July 29, 2018

Take Me To Church!

By Daniel M. Klem

Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. -Proverbs 18:1 KJV

Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. -Proverbs 18:1, ESV

This entry is on Sunday, the day most churches meet.

If you are not attending, why?

Do not forsake the meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing. -Hebrews 10:25

We have the biblical command to meet with other Christians regularly.

This does a few things:

  • Gives us opportunities to encourage each other (the rest of Hebrews 10:25)
  • Gives us opportunities to spur each other on to loving others and doing good works (Hebrews 10:24) It can be easy to only “seek his own desire” or be lazy apart from the Church.
  • Keeps us on the straight and narrow path (Hebrews 10:23). It can be easy to stray from sound doctrine and teachings. Why do you think there are so many cults and people who believe crazy things? (How many raptures have we survived in the last decade alone?)

It is important to meet with others, if for no other reason than to keep us from getting weird ideas.

Most importantly, being together helps us grow more Christ-like.

Therefore, take me to church!

Then I know you came to!

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July 27, 2018

Laugh! It’ll Do You Good!

By Anthony Baker
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. – Proverbs 17:22

Let me clue you in to one of the Enemy’s greatest victories, one that has been missed by most of the religious and spiritual folk… He coopted comedy.

Oh, sure, there are some good, clean, even Christian comedians out there, but who’s as famous as the guys/girls who talk about their sexual encounters, make vulgar innuendo, and curse every other word?

So much of today’s stand-up comedy is political, angry, whiney, and simply perverted. Comedy may have always played a part in social exposition, but today’s comedians expose more than needed.

Even back in the day when Eddy Murphy shocked the world with his over-the-top use of f-bombs, his subject matter was mundane compared to today.

So, what do we have as the result? Well, our hearts cry out for the medicine of laughter, but most of the medicine is tainted and the side effects are horrible. For those who avoid comedy altogether there is the risk of equally bad symptoms, such as judgmentalism, meanness, critical attitudes, and sour Christianity.

Like I said, Satan has scored a huge victory by stealing our laughs. Maybe we should do more to get them back.

In the meantime, be creative and write good comedy that makes us laugh, but doesn’t require us to be embarrassed. Tell a clever joke, but keep it G-rated. Don’t be lazy and get cheap laughs; tell a good story that’s worthy of splitting a side.

Then, thank God for the gift of humor. We need it.

 

2 Comments   |  tags: , , , | posted in conversation/speech

July 26, 2018

Strife and Security

By Daniel M. Klem

He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction. -Proverbs 17:19 KJV

I enjoy movies. Good storytelling goes a long way.

In Marvel’s Antman, the main character, Scott Lang -a recently released convict – is tasked with breaking into a man’s house to test the security.

This major plot point reminds me of today’s verse. The man who hired Scott was very sure of his security, that no one could break it, but it set up the rest of the film of mystery, intrigue, crime (and crime fighting), and violence and destruction. (And, for the most part, our main characters had a lot of fun.)

It is not just within Hollywood.

Many people purchase elaborate security systems and build fancy doors and fences.

Many times, this invites those who accept the challenge.

Likewise, our prevalence of security and insurance has made many of us complacent at best.

At worst, we are selfish and entitled, thinking everything is okay for us to use, take, and meddle with.

In other words, we think everything we do is okay.

In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
Judges 17:6

And we think we are safe from consequences.

But we have no such security. We invite our own ruin.

The only security we have is to follow God’s Word.

Biblical principles can make our lives better, at the least by giving us peace of mind and heart.

And only by believing in and following Jesus are we secure from eternal condemnation.

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July 25, 2018

Tickets, please.

By dawnlizjones

airplane-2619434_1920I love to fly.  I’ve been in jets, small private planes, and even a free-float hot air balloon.  Something birds take for granted, I suppose, but for me, being up in the air is exhilarating. 

I’m not a pilot, however, so I reap the benefit of their knowledge and expertise.  My oldest brother is a pilot and has a couple of small aircraft up in Minnesota.  One year when visiting up there, he took me up for a look-see around the area with all those beautiful lakes and lush countryside.  We took off and landed on a dirt runway, and he even let me take control to actually “fly” the plane. 

That lasted about ten seconds while I freaked out.

He also told me not to worry, but since my door was partially open, and would I please full it shut and latch it?  Sure, no problem.

I still love flying. Continue reading

1 Comment   |  tags: , , , , , , , , | posted in Jesus, Uncategorized, Wisdom, Word of the Lord

July 24, 2018

Interpreting a Proverb

By Anthony Baker

I am going to do something a little different – I’m going to ask you to do some investigative work.

Please read the following verse from the King James Version of the Bible, then think about what it means.

Don’t look at another translation just yet. Don’t do anything other than read the following verse:

A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth. – Proverbs 17:8 KJV

What is it talking about?

Is the meaning obvious to you? What first impression do you get when reading it?

Quickly! Leave a comment below as to your first thoughts, then go do your research and leave a second comment.

Don’t cheat! The eyes of the Lord are watching 😉

 

3 Comments   |  tags: , , , , , , | posted in counsel, discipline, Instruction, Wisdom

July 24, 2018

Am I mocking the poor?

By M. Wiley Wilson

Jesus is clear that we will always have poor people with us. We always have. We always will. That isn’t the issue.

Whoever mocks poor people insults their Creator; gloating over misfortune is a punishable crime. ~King Solomon

Source: Proverbs 17:5 (The Message Bible)

Jesus challenges me to give directly to the poor. I am to do what I can to help. God’s goal for me is to love. Jesus challenges me to not judge. I don’t need to understand why someone is poor. God knows why.

Insulting and mocking the poor is insulting God. It is wrong and it is criminal. It is a moral failure on my part when I do it. I will be held accountable for what I say and do. I will be held accountable to God’s standard of love.

We should assess our leaders on their attitude about the poor. Do they love the poor? Do they help the poor? Do they “judge” the motives of the poor?

“Misfortune” does happen. It is possible, to get laid off from work and become poor. I shouldn’t gloat over that. My goal is to love.

I believe that Jesus wants us to do everything we can to help the poor and those who do not have a place to live. We are to care for the hungry and feed them. We are to care for the thirsty and give them something to drink.We are to care for the stranger and invite them into our home. We are to care for the naked and give them clothing. We are to care for the sick. We are to care for those in prison and visit them. These are the clear expectations of Jesus (Matthew 25:34-40).

  • As Jesus remarked to Judas Iscariot, ‘You always have the poor with you’ (John 12:8). Looking around at the cities, towns and refugee camps of our world, we might make this remark more specific and say, ‘we always have the homeless with us.’ Jesus had some powerful things to say about the situation of the homeless, and did many things for them. He was also a homeless person himself.
  • The Bible speaks plainly about poverty: “If any of your Israelite relatives fall into poverty and cannot support themselves, support them as you would a resident foreigner and allow them to live with you. Do not demand an advance or charge interest on the money you lend them. Instead, show your fear of God by letting them live with you as your relatives” (Leviticus 25:35-36 ).
  • “No, the kind of fasting I want calls you to free those who are wrongly imprisoned and to stop oppressing those who work for you. Treat them fairly and give them what they earn. I want you to share your food with the hungry and to welcome poor wanderers into your homes. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. If you do these things, your salvation will come like the dawn. Yes, your healing will come quickly. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind” (Isaiah 58:6-8).
  • “Then the King will say to those on the right, `Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ Then these righteous ones will reply, `Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?’ And the King will tell them, `I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’” (Matthew 25:34-40).
  • So many people ignore the poor and homeless, partly because they believe there is little they can do to “fix” them. And they are absolutely right. In fact, it is not God’s intention that we “fix” them any more than it is His intention that they “fix” us. It is God’s intent that they follow Jesus as their King and savior.
  • Jesus tells us that we are one body in the Messiah. Everyone — rich, poor, every race, every age — has a legitimate role to play in that body. We may go to a homeless camp or an orphanage or a rest home with the intention of helping someone else, but ultimately, we will be helping each other grow together into the body the Messiah envisioned from the beginning of time.

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July 23, 2018

Peace and Strife

By Daniel M. Klem

Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife. -Proverbs 17:1 KJV

The last time I wrote on this verse, I talked about the families of close friends of ours who had lived with my wife and me.

Once again, I am going to talk about a friend who had lived with us.

This (grown and middle aged) friend had a girlfriend with grown kids of her own. Naturally, he was over at her house regularly. Both of them are devout Christians and attend church regularly.

However, her children pursue very worldly lifestyles, and when living at home were quite selfish, lazy, and confrontational when their wants and needs were not met to their expectations.

Our friend began telling us that he almost hated going over there. Rather, he liked coming into our home, because there was an air of peace that he did not feel when her kids were around.

We did not always have the greatest food, but he could sit in peace. We set high expectations with grace, but still with firmness.

Which home describes yours? Is your household one the promotes peace or one full of strife? Do you tolerate worldliness in your home or combat it with biblical teachings?

1 Comment   |  tags: , , , , , , | posted in food, Peace, Relationships

July 22, 2018

Reconciling with the World

By Daniel M. Klem

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends. -Proverbs 17:9 KJV

Read the Second Letter to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians).

We are called to a ministry of reconciliation. We are to help reconcile our fallen world to a holy God.

How do we do this?

It is not by constantly telling people what they are doing is wrong. We should, ought to point out their sinfulness and need for a savior, but repeating it over and over and putting forth a air of judgmentalism, driving people away.

Instead, we acknowledge the sin, yes, but we make it clear that we still want to be with them and see them.

That we still love them, because God first loved us. (1 John 4:19)

We must cover their sins with the love of God, as He did for us with the blood of Christ. Then they will be able to see God’s grace that much more clearly.

Even with your brother or sister, your crazy mom or deadbeat dad, the customer who complains about everything or the cashier who messes up your order, and the driver who cut you off in traffic.

1 Comment   |  tags: , , , , | posted in Love, Mercy, Relationships

July 21, 2018

The Only Faithful One

By Daniel M. Klem

By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil. -Proverbs 16:6, ESV

This is a late in the day entry. Perhaps, though, my commitment helps show steadfast love and faithfulness?

Really though, there is only one who has ever been truly faithful and full of steadfast love: Jesus.

It is by His faithfulness that we have any claim to righteousness, for He was faithful to follow His Father’s will by dying on a cross. And He did out of His steadfast love for us, to save us from the fear of God’s wrath.

He is the only Faithful One, but He shares His rewards with us.

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July 20, 2018

Luck Has Nothing To Do With It

By Daniel M. Klem

The lot is cast into the lap, but the response is from the Lord. –Proverbs 16:33

There is a mentality today that casting lots is superstitious at best and magic from the pits of Hell at worst.

We must remember, though, that many people throughout the Bible cast lots, most recently in Acts chapter one with the choosing of Matthias to replace Judas Iscariot as an Apostle. Perhaps you have even drawn straws, which is very similar.

Most frequently today lots is seen as a game, whether for children or when gambling, like the lottery (guess where the name comes from). It is seen as something you wish for luck in.

But luck has nothing to do it.

God is in control. Lots can be used when you are really struggling with a decision (like which job offer to accept) or if you are simply feeling apathetic about a choice (like maybe where to eat out or what movie to watch … if you are into that kind of thing).

The key is to remember that you are asking God for direction. Otherwise, you are merely being superstitious.

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