Proverbs 27 - 2.10.23
Scripture
Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron,
so one person sharpens another.
Observation – What does it say?
There aren’t many proverbs that are more well-known than this one. But, what does it really mean?
Understanding – What does it mean?
Some years ago I bought a sharpening rod for my kitchen knives. And being the smart and wise man that I am, rather than researching how to use it, I just began trying to imitate what I saw Gordon Ramsey do on tv. After a minute of running it along the steel rod, I tried out the knife and it was so dull it completely smashed the tomato. The skin split everywhere but where the knife blade touched it and tomato juice flooded the counter.
What I came to realize is that when a blade is applied to another surface, depending on the angle and the pressure used it can either dull and destroy the blade or hone it and make it sharper and better.
The same is true of us. We all have the ability to make others better and sharper when we interact with them, or we can dull and damage them. The way we talk to them, the lifestyle we model, the way we handle conflict. It affects the people around us for better or for worse. The flip side is also true: the people we expose ourselves to can either sharpen or damage us.
Life Application
Prayerfully consider how I’m affecting others:
- How am I sharpening the people God has placed in my life? (spouse, kids, church family, coworkers, classmates, neighbors, etc.)
- Are there any ways I am dulling or damaging the people God has placed in my life?
- What needs to change so I can walk away from every interaction having made the other person better, encouraged and more like Jesus?
Prayerfully consider how others are affecting me:
- Are there any relationships dulling my blade that I need to walk away from? And if I can’t walk away, what can I do to protect myself from damage?
- Are there any relationships you need to pursue that will sharpen your blade? (committing to in ITC group, grabbing coffee with a friend from church, asking someone to disciple you, etc.)
God, we believe you’re in the sharpening business! You are sharpening us into the image of Jesus, continually calling out the gold in us, declaring over us the great men and women you’ve created us to be, challenging us in love to grow. May we join you in sharpening those around us! Please forgive us for the times we’ve said or done damaging things to others, and heal us where others have damaged us. We love you. We need you. Amen.
-Levi Thompson
Romans 4 - 02.09.23
SCRIPTURE: ROMANS 4:17 AMP
“(as it is written in Scripture, “I have made you [Abraham] a father of many nations”) in the sight of HIM in whom he believed, that is, God who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.”
OBSERVATION:
What an extraordinary heartfelt letter Paul writes to the Roman believers. This letter would and (still today) have me on my knees before God. Paul commends the Roman believers for their faith as he shares about the Gospel of Grace—wholly dependent on our faith IN Jesus Completed work on the Cross. Then, Paul goes on to use Abraham as an example of someone whose Faith IN God was lived out—even in seemingly “impossible circumstances”.
Abraham faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did NOT waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,” (Romans 4:19b-20 NIV)
UNDERSTANDING:
It is Impossible to Please God without Faith (Heb:11:6)
So, a man comes up to Jesus with a desperate plea and kneeling before HIM asks Jesus to heal his son who is mercilessly plagued with a demon. He explains to Jesus that he brought his son to “Your disciples but they were unable to heal him” (Matthew 17:16). Jesus reproaches his disciples for their lack of faith-turns to the boy-rebukes the demon—and immediately the boy is made well (Matthew 17:17-18).
The disciples were deeply troubled and puzzled and they came to Jesus privately to ask why they were unable to cast out the demon.
Jesus responds,
“I tell you the truth, if you had [Living] faith [Trust and Confidence IN God] even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. NOTHING would be impossible.” (Matthew 17:20 NLT/AMP)
This is such a Life Lesson Today. This incident falls right on the heels of Peter, James, and John witnessing Jesus Glorious Transfiguration on the Mountain Top—AND Hearing the Voice of God! Then, here we are just a short time later these same three along with the other disciples are being chastised for their lack of faith! (There is an additional and Important word from Jesus about Prayer and Fasting—but my journal post would be way too lengthy, so I’m staying on the topic of Faith today)
LIFE APPLICATION:
Two Takeaways:
—Jesus says the SIZE of our Faith is NOT the issue—
Our Faith can be infinitesimal—BECAUSE—it is Not really about the measure of our Faith—but—rather—having a greater Understanding that our Faith [whatever size] is placed IN the ONE and Only GOD—WHO—is ABLE to Do immeasurably MORE than we could ever dare to ask, hope, or imagine.
May we begin to grab hold of WHO we serve—in a deeper and deeper Love communion with His Heart—as His servants.
“Now to HIM who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to HIS power that is at work within us, to HIM be the glory..” (Eph:3;20)
—Our Faith Grows as it is Tested—
This is a fact though it is not a fun reality. We are all somewhere on that Spiritual measuring line—looking to move further to the right in our spiritual maturity—which really means further UP closer to God. Our Prayer time is a Lifeline—the air we breathe [“It’s an unbreakable spiritual lifeline” Heb:6:19 MES)]. Our daily time in HIS Word is our Nourishment [Jesus said, I AM the Bread of Life (John 6:35)]. Community develops us and keeps us strong [“a three strand cord is not easily broken” (Ecc: 4:12) “Iron sharpens iron” (Pro:27:17)].
Without these things we can become weak and vulnerable—with these things we are Fully prepared for whatever comes our way. Though faith may be tested we will come out victorious.
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24-25 NIV)
Lord Jesus,
We have a life-long process of building godly character. This is “all” we bring with us into heaven. I believe you would be chastising me for my faith along with the disciples. Forgive me, Lord. So many times YOU have shown up in unbelievable ways to demonstrate Your Grace and Power. Enough for a lifetime. Give me strength and courage to move past the boundaries I’m currently experiencing because I desire so much more for myself and others. Keep me in the deep deep depth of your heart. Teach me to walk on water. Speak to me and through me to be an encouragement to those You have placed in my circle. Test and stretch me. I surrender all to You. For Your glory, Lord. amen
Tina L Kudelka
Proverbs 25 - 2.8.22
Scripture
Proverbs 25:20-
“Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on a wound, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.”
Observation-What does it say?
As verse 1 states, “These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:” Proverbs 25:1
Commentary says that the men, hired by King Hezekiah, copied these Proverbs from various books that Solomon wrote, in order to preserve them (Geneva Study Bible and John Gill's exposition). So, it's still God given wisdom and inspiration given to King Solomon from God. The above verse I chose speaks on the issue of showing empathy and compassion for those who are hurting. We don't sing songs to a heavy heart. Rather, we comfort a heavy heart.
Understanding-What does it mean?
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” Romans 12:15 NIV
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens..... a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance...a time to be silent and a time to speak..."Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NIV
One of the many things that I love about Jesus is that even though He knew He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead, He still wept with Mary and Martha when their brother had died. He was showing empathy and compassion for their sorrow at that moment. He wept because He met them where they were at.….not trying to encourage them that He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead, or giving them advice to deal with it; nor did He tell them to stop their emotional response. He didn't even say that Lazarus was going to be in a better place, so they should turn their weeping into joy. Instead, he WEPT with them. Scripture said He was deeply moved and troubled when he saw Mary and the other Jews weeping. (John 11:33-36)
Life Application
Run to Jesus FIRST with your problems in order to learn how to show empathy for others.
This is one of my life verses: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4- Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves received from God.
We need to put ourselves in another person's shoes and take people where they're at and not where we're at. If God knows every tear that has fallen in our lifetime (Ps. 56:8), we must share that same level of empathy and comfort with others to show that we care. We must pray for the broken and hurting, not neglect them.
Dear Jesus, there are seasons where we do need compassion and empathy from others. But, I pray that we would be people who strive to be the givers of that compassion and empathy as we run to You first for empathy, compassion, healing, wisdom and direction. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi