’s Word “shoots straight,” no messing around, and it is completely trustworthy and for our good.

From our past devotions, we understand that God really cares about having a relationship with us, but with this week’s devotion, we see that God cares about the relationships we have with one another, even our attitude towards our “enemy.”  There is a neat story in 2 Kings 6:18-23, where Israel is at war, but the prophet Elisha would divinely warn the King of Israel of the Syrians’ traps. So angered by this, the Syrian King sent his army after Elisha, the prophet—really a stupid idea!  Long story short, the army found the prophet in a small town, but God blinded the army, and Elisha led them to the very heart of Israel where the King ruled, and the King requested permission to slay them.  Elisha responded, “How would you treat prisoners captured in war?  Feed them and send them back to their Master, the King?”  For a long time afterwards, Israel had peace with Syria.

It is so easy to rejoice over our enemy’s misfortune, but that is not the spirit God wants us to have. In Matthew 5:43-48, there are some great verses.  Because of its length, I can only quote parts of it, “But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you, that ye may be the children of your Father who is in Heaven. For He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends His rain on the just and the unjust. For if ye love those who love you, what reward have ye? And if you greet only your brethren, what do you do more than others?  Be ye therefore perfect (full—as in not lacking, matured, complete), even as your Heavenly Father is perfect.”  If you have not read these passages before, they are huge. It is so against our natural way of thinking towards those who would oppose us or dislike us.  

That’s why a truly Christian life is so much more than just saying a prayer and going to church on Sunday to “fulfill” a need in us, so we can say we are good people.”  True Christianity is way beyond that. It is not humanly possible, without the intervention of the Holy Spirit, to love our enemy.  Why should I?  He is my enemy.  Without understanding what a great offense for which we have been forgiven—so much so that the Savior had to give His life for us—we are unable to forgive and love our enemy. To be set free from our carnal nature, something with which we all struggle, has to be a God thing. This is the “raw, ugly” side of Christianity, the part that no one wants to talk about. We are all into doing good deeds and receiving praises from that, because it makes us feel good about ourselves, but we don’t want this “raw, ugly” side of the faith. It’s wounding.  It’s messy. I have to leave my nicely defined comfort zone, “my happy spot,” to step out and actually put flesh to Christ’s words. 

Christ gave a hard speech similar to this, and the scriptures record that many of His “followers” left Him. When we have to forgive, and when we have to say no to ourselves to obey Christ, do we also want to leave Him? He’s my God for the good times, and as long as things go my way and the blessings keep flowing, I am in; but when the blessings stop and times are really tough and someone is wanting to see what a Christian really is, do we check out and retreat back into our comfort zone of religion? The true Christian walk is supernatural. It cannot be done without the aid of the Spirit and a heart that truly is growing in the understanding of what it was saved from and the greatness of the ransom that was paid.

Father God,

This is a hard study, but you yourself say that wide is the road that leads to destruction, and many there be that go on it, but narrow (hard, confined—as if between two boulders) is the way that leads to eternal life and few there be that find it. Let me, let us, be the ones that find it and not count this life as precious, but the life to come. As diamonds in the rough, this life serves to prove us, cut us, and shape us, so that in our reflection, Christ is seen and more may come.  Amen. (Matthew 7:13-14 paraphrased)

 Proverbs 3:13-15,18, 23: 

¹³  “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, ¹⁴  for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.  ¹⁵  She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.  ¹⁸  She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.  ²³  Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble.” (ESV)

Before we begin, please note the following corrections from prior studies.  In the scripture verse we studied last week, the word “loveth” incorrectly changed to “liveth.”  Correctly read would be:  “…for whom the Lord loveth he correcteth,” not “…for whom the Lord liveth….”  Also, two devotions back in the study of “Honoring the Lord with our Increase,” I misnamed the athlete as Mark Spitz, when it should have been Michael Phelps.  I am sure all of you realized that! 

Let’s start with a question, “What is wisdom, and how is it attained?”  Some would say it is being smart and that “smarts” come from our parents (our genes).  That part is true, but is intelligence the same as wisdom?  I have known some very intelligent people who have made some very poor decisions in life and have not exercised wisdom in their decisions. Personally, I think we all have made decisions that we regret.  So, wisdom must be more than just smarts and not just defined by one’s genes.  The scriptures teach in Proverbs 1:7:  “The reverence of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom.”  And it says in Proverbs 15:33:  “The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom….”  Both of these verses interchange the use of wisdom and knowledge for poetical reasons, but in either case, wisdom/knowledge stem from the fear or reverence for the Lord—that there is a God and to the degree that I believe that and act upon it will largely determine my behavior and the decisions I make.

Let me explain how reverence for the Lord works in me.  First, all my interactions with my fellow man are governed by a standard that is not “me” centered but “other” centered. Through the relationship I have with the Lord God, I know He “has my back,” so I do not need to be “me” focused—I can be focused on others.  If I did not have that reverence/relationship, I would by default need to be “me” focused.  Next, the fear of the Lord causes me to see my proper place among humanity. The value/love God places upon me, He has for everyone else as well, so it’s not just me that’s “special.” We are all special. So because of that, we all stand on equal ground and have equal worth and access before God. We can choose to not be obedient to Him or not have a relationship with Him and reap the consequences of our own decisions, but why when God is so willing to partner with us in this life? 

Lastly, the fear of the Lord affects how I use my finances. We spend money often times because we perceive our purchase will make us feel more important, look better, or fulfill an emotional need or void we have inside. Whereas, in reality, these purchases are just “things” that are made to serve a function, not inflate our ego or “fulfill us.” Through reverence/relationship with God, I am able to see through the things in this life that we tend to make into “little gods” and not be trapped by them or spend money on them other than for the service they were designed to do.

The fear of God makes God big, makes me small, and makes the problems in this life manageable.  We have said this before, but a reminder is always helpful. It allows me to see and weigh things with eternity in mind, which affects every decision I would make, from relationships to purchases; hence, from this then, is Wisdom founded. For the reverence of God causes these changes in one’s being, and wisdom is therefore that ability to live in the world, seek to be beneficial to all, but not get trapped or sucked into its materialistic, worldly views and values. To be in the world but not of it, to rather be about God’s work—having His values and living for something more than just the here and now—can only be accomplished through the fear/reverence of God. This, then, is wisdom, which is much different from “smarts.” Through our emotional-need system, our “smarts” can easily be duped into making something or someone more important than what/who they are.

Father God, thank you for this study. Cause me to understand how easily, via the window of my emotions and perceived needs, I can make decisions that are not the best. Let me see that by spending time with You, growing in reverence for You, I become “protected” from becoming prey to my emotions and the worldly system of materialism.  Thank you and Amen. 

Dios lo Bendiga – Arthur

Proverbs 3:11-12:  “My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, neither be weary of his correction, for whom the Lord liveth he correcteth, even as a father, the son in whom he delighteth.“

The biggest error I find in “Christian faith” is that it is too easy.  Say a prayer and presto “you’re born again.”  We really have no concept of what it is to be a “Christian.”  It’s like saying all Hispanics are Catholic, and those of you who are Catholic understand that one’s nationality does not make you Catholic, no more than drinking milk makes you a cow.  It is a set of beliefs to which one gives himself/herself; therefore, just because we are Americans does not make us Christian.  The faith of Christianity was founded in Christ as he embraced the Cross for past, present, and future believers—for those who would seek forgiveness and refuge in His atoning death.  It was a victory that was hard-fought and won, as the principalities of Hell and Death sought to overcome the God/Man Savior.  Salvation, or to be “born again,” is, therefore, much more than a prayer said in a moment of emotion.  It is thoughtful, searching, and repentant, with an understanding of what is at stake—a surrendering of “me, mine, pride, and self,” to obey, follow, and fall in love with a God who loves us and paid the ultimate price for our freedom.  Without this foundational understanding, when God’s discipline comes, we are offended and fall away, causing more harm to ourselves and to the Faith.

It is necessary, therefore, that we understand the admonitions that are found in these verses. “My son” (‘Ben’ in Hebrew) can be translated “daughter or child ” as well, and as a father with two daughters, there are very few two-word combinations that express more love than “my daughter.”  So when I read “my son,” no matter what follows, it is being said from a heart that loves me and is proud of me—a heart that already approves of me, not a heart from which I have to earn approval.  His love validates my worth as His son, as His love validates your worth as a son or daughter. I have no fear, therefore, in what my Father allows, so to read “despise not the chastening of the Lord,”—understanding that “despise” means to reject, refuse, or lightly esteem and “chastening” to instruct or discipline—means that I accept it knowing that it is the refiners fire burning away the dross—dross that I know exists, until he sees His reflection in my soul.  Another one of my “best friends” since my youth is found in Proverbs 6:23: “For the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light, and reproofs (or disciplines) of instruction are the way of life….”  There is no argument in me towards God’s rod of instruction, only the prayer to be able to endure it, allowing it to have its work in me as the challenges of life come my way. I can fill pages with challenges, hardships, and times of darkness and uncertainty through which I have gone, only to learn the truth in the Shepherd’s Psalm (Psalm 23:4):  “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

Tucked within the verse is, “even as a father,” which is a part that breaks my heart. The concept of God being a “Father” comes from us men, who, for the most part, are sorry examples of a Godly father. We have had fathers who failed in their roles as God’s representatives, and they have had fathers who failed in their roles, and on and on it goes.  Our children, therefore, have had to suffer the breakdown and have had to try to reconcile the God of the Bible as a “loving Father,” a God they cannot see, with their own father whom they do see whose role it is to instill worth and value but fails.  So, if my own father does not love me, does not feel I’m important enough, why would God find me important.  You see, when we fail as fathers, the breakdown is huge.  It is emotional, spiritual, and is often being acted out on the physical level.  Show me a child that has a poor self-image, and I will show you a child that is prey to sex, drugs, and high-risk actions, only to gain approval from his or her peers.  Fortunately, this is not true of all of us dads; it is just true of too many of us.  Our job as parents is huge, and single moms serving as a mom and dad is even greater still. The sense of self-worth, “that I matter,” comes from our parents, especially from us fathers, and to the degree we fail as parents is to the degree that our children will struggle with their sense of self-worth.  Just look at us!  It is to the degree that we still struggle, even now as adults. The “Love of God” is so “other” that unless you dwell in it, you can in no way model it or give it.  God help us parents, especially us fathers, to get it!

I love this phrase, “the son in whom he delighteth.”  In Hebrew, “Pasah” (delighteth), means to take pleasure in, to accept, to be acceptable, and to treat favorably. God’s love is not for sale. You cannot buy it and you cannot work for it.  You come into it only under God’s terms alone—you become His child, “the son/daughter in whom he delighteth.” This is hard to accept for those of us who still want to “make our way in this life” (a life that is so passing), but what a joy for those of us who are broken and hungry for truth—what a relief.”  You mean I don’t have to go through hoops to gain approval?  I am already approved though I have done nothing?”  Yes, the Love of God is “SO OTHER,” there is no human experience that it can be likened towards. The only one that possibly is close is the love of a parent towards their newborn. The child has not earned a thing; we don’t even know the child’s personality, and up to this point, it has caused a fair amount of pain and discomfort, but at the moment of birth, that child is given full rights into the family and all that we have achieved up to that point is appointed for their care.  Our response, therefore, to the Lord is one of surrender and acceptance of God’s love and to learn of Him, or go on our way chiseling out a life that hopefully will fulfill us, validate us, and fill the emptiness within.  It is our choice, and it will always be our choice.

Father God,

I now pray for everyone who has read this devotional.  I ask that the power and strength of this message will be irresistible to them, as you truly are irresistible.  Whatever concepts we have developed of you that do not line up with your words of love and encouragement, I pray they will crumble and become as dust.  Cause us to see that it is not about doing.  It is about being—being in communion and relationship with you. The doing is a natural by-product of being, just like an apple is the by-product of a healthy apple tree.  Please, Lord, help us to understand.  In your name,  Amen.

Dios lo Bendiga – Arthur

A friend of mine wrote the below poem entitled:  My Imaginary Dad.  She has shared with me the multiple psychological damages she has suffered due to never seeing or knowing her father.  She met him when she was 22 years old.  She also shared that when she became a believer in Jesus Christ, she was unable to call God “Father” due to the relationship or lack of relationship she had with her earthly father.  After much prayer and effort, she is now able to easily call God “Father” and “Dad,” and she knows that this God Father will never leave her or forsake her.

Proverbs 3:9-10:  “Honor the Lord with thy substance and with the first fruits of all thine increase. So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.”

The word “honor” (“Kabed” in the Hebrew) in this passage has an interesting rendering.  It means to “weigh down, weigh heavily, to be honored and/or to multiply.”  The best word picture I have is when Mark Spitz won his 22nd medal, making him the most decorated Olympian in history, with a total of 18 gold medals, 2 silver  medals, and 2 bronze medals in the 2012 Summer Olympics. You could say he was “weighed down, weighed heavily or honored” with his medals.  I believe this would be the correct rendering of the word “honor.”  The word “substance” would refer to the results or the effect of one’s labor.  In our society, it would reference money.  In an agrarian culture, it could literally refer to fruits, vegetables, grains, etc.  So substance would be the reward we receive for our efforts, and to coin a phrase, “This is where the rubber meets the road.”  How faith and finances find their expression through us—whether we honor the Lord with our substance—is most telling of our commitment to our faith.  Therein lies the biggest potential “gap” between what we profess and what we practice.  Now before I begin, I want to make it extremely clear that this is not a guilt trip. The issue of giving is between the believer and God.  So the goal of any good message on tithing or giving is to share what God’s Word says and for us individually to pray and consider our response to it.

There is a verse in the New Testament that has helped me keep a balance between family obligations, bills, and tithing/giving.  It is in 2 Corinthians 9:7:   “… for God loves a cheerful giver.”  This is a great chapter about tithing/giving.  Through my years of giving, I have learned that I have benefitted the most by giving what I can give gratefully, as opposed to tithing a specific amount.  I know that some of us have the conviction of giving 10 percent, and I would say that if that can be given cheerfully, as opposed to obligatorily, then that is awesome.  Some of us give more than 10 percent and some give less.  Regardless of the amount, if it is given cheerfully, then that is what counts.  We have to remember, God isn’t going to file Chapter 11.  He does not need our money, and He is bigger than our wallets.  Giving, therefore, is more like investing.  If I believe in a company’s principles, and I want to be a part of its future growth, I invest in it.  I am confident that I will see a return on “my money” (all money is the Lord’s) as the company expands.  Giving, therefore, is for my benefit, “So shall thy barns be filled with plenty and thy presses burst out with new wine.”  Giving also measures our obedience, which is in direct proportion to our faith.  So, to the degree that our faith is centric to our being, we give to support those ministries which will bring the “return” (people’s lives benefitted) that we seek.

A stumbling block to giving is the “psychology of money,” which can only be overcome by growing faith.  Inherent within us is the need to feel secure; therefore, the more money we have, the more secure we feel, but is that true?  Does money make for a good marriage, prevent divorce, give us wisdom to raise our kids, or enable us to forgive?  The answer is, “No.”  In fact, in many instances, having money (wealth, and wealth is relative) makes the heart more selfish and self-centered, exasperating all the problems inherent to having relationships. There are neat verses in Proverbs 30:8-9:  “…give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food that is appropriate for me, less I be full and deny you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.”  The man who wrote this lived in the “golden age” of Israel’s history, where “silver and gold was as common as the rocks in the streets.”  He saw through the vanity of trusting wealth for one’s security and happiness, and he understood that a living relationship with the Living God is what true wealth and security is all about.

Therefore, as our faith matures, we understand this truth and seek our security from the Lord and not from money.  Also, as our faith grows, we desire to faithfully use what God has blessed us with—be it our time, money, or both—and we are joyful to share or “partake” in the success of the ministries we support.  Internal to my being is the desire to be pleasing to my Heavenly Father.  To be able to stand before Him, knowing that I have served Him well with my (His) time and my (His) finances, and knowing I have loved His kids and my neighbors—there is nothing greater or worth striving for.  As Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7:  “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”  Paul got it right and lived it with his life.  May he be an inspiration to all of us.  As one pastor said, “It is not the amount given but what is left.”  That amount is between God and the giver.

Father God,

Thank you for this study on finances and how it is a measurement of my trust and faith in You.  Help me to grow my faith by spending time with You in study and prayer.  Open my eyes to see that the only true security is in You, and though money may make me feel secure, it also affects my relationship with You, making me more complacent towards You.  So “feed me with the food that is appropriate for me” and free me to focus on You.  Thank you and Amen.

Dios lo Bendiga – Arthur