√ Reality Check

The Book of Proverbs

Proverbs Chapter 30
Scripture= Proverbs chapter 30:7-9 (The Message)
And then he prayed, "God, I'm asking for two things before I die; don't refuse me—Banish lies from my lips and liars from my presence.
Give me enough food to live on, neither too much nor too little.
If I'm too full, I might get independent, saying, 'God? Who needs him?'
If I'm poor, I might steal and dishonor the name of my God."

Observations and Applications=
I remember while taking a psychology course in high school that we were required to read a book by Dr. Thomas A. Harris, entitled I’m Ok – You’re Ok. This book taught you how to process through your self perceptions based upon what you believe other people think about you. I am not endorsing the book at all just raising an issue discussed by the book. Are you Ok with You?

The author of these verses of Proverbs asks God for two things; to live in truth and to be content. What came to my mind as I read these verses were two questions, “What makes people lie and what keeps people from being content? That’s when I thought of this book and I guess it made me ask the questions, “Am I Ok or Are You Ok?”

I lie when I need to adjust my environment or how people perceive me. That means I’m not Ok with me and really not Ok with God. Now this doesn’t mean that my situation will always be pretty, but even when I have gotten myself into a big mess it is still only my relationship with God that can make a permanent change.

When I lie I am just protecting my sin and my ego. That lie will only drive me deeper into whatever mess I find myself in. Only when I am honest with myself, with God and with others can I experience change and contentment. Honesty doesn’t immediately remove the situation but it allows God to be my source (my self worth) and the power to go through whatever must be endured. Better to be honest in who we are, no matter the struggle, than to live in disillusionment and add to the struggle.

The author of this proverb doesn’t ask for riches but contentment. He wants enough bread to remain humble and retain the truth of God as his provider. When I am not satisfied with what God has given to me I’m not Ok and God is not Ok either. (See Philippians 4:11-13)

I risk the temptation when rich to act like I am God and have pride in what I have accomplished. I have the attitude that I don’t need God.

I risk the temptation when I am poor to act like God and go out and provide for myself. I usually have the attitude that God is not good and I have to take care of myself.

I must learn to be Ok because of who I am in Christ. I must be honest with where I am in my life knowing that God is not finished with me yet. (See Philippians 1:6) When I am honest God can work in my life and he is the one who makes me Ok.
When I learn to be content with what God has given me (this is not a poverty mentality that excuses laziness) I will see how blessed I really am and will actually live to bless others. I will be Ok because I know that my God shall supply all my needs. (See Philippians 4:19)

Prayer= Lord, Thank you for your blessings to me. I want to walk in the light; in honesty with who I am in you and in what you are doing in my life. I want to be content and be a blessing to others. May I answer in honesty today about my state of being and may I be generous in my giving.

Posted by Reality Check at 10:44 AM | Permalink | Comments

The Book of Proverbs

Proverbs Chapter 29
Scripture= Proverbs chapter 29:17 (The Message)
Discipline your children; you'll be glad you did— they'll turn out delightful to live with.

Observations and Applications=
It is amazing how life changes. Sometimes the pace of the change can be staggering. Someone can in one day win the lottery and become a millionaire or in the stock market lose everything and become destitute!

There are other places in our lives where change takes place at a slower pace but the results can seem just as staggering to us. Think about how quickly our children grow up, move out of the house and begin their own lives. It seems like only yesterday that they were sitting on our laps or we were pushing them in a swing. Suddenly we are watching them graduate and then say, “I do” to a total stranger that will take them away and then they are gone! Now the whole process might have taken over twenty years but the time just seemed to fly by and the finality of this change can be staggering.

One of the lessons that God has been teaching me throughout the lives of my children is to enjoy every season of their lives; to savor every moment. I have learned not to live in the “I wish you were still…” phase. Instead, I have tried to get to know each of my children all over again in each phase that they are going through. It is incredible to see them mature and grow into mature adults. I think it is so sad when parents say to their children, “what happened to the little boy/girl that I used to know. You used to be… but now you are…” As my oldest daughter is preparing to marry and live in the house of another man I am excited to watch her become a wife and a mom. I am looking forward to experiencing adulthood with her. I enjoy being around her now as much as I did when I held her for the first time.

Solomon tells us that when we discipline our children we are helping them. We are molding and shaping their lives. We are preparing them for adulthood. When we instill values into their lives and hold them accountable for their actions we are giving them the opportunity to grow up as responsible and mature adults. They can become grownups that are pleasant to be around. Solomon is telling us that our children can bring even more joy to us when we watch them become loving and caring parents who have learned the value of loving and disciplining their own children. It is so sad when grandparents cannot stand to be around their children and grandchildren because of a lack of discipline.

Prayer= Lord, I need your strength to raise my children in a manner that is pleasing to you and will be a blessing to them. Help me to seek your face and in humility resist the temptation to seek acceptance over discipline. Help me fashion in them the values necessary for my children to live lives that will give glory to you.

Posted by Reality Check at 8:27 AM | Permalink | Comments

The Book of Proverbs

Proverbs Chapter 28

Scripture= Proverbs chapter 28:9 (The Message)
God has no use for the prayers of the people who won't listen to him.

Observations and Applications=
I don’t know about you, but I can get real frustrated when somebody asks me for some advice, I tell them exactly what they need to do, and they don’t even bother to do what I told them.

It really gets on my nerves if then the same person comes back again and again with the same results. After a while what would you say to them? Would you even listen to them? Would you give them advice? I am sure that I would tell them to forget about it. I would probably tell them to stop wasting my time. Sometime during the conversation I am sure I would interject, “it doesn’t matter what I say; you are not going to listen to me anyway!” This whole melodrama would be an exercise in futility.

I know that God answers our prayers. There is not a doubt in my mind concerning that. I wonder however, if the scenario that I created above doesn’t in some way reflect our requests to God? He is the only one who can judge our hearts and our motives so he knows if we would listen to him. Why would he answer a prayer when he knows the request is not even sincere? Is it even a real prayer if I have no intentions of responding to the answer? Could I then accuse God of not answering my prayers if the prayer was not even a real prayer?

Solomon states in Proverbs 28:9, “God has no use for the prayers of the people who won't listen to him.” Maybe our unanswered prayers have more to do with the issues of our own hearts than an inattentive God? In other words; maybe our prayers remain unanswered because of what is in our hearts when we ask? (See James 4:3ff.)

Prayer= Lord, I want to pray in according to your will and plan for my life and not my own! I do not even know what is best for me. You know me better than I know myself. Help me to ask you how I should even pray. When I pray what you are praying over me and I pray according to your word than I can have confidence in your response to my prayers.

Posted by Reality Check at 10:03 PM | Permalink | Comments

The Book of Proverbs

Proverbs Chapter 27

Scripture= Proverbs Chapter 27:4 (The Message)
We're blasted by anger and swamped by rage, but who can survive jealousy?

Observations and Applications=

I don’t know if you are old enough to remember an old 60’s television spy show entitled ‘Get Smart’? Don Adams was the actor who played the main character whose name was Maxwell Smart. Maxwell Smarts trademark was the telephone he had in his shoe. One of Smarts’ famous lines was, “missed it by that much.” As he stated this line he would usually hold up two fingers close together to indicate his margin of error or really his ineptitude. He was totally and completely incompetent but somehow things always worked out for him. Life is somewhat different than this; sometimes it doesn’t require much to miss by a whole lot.

Consider this: If a missile is launched from a silo and is only one degree off from its intended target, what will happen to the missile? It will miss the target completely and can in fact be miles off course. Think of the casualties or as the military calls them the collateral damage. It could be horrific even though you could say, “missed it by that much!”


According to the Wikipedia Encyclopedia: “Jealousy is an emotion experienced by one who perceives that another person is giving something that s/he wants or feels is due to them (often attention, love, respect or affection) to an alternate.”

Think about jealousy it might be a small thing but it can skew an entire life and make someone miss everything.

· Marriages have been destroyed and children left parentless because of the smallest glance perceived through jealous eyes…“Missed it by that much!”

· Lifelong friendships have ended when conversations have been interpreted though jealous ears…“missed it by that much!”

· Success has been abandoned and careers dashed simply by the misinterpreted promotion extended to a perceived rival…“missed it by that much!”

· Reputations have been irreparably damaged and empires have fallen because of the misspoken words of a spiteful heart…“missed it by that much!”

· Intimacy with God has been forsaken and mistrust put in its place simply because we judged that God was extending favor to others and holding out on us… “missed it by that much!”

Solomon asks, “Who can survive jealousy?” The answer is obvious; no one can escape its damage. Jealousy might seem like such a little thing but it can cause us to miss the target by miles. And the problem with jealousy is that it always causes the innocent to suffer. Jealousy will always produce collateral damage in our lives! Are there any areas in your life where jealousy is causing you to miss what God has for you?

Prayer= Lord Jesus, examine my heart and expose any roots of jealousy that are growing in me. I don’t want to miss out on your favor because my life has been disabled because of jealousy. I want to be content with what you have given me. I want to receive and walk in your blessings for my life.

Posted by Reality Check at 4:25 PM | Permalink | Comments

The Book of Proverbs

Proverbs Chapter 26

Scripture= Proverbs 26:17 (The Message)
You grab a mad dog by the ears when you butt into a quarrel that's none of your business.


Observations and Applications=
M.Y.O.B. in case you don't know what that stands for go ask your kids or find a young person and ask them? In my household it is common with sibling teenagers to reply to one of them M.Y.O.B. It means if you don't have a teenager nearby; mind your own business.

Now I know that sometimes this is not a nice thing to tell someone. But there is also some wisdom in this little phrase. There are times when I need to not be snosyey about things that do not concern me. I have butted into matters that did not concern me only to become a part of something that I did not need to know. And sometimes I have involved myself in ways that actually got me into trouble. Has this ever happened to you?

At times I have overheard something and have interjected a comment into the conversation and WHAM. All of a sudden I am in the middle of something that I have no business being involved in and where I also have power at all. Do you know what I mean when I say that I have no power in a situation? I am referring to our God given ability to rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance and wisdom. It is when you are given the right words because 'the Counselor', the Holy Spirit, gives you the right thing to say. When you step into something on your own, when it is none of your concern, then you are meddling. You are playing God and delving into judgment and YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN! Without divine guidance you are treading on some very thin ice.

Without God's authority you are simply asking for trouble. Solomon says; that when you butt into matters that are not your own, it is like grabbing a mad or a rapid dog by the ears! You get the picture; you cannot let go or you will be bitten, but how long can you hang on? The problem is that without someone's permission to enter into their situation you will not have any authority. And if the situation does not involve you why are you prying anyway? You are on your own for the Spirit of God does not work in such conditions! Be afraid, be very afraid, you may have just grabbed Kujo by the ears! (See Acts 19:11-18; the seven sons' of Sceva).

What if YOU simply M. Y. O. B.! What would happen to relationships if people kept their advice to themselves and only got involved when they were asked?


Prayer= Lord, help me to be your instrument of peace and healing when and only when I am called on to be so! Help me to stay under your authority by minding my own business!

Posted by Reality Check at 7:01 PM | Permalink | Comments

{For Monday 9/25/06}

Notice to all you Reality Check readers: This post is actually from yesterday. I apologize for not posting it on the blog. Yesterday. I am sorry for any inconvenience that this might have caused.


The Book of Proverbs

Proverbs Chapter 25

Scripture=Proverbs 25:28
A person without self-control is like a house with its doors and windows knocked out.

Observation and Applications=
Have you ever been in a neighborhood where there were houses that had the windows broken out and the doors were missing or boarded up? I worked construction in New York City for a period of time and I have seen many homes in such a condition.

Usually when a home has no windows and doors it is a sign that something bad has happened. Many times it indicates that a fire or some kind of severe damage has taken place. Sometimes it means that the house was a crack house or a place where people met to use some form of drugs. The one thing it always means is that the house is no longer a place for people to live in safety or comfort. The only time anyone would live in such a place would be if they are homeless or transient.

Solomon writes that a person with no self control is like one of these types of houses. A lack of self control can mean that something has happened in someone's life that has caused some sort of catastrophe. They cannot cope in a normal fashion. Their life doesn't have normal boundaries or restraints. When we live in excess without checks and balances our emotions and our bodies cannot function in the manner they were created to. Life as it was intended to be begins to break down. Our health deteriorates and our bodily functions begin to malfunction and then shut down.

When a house has no windows or doors there is no measure of safety available. The elements are able to come in at will. Intruders have no barriers to impede them or keep them out. The house cannot be easily protected.

A person who lives without self control is like this house. There are no normal barriers to protect the person from excess at all! This could be talking too much, eating too much, sleeping too much, etc. etc. etc. In fact this list is endless. Self control is a protection.

What areas of self control are lacking in your life today? Where do you live in a 'too much' mentality? With the Holy Spirit speaking to us we can be assured that we will know when we are beginning to smash our windows and break down the doors of our lives.

Prayer= Lord, I thank you for your Holy Spirit that directs me and notifies me when I am not responding to his notification of my lack of self control. I want to allow you to direct my life.

Posted by Reality Check at 9:40 AM | Permalink | Comments

The Book of Proverbs

Proverbs Chapter 24

SCRIPTURE= Proverbs chapter 24:26
An honest answer is like a warm hug. (The Message)
An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips. (N.I.V.)


OBSERVATIONS AND APPLICATIONS=

“You can’t handle the truth.”

Do you remember Jack Nicholson’s famous quote from the movie, ‘A Few Good Men?’ How many times do we really want to hear the truth or do we simply want to hear what we want to hear? Why is it so hard to hear the truth?

I wonder how many times I have asked someone for an answer, including God, and I had already decided what I wanted to hear? If we are not careful we can live our life out of our illusions and not reality.

Do you ever base your life on something somebody thinks about you and then you live their perception out? We really do that every day. God calls us righteous but instead of believing that, we choose to live out of what we believe about ourselves. We say, “I am just a sinner, I will never change.” God says we are a new creation but we believe others word, “you’re the same, nothings changed, you’ll always be a…”

Sometimes we can’t handle the truth because we have never been able to accept and receive an honest answer. The truth is, we cannot change ourselves but through the power of redemption we have become new righteous creations by the power of God (see II Corinthians 5:21). When we renew our minds by meditating who we are in Christ the truth begins to do its work in our souls (our will, desires and emotions) and the truth can set us free.

Solomon says that an honest answer is like a warm hug or a kiss. It makes you feel accepted, desired, embraced, secure and loved.

What would happen if you began to meditate; read to yourself over and over the ‘I Ams’ of who you are in Christ? Here is a list for you to begin to study. Write your name down and use it in the ‘I Ams,’ then write out the statements every day for the next 40 days and see if can handle “the truth.”

PRAYER=
Lord, help me to believe the truth for the truth will set me free!

Who I Am In Christ:
1. I am a minister of the Gospel of Christ (2 Cor 11:23, Romans 1:16)
2. I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16)
3. I am a witness (1 Thessalonians 2:10)
4. I am not my own (1 Corinthians 6:19)
5. I am not of this world (John 15:9)
6. I am not under the law (Galatians 5:18)
7. I am not a slave (Galatians 4:7)
8. I am not inferior (Job 13:2)
9. I am not alone (John 8:16, 16:32)
10. I am bold (2 Corinthians 11:21)
11. I am not ashamed of who I am (2 Tim 1:12)
12. I am an ambassador for Christ (1 Corinthians 5:20)
13. I am jealous for the saints with a godly jealousy. (2 Corinthians 11:2)
14. I am an intercessor who stands in the gap (Ezekiel 22:30)
15. I am Christ's (1 Corinthians 3:23)
16. I am the friend of God (John 15:15)
17. I am a servant of God (1 Corinthians 9:19)
18. I am a part of the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27)
19. I am one of the saints in Christ Jesus. (Romans 1:6, Galatians 3:28)
20. I am the Bride of Jesus Christ (Revelations 21:2-10)
21. I am a fellow citizen with all the saints in the Kingdom of God (Ephesians 2:19)
22. I am the temple of the Lord and the Holy Spirit dwells within me (1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19,
2 Corinthians 6:16, John 14:7)
23. I am redeemed (Revelations 5:9)
24. I am bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20)
25. I am Blood bought (1 Peter 1:19, Revelations 5:9)
26. I am valuable to God (Matthew 10:31)
27. I am one in which God has an inheritance (Ephesians 1:18)
28. I am reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:18)
29. I am made clean (John 13:10)
30. I am saved by the Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:2)
31. I am born again of incorruptible seed (1 Peter 1:23)
32. I am a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)
33. I am in Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:30)
34. I am complete in Him (Colossians 2:10)
35. I am free from the control of man (1 Corinthians 9:19)
36. I am free from sin (Romans 6:18,22)
37. I am free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2)
38. I am free from the curse of the law (Galatians 3:13)
39. I am free indeed (John 8:32-36)
40. I am called according to His purpose (Romans 8:30)
41. I am called into the fellowship of His Son (1 Corinthians 1:9)
42. I am called to peace (1 Corinthians 7:15)
43. I am called to liberty (Galatians 5:13)
44. I am called to His eternal glory (1 Peter 5:10)
45. I am God's field (1 Corinthians 3:9)
46. I am God's building (1 Corinthians 3:9)
47. I am a branch connected into the Vine Jesus Christ and His life flows through me
(John 15:5)
48. I am healed from my infirmities (1 Peter 2:24, Isaiah 53:5)
49. I am immune from every sickness and disease (Exodus 23:25, Deuteronomy 7:15)
50. I am an epistle of Christ, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God
(2 Corinthians 3:3)
51. I am Abraham's seed (Galatians 3:29)
52. I am an heir according to the promises made to Abraham. (Galatians 3:29)
53. I am part of a chosen generation (1 Peter 2:9)
54. I am a member of a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9)
55. I am a citizen of a holy nation (1 Peter 2:9)
56. I am one of His own special people (1 Peter 2:9)
57. I am an heir of God a joint heir with Jesus Christ (Galatians 4:7)
58. I am member of the household of God (Ephesians 2:19)

Posted by Reality Check at 9:44 AM | Permalink | Comments

The Book of Proverbs

Proverbs Chapter 23

Scripture= Proverbs chapter 23:22-25 (The Message)

Listen with respect to the father who raised you, and when your mother grows old, don't neglect her.Buy truth—don't sell it for love or money; buy wisdom, buy education, buy insight.Parents rejoice when their children turn out well; wise children become proud parents.So make your father happy! Make your mother proud!

Observations and Applications=
“Just wait until you have children than you will appreciate your parents.” Have you ever heard that before? Another phrase I remember hearing was, “Just wait until you have children of your own than you will understand.” Both of these are very similar and express the insight of delaying judgment until we are in a position to really understand what it is like to raise a family. I remember saying to myself, “when I have my own family I’ll …or “I’ll never do…”
It is so easy to speak out before experience teaches us her wisdom.

As you were growing up did you ever think that your parents were just out of touch, that they didn’t understand you? I did too. I still remember questioning their judgment and resisting their rules. Now I look back and I am so grateful that they loved me enough to discipline me and keep me in line. Experience has taught me that to discipline my children and to impose boundaries into their lives is to reveal my love for them, even if it is not always understood or appreciated.

When I was youth pastor some 16 years ago (ouch, I’m getting old) I was amazed when I would take kids away on some events and parents never came to meet me and find out about their trip. I remember one time we returned home and we couldn’t leave a young person at home because their parents were gone. Now I don’t mean that they weren’t at home, they were gone. They had moved and the child did not even know were they had gone or had no way of contacting them! Talk about abandonment!

It is no wonder that this generation has lost so much respect for their parents. I have seen to often and quite frankly I have dealt with it myself, that it is so easy for us as parents to get so wrapped up in our own lives and its demands that we can easily forget our responsibilities as a parent. I have also seen too many Parents who are more concerned about being their children’s friend than being their parent. Let’s face it; raising children is a HUGE responsibility. Without the help of the Holy Spirit I don’t know how anybody can do it, and do it well!

Solomon tells us to appreciate our parents. To honor them and provide for them when they are old. Our provision can include financial or physical assistance but more than anything should include our respect. When we make the right decisions and when we see our lives progressing why not throw some accolades their way? We need to show our children how we are respecting our parent because one day we will be in the same boat. Allow the Holy Spirit to reveal to you how you are treating your parents and remember: that whether you are conscious of it or not you are teaching your children how to treat you!

Prayer=
Lord Jesus, Thank you for my Mom and my Dad. Help me to show them my gratitude and love. Help me to say thank you and treat them with honor and dignity. Help me to model that example before my own children. And Lord. Help me to stay involved in the lives of my own children even when they don’t understand or appreciate what I am doing.

Posted by Reality Check at 7:49 AM | Permalink | Comments

Proverbs Chapter 22

Scripture

Proverbs chapter 22:24-25
"Don't hang out with angry people; don't keep company with hotheads. Bad temper is contagious— don't get infected."

OBSERVATIONS AND APPLICATIONS
Maybe it is just me but it seems like there are a lot more angry people in the world? Everywhere you turn people are overreacting to normal everyday situations with anger and often even with violence. I understand people being annoyed or even being disappointed or upset but why rage?

• "Tailgating, giving the finger, outright violence--Americans grow more likely to take out their frustrations on other drivers."~US News and World Reports
• "Road rage is commonly defined as a societal condition where motorists lose their temper in reaction to a traffic disturbance."~Iowa DOT
• "250,000 people have been killed in traffic since 1990. While the U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that two thirds of fatalities are at least partially caused by aggressive driving."~ US News and World Reports
  
  

There is even a website http://roadragers.com dedicated to road rage. This website gives you an opportunity to turn in aggressive and unsafe drivers and report your incident. Filing an online report is intended to give you a platform to release your own pent up aggression. You can even take a quiz to rate your own road rage level.

How about you? Do you get angry in your car? I have gotten upset when somebody cuts me off in traffic and have even started to imagine that somehow this person had planned their maneuver as a scheduled event to ruin my day or make me late?
Have you ever thought how you could get them back? Have you honked your horn or even pulled around them and returned the favor by cutting them off?

Solomon tells us in Proverbs 22:24-25 that angry behavior is contagious. Anger breeds anger. Anger is an emotion that other people can feed off of. When someone gets in your face the world teaches us that we are supposed to do the same right? You cut me off- I cut you off- You blow your horn- I flip you off- and so on, and so on…

Tell me what would happen if you decided to show kindness and be courteous instead of displaying anger? Maybe the other person wouldn’t even notice but what would take place in your own car? Next time you feel like accelerating to take revenge why not crank up your praise and worship music and sing at the top of your lungs instead?

I guess you just have to weigh the outcomes and ask yourself; “do I want peace or turmoil? Do I want to experience frustration or relaxation?”


Prayer
Lord, help me to listen to your Holy Spirit. I want to reflect you Jesus and how you would treat people. Fill me with your peace! Remind me about the consequences of my anger and help me to choose patience instead!

Posted by Reality Check at 1:38 PM | Permalink | Comments

The Book of Proverbs

Proverbs Chapter 21
Scripture= Proverbs chapter 21:2, 3, 27, 29 (The Message)
2 We justify our actions by appearances; God examines our motives. 3 Clean living before God and justice with our neighbors mean far more to God than religious performance.
27 Religious performance by the wicked stinks; it's even worse when they use it to get ahead.
29 Unscrupulous people fake it a lot; honest people are sure of their steps.

Observation= There is a phrase that states, “What you see is what you get.” I am not claiming to know for sure what that phrase really means but for me it refers to the appearance of something actually representing a true picture of what it is. It is the ideal that there are no pretenses beyond the obvious deductions. You are stating that there is nothing hidden and there is no cover up. It is the conclusion that whatever you are observing is genuine and true.

Solomon writes about this in these four verses. Solomon explains that when we do something for someone God examines our motives. God is not as interested in the fact that we did something good but rather why we did it. Even deeds which are done in the name of Jesus mean nothing when they are performed for appearance sake; to make a person look Godly. To perform deeds of kindness simply to gain spiritual favor or for accolades or self promotion produces an odor of wickedness. These acts are a lie, a deception and they are actually a spirit of manipulation which is witchcraft.

Application= When we read Proverbs chapter 21, verse 3, we see that God wants us to guard our hearts and to act out of a genuine spirit. Jesus has given us his righteousness and grace which gives to us his ability to live a holy life and to love others (see I John chapter 3:10).We are to lay down our lives for one another by meeting one another’s needs. God knows when we have a sincere desire to love others and give what we can to them. And if we allow him God will even help us to turn our improper desires to help others, into genuine and sincere contributions (see I John 3:16-23).


Prayer= Lord Jesus, I want to genuinely be your instrument of love. I want to have a pure heart that gives to others. Help me to see the needs of those around me and give without hesitation or regard for personal loss.

Posted by Reality Check at 9:24 PM | Permalink | Comments

The Book of Proverbs

Proverbs chapter 20
Scripture= Proverbs chapter 20:14, 17 (The Message)
14 "It's no good, it's no good!" says the buyer; then off he goes and boasts about his purchase.
17 Food gained by fraud tastes sweet to a man, but he ends up with a mouth full of gravel.

Observation= Have you ever been shrewd to the point of dishonesty in driving a good deal for yourself? Did you consider your tactics as simply a way to acquire a real bargain? When you put theses two verses together it creates quite a scenario. You use fraud to drive down the acceptable price for something by telling the merchant that there is something wrong with his product even though it is fine. Then you brag about your negotiating prowess in getting such a great deal! According to The American Heritage® Dictionary fraud is defined as:
“A deception deliberately practiced in order to secure unfair or unlawful gain.”

Can this be an acceptable level of behavior for those who have been given the righteousness of God as a gift? Should there be a higher level of expectations when it comes to the behavior of those who have the Holy Spirit of God residing in them?

Application= Were you born with a natural talent, ability or skill? When this happens it can be interpreted as both a blessing and a curse. It can be a blessing because you have something that can mark you and make you special. It can be a curse because you could be known for only your skill and be neglected as a person.

With the gifts that you have been given can come certain expectations. If you have been given something special you need to use this gift wisely. If your gift is in academics you need to study and apply yourself and choose to follow a profession that will help society. If you are a leader then you need to make sure that you travel the right path and be a positive example to others.

My son plays sports and has a real gift for baseball and really just about anything that he puts his heart into. I challenge him about working hard and always having the right attitude. I also tell him that with his gifts there are certain expectations of his outcome. He feels that sometimes his coaches or I get on his case and don’t treat him like everyone else. When that happens I try to convey to him that nobody is picking on him but instead his coaches know what he is capable of and cannot accept less than that out of him. If you can be more and do more should you just settle for mediocrity or push for excellence? It is hard for him to understand that the coaches say certain things to him because they know what he is capable of and they know that those same expectations are not realistic to some of his teammates.

As a follower of Jesus Christ I have been given the opportunity to live at a level that should exceed the standards of the world. It is unrealistic to assume or expect the world to act different than the standards that the world will tolerate or justify. But shouldn’t the children of God be expected to be fair and live above those tolerable standards?

Jesus knows what we are capable of because he is in us giving us, through his grace, the ability to live out his standards in our everyday lives. (Please see Luke 12:48)

Prayer= Lord Jesus, help me to submit to your ways inside of me. By your precious Spirit you guide me and by your grace you empower me to do the right thing and live above the world’s base standards. Thank you that all the expectations that you desire of me are fulfilled in you Jesus.

Posted by Reality Check at 3:32 PM | Permalink | Comments

The Book of Proverbs

Proverbs 19

Scripture-Proverbs chapter 19:3 (The Message)
People ruin their lives by their own stupidity, so why does God always get blamed?

Observation=Forrest Gump stated, "stupid is as stupid does." This verse is a what people call ‘a no brainer’ or a ‘no duh’ statement.’ When we make wrong choices in our lives and things go bad we blame God! How many times, after I have done something wrong and there were consequences, have I stated, “God was out to get me” or “God was paying me back for what I had done?” More times then I can count.

Sometimes I think it is easier to blame God, than it is to examine our own choices and admit our wrong choices. In our minds I believe we rationalize, “if blame can be placed on the Almighty than I am just a victim and I am not really at fault.” I am the one who made the stupid choices and receive what I simply deserve, to blame God is simply, "stupid is as stupid does."

Application=The Bible teaches that, “what we sow we shall reap.” It is a law that God has ordained. Only God’s mercy and grace treats us better than we deserve! But outside of God’s redemption we still will face the consequences of our actions. And while God has removed our sin nature and replaced it with his righteousness we still act out of the residue of who we once were. Our flesh and our mind wars with our spirit man and we still act out on our own and we receive the consequences of a soul that tries to play God. How can I blame God when I suffer the consequences of my own rebellious heart?

In Christ, I am no longer a victim. My sin nature has been crucified with Christ. When I sin I do so willingly as a choice of my own, not because I am still bound to sin. Paul writes that sin is no longer our master. When I choose to sin I receive the fruit of my choice but God is always faithful to provide a way out. Read I Corinthians chapter 10 verse 13.
“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”


Prayer= Lord, I thank for your way of escape in temptation. Thank you Father, that you never leave us on our own. Forgive me when I try to play God and act out on my own and when I blame you for my own sin. Thank you for your forgiveness and your restoration. (I John 1:9)

Posted by Reality Check at 11:24 PM | Permalink | Comments

The Book of Proverbs

Proverbs Chapter 18

Scripture=Proverbs chapter 18:6, 7, 8, 13, 20 (The Message)

6 The words of a fool start fights; do him a favor and gag him. 7 Fools are undone by their big mouths; their souls are crushed by their words.
8 Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy; do you really want junk like that in your belly?
13 Answering before listening is both stupid and rude.
20 Words satisfy the mind as much as fruit does the stomach; good talk is as gratifying as a good harvest. 21 Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit—you choose.

Observation=In these verses Solomon is telling us that our words bear consequences and can hurt others. He is also telling us that we can hurt others by what we choose to listen to as gossip.

Solomon is also advising us that not only what we say and what we listen to can hurt others but those two things will hurt us as the talker and the listener as well! We will hurt ourselves when we talk about others. We will lose others trust and confidence. And when we listen to gossip it hurts us as well. It will effect the way you see people whether what you heard was true or not.

I am sure that you have heard the phrase that, “the pen is mightier than the sword,” words can bring down great empires. We also grew up hearing, “that sticks and stones may break our bones but words will never hurt us,” that is far from the truth because we have all been wounded by words than by anything else on this earth.

Application=I remember as a little child singing a song in Sunday School that I believe was entitled, ‘Be Careful’. The words were, “Oh be careful little mouth what you say, oh be careful little mouth what you say, for the Father up above, he is looking down in love, so be careful little mouth what you say.” The other verses were: Be careful little ears what you hear, little eyes what you see, little hands what you do, and little feet where you go. Even though this song was rather on the line of ‘big brother is watching’ it made a point of accountability. It could be “you better watch out God is going to get you,” or it could be that we are accountable with how we treat each other.

I believe that the Grace of God covers all our sin but don’t we have the responsibility of trusting that Grace (God’s ability in us) gives us the knowledge of what we should do and the power to do it? We should be careful what we say and what we hear! Grace never gives us the license to be a jerk. We are never in the right when hurt others by what we say and can never be justified when we listen to hurtful things about others. For the Father up above is looking down in love so we need to be careful.

Prayer=
Lord Jesus, help me form my words today.
I don’t want to hurt with the things I say.
When I hear words that make my friends look bad.
Help me to turn away before my heart gets sad.

Posted by Reality Check at 4:46 PM | Permalink | Comments

The Book of Proverbs

Proverbs Chapter 16

Scripture= Proverbs 16:1, 3, 7, 9 (The Message)
1 Mortals make elaborate plans, but God has the last word.
3 Put God in charge of your work, then what you've planned will take place.
7 When God approves of your life, even your enemies will end up shaking your hand
9 We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it.
33 Make your motions and cast your votes, but God has the final say.


Observation=As you read these verses in Proverbs chapter 16 you see one predominate thought. God is the one who directs our lives!

We might think that we are independent from any external sources directing our lives but these verses tell us that God is the one who is really in control.
Look at each verse:
· Verse 1, “God has the last word.”
· Verse 3, “Put God in charge of your work, then...”
· Verse 7, “When God approves of your life.”
· Verse 9, “But only God makes us able to live it.”
· Verse 33, “But God has the final say.”

Application=We might think that we are traveling through life on our own but it is God who has laid out our map and he alone knows what tomorrow will bring. It is a life of faith that trust’s that God will make our paths straight. Read Proverbs 3:5-6 from The Message Bible, “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track.”

This advice from Solomon is right-on when it comes to trusting in God with the map of our lives. When you think that you are in control remember these four rules:
RULES FOR TRUSTING GOD
1. Trust God in every way you can.
2. Don’t try to figure things out and when you try, remember rule number one and tell yourself, “God CAN be trusted.”
3. Listen for God’s direction in every situation. That is how you will know which direction to travel in.
4. Constantly remind yourself that GOD IS IN CONTROL he is the one who will keep you heading in the right direction.

Prayer= Lord Jesus, forgive me for thinking that I am in charge. I surrender to your plans and your ways for me today! You alone are God and I want my obedience and trust in you to be my worship.

Posted by Reality Check at 10:18 AM | Permalink | Comments

The Book of Proverbs


Proverbs Chapter 15

Scripture=Proverbs 15:1, 4, 18 (The Message)

1 A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire.

4 Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim.

18 Hot tempers start fights; a calm, cool spirit keeps the peace.


Observation=
· Gentle, kind and calm is the demeanor of someone who is wise.
· Sharp tongued, cutting and hot tempered is the demeanor of a fool.


· A wise person refuses to fight back with their words and responds without attacking which defuses anger and de-escalates a volatile situation.
· A fool uses words and a confrontational demeanor which stirs up people’s defenses and makes the situation even worse!


· A wise person gives kindness (love and grace) to people by using words that will heal other’s hurts and help them learn from their experiences.
· A fool selfishly and without regard of the damages wounds and maims people by using cutting remarks!


· A wise person knows that hostilities can be averted and peace restored by remaining calm and not overreacting in a seemingly volatile environment.

· A fool knows that their remarks will start a fight and damage, if not ruin, relationships but with no restraint says what they want anyway!


Application= This is easy for me because I simply have to look at my behavior and ask:
1. Am I behaving like a fool or am I wise in the way I am reacting and responding to my environment?
2. Did I cause the situation to become peaceful or am I causing the tension to escalate?
3. How did my words and demeanor cause the people involved to react?
4. Did what I say rebuild and restore the people I am talking with or did my words hurt and alienate them?
5. Did I submit to the Holy Spirit, humble myself and really listen to what is the other person(s) are really saying?


Prayer=Lord Jesus, I am sorry for how I hurt and wound those who I love. Help me to hear you and respond in your love. I want to be a peacemaker!

Posted by Reality Check at 11:13 AM | Permalink | Comments

The Book of Proverbs

Proverbs Chapter 14
Scripture= Proverbs chapter 14:34
34 God-devotion makes a country strong; God-avoidance leaves people weak. (The Message)

34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. (N.I.V.)

Observation= This is an incredible verse when you think about the history of the United States. We have on our currency ‘In God We Trust’. Our Forefathers believed in God and knew that his favor and presence was necessary for this nation to prosper. Even in our pledge of allegiance we say, “one nation under God.” Now we have people leading crusades to have these words stricken from our pledge. Even the Ten Commandments must be removed from courtroom walls. It really sounds like God–avoidance to me?

During the last five years since 9-1-1 our Major League Baseball games have featured the song ‘God Bless America’ during the seventh inning stretch. We really do need the favor of God to rest upon this country. But is this the responsibility of our Government or the people of God? Should our legislation dictate that people honor God with their lips when their hearts are not with God at all?

Application= II Chronicles 7:14 describes our application to Proverbs 14:34 the best.
“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (N.I.V.)

Note that these commands were given to the nation of Israel. The ones called to repent are not those outside the family of God. “If my people, who are called by my name, will…”

As followers of Jesus Christ we have a responsibility to lead the way. We are to be ‘salt’ that seasons what is around us and preserves the environment that we are in. We cannot lose our impact or our influence. We are to be a ‘light’ and if the ‘light’ stays hidden people will perish because of the darkness. If the 'light' stays visible it can provide direction to those surrounded by darkness (see Matthew 5:13-16). God can use even a remnant to touch a nation, remember Queen Esther (see the Book of Esther).

We are the body of Christ. God’s people need to step out by faith and through God’s grace, live in God’s love, and in His righteousness. Then we can build relationships with those in the darkness and show them God’s love. Then God will continue to bless America. Remember Abraham’s request to the Lord for Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 18:23 & 32 (N.K.J.V.), “Would you also destroy the righteous with the wicked?” “…suppose ten should be found there? And he (the Lord) said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of ten (righteous).”

It is our responsibility, as the body of Christ, through the grace and power of God to bless America!

Prayer= Lord Jesus, help me to live to bless this nation because of my witness for you!

Casting Crowns - What If His People Prayed
Album: Casting Crowns

Lyrics:
What if the armies of the Lord
Picked up and dusted off their swords
Vowed to set the captives free
And not let satan have one more

What if the church, for heaven's sake
Finally stepped up to the plate
Took a stand upon God's promise
And stormed hell's rusty gates

Chorus:
What if His people prayed
And all who bare His name
Would humbly seek His face
And Turn from their own way

And what would happen if we prayed
For those raised up to lead the way
Then maybe kids in school could pray
And unborn children see light of day

What if the life that we pursue
Came from a hunger for the truth
What if the family turned to Jesus
Stopped asking Oprah what to do

He said that they would hear
His promise has been made
He'll answer loud and clear
If only we would pray

If My people called by My name
If they'll humble themselves and pray
If My people called by My name
If they'll humble themselves and pray

Posted by Reality Check at 1:58 PM | Permalink | Comments

The Book of Proverbs

Proverbs Chapter 13
Scripture= Proverbs 13:25
An appetite for good brings much satisfaction, but the belly of the wicked always wants more. (The Message)

The righteous eat to their hearts' content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry. (N.I.V.)

Observation= The Rolling Stones wrote a song entitled ‘Satisfaction’ and the main line in the song repeats, “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction.” The idea of the song is, no matter how hard the person tries satisfaction is just not there. Satisfaction is allusive and out of reach.

This song is what I thought of when I read this verse from Proverbs chapter 13. Solomon writes that the wicked is never satisfied, their appetite always remains. No matter what they try, their sin will never bring them satisfaction. The world will always leave you hungry, looking for more. Unless you walk in God’s ways you are settling for the counterfeit and the fake can never give you satisfaction.

Only God can fulfill the desires of our heart. The world only offers a deception, an illusion that promises it will meet our needs but always leaves us asking, “Is that it, is this all there is?” Even when we believe that the world has fed us well, it is simply a sugar high, a rush that only lasts for a short time. Soon we will crash and our hunger is even worse than it was before. We will find ourselves, once again, out looking for something else that will satisfy our longings but we will GET NO SATISFACTION!

Application=The Psalmist wrote, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him” (Psalm 34:8). In Psalms 19:7-11 David writes about submitting our lives to the Word of God. He tells us the benefits that the Word of God provides to those who will trust in it. Only our relationship with our Heavenly Father can fully feed us and give us satisfaction!

Prayer= Lord Jesus, I want to trust in you and in the power of your word. I don’t want to eat from the table of the world. Show me Holy Spirit where I am trusting in the world to meet my needs and help me to turn to your word instead, for only you Jesus can provide true and lasting satisfaction.

Posted by Reality Check at 2:03 PM | Permalink | Comments

Scripture= Proverbs 12:1

(The Message, N.I.V.)

· If you love learning, you love the discipline that goes with it— how shortsighted to refuse correction! (The Message)

· Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. (N.I.V.)

Observation= I thought it would be fun today to write my own proverbs. Here is my attempt based on Proverbs chapter 12:1. Why don’t you try writing a few proverbs of your own? Send me your attempts by commenting on this blog.

Posted by Reality Check at 11:08 PM | Permalink | Comments

The Book of Proverbs

Proverbs Chapter 11
Scripture= Proverbs chapter 11:4, 24, 25, 28 (The Message)
4 A thick bankroll is no help when life falls apart, but a principled life can stand up to the worst.
24 The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.
25 The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.
28 A life devoted to things is a dead life, a stump; a God-shaped life is a flourishing tree.

Observation=The questions that must be asked after reading these four verses from Proverbs chapter 11 are, “Will your checkbook or your integrity build your reputation? Do you trust in people or money? Do you believe in relationships or possessions?”

The real question is, “Why do you think God blesses us with financial gain?” Yes, there is a reward for hard work and sound investments but what you build your security on will determine what you do with your assets. God is all about relationships and your success is an opportunity to express God’s goodness to others. WE ARE BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING!

Application= One of the attributes of God that seldom makes the lists’ that describe God’s character is that God ‘is a giving God.’ The same as God loves because God ‘is love’; God gives because God ‘is giving.’ It is his nature to give and he IS ALWAYS GOOD! In the same way that God bestows to us his love and enables us to love as he loves, he puts in us his benevolence and enables us to give. We are blessed to possess the kindness of God within us, and if we understand why we have been blessed, we can experience the full measure of the truth, “it is more blessed to give than receive.” We can bestow to others the blessings of God!

What reputation will describe and sum up who we are in this world? Will be known as being very wealthy or Will we be known as someone who was very generous? Will we be known as someone who has as much money as God or someone who was like God in their giving?

Prayer= Lord Jesus, help me to see how blessed I truly am. May I be an instrument of your goodness to others through my giving. Holy Spirit, show me where I am living out the lie, ‘that I am God and in control of what I possess.’ Lord Jesus, I am your steward and a steward is not judged by what they have, but by how faithful they are in doing the work of their master with what they have been given.

Posted by Reality Check at 10:16 AM | Permalink | Comments

The Book of Proverbs

Proverbs Chapter 10
Scripture= Proverbs chapter 10:31 (The Message)
A good person's mouth is a clear fountain of wisdom; a foul mouth is a stagnant swamp.

Observation= Solomon gives us incredible illustrations to explain the differences between having good speech and a foul mouth. And by good speech I am not talking about proper grammar but speaking without the use of bad language and course talking.

A stagnant swamp has no productive purposes. In fact without the water stirring all wildlife will die. The water simply breeds disease and actually becomes a place of death. If anyone drinks of this water they will become sick. The water will churn in their belly and can cause possibly even dysentery. It is like poison and very likely can kill you and if you carry an infectious disease can infect others as well.

A clear fountain will be refreshing and nourishing. People will travel miles to drink from it. Towns and even whole civilizations will grow up around a good water source. Good water will sustain life and helps keep a body pure and running efficiently.

Application= When we speak in anger, when we speak using curses, when we speak with course and foul language, and when our words cut and bite we are like that stagnant swamp. Our mouth becomes a place to spread the diseases of hatred, bigotry, prejudice, sexual exploitation and abuse. We wound even those we love. We cause the death of hopes and dreams. What we say doesn’t just hurt the ones we are talking to but can even maim those who our victims come in contact with. Out of our mouths spew stagnant speech filled with ignorant ideas and evil intent. Words which come from a bitter and perverse heart will eventually cost the speaker happiness, relationships and even personal health.

When we speak the wisdom of God; that is, we share words of kindness, truth and encouragement, than we will give others life. People will come to be around us, for they will be nourished in their hearts and stirred in their minds. Friendships and relationships will be established and people will prosper and live in peace. The one who allows the Spirit of God to fill their heart with the love of God will give others life. This person will always have friends and those who will be willing to help them when in need. Even the mental state of a person, who speaks kindness and encouragement to others, will be well balanced and peaceful.

Prayer= Lord Jesus, I want to speak words of life. Holy Spirit, reveal the places of hurt and perversion in me. Show me where my mind is soiled with the residue of this world for my mind is the reservoir for my speech. Help me to speak words of life to others. May my speech be a clear fountain.

Posted by Reality Check at 9:04 PM | Permalink | Comments

The Book of Proverbs

Proverbs Chapter 9

Scripture=Proverbs chapter 9:3-6 (The Message)
Lady Wisdom goes to town, stands in a prominent place, and invites everyone within sound of her voice: "Are you confused about life, don't know what's going on? Come with me, oh come, have dinner with me!I've prepared a wonderful spread-fresh baked bread, roast lamb, carefully selected wines. Leave your impoverished confusion and live! Walk up the street to a life with meaning."

Observation= Wisdom has laid out a feast. She has sent out the invitations and announced that dinner is served. All you have to do to eat all of this food is admit that you are ignorant. Ouch, that sounds pretty harsh doesn't it? Well the definition of ignorance is lacking knowledge. Do you lack knowledge?

Wisdom is hosting a feast to fill you with knowledge and understanding. She wants to serve you a life with meaning but you have to admit that you are hungry that you need her... Actually, that you need her desperately!

Act like you got it figured out and well, you're not really that hungry! Hide your lack of knowledge and well, you can't come because you won't like what's served. Come needy, and yes there's more than enough food to feed you for a lifetime.

The choice is yours? Are you Hungry? I mean really hungry? Hungry enough to be totally honest? Hungry enough to reveal what you don't know? Hungry enough to confess your inaptitude? Hungry enough to admit your failure? If you said yes to these questions then Wisdom has a smorgasbord of help and hope for you!

Application= I need help and need it desperately! Apart from Christ I can do nothing (John 15:5). With all that Christ has given me I can do all things (Philippians 4:13).

In my weakness Christ is made strong. Paul's words from 2 Corinthians 12:9 (N.I.V.) talk about his personal admission of weakness, "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

Wisdom, Christ's insight and ability (Grace) is available to me through the Holy Spirit if I will admit my hunger and feast on His Word (James 1:5). Am I willing to come desperately and in humility and with complete honesty? Yummy, I Can smell the food already.

Prayer= Lord, I need you desperately. Yesterday is gone and today I must trust you again. I am hungry for your wisdom; fill me with your words for they contain life. Without them I will starve and with them I can feed others.

Posted by Reality Check at 7:46 AM | Permalink | Comments

The Book of Proverbs

Proverbs Chapter 8
Scripture= Proverbs Chapter 8:34 (The Message)
Blessed the man, blessed the woman, who listens to me, awake and ready for me each morning, alert and responsive as I start my day's work.

Observation= When you read chapter 8 you can see that wisdom is something that should be desired by everyone. Wisdom is one of the things you should choose for your life. If you could only choose three things to possess in your life would you be like Solomon and choose wisdom? Would it make your top three?

As I read this chapter verse 34 stuck out to me both in the N.I.V. and in The Message. When I read, in verse 34, what our response should be to wisdom it made me think about our dog Rudy. Rudy just loves to greet us when we come home and even waits by the stairs to greet you when you come back down to the bottom floor. When my wife Jan comes into the house (she is the one who feeds the dog) he raises up on two legs and practically dances around the house. He just can’t wait to receive something from the family; food, water, a new bone from the store, a good petting or just somebody who will say his name and talk to him. When Rudy sees you coming his little tail practically wags off and he barks his greeting as if to say, “I have been waiting for you, watching for you, what do you have for me, I know it will be good?”

How do we respond to the wisdom of God? We need to be like Rudy waiting each day to hear and receive what wisdom has for us. We need to look at everything that is happening in our lives and say like Rudy, “what do you have for me?” Depending on what you need for the day; you might need food (a big dose of wisdom), or water (not quite as much), or maybe a bone from the store (your going to have a surprise in your day and need wisdom), or maybe just a greeting (the calm assurance that wisdom is there). Whatever we need we can receive it from the council of God. The Holy Spirit is there as our teacher to give us insight and understanding and to share with us the eternal wisdom of our God.

Application= We have to look for wisdom and ask for wisdom and wait for wisdom. Too often we operate on our own and then run to wisdom like a fire alarm and break the glass and pull the handle for an emergency dose of wisdom.

I want to be like Rudy and eagerly await wisdom. I want to ask my heavenly Father to teach me that day what I need to know. I need to receive his wisdom and then obey it! When I don’t have the right attitude to hear, receive and obey I need to think of Rudy.

Prayer= Lord, I am not in charge! I need to hear your wisdom to live as I should. Your ways are right and your wisdom is always perfect for me and for others. Help me today to eagerly await your wisdom and help me to walk in wisdom’s ways! Thank you Father for your Holy Spirit who lives in me and who is my teacher and my helper.

Posted by Reality Check at 1:25 PM | Permalink | Comments

This blog’s post today is much longer than normal but it is worth taking the time needed to read it. Today’s content is about the struggle of sexual temptation and the victory that is available to us. As a man I really appreciate the words of Solomon. His words of wisdom are as relevant today as when they were first written!

This post covers three chapters of Proverbs (I had to update my reading schedule, sorry!) but they fit together so well. You will see verses from all three chapters included in the Scripture, Observation and the Application sections.

The Book of Proverbs
Proverbs Chapters 5 – 7

Scripture= Proverbs chapter 7:24-27 (The Message)
So, friends, listen to me, take these words of mine most seriously.
Don't fool around with a woman like that; don't even stroll through her neighborhood.
Countless victims come under her spell; she's the death of many a poor man.
She runs a halfway house to hell, fits you out with a shroud and a coffin.

Observation= What incredible chapters! I think that every man ought to read Proverbs chapters 5 – 7 to help them understand the power and destruction of sexual seduction.
We live in an information age where the convenience of the internet brings seduction into the privacy of our own homes. You don’t have to wander down the street to be seduced just browse the net. She is there waiting for you… this is a real battle that in many ways is an exact parallel to what Solomon is describing.

When you read Proverbs chapter 7, verses 6 – 23 you see the allure and the power of the seduction but as Solomon advises the reader; it is an illusion, a lie that entraps and destroys those who fall under its spell. The promise of intimacy is never fulfilled outside of the covenant of marriage. The high of ‘being desired’ is temporary and turns to self hate and shame. You cannot pursue sexual fulfillment outside of marriage and avoid suffering the consequences. Read the words of Proverbs Chapter 6:24 – 29, 32 – 33 (The Message):
(24 – 29) They'll protect you from wanton women, from the seductive talk of some temptress.
Don't lustfully fantasize on her beauty, nor be taken in by her bedroom eyes.
You can buy an hour with a whore for a loaf of bread, but a wanton woman may well eat you alive.
Can you build a fire in your lap and not burn your pants?
Can you walk barefoot on hot coals and not get blisters?
It's the same when you have sex with your neighbor's wife: Touch her and you'll pay for it. No excuses.
(32 – 33) Adultery is a brainless act, soul-destroying, self-destructive;
Expect a bloody nose, a black eye, and a reputation ruined for good...

The consequences of sexual impurity are guaranteed, they cannot be avoided. Sexual liaisons in chat rooms are often justified because the relationships are not physical but only emotional encounters. These internet affaires are never harmless and many people have then acted out their desires and destroyed their marriages, their families, their reputations and literally their lives! Solomon states in Chapter 7:24 – 27, that these sexual exploits, “are the death of many a poor man.”

Application= When it comes to the application of these three chapters their truths hit home. As a man and even as a pastor I too struggle with the availability of pornography. Solomon’s advice in chapter 7:25 “Don't fool around with a woman like that; don't even stroll through her neighborhood” must be followed. When it comes to sexual temptation:
· You CANNOT be timid!
· You don’t have to ACT BRAVE! (Think you can handle it by yourself.)
· You must FLEE!
· You need to have a support system of ACCOUNTABILITY! (Try looking at www.xxxchurch.com)
· You have to CULTIVATE and MAINTAIN true intimacy with your wife by understanding how to understand and meet her emotional needs. Read Solomon’s words in Chapter 5:15 – 20 (The Message)

“Do you know the saying, "Drink from your own rain barrel, draw water from your own spring-fed well"?
It's true. Otherwise, you may one day come home and find your barrel empty and your well polluted.
Your spring water is for you and you only, not to be passed around among strangers.
Bless your fresh-flowing fountain!
Enjoy the wife you married as a young man!
Lovely as an angel, beautiful as a rose—don't ever quit taking delight in her body.
Never take her love for granted!
Why would you trade enduring intimacies for cheap thrills with a whore? for dalliance with a promiscuous stranger?”

· Know that you are NOT ALONE! (Other men struggle with cultivating emotional intimacy.)
· Stay FAITHFUL no matter the cost!

Prayer= Lord Jesus, thank you for your timely words. Thank you for speaking to my heart through Solomon. Help me to never quit resisting, to understand that victory is mine, Jesus, through your death and resurrection! You are there with me everyday and I know that through your Holy Spirit, you are always faithful to strengthen and to deliver me. James 1:13 – 18 tells me how temptation works and I surrender my desires today to you.

*If you need help with accountability in your battle with sexual temptation please send me a comment. All personal comments will be kept confidential and your request WILL NOT BE POSTED!
**For A good point of reference and to help better understand the battle of sexual temptation I highly recommend the book Every Man’s Battle, by Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker with Mike Yorkey. Published by WaterBrook Press; ISBN 1-57856-368-2

Pastor Dan

Posted by Reality Check at 10:38 AM | Permalink | Comments

The Book of Proverbs

Proverbs Chapter 3

Scripture= Proverbs Chapter 3:27-29 (The Message)
Never walk away from someone who deserves help; your hand is God's hand for that person.

Don't tell your neighbor "Maybe some other time" or "Try me tomorrow" when the money's right there in your pocket.

Don't figure ways of taking advantage of your neighbor when he's sitting there trusting and unsuspecting.

Observation= In Proverbs chapter three verse three we are told to not let mercy (loving kindness) and truth (loyalty, faithfulness) out of our lives. The Message Bible says to, “Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart.” That is a pretty graphic word picture. In God’s mercy we are to stay faithful in our commitment to represent God to others. We are to never forget who God is and how he treats his children and with that remembrance attached to us we are to treat others in the same way!

Verses 27-29 give us a living example; if mercy and truth are attached to us then we will not walk out on others when there is something that we can do for them. We cannot put others off if God’s mercy and faithfulness to us is still fresh in our hearts and on our minds. We will have no excuses or reasons why we cannot help them.

We MUST respond to others needs when we are capable of doing so!

Application= No excuses, no reasons why I cannot help others... When God’s blessings rest in my heart and in my hands and I give to those in need, I am the hands of God! Others see my heart and the bigness or the smallness of it by my acts of mercy and these acts reflect on the goodness of my God. With God I always have abundance.

Prayer= Lord Jesus, I want to be a generous man! I want to express my gratitude by faithfully giving of myself to those in need. Help me to constantly hang on to your mercy and faithfulness to me and use them as a reservoir to refresh others.

Posted by Reality Check at 5:44 PM | Permalink | Comments

The Book of Proverbs

Proverbs Chapter 2

Scripture= Proverbs 2: 7-8 (New Living Translation)
He grants a treasure of good sense to the godly. He is their shield, protecting those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of justice and protects those who are faithful to him.

Observation= Provision and Protection is what God’s wisdom will give to us. The wisdom of God will be given to those who will follow him. This wisdom will tell us how to live with others and help us make the right decisions concerning the circumstances of our lives. This wisdom is described as a treasure; it will buy us peace and contentment. God’s direction will protect us from making decisions that will cause us harm and soil our reputation as one of his children. God’s plans are never for harm but will cause his name to be glorified. If we will heed his council our Heavenly Father will guide us and protect us; in fact he will bless us abundantly. These verses tell us that God will make sure that we are not treated with injustice (unfairly) without it being corrected; instead God will order our steps in such a way that we will be exonerated.

Application= Wisdom means nothing if we allow its direction and correction to fall on deaf ears. Have you ever tried to warn someone about something that was causing them harm and they wouldn’t listen? Did you hurt for them when you watched your unheeded help fall to the ground and calamity besiege them? If they are someone that you love it makes you feel helpless that you cannot prevent their pain. Can you imagine how our selfish attitude hurts our Lord? He is ‘Life’ and desires his “abundant life’ for his beloved children and yet they choose to go astray! It is incredible that we live in an ‘I can do it myself’ attitude. God our Father loves us with an unconditional all encompassing love, a love that desires only the best for his beloved. How it must hurt him to see his children perishing for a lack of knowledge, when all wisdom is theirs for the taking. A treasure of good sense is just waiting for us. Protection from calamity and ruin is awaiting our beckon call. A promise of provision and protection is available for the humble; those who are willing to hear and obey wisdom’s command.

Prayer= My Lord, help me to humble myself and accept your loving gift of wisdom! Obedience to your words is for my health and prosperity. I don’t want to suffer from the outcome of my short sighted outlook on life. I want to submit to you ‘the Lord God All Mighty, who created heaven and earth and who desires to see me live an abundant life! Forgive my foolishness, I surrender to your wisdom today and choose your life. Thank you for your protection and your provision.

Posted by Reality Check at 10:27 AM | Permalink | Comments

The Book of Proverbs

Proverbs Chapter 1

Scripture= Proverbs chapter 1:7, 32-33

7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; 33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm."

Observation= In verse 7 of Proverbs chapter 1 you discover the motto of the book of Proverbs. If you recognize God and his authority and if you reverently submit your life to following God’s wisdom you will live in safety and in rest. The ‘fear of the Lord’ mentioned here is not to live in terror but rather in reverence. It is an acknowledgement of a God who demands our trust and our obedience. He is a God who loves his children and desires for them to prosper but without acknowledging his word, his will and his ways, his creation is doomed to fail. A word given to us no matter how wise it may be is worth nothing unless it is heard, accepted and followed. There is but one God and he alone is the source of ‘Truth’; His name is Jesus and he is ‘the Way, the Truth and the Life.’

Application= Do we acknowledge God’s words as simply wise sayings or do we believe that following them will bring us life? There can be a simple acknowledgement of wise words or we can cling to them and build our whole life around them. These words are never old fashion or out of date but contain safety, prosperity, health, knowledge and are wisdom personified. I need to accept them and follow them in a ‘no questions asked manner.’

Prayer= Lord, thank you for giving me your wisdom in words I can read and gain understanding from. You are ‘Wisdom’ Jesus and we can see your words of wisdom portrayed by your life. Help me to follow your words and abide in their wisdom. Teach me from this book and may I see my life bear the evidence of a wise man who has chosen to live by the wisdom of ‘the One True God.’

Posted by Reality Check at 8:16 AM | Permalink | Comments

Philippians Chapter 4

Scripture = Philippians chapter 4:11-13
“Not that I speak in regard to need. For I have learned in whatever state I am to be content. I know how to be abased (live humbly) and I know how to abound (live in prosperity). Every where and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Observation = These three verses found in Philippians are a not statements based upon need. Paul states that he is not speaking about his needs so he has to be about addressing something else… Paul said he has learned to be content = sufficient. Paul is not saying that he has learned to just settle for anything he receives, according to his life situation; it is rather a statement on the sufficiency of Christ. See verse. 18-19. God is our provider in all area and he supplies “RICHLY!”

Application = Paul’s statements found in verses11-13 are not about a “have or have not issue.” These verses are about someone not being defined by what you have or feel that God is abandoning you, when you have not! Paul’s words are about understanding that you are in relationship with a God who knows you, loves you and is supplying all of your needs. Your whole life including what you have is about your relationship with your God. You are in covenant with Jehovah Jireh (The one who is more than enough). You are His beloved! He knows what is best for you in every area! What he supplies is always for: His Glory, your Growth, and others Gain.

Prayer = Lord make this true in my life. I want to walk in covenant with you in everything. In every area of my life and in whatever I have may I see your hand at work? I want to embrace the journey that you have laid out before me. Too many times I have trusted in myself. Now I want to live in trust of you! Too many times I have judged you and your care by what I had or had not! I want to see what you are doing in my life and know that your provision is always there and always more than enough! I WANT TO LEARN TO BE CONTENT!

Posted by Reality Check at 12:05 PM | Permalink | Comments