Proverbs 12-5.10.22
Scripture
Proverbs 12:1
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.
Observation
Don’t be stupid! We need discipline to grow.
Understanding
Do you wake up every morning and think, “I can’t wait for someone to point out what I am doing wrong!” I certainly don’t. I read this verse and thought, “Who loves discipline??” But the truth of the matter is that we all need to grow in wisdom, regardless of our age or spiritual maturity. None of us are or will ever be perfect. We all have weaknesses and blind spots and we all sin. And at times, we need to be called out on the weaknesses and blind spots and sin. Sometimes the correction comes from God and sometimes it comes from those God has placed in our lives to help us grow.
“A wise person takes correction and criticism under consideration. The point is not that godly people “enjoy” being corrected. Rather, it’s that they welcome constructive criticism and seek to apply it. Those who ignore those lessons have chosen to “hate” them and are acting stupidly”. (Bibleref.com)
Life Application
“If we find that we are upset when our faults are pointed out to us, that shows we lack not only grace but understanding. We are behaving as if we were stupid.... Oh, for a teachable spirit to sit at the feet of our divine Master and learn from him.” (Bridges)
Lord, as hard as it is, help me to have a teachable spirit. And if I can’t love the discipline in the moment, help me try to listen to correction, from You and those you have placed in my life, with a good attitude and spend time reflecting on what I need to learn from it. Help me to value the wisdom and growth that come from the discomfort.
-Debbie Dunn
Proverbs 11-5.9.22
Scripture
Proverbs 11:4 NLT
“Riches won’t help on the day of judgment, but right living can save you from death.”
Observation-What does it say?
This is another set of proverbs that King Solomon shares with his readers comparing the godly and the wicked. King Solomon reminds his readers that God looks after the wise, that true wisdom comes from God, and those who seek it/Him will surely find it/Him. Those who choose to live wickedly and trust in their own wisdom are surely doomed to fail.
Understanding-What does it mean?
At the end of the day, God will hold us all accountable for our actions here on earth.
The verse I chose this morning really stuck out to me because it reminds me of one of Pastor Gary’s sermons he taught when I first attended DSC. In that sermon, Pastor Gary talked about God holding us all accountable for our actions here on earth. God will ask us what we did with our time, gifts, talents, and finances that He had blessed us with. How did we use it to further His Kingdom? Will God really care that we used it to buy that dream house, dream car, or even put our kids through that “fancy university”?! Or did we seek God and His wisdom wholeheartedly, asking Him how we could use those things He has blessed us with, to accomplish His mission? 🤔
Life Application
You can’t buy your way out of this one!
We have all heard that saying before. We usually hear it when the time comes for us to pay for our actions (usually from our own bad decisions we have made). We receive our punishment. And no matter how hard we plead and beg to get out of it, there is no escaping it...”rent is due”! But why go through with all that when you don’t have to?! King Solomon, considered to be one of the wisest kings of his time, a man who has seen it all and did it all, was granted his prayer from God, which was to be blessed with wisdom; true wisdom, wisdom from God. So why not take heed and advantage of what these Proverbs say? It’s not just any cheap advice you could get from a fortune cookie with lucky numbers at the end of it. It is godly advice. It comes from a man chosen by God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, that can be used to bring wisdom to those who choose to follow and adhere to it.
So the choice is up to us. Will we choose to be wise? Or is doom in our future from our foolish decisions? As for me, I choose to trust and follow God and receive His infinite wisdom.
-Moses Gaddi
Mark 13 - 5.6.22
Scripture
Mark 13:9
You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them.
Observation – What does it say?
Because of their faith in Him, Jesus warns his disciples that the time will come when they are persecuted and handed over to the authorities. They will find themselves before local and national leaders, but for a purpose: to be witnesses.
Understanding – What does it mean?
Many people find themselves in situations they don’t want to be in – a job they hate, a living situation that’s less than ideal, a hospital bed, a prison cell, or simply a city or state they’d rather move away from. What we can fail to see is that the situation we want to escape is actually one God placed us in on purpose, for a purpose.
The disciples were going to be arrested and stand trial before governors and kings. Why? God wanted to provide an opportunity for those leaders to hear the gospel. I wonder how many situations God places us in on purpose, for a purpose, but we fail to recognize it.
The apostle Paul found himself in lots of court rooms. But, rather than complaining and praying for a way out, he saw the opportunity and preached Christ with all his heart. On another occasion he wrote a letter from a dingy prison cell. Again, rather than whining or asking the believers to pray for his deliverance he actually says, “Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.” (Philippians 1:12). I wonder, can you and I say the same? “The situation I find myself in now has actually served to advance the gospel.”
Life Application
Recognize God has placed me where I am on purpose, for a purpose: to be a witness.
Whether it’s serving jury duty, going to the dmv, or running errands, every situation I find myself in I should adopt the mindset of Jesus. Rather than complaining or simply putting my head down and enduring the task, I need to recognize that I have an opportunity to be a witness. Through our words and our actions, doing everything with love, we can be a transforming presence wherever we find ourselves.
God, please forgive me for the times I fail to recognize the opporunities you’ve placed in front of me. Help me and help all of us to be effective witnesses wherever we are. We’re asking today for the gospel to spread in our homes and neighborhoods, our work places and schools, our grocery stores and coffee shops. Please use us! Holy Spirit, fill us and empower us to be your witnesses. Amen.
-Levi Thompson