Proverbs 13 - 1.23.23

Scripture

Proverbs 13:20 NLT

“Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.”

Observation-What does it say?

King Solomon is considered to be one of the wisest people in the Bible. He was said to be the wisest of all the kings. His wisdom was given to him by God. He uses the book of Proverbs to pass along this wisdom he was blessed with to future generations and to anyone who is willing to listen and take heed to it. Here is another one of Solomon’s wise truths.

Understanding-What does it mean?

Show me your friends and I’ll tell you who you are.

It’s a saying we have all heard before. I think it derived from this verse too. King Solomon knew the troubles that would arise if you hung out with the wrong people. He also knew the benefits that associating with the right people can bring.

I can tell you from experience that this saying holds true. When I was younger, I hung out with knuckleheads. Needless to say, I was a knucklehead. I found myself doing things that I really shouldn’t have been doing. I was pretty much a sheep, following the lead of even dumber sheep. It was a life that probably would have had me ending up in trouble with the law, working dead-end jobs barely making ends meet, or even dead! I am glad that God got a hold of me before it was too late! It’s because of God, I was able to get my life together. He surrounded me with the right people, wise people; people in my life who would stick with me no matter what. He put people in my life who would challenge me to be a better person, a better Christ Follower. And let me tell you, because of these people God surrounded me with, (people I hang out with and call my friends), I am who I am today.

In order to be that person God wants you to be, you gotta have that great supporting cast around you. What kind of people are you choosing to surround yourself with?

Life Application

Are you being discipled or discipling someone?

If you are not, I highly recommend that you do. It is a great way to hold each other accountable in living a godly lifestyle. Life is hard enough. There is no need to do it all alone. Surround yourself with good, godly people that can help encourage you, and pray for you as you do this thing called life. Challenge one another to grow in your relationship with Jesus. See where you can serve and  use your God-given talents to help others. Cheer on one another to be a light for Jesus in this dark world. I know that this type of experience will deepen our friendships, and our relationship with God as we continue to seek growth in our faith.

“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”-Proverbs 27:17

-Moses Gaddi

Ecclesiastes 6 - 1.20.2023

Scripture - What stood out?

Ecclesiastes 6:2

God gives some people wealth, possessions and honor, so that they lack nothing their hearts desire, but God does not grant them the ability to enjoy them, and strangers enjoy them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil.

Observation - What does it say?

King Solomon continues to put it all into perspective for us. In this chapter he writes about people who have wealth, honor, and resources yet God has not given them the capability to enjoy all those things. The entire chapter appears to be more set up for a big truth yet to come.

Understanding - What does it mean?

Ouch. The first thing I thought of Lord was all the “successful” celebrities we lost in 2022. People who had wealth, possessions and honor. Yet they took their own lives. I presume to understand nothing, Lord. It is hard to believe that they were able to feel true joy and peace and comfort as they marched towards those decisions.. While I don’t presume to understand the spirit and mind of any individual, I do believe that King Solomon a man blessed with Your great wisdom and somebody who lived a life of opulence could likely have simulated a joyless life - one filled to the brim with things, yet devoid of the one thing that brings lasting happiness - You. 

And so we have been warned. 

Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?

Lord, as I journey through life here on earth I pray that you would fill me with Your Joy. May I stop pursuing things that give me joy and instead may I pursue the Joy-Giver. Please, Lord, send some rich people my way today. Grant me boldness to proclaim that: happiness is not the product of resources but of the Resource-er. I pray for those who single mindedly chase wealth - Lord open our hearts. Open our eyes. May we see the error of our ways. Help us to repent. Help us to seek true joy. Life in you. Life with you. Life for you. I love you, Lord Jesus. In your name, Jesus ,do I pray. Amen.

-kenneth lee

Proverbs 11 - 1.19.23

Scripture

Proverbs 11:24-25

24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more;  another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. 25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

Observation - What does it say?

Solomon observes in his God-given wisdom that it’s the generous who prosper, not the stingy. And those who withhold selfishly are the ones who end up broke.

Understanding - What does it mean?

The kingdom seems upside down at times; it seems to go against common sense. The way to see your bank account grow couldn’t possibly be to make regular withdrawals and give that money away. But we see this kind of upside down principal throughout scripture. To truly live, Jesus tells us to die. To become the highest, he tells us to make ourselves the lowest. To become the greatest, Jesus commands us to be the servant of all. The only way God will entrust us with more is if we are faithful with what he has already given us – whether money, talent, gifts, relationships, etc. And the way to be faithful with what God has given us, is to give it freely. As we are faithful, he will entrust us with more. The way to gain is to give; the way to be refreshed is to refresh others.

Life Application

Don’t wait until I’m rich to give freely. The question isn’t, “How much do you have?” But rather, “What are you doing with what you do have?”

God, may we be a faithful people and a generous people! Forgive us for the times we’ve clung to the money and resources you’ve given us in fear that we won’t someday have enough. We trust you to provide for us and we want to be a means of blessing for others. Show us who you’re asking us to give to and how much, and may we be obedient when you speak… even when it doesn’t make sense. Amen.

-Levi Thompson