Category Archives: Proverbs

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Get With It!

Just Do It Already

Synopsis: Proverbs reminds us that motivation is a holy thing; it is a state of being that will energize you to do the hard—but right—thing. And, as we see throughout Proverbs, the Lord highly values and honors it. One of my favorite motivational gurus, the late Zig Ziglar, said, “Motivation is not permanent. But then, neither is bathing; but it is something you should do on a regular basis.” I agree: Just do it already! And Walt Disney gave us some free advice that we would do will to apply to our own lives: “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” So, what is one area in your life in which you would need up your motivation game? Identify it, and my friend, just get after it! Again, quit talking and do it already!

Get With It

Moments With God // Proverbs 26:13-15

Loafers say, “It’s dangerous out there! Tigers are prowling the streets!” and then pull the covers back over their heads. Just as a door turns on its hinges, so a lazybones turns back over in bed. A shiftless sluggard puts his fork in the pie, but is too lazy to lift it to his mouth.

Motivation! It is one of the major themes in Proverbs—praising those who have it and admonishing those who do not. Proverbs does not offer an intricate explanation for why people are not motivated, or a detailed plan for how they can get motivated. It just says they need to build a fire in their life and get with it.

Speaking of motivation, I love the story of the guy who worked the swing shift in a factory, and every night when he walked home from work after dark, he would go a great distance out of the way just to avoid a cemetery that was smack dab in the middle of his route. One night, wanting to save some time, he worked up the courage to walk through the graveyard>. Well, lo and behold, it wasn’t so bad after all! So, he started walking right through the cemetery every day, to and from work.

However, on one of his walks home, a fresh grave had been dug right in the path he now walked by habit, and he fell into a deep, dark, damp open grave. For some time he scratched and clawed trying to climb out called—to no avail—so he then started calling out for help, but it became apparent that he was going to get neither help nor out of his tomb. So, he sank down into the bottom of this pit, pulled his coat up around his ears and prepared for a long night until the grave diggers came the next morning and could help him out.

After some time had passed, another man came down the same path, and he too, fell into the open grave. The first guy just sat there with a smile on his face watching this second guy, who was so preoccupied with getting out that he didn’t notice the first guy.

After a while, the second guy grew tired and he, too, gave up his clawing and scratching and yelling and sank down into the bottom of the grave. At that point, the first guy said, “You’ll never get out of here, boy!” Guess what? On hearing that eerie, disembodied voice from the other end of the grave, the second guy did! The disembodied voice from the grave was all the motivation he needed—and he was out in about two ticks.

Proverbs reminds us that motivation is a holy thing; it is a state of being that will energize you to do the hard—but right—thing. And, as we see throughout Proverbs, the Lord highly values and honors it. Consider these verses from this book of practical wisdom:

The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied. (Prov 13:4)

All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. (Prov 14:23)

The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway. (Prov 15:19)

Speaking of motivation, one of my favorite motivational gurus, the late Zig Ziglar, said, “Of course motivation is not permanent. But then, neither is bathing; but it is something you should do on a regular basis.” I agree: Just do it already! And Walt Disney gave us some free advice that we would do will to apply to our own lives: “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.”

So, quit talking and do it already!

Now if you are a committed Christ-follower, and if you are motivated, God has promised honor to you. If you are not, however, then you will get no psychological explanation or motivational pep talk from the Bible—only a swift kick to the seat of the pants and a warning: Get with it or get left in the dust of those in life who are motivated.

So, get with it already! God stands ready to bless you!

What is one area in your life in which you would need up your motivation game? Identify it, and my friend, just get after it!

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The Perfect Reflection Of Christ In Me

It Takes Fire To Burn Away Impurities

Synopsis: The prophet Malachi likened God to a refiner of silver. How comforting to know that God will never leave you in your furnace of affliction too long, but neither will he remove you from the fire too soon. You see, the Great Refiner knows just the right amount of time and heat you will need to endure in your furnace of affliction—your trials and tribulations—to burn out the dross and bring forth the reflection of his Son’s image in you. So, in light of that, here is your one assignment this week when you’re facing hardship: “Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials.” (Jas 1:2)

Refiner's Fire

Moments With God // Proverbs 25:4

Remove the dross from the silver, and out comes material for the silversmith.

A few years ago a guest pastor was preaching at our church, and he shared one of the most compelling testimonies I’d ever heard of how God had used unusual hardship throughout his life to bring him to his current place of tremendous kingdom usefulness. He likened his experience to being put through a refiner’s fire, and since most of us had no real experience with the actual refining of precious metals, he shared these insightful and inspiring words about the process:

When a silversmith purifies silver, he never takes his eyes off the furnace, because the silver will be injured if the fire gets too hot, even to the slightest degree, or if it stays too long. But if he takes the silver out too early, it won’t be purified. So when the silver is in the fire, the smith stays totally focused so that nothing distracts him. He carefully watches the silver, waiting for the right moment to take it out. And how does he know when it is just the right moment? He knows the silver is pure when he can see his face reflected in it.

The Old Testament prophet Malachi likened God to a refiner of silver. How comforting to know that he will never leave us in our furnace of affliction too long, but neither will he remove us from the refiner’s fire too soon. You see, the Great Refiner knows just the right amount of time and heat we will need to endure in our furnace of affliction—our trials and tribulations—to burn out the dross and bring forth the reflection of his Son’s image in us.

I want to give you just one assignment this week for the challenges and hardships you will face. It comes from James 1:2-4, and it is simply this:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

“Consider it pure joy!” Now James was not talking about putting on a smiley face or finding the happy place or faking it ‘til you make it in the midst of your challenges. Those kinds of responses to hardship probably indicate that you have slipped into denial. When James says to “consider,” he means to take a deliberate look at the weird, disappointing and painful stuff that happens to you and intentionally rejoice because you know that God is at work!

You see, God has promised to use your problems, among other things, and best of all, to sanctify your character. He will use whatever is trying you as fuel for the refiner’s fire to burn out everything in you that doesn’t look like Jesus. That’s why James writes that in your trials, “the testing of your faith produces perseverance that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

So rejoice, my friend, even when it hurts—God is simply completing you! He will not let the heat get too hot nor will he leave you in it too long lest you get permanently injured. But neither will he take you out too soon. No, even right now, his watchful eye is trained on you, looking for that perfect moment when he sees the reflection of Jesus.

Reflect on Romans 8:28-29 each day this week: “We know that all things work together for good if we love God and are called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow he did predestine to become conformed to the image of the Son of God.” Now, in each of your trials this week, make the connection: Why does God work all things together for good? The answer: to make you like Christ!

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Buck Up, Soldier!

Tough Faith Needs Tough Times

Synopsis: Scripture is quite clear: troubles are an unpleasant but essential part of the journey toward Christian maturity. Solomon said, “If you fall to pieces in a crisis, there wasn’t much to you in the first place.” James said, “Consider it pure joy when you face various trials.” Hebrews said, “Others have suffered far worse than you… So don’t feel sorry for yourselves.” Tough but necessary words. The 17th-century French bishop Francois Fenelon offered this helpful perspective: “God is your Father, do you think he would ever hurt you? He just cuts you off from those things you love in the wrong way. You cry like a baby when God removes something or someone from your life, but you would cry a lot more if you saw the eternal damages your wrong attachments cause you.” That being true, I guess it’s time to buck up!

Buck Up Soldier

Moments With God // Proverbs 24:10

If you fall to pieces in a crisis, there wasn’t much to you in the first place. (The Message)

I read this morning in my daily quiet time how the apostle, beaten for preaching and teaching in the name of Jesus, rejoiced “because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.” (Acts 5:41) Now that is some tough, gritty faith. And we see that kind of thing repeated throughout scripture, reminding us that tough faith requires tough times.

When I was a little kid, I would usually run to my mom rather than my dad when I got hurt, frustrated, or felt picked on by my older siblings. Why? Because my mom would usually hug me, dry my tears, and baby me in all sorts of ways. My dad, on the other hand, would typically say, “buck up, bud,” or “walk it off, kid! Rub some dirt in it! Get over it!” or “dry it up, little man or I’ll give you something really to cry about!”

It’s not that my dad was uncaring; he just didn’t want me to be soft. He wanted to toughen me up for the day when I would really have something to cry about. Looking back, I am grateful for the balance that a tender mom and a tough dad brought into my life—but I am especially thankful for the grit my dad ground into me. It has served me well on the sometimes tough, unfriendly, and demanding path I have trod in my adult life.

But to be honest, there are times even now that I fall back into my whiny-kid mode. That happened recently when I complained to the Lord about some disappointments I thought were unfair for him to allow into my life. I suggested that if he didn’t start doing his job better, it might be time for me to scoop up my marbles and head home. And with typical timing, the Lord sent a reminder that, in essence, repeated the same fatherly admonition I heard so many times growing up: “Buck up, bud, this ain’t nutin!” This time it came in the form of an email from the East African coordinator of our church-planting ministry. My African friend shared the testimony of one of our church planters who just had a contract taken out on his life. Yea, that’s right, a guy with a gun was trying to kill him simply because he had come to a village to preach the Gospel—and our guy was rejoicing how the Lord was using him!

Wow—I guess my troubles are puny compared to that!

Hebrews 4:12 says, “In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through—all that bloodshed! So don’t feel sorry for yourselves.” (The Message) What is the writer saying? If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength!

So I am going to shelve the complaints until I shed the first drop of blood for the cause of Christ. And if you hear me whining between now and then, you have my permission to say, “Buck up, bud, or I’ll give you something to cry about.”

Now, what about you? Maybe it’s time for you to toughen up a bit, too!

Memorize James 1:2-4, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” The next time you are tempted to whine, quote this verse instead.

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Getting Unstuck From Relational Kindergarten

Social Intelligence

Synopsis: Do you lack emotional and social intelligence? Most people who do are usually not curious enough to even wonder. That is why they are stuck in relational and professional awkwardness. But if you do, then why not just go to some straight-shooter in your world and ask them what they think. And let me add a good rule of thumb: if they are honest enough to talk about your elephant in the room, and even if they don’t do it with a lot of grace and tact, “take it like a grown-up!” Then do something about it. Don’t stay stuck in emotional kindergarten or remedial manners class. With God’s help and good friends, you can develop self-awareness and get on the path to becoming a winsome person.

Moments With God // Proverbs 23:1-2

When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.

Some people just don’t get it! They are relatively attractive in their physical presentation, they are reasonably intelligent, and they have skill sets that should allow them to be successful. For all intents and purposes, they should be flourishing vocationally and relationally.

The problem is, that they have gaping deficits when it comes to emotional intelligence and social awareness. When it comes to knowing how to interact with people and act in certain settings, they are unaware, detached and we might even say, totally clueless. The light bulb is in the socket, but it ain’t burnin’ too bright if you know what I mean.

That’s the kind of person this proverb is describing. Although the particular emphasis here is on table manners, the greater thought has to do with both the kind of self and social awareness that will allow a person to have friends, move up the ladder of success in their career, get the kind of traction that allows them to make an impact in the world, and enjoy the life-long love a spouse who just flat out adores them and children who admire them into their own well-adjusted adulthood.

I’ve run into people like that occasionally, and invariably they will complain that they have no close friends, or that they just can’t seem to catch a break at work, or question why God doesn’t seem to provide them a serious love interest even though they’ve prayed about it. Even if they are aware of their shortcomings, some will even say, “Well, people ought to just accept me…I am what I am.”

Well, if that’s your attitude, good luck. You’ll probably be saying that to the very end when you are old, lonely, and miserable!

Here’s the deal: If perhaps after reading this you’re wondering if you lack emotional and social intelligence, why not just go to some straight shooter in your world and ask them what they think. And let me add a good rule of thumb: if they are honest enough to talk about your elephant in the room, and even if they don’t do it with a lot of grace and tact, “take it like a grown-up!”

And then do something about it. Don’t stay stuck in emotional kindergarten or remedial manners class. You can develop self-awareness, you know. How?

One, ask God. He is in the business of answering prayer. His indwelling Spirit wants to have more control of you, and as you yield to him, good stuff will start to happen. James 1:5 tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” In fact, this entire book of Proverbs was written to “impart shrewdness to the morally naive, and a discerning plan to the young person.” (Prov 1:4)

Two, ask someone who seems to be socially skilled and relationally successful for a few pointers—then start implementing their interpersonal tips in a way that is appropriate for you. The Apostle Paul exhorted his disciples, “Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.” (Phil 4:9)

And three, look around. Watch people. See how others behave in social settings. That should give you a clue as to what is appropriate or not. And just a caveat here: Make sure you are in proper social settings. Be smart about it, because you’re probably not going to pick any redeeming social graces in some of the questionable places that now seem to be acceptable in our unguarded age. Again, taking our cue from Paul, “pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.” (Phil 3:17)

You may never be the slickest person in the bunch or have the smoothness of some people—and that’s okay. But God does want you to be a person of grace—and he’s got plenty of that to give you, free of charge. No matter where you are on the emotional-social continuum, I hope you will access his unlimited supply.

Much of the book of Proverbs has to do with our personal development, and the truth is, not too many people have the personal fortitude and self-awareness to pull off growth in these areas on their own. Most of us need a partner to hold our feet to the fire for personal growth. So I challenge you to not let another week go by without bringing someone onto your personal development team.

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Fifteen Minutes of Fame

Be Famous For Being Godly

SYNOPSIS: Far too many people today gain fame when they’ve made no real contribution to the world. They are famous for being famous — or famous for being infamous — which, if it gains them time in the spotlight, is perceived as good and worthy since the results justify the means. The Bible, however, says rather than being famous for being wealthy (or being bad or even being famous), we ought to pursue good character and allow our reputation to grow for that reason alone. God doesn’t care how much money we have, how many cars are in our garage, what kind of clothes we wear, if our crib is big, or how many social media followers we have. When we stand before God someday our lives will be evaluated by the godly character we’ve forged during our years on earth.

Fifteen Minutes of Fame

Moments With God // Proverbs 22:1

Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.

If I were writing Proverb 22:1 today, I would add “fame” to the mix alongside riches. Fame and riches are the twin gods at which our culture now bows to pay homage. People want to be rich and famous, willing to do just about anything to get both.

Have you noticed how willing and quickly people are to appear on TV news to talk about some unfortunate event that has befallen their family? I was stunned not too long ago when a mom and dad paraded their teenage son in front of the cameras to talk about the many years he had been held hostage by a child molester—just a few hours after his rescue. Or how about young women who are willing to take pretty much all their clothes off to get on TV? There’s not a “Miss America” pageant anymore where at least one of the contestants exposed themselves, no pun intended, for having racy photos circulating on the Internet. And what about all the “tell-all” books that come out after some aid leaves the service of a well-known politician?

It seems that far too many people today gain fame when they’ve made no real contribution to the world. Many of today’s brightest stars are famous for being famous — or famous for being infamous — which, if it gains them time in the spotlight, is perceived as good and worthy since the results justify means.

The Bible, however, says rather than being famous for being wealthy (or being bad or even being famous), we ought to pursue good character and allow our reputation to grow for that reason alone. God doesn’t care how much money we have, how many cars are in our garage, what kind of clothes we wear, how big our crib is, how many people want to be like us, or how many social media followers we have. When we stand before God someday — and someday will be sooner than we expect — our lives will be evaluated on the character we’ve forged during our years on earth. If we were known for charity, kindness, generosity, humility, and the like, that, along with love for God will count. Everything else will evaporate in the presence of the One who judges the content of our character.

As you get older, it is easy to pick on young people and point out all their flaws (which I’ve heard is proof you’ve gotten old), but I am especially alarmed at today’s youth culture and its obsession with fame and wealth. Ask today’s youth what they want to do with their lives, and far too many of them speak of the kinds of things that will bring them celebrity, and all that goes with it, rather than that which will actually add value and better the world. How sad…and disturbing. And they alone are not to blame; some of that falls at the feet of their parents.

I think it is high time that parents once again begin to teach their children that reverence for God, sterling moral character, and sacrifice for the good of humanity rather than fame and wealth are what lead to a good life. Parents need to wean their children off the negative influence of this corrosive media culture—and that will be quite a challenge in this day and age — and begin to pour into their lives the eternal values of the Kingdom rather than the fleeting values of this world.

I am grateful for my own father, who taught me from my earliest years on, values that are best captured by this profound little poem he often quoted,

Tis one life will soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last!

That pretty well sums it up, wouldn’t you say!

Take 10 minutes to write your personal constitution — what you believe in as non-negotiable core values, what you are willing to stand for, and die for, what you want to be remembered for at the end of your life, and most importantly, how you want God to see you when you stand before him. Review it every day this week — and most of all, live it every day this week.

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Who Really Controls The White House

It Is Not The Current Occupant

Synopsis: This one truth trumps—no pun intended—all your concerns: God is in charge! He allows politicians to be elected, he keeps presidents on a short leash, and at the end of the day, whether rulers rule well or not, God will accomplish his purposes. He is in control—he reigns over all! History is really His story. It always had been, it is right now, and it shall be tomorrow. Let that give you great comfort and cause you to be much saner in the next election season.

Who Controls the White House

Moments With God // Proverbs 21:1

The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.

Hey all you Republicans out there, relax, the president is on a short lease. And for all you Democrats, you need to chill out, too. For those of you who still believe it’s all Donald Trump’s fault, or for anyone who’s convinced President Biden is the Antichrist, lighten up! If you’re thinking the man or woman who occupies the Oval Office will be the one calling the shots, think again:

God is in charge!

I love how Daniel 2:20-21 reminds us that all the political convulsing we do, especially in an election cycle is ramping up—which in today’s world means all the time—is really nothing more than a tempest in a teapot when stacked up against the plans of the Almighty:

“Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power. He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings.”

Now I’m not saying that politics is unimportant or that the upcoming elections won’t have consequences. The truth is the party given the power to rule greatly affects the cultural-moral-spiritual direction of America and the person in the Oval Office has great bearing on both the outward strength and the inner fortitude of our nation. It matters, and as believers, we are obligated to be well informed and actively engaged in our political process. But can I remind you again of this one truth that trumps—no pun intended—all your concerns?

God is in control!

God allows politicians to be elected, he keeps the president on a short leash, and at the end of the day, whether rulers rule well or not, God will accomplish his purposes. He is in charge—and in control. As someone has correctly said, history is really His story. It always had been, it is right now, and it shall be tomorrow.

God rules!

I hope that gives you great comfort, and I hope it will allow you to be a little saner and kingdom-focused as the politics of the election season heats up well beyond the point of sanity.

I love what Benjamin Franklin said at Constitutional Convention of 1787: “God governs in the affairs of man. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured in the Sacred Writings that except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. I firmly believe this. I also believe that, without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel.”

Let me say it one more time just in case you missed it:

God reigns!

Take A Moment: Read I Timothy 2:1-4, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” Now, like the current occupant of the Oval Office or not, pray for your president every day this week! It will please your Heavenly Father!

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Counterintuitive Blessing

Give A Beatdown, Lose Your Blessing

Synopsis: We live in a culture where we are taught to stand up for our rights, defend ourselves, never let anyone intimidate us, if necessary (and it’s always necessary) destroy our opponent — and getting nasty to do it is now our weapon of choice. On “the street” you are tagged as weak if you let someone get away with any kind of personal offense without throwing a few nasty bombs back at your antagonist. But is it really weakness or is it wisdom to overlook an insult? King Solomon wrote that it’s to our honor to avoid strife. He also pointed out that only “a fool gives full vent to his anger, but wise people keep themselves under control.” If however, you tend toward anger and are quick to retaliate when you have been offended, you might as well hang a sign around your neck that reads, “I’m a fool.” But if you have developed the ability to control your emotions when irritated, Solomon would call you prudent, wise, honorable, and yes, even bless-able.

Moments With God // Proverbs 20:3 (NLT)

Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling.

It’s everywhere—on talk radio, the street corner, the classroom, the ball field, in the home. People are throwing bombs, verbal bombs, that is. Rather than winning arguments through respectful persuasion, which is what wise, intelligent, mature people do, they are resorting to name-calling.

We live in a culture where we are taught to stand up for our rights, defend ourselves, never let anyone intimidate us, if necessary (and it’s always necessary) destroy your opponent — and getting nasty to do it is now our weapon of choice. On “the street,” you are tagged as weak if you let someone get away with any kind of personal offense without throwing a few nasty bombs back at your antagonist.

But is it really a weakness or is it wisdom to overlook an insult? King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived outside of Jesus Christ, wrote that it’s to our honor to avoid strife. He also pointed out that only “a fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.” (Proverbs 29:11)

If you tend toward anger and are quick to retaliate when you have been offended, you might as well hang a sign around your neck that reads, “I’m a fool.” But if you have developed the ability to control your emotions when irritated, Solomon would call you prudent, wise, and honorable. He is describing a person who shows discretion, has tremendous foresight, exhibits great patience, and uses careful judgment. It is a person who takes control over their anger.

Proverbs 16:32 describes that person this way: “Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.” Proverbs 20:3 in the Message translation states, “It’s a mark of good character to avert quarrels, but fools love to pick fights.”

You will most likely have the opportunity for either foolishness or prudence this week, perhaps even today, because someone has insulted or irritated you. When that happens, just remember: you were not called to retaliation—nor to foolishness, but to blessing. That’s what the Apostle Peter, a man who preferred the sword to the cross until his transformative experience with baptism in the Holy Spirit, later wrote,

Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it. (1 Peter 3:9)

At this point, I think you get the point: Be honorable, be wise, be patient, be self-controlled, and be a source of blessing, even to the people who don’t deserve it. Why? Because God will bless you for it.

Take A Moment: If you struggle with impatience, quarreling, and anger, then consider offering this prayer: Lord, increase my patience this week with those who would irritate or insult me. Remind me as many times as needed that I have been called to give out blessing to those who would curse me. Enable me through your indwelling Spirit to love them just as you love me even when I have offended you.