Monthly Archives: January 2024

Trapped — Reflections on Proverbs 29

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”An evil man is ensnared in his transgression, but a righteous man sings and rejoices.” Proverbs 29:6 ESV

EVIL- corruption of heart, or disposition to commit wickedness; malignity. (Webster’s 1828 Dictionary)

”for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,“ Romans 3:23 NIV

Everyone has sinned. We’ve all went our own ways. We have all had evil in our hearts- corruption, or a disposition to commit wickedness… sin.

Sin is a trap. I have felt the weight of being trapped by my sin. In that sin I felt like there was no escape. BUT Jesus has offered to us the way to be freedom! The one He sets free is free indeed. His freedom is reason for great rejoicing.

This morning I was reflecting on what Jesus has set me free from, and the freedom that I now stand in! It brought rejoicing to my heart. Because I am free!

We are warned in Proverbs about running from evil and its snares. We are told to pursue righteous living. We must choose between the two. It is a stubborn, stiff necked heart, that pursues its selfish sinful ways. That person will suddenly be destroyed. (Verse 1) We do not have to experience the destruction and entrapment of sin. We can live free!

The only way to freedom and joy is to live a righteous life surrendered to Jesus.

Do Not Hide Sin! — Reflections on Proverbs 28

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”People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. Blessed are those who fear to do wrong, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.“

Proverbs 28:13-14 NLT

Do not hide what is killing you on the inside! Sin destroys. There is no way around that truth. Verse after verse in the book of Proverbs warns of the consequences of sin. It warns of having a heart that is hardened, “stubborn.” That person is “headed for serious trouble.”

We are also warned of acting like you love God but ignoring His Word.

”If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable.“ Proverbs 28:9 NIV

There is a remedy for sin, repentance. If we confess and turn from them, we will receive mercy. We are “blessed (happy) are those who fear to do wrong” or have reverential apprehension when the choice to do wrong is before us. In other words, the way to a blessed life it to love God and hate sin!

Love God — pursue Him with all that you are. Hate sin — shun sin, run from it, stay as far away from even the appearance of evil. Repent of it when it rears its ugly head within your heart. Don’t hide sin! Confess and repent! It is for your good!

My Life Reflects My Heart – Reflections on Proverbs 27

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”As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.“ Proverbs 27:19 NIV

What is inside of you is showing.

I used to think I could hide what was going on inside of me. The truth is what is inside of us, or in our heart, will eventually come out of us. It will come out in our actions. It will come out in what we say. It will come out in the way we present ourselves. The truth is we cannot hide what is inside of us. If our hearts are full of turmoil, anger, fear, anxiety, etc., we will display it.

However, God has offered us a new heart that is His. When we come to Him and ask Him for a new heart, He will give us that new heart, and He will remove the old heart from us. The closer we get to Him the more the old heart will be cut away. More and more we will reflect Him.

So once again, what is in our heart will show. If God is in our heart, His love, His goodness, His joy and peace will be reflected in our lives.

What’s inside of us is showing. What is your heart reflecting?

Don’t be a Fool — Reflections on Proverbs 26

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A fool- . “In scripture, fool is often used for a wicked or depraved person; one who acts contrary to sound wisdom in his moral deportment; one who follows his own inclinations, who prefers trifling and temporary pleasures to the service of God and eternal happiness.” (Webster’s 1828 Dictionary) 

”The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.“…” Psalms 14:1 NIV

Years ago, as a young college student, I spoke the words of the verse above on campus during my lunch hour. A passerby turned to me and said, “There is no God.” My reply was, “Don’t be a fool.”

Proverbs often warns of being a fool. A fool cannot hear the truth or follow wisdom. Today’s Proverb warns of giving honor to them by listening to their voice or following their advice.

The footnotes in my study Bible say, “A fool remains a fool whether he is answered or not.” A fool only wants to follow self. His wisdom is his own thoughts. His deeds will reflect him. He will repeatedly do what is wrong, sin, no matter the consequences.

Today’s Proverb puts it this way:

“As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.“ Proverbs 26:11 NIV

The foolish person serves only himself and his sin. Being foolish is a trap. It is a cycle of disappointment, distress, and pain, but there is no desire to come to God and be free. The fool doesn’t believe it worth his while to acknowledge God and follow God’s ways.

As I warned the passerby years ago, I warn you now. Do not be a fool! A fool’s way seems to be right to him, but it only ends in death, darkness, and destruction.

Choose life! Choose Wisdom! Choose God!

Polluted— Reflections on Proverbs 25

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We had an above ground pool when the kids were younger. I worked and worked at keeping that pool clean. The right balance of chemicals and diligent maintenance was required. The waters in my pool often looked less than desirable as I was trying to figure out that balance, murky waters, bugs not getting skimmed off, slime on the sides… It was a constant battle. Every once in awhile I would find the pool looking good until the kids got in and kicked up the dirt I didn’t get completely vacuumed off the bottom. Murky again… the battle went on.

Today’s Proverb has a verse that reminded me of that pool we had years ago.

”Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked.“Proverbs 25:26 NIV

Our lives are meant to be lived in righteousness. God created us to be in His image, righteous and holy. When we live our lives set apart to Him, observing and obeying what He commands in His Word, our lives are beautiful! They are filled with joy, peace, and contentment.

BUT, when we “give way” to sin. Our lives become like a “muddied spring or a polluted well.” Or like my old above ground pool when the PH balance was off, the bottom wasn’t being vacuumed off, and the skimmer bucket wasn’t working…slimy, green, NASTY! Our lives are unable to be enjoyed.

The entire book of Proverbs has much to say about living a righteous life and warnings against unrighteousness. This is because it pollutes our hearts, and if left unattended to by prayer, time in the Word, and repentance from sin, our waters of our heart will be destroyed…NASTY too!

How we live out lives matters! Don’t let the wicked ways of the world pollute you!

Established – Reflections on Proverbs 24

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Nelson Family – Established January 2, 1993

Thirty one years ago Rich and I began. Through a formal ceremony and the exchanged of vows God ordained our home. We have worked to build a life together ever since.

Today’s Proverb once again speaks of wisdom:

”By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.“

Proverbs 24:3-4 NIV

Wisdom is the knowledge of the fear of the Lord. It comes from us seeing God for who He is and having a reverence for His greatness. This gives us the desire to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. It also gives us the desire to hate sin, not want anything to do with it.

Wisdom is what builds our house— our lives. Understanding, agreeing with, that wisdom establishes them.

Deep within us all we desire to see something firm and fixed within our lives. Something that will look forward to the future with hope that does not waver or be destroyed by life’s storms. Jesus is the wisdom from heaven. He is the firm foundation on which our lives are built and they will not be shaken no matter what storms may come. When we come into agreement with Him and understanding of His Lordship over our lives we are established. When we find Him, our Heavenly Wisdom, we can rest assured of this promise.

“…there is a future for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” (Verse 14)

How is your life established? Is it built on the Rock of Jesus or on the shifting sands of a life built on self? A life built on Jesus is the only one that will stand.

Zealous – Reflections on Proverbs 23

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”Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord all the day long. For surely there is a latter end [a future and a reward], and your hope and expectation shall not be cut off.“ Proverbs 23:17-18 AMPC

There is reward in obedience to God’s commands. The “thirty sayings of the wise” in Proverbs 22-24 list many of them. But the greatest reward is our hope and expectation, Jesus, will be realized. We will know Him! We will be connected to Him and not be cut off from Him.

There is nothing better than to know Jesus and to be connected to Him or in Him.

“Be zealous for the fear of the Lord,” (Proverbs 23: 17 NIV) or pursue passionately knowing God, loving God, and hating sin (i.e. wanting nothing to do with sin.)

The life of reward spoken about in the verses of Proverbs is the fruit of pursuing Wisdom. Jesus is the very Wisdom we pursue!

The Precious Word We Cannot Live Without— Reflections on Proverbs 22

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The book of Proverbs, is like a bag full of jewels of various shapes and sizes. Each one is different and could adorn different outfits and pieces of jewelry. Each verse in Proverbs holds much wisdom on a variety of topics that are needed in our lives. In fact, the whole Bible is like this. It truly is “the sayings of the wise.” We are encouraged to study it’s Words.

”Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. So that your trust may be in the Lord, I teach you today, even you.“ Proverbs 22:17-19 NIV

Studying God’s Word is essential to a victorious life as a Christian. We are to “Pay attention” to it, listen to it or “turn your ear,” and “apply your heart,” or set your mind, your will, and emotions on the Word of God. We are to “keep them in our heart and have them ready on our lips.” This enables us to trust God.

If you are living a life lacking peace, joy, love, contentment,etc… examine yourself. Are you daily taking God’s Word into your heart? God’s Word has answers for every situation we face. It is precious like the jewels I mentioned at first.

We have opportunity in our lives to mine out these precious jewels as we come to God with our Bibles open and our hearts inclined to hear. However, the precious jewels in the Word are so much more than that. God’s Word is life itself! You CANNOT make it on your own without the Word!

If you are just getting by day after day, look at your life. What is missing? Could it be the daily time in God’s Word? It is the Life of God in you.

What’s in Your Heart — Reflections on Proverbs 21

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”A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.“ Proverbs 21:2 NIV

What is in your heart? Your spiritual heart is the most important thing about you and me. It is very important for us to understand this. We are free to choose our ways. We often think our ways we choose are the best for us. Simply put we think we are right.

The problem is our desires often are self focused. This comes from a heart that is not entirely, totally and completely given up to God.

God weighs our heart. He examines it. If we ask Him to, He will reveal it to us. This is why David prayed:

”Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.“ Psalms 139:23-24 NIV

If we want to live the blessed life, the life that is happy in God, our hearts need to be cleansed of any offensive or wicked way it may have. Sin needs to be cut away from it!

”Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.“ Proverbs 21:21 NIV

Pursuing righteousness, purity of heart, by obedience to God and what He says in His Word is how we give our hearts to God. Pursuing love or denying all our selfish wants and desires to give ourselves to God in total obedience is how we “find life.”

The question becomes “What is in my heart? What does it desire and pursue more than anything?”

What God finds when He examines or “weighs” our hearts is very important. It is a matter of spiritual life or spiritual death.

Live It… Your Children Will Be Blessed- Reflections on Proverbs 20

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Practical wisdom, Proverbs offers plenty of it: working with diligence, living in faithfulness, dealing with honesty, avoiding gossip… even warnings of being led astray by wine and beer are just a few of the topics of this chapter.

As I read it, there is a promise that stands out to me summarizing the result of practicing all the practical wisdom the entire book of Proverbs contains:

”The righteous man walks in his integrity; blessed (happy, fortunate, enviable) are his children after him.“
Proverbs 20:7 AMPC

The righteous or Godly man is the man who lives his life set apart to God. The one who obeys what God has commanded in His Word. The promise is that his children will be blessed or happy.

As parents we want what is best for our kids. The BEST thing you can give your kids is to live your life in complete surrender to God and His ways. This comes by learning what it is that He, out of His great love, has commanded in His Word… i.e. study your Bible, and OBEY what it says. This also comes by a relationship with God. We hear Him speak through His Word, and we talk to Him in prayer throughout our day. It is a continual, moment by moment, focus on God.

Long ago, as a young mom, I heard it said, “If you want your kids to love God and know Him, you have to love God yourself. You cannot impart what you Do Not Have!” Simply put, if you want your kids to have the blessings — joy, peace , and happiness of knowing God, you must have a deep relationship with Him as well. Model it in front of them! Your children are following your lead!