Proverbs 25 - 7.2.24

Scripture

Proverbs‬ ‭25‬:‭21‬-‭22‬ ‭NLT

“If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink. You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the Lord will reward you.”

Observation

Words of wisdom from King Solomon in this passage. The particular verse I chose today also mirrors the words that Jesus spoke when he told his disciples to “love your enemies.”

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Application

Kill them with kindness.

Something my dad used to tell me when I was younger was, “kill them with kindness son.” Now I don’t quite remember when or what situation I was in when he gave me that advice, but those words still stick with me to this day. It reminds of the time when I worked in retail, during those busy holiday seasons. You would think people would be nice to one another, especially during those times! Instead, people were quite the opposite. They were impatient, and quite rude to one another. And being a guy who worked during those busy seasons, I seemed to be on the receiving end of those customer tirades. But those words my dad spoke when I was younger, those words that would ring through my ears, really resonated with me during those times. I could have easily spouted back mean things back at the customer and really let them have it. But, then it would have probably made things worse. I probably would lose my job if I responded angrily. But, instead I chose to “kill them with kindness”. I would respond in a friendly and polite manner. I would keep that smile on my face, (even if I didn’t feel like it at the moment). I would offer assistance in a fast and friendly manner. I would go above and beyond to provide the best possible customer assistance. And for the most part, I found out by me doing that, it would help defuse the situation. The once irate customer would calm down. We would then be able to have a nice, normal conversation. Believe it or not, when the situation was over, most customers would even take the time to apologize to me for acting the way they did. What?!

Looking back on those times, it shouldn’t surprise me that that would happen. It shouldn’t surprise you either because “killing them with kindness” is basically the concept Jesus gives us when He instructs us to love our enemies. It’s the concept King Solomon speaks in the verse I chose today too. There is something about loving on our enemies, and praying for them, that can turn their frown upside down. It can turn them from a foe into a friend. I mean even Abraham Lincoln knew that the best way to destroy an enemy is by making them your friend. 😊❤️

“Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.” ‭- Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭35‬

Prayer

Dear Jesus, I am reminded today that before I knew You, I too, was once Your enemy. But You never gave up on me. You always loved me. You even died for me. Thank You for Your grace, mercies, and unconditional love that You show me each day. May I follow Your lead Jesus. May I love the unlovable. May I forgive the unforgivable. May I do it because You first did it for me. I pray these things in Your name Jesus, Amen. 🙏🏽

- Moses Gaddi

Proverbs 24 - 7.1.24

Scripture

Proverbs 24:15-16

15 Do not lurk like a thief near the house of the righteous, do not plunder their dwelling place; 16 for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.

Observation

Although King Solomon wrote a bulk of the Proverbs, many scholars believe that Proverbs 22:17-24:34 may have been compiled by King Solomon, but not necessarily written by him.(1) It again compares and contrasts righteousness vs. wickedness. When we choose righteousness, we are under the strength and protection of God. Being under the strength and protection of the Lord is the best place to be. The Proverbs that I chose speaks on the resilience of the righteous (2). The definition of resilience is “the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness (3).”

References: (1)studylight.org, (2)enduringword.com, (3)New Oxford American Dictionary

Application

We are resilient overcomers due to God’s protection and care!

Righteous people have a resilience that the wicked do not. One of the best compliments I had ever received from a non-believing friend was on how I handled hardships and trials. Although she didn’t have faith in the Lord, she noticed a different type of strength that wasn’t based on circumstances; a strength that could only come from a greater power outside of myself! (She continues to be in my prayers so that she and her family could experience the same thing!)

We are able to get back up again through the disciplines of prayer, fasting and being in His Word, but also through the faith and encouragement of other Believers in Christ. 

With God on our side, we can conquer anything, no matter the circumstances. Even though we fall 7 times, we can rise and get back up again, as these Proverbs say. 

Prayer

Dear Lord,

It is encouraging to know that I have You by my side through the difficulties in life. Even when I fall down, I am able to get back up again. If I can’t pull myself back up, thank You for surrounding me with faith counselors and brothers and sisters in the faith who can give me a hand. Please continue to lift me up and surround me with encouragers who can lift me up in You when I am down. I pray that I would provide the same encouragement to others. Amen. 

-Michelle Gaddi

Revelation 5 - 6.28.24

Scripture: ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭5‬:‭9‬-‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

”And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.“

Observation:

Jesus is the only one worthy to take the scroll and open it. He also was the only one worthy to pay the price for our sin. He purchased us with his precious blood. It says there will be people from every tribe and every nation.  I love that all are included. Jesus selfless act made us a kingdom and priests to serve our God. The word Kingdom implies we will be united under His authority as we reign on earth. What an honor will be bestowed on us in the future. 

An incredible picture of praise follows this proclamation, thousands upon thousands of angels praise God. Then, every creature throughout the earth joins in and praises God. What a simple, but beautiful chorus they sing, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power for ever and ever!”

Application: 

Jesus is worthy.  Starting each day with this as my focus can greatly change the trajectory of my day. Rough times will still come, but I will handle them differently.  A marvelous future awaits His people, we will reign with Him. Our day to day lives are stepping stones to prepare us. 

Praise is contagious. As one, or thousands, enter in, even more will follow. I want my life to be one that causes other people to acknowledge God and join me in praising Him. 

Prayer:

Lord, you are worthy to receive all honor, glory, and praise.  Father God, you are a wonderful creator. My mind cannot even fathom the plan you put in place for salvation, your own Son as the sacrificial Lamb.  Jesus, you paid it all, full price for me. There is none more worthy than you to open the scroll and reveal God’s plan.  Thank you, help me live my life to honor you for stepping in for me and all humanity. May I wake each day putting my focus on honoring you and proclaiming how worthy of praise you are.  Amen

- Cindy Howard