And Now for Something Completely Different. Ecclesiastes 1-2; First John 3

May the mumbling commence!

And now, for something completely different!  We leave Proverbs and dive into Ecclesiastes.  We leave the nearly black and white world of Proverbs and arrive at the gray and pessimistic worldview of the jaded teacher.

There is nothing new under the sun.  We are doomed to repeat the stories of history over and over again.  Read from Ecclesiastes chapter one:

History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new.  What can you point to that is new? How do you know it didn't already exist long ago?  We don't remember what happened in those former times. And in future generations, no one will remember what we are doing now. (Verses 9-11)

Indeed, we do not learn from history.  We repeat old mistakes.  Old becomes new, and new becomes old.  It may be dressed a little differently, but there is nothing new under the sun.

We have forgotten what our ancestors have done… just as our descendants will forget what we are doing now.  There is little to inspire hope if there is only this world to look forward to. 

That is why I give thanks for the perspective of eternal life that Jesus grants us.  There is more to life than this corrupt world.  Praise God!

How do we get beyond the blues of this world?  Stop focusing on ourselves and focus on other people.  It may be old news, but it’s all about love.  Let’s live that life of love together with Christ.  Read from First John chapter three:

Dear children, let us stop just saying we love each other; let us really show it by our actions.  It is by our actions that we know we are living in the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before the Lord, even if our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 

Dear friends, if our conscience is clear, we can come to God with bold confidence.  And we will receive whatever we request because we obey him and do the things that please him.  And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us.  Those who obey God's commandments live in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Holy Spirit lives in us. (Verses 18-24)

Actions speak louder than words, but both of these things are built on the foundation of our attitudes.  That is the heart of the matter.  Do what God commands with a humble and grateful heart… not because we feel obligated to do so.

May our lives center on pleasing the Lord God.  That is living that goes far beyond the pale shadow that the teacher in Ecclesiastes ever knew!

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out

A Final Lesson on Speaking & Listening Well. Proverbs 27-31

May the mumbling commence!

Today, we wrap up Proverbs.  As you may have noticed, I’ve been focusing on how we use our words… and how we listen.  These two things are interrelated.  Read some more from the last five chapters of Proverbs.

Don't brag about tomorrow,

since you don't know what the day will bring. 

Don't praise yourself; let others do it!  (27:1-2)

Don’t mistake praise for bragging nor bragging for self-praise.  Let other people praise you.  But be careful how you partake of other peoples’ praise:

To flatter people is to lay a trap for their feet. (29:5)

Flattery is to lay a trap for people.  Don’t let your head get too big.  Pride comes before the fall.  This is true of both sincere and insincere praise.  But it’s especially true of insincere.  Read some more:

In the end, people appreciate frankness more than flattery. (28:3)

Frankness and flattery can often be polar opposites.  We should crave constructive criticism more than praise.  Read some more:

Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism

will suddenly be broken beyond repair. (29:1)

We can either accept and incorporate criticism into our lives OR we can allow mole hills to become mountains of problems.  And the best criticism that we can receive is those words inspired by the Word of God.

When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild.

But whoever obeys the law is happy. (29:18)

Let’s tame ourselves so that we may obey and find happiness and life to the fullest – the way that God originally intended for things to be.  To do so, we must think at least twice as much as we speak.  We must think upon God’s Laws so that we may form our attitudes rightly.  Read some more:

There is more hope for a fool

than for someone who speaks without thinking. (29:20)

And many people here in the United States are powerful.  How do we rightly use that power in our speech?  We need to listen twice as much as we speak.  Think twice as much as we speak.  And we need to discover the vulnerable people in our midst and around the world… those who do not have voices of their own (that will be heard).  Then, let’s open our mouths and speak for them.  Let’s train them how to speak and be heard (if possible).  Read from the last chapter of Proverbs (chapter thirty-one):

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those who are perishing.  Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.  (Verses 8-9)  

Speak up for the voiceless.  Speak up so that justice may reign.  

Enough mumbling for now…  

Peace Out

By Their Fruits You Will Know Them. Proverbs 25-26; First John 2

May the mumbling commence!

What are the fruits of foolish, unwise speech?  Read from Proverbs chapter twenty-six:

Yanking a dog's ears is as foolish as interfering in someone else's argument. 

Just as damaging as a mad man shooting a lethal weapon 

is someone who lies to a friend and then says, "I was only joking." 

Fire goes out for lack of fuel, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops. 

A quarrelsome person starts fights as easily

as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood. 

What dainty morsels rumors are—

but they sink deep into one's heart. 

Smooth words may hide a wicked heart,

just as a pretty glaze covers a common clay pot. (Verses 17-23)

It’s asking for trouble to interfere in other peoples’ business.  Stay out of it.  We do not know enough to solve the situation, so we are more than likely to make it worse for them and for us.

Lying to a friend as a “joke” is no better than wanton violence with a lethal weapon.  So let’s we truthful in our friendships… or we cannot wail and bemoan the violence of our society.

And then there’s the rumor mill and the gossip corner.  Rumors and gossip are sure to light a damaging fire.  Keep quiet and keep away and the embers will die out.  Give rumors and gossip any leeway and you will fan the dying embers into a roaring and destructive fire.

And finally, watch out for smooth words that seem to be too good to be true.  Likely they are not true.  Rottenness can hide behind a pretty glaze of smooth words.

So be careful.  Foolish and unwise speech can be lethal as a forest fire run amok.  The power of speech is deceptive.  Don’t be fooled!

Cover over all this garbage with love.  Read from First John chapter two:

Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment, for it is an old one you have always had, right from the beginning. This commandment – to love one another – is the same message you heard before.  Yet it is also new. This commandment is true in Christ and is true among you, because the darkness is disappearing and the true light is already shining. 

If anyone says, "I am living in the light," but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is still living in darkness.  Anyone who loves other Christians is living in the light and does not cause anyone to stumble.  Anyone who hates a Christian brother or sister is living and walking in darkness. Such a person is lost, having been blinded by the darkness. (Verses 7-11)

You have heard it said that “Love is blind”.  But I say to you “Hate is blind”.  May we open our eyes and learn to love even the most unlovable people.

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out

Completing Our Joy. Proverbs 23-24; First John 1

May the mumbling commence!

Listen!  Listen to your fathers and mothers in the faith.  They have valuable lessons to teach.  If only our ears were open and willing to listen, learn, and do!

Read from Proverbs chapter twenty-three:

Commit yourself to instruction; attune your ears to hear words of knowledge. (Verse 12)

Be teachable.  If you already “know” everything, you will never learn.  Read some more from chapter twenty-three:

My child, how I will rejoice if you become wise. (Verse 15)

Godly wisdom in our children of the faith is always a cause for rejoicing.  So let’s give our spiritual leaders reasons to rejoice rather than lament.  Read some more from chapter twenty-three:

Listen to your father, who gave you life, and don't despise your mother's experience when she is old.  Get the truth and don't ever sell it; also get wisdom, discipline, and discernment.  The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure it is to have wise children.  So give your parents joy! May she who gave you birth be happy. (Verses 22-25)

Happiness and contentment with wisdom is contagious.  Spread the joy to all your spiritual fathers and mothers.  Joy in the wisdom of the Word, Jesus Christ, will make our joy complete.  Read from the introduction to First John in chapter one:

The one who existed from the beginning is the one we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is Jesus Christ, the Word of life.  This one who is life from God was shown to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and announce to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was shown to us.  We are telling you about what we ourselves have actually seen and heard, so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 

We are writing these things so that our joy will be complete. (Verses 1-4)

There is always room for more converts to Christ.  More people mean more joy.  And our joy in Christ will be more complete with each new part of the Body of Christ.

May it be so!  Amen and amen.

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out

Wholesome & Refreshing. Proverbs 21-22; Second Peter 3

May the mumbling commence!

Listening is a skill that must be developed.  It means not only keeping your mouth shut.  It also means refraining from thinking of a retort.  It means listening so that you attempt to understand what the other person is saying.

Doing so will keep you out of trouble and lead you far away from arrogance.  Read a couple of verses from Proverbs chapter twenty-one:

If you keep your mouth shut,

you will stay out of trouble. 

Mockers are proud and haughty;

they act with boundless arrogance. (Verses 23-24)

To truly try and absorb the wisdom contained in Proverbs is to learn to both speak and listen well.  Read from Proverbs chapter twenty-two:

Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction.  For it is good to keep these sayings deep within yourself, always ready on your lips.  I am teaching you today – yes, you – so you will trust in the Lord. (Verses 17-19)

Teach us to trust in the Lord.  Amen and amen.  Listen and understand the holy prophets of old and the holy prophets of today.  Read from Second Peter chapter three:

This is my second letter to you, dear friends, and in both of them I have tried to stimulate your wholesome thinking and refresh your memory.  I want you to remember and understand what the holy prophets said long ago and what our Lord and Savior commanded through your apostles. (Verses 1-2)

Stimulate us with your wholesome and refreshing ways, O Lord!

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out

Open Your Listening Ears and Your Seeing Eyes. Proverbs 19-20; Second Peter 2

May the mumbling commence!

When talking about wise words, wise speech, it is good to listen twice as much as we talk.  God gave us only one mouth, but the Lord gave us two ears.  Let us listen intently and carefully.  Read some from Proverbs chapter twenty:

Wise speech is rarer and more valuable than gold and rubies. (Verse 15)

For this reason alone, we should listen with extreme care.  Let’s use both our ears and our eyes.  These two sets of sensory organs can help to sift out the evil from the good, the godly.  Read more from Proverbs chapter twenty:

Ears to hear and eyes to see — both are gifts from the Lord. (Verse 12)

They are gifts from the Lord, so it is to the Lord that we must measure any advice we are given.  Before we make our plans, let us first consult the Lord.  Read from Proverbs chapter nineteen:

You can make many plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail. (Verse 21)

So it is wise not to make rash promises to the Lord.  Count the cost.  Then decide whether or not to proceed.  Read more from Proverbs chapter twenty:

It is dangerous to make a rash promise to God before counting the cost. (Verse 25)

May we count the cost well!

And may we be careful to test the words and actions (and the fruits of the actions) of people who are trying to lead us.  Not all leaders and teachers in the church are speaking with the wisdom of the Holy Spirit.  Read from the end of Second Peter chapter two:

These people are as useless as dried-up springs of water or as clouds blown away by the wind – promising much and delivering nothing. They are doomed to blackest darkness.  They brag about themselves with empty, foolish boasting. With lustful desire as their bait, they lure back into sin those who have just escaped from such wicked living.  They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves to sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you.  And when people escape from the wicked ways of the world by learning about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up with sin and become its slave again, they are worse off than before.  It would be better if they had never known the right way to live than to know it and then reject the holy commandments that were given to them.  They make these proverbs come true: "A dog returns to its vomit," and "A washed pig returns to the mud." (Verses 17-22)

Indeed, if we are not careful with both our eyes and ears, then we can end up worse than we were before we came to Christ.  Help us and guide us, O Lord, to choose wise and godly teachers and preachers of Your Word.  May we listen with careful discretion and the leading of the Holy Spirit of the living God.

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out

Learning More About Words. Proverbs 17-18; Second Peter 1

May the mumbling commence!

Our words are important because they betray the attitudes of our hearts.  What more can we learn about the power of words from the book of Proverbs?  Read from Proverbs chapter seventeen:

A truly wise person uses few words;

a person with understanding is even-tempered. 

Even fools are thought to be wise when they keep silent;

when they keep their mouths shut, they seem intelligent. (Verses 27-28)

Let’s do whatever we can to be even-tempered.  That means we think before we speak and that the words we do speak are few and well-thought out.  The more that we speak on a whim, the more danger there is for disastrous results.

It makes me think of the witticism that says, “Remain quiet and be thought a fool or open your mouth and remove all doubt.”  Read some verses from Proverbs chapter eighteen:

A person's words can be life-giving water;

words of true wisdom are as refreshing as a bubbling brook. (Verse 4)

Words of wisdom are life-giving water.  Well, that makes me think of Jesus!  Read some more:

What a shame, what folly,

to give advice before listening to the facts! (Verse 13)

Listen to the facts before deciding for yourself… and then speaking your mind.  And be careful to check facts from opposing sides before deciding.  Too often, we are drawn to fact sources that seem to validate the way we think already.  That is shameful and foolish.  Read a pair of verses from Proverbs chapter eighteen:

Words satisfy the soul as food satisfies the stomach;

the right words on a person's lips bring satisfaction. 

Those who love to talk will experience the consequences,

for the tongue can kill or nourish life. (Verses 20-21)

It makes me think about the witticism that says, “The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.”  So, let’s be careful about the words that we speak, for words cannot be retrieved after they are spoken.

With all this said, what words can we trust?  Go to Second Peter chapter one to find the answer.  Read a passage from it below:

For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the power of our Lord Jesus Christ and his coming again. We have seen his majestic splendor with our own eyes.  And he received honor and glory from God the Father when God's glorious, majestic voice called down from heaven, "This is my beloved Son; I am fully pleased with him."  We ourselves heard the voice when we were there with him on the holy mountain. 

Because of that, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. Pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a light shining in a dark place – until the day Christ appears and his brilliant light shines in your hearts.  Above all, you must understand that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophets themselves or because they wanted to prophesy. It was the Holy Spirit who moved the prophets to speak from God.  (Verses 16-21)

All words that are true and good come from the Lord God.  That is fact.  Praise God!

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out

More Than Mere Words. Proverbs 15-16; First Peter 5

May the mumbling commence!

Words are more than just patterns of sound.  Words have great power to harm and destroy.  Words have great power to heal and build-up.  The right words at the right time are a healing balm.  Read from Proverbs chapter fifteen:

Everyone enjoys a fitting reply;

it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time! (Verse 23)

To speak fitting words, we must think before we speak.  To spout off at the mouth is a sure way of doing more harm than good.  Read from later in Proverbs chapter fifteen:

The godly think before speaking; the wicked spout evil words. (Verse 28)

So, let’s think and go to God for the answer.  Read from Proverbs chapter sixteen:

We can gather our thoughts, but the Lord gives the right answer. (Verse 1)

We come to you, O Lord, our Rock and Redeemer!  We are eager to serve You rightly and justly.  Read from First Peter chapter five:

Care for the flock of God entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly – not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.  Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your good example.  And when the head Shepherd comes, your reward will be a never-ending share in his glory and honor. (Verses 2-4)

Serving God well leads to glory and honor.  Serving the Body of Christ well leads to glory and honor.  So, let’s lead by example.  Let’s care for one another deeply.

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out

Watch Your Words. Proverbs 10-14

May the mumbling commence!

Use your words wisely.  Watch your words.  They betray what is in your heart – for good or for evil.  They can do damage that you could never imagine.  Or they can do great good beyond your hopes.  Read some wisdom from the book of Proverbs:

People who wink at wrong cause trouble,

but a bold reproof promotes peace. 

The words of the godly lead to life;

evil people cover up their harmful intentions. 

Hatred stirs up quarrels,

but love covers all offenses. 

Wise words come from the lips of people with understanding,

but fools will be punished with a rod. (10:10-13)

Our words can show that we don’t take things seriously… we wink… we cover up.  Our words can show that we love nothing better than stirring the pot… creating quarrels.  The punishment of the consequences alone is quite enough in these cases.

Or our words can show the tenacity to reprove.  What might first appear to be divisive can lead to peace when done and said with proper intent.  Say things with care and show that you care.  That is the fruit of love bearing from your heart.  Read some more:

Don't talk too much, for it fosters sin.

Be sensible and turn off the flow! 

The words of the godly are like sterling silver;

the heart of a fool is worthless. 

The godly give good advice,

but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense. (10:19-21)

When it comes to our words, discretion is the better part of valor.  Be sensible and turn off the flow.  It is good advice.  Your words will have more impact when they are fewer and well thought out.  It is common sense that doesn’t seem to be so common now days.  Read some more:

Some people make cutting remarks,

but the words of the wise bring healing. (12:18)

Be careful how you use your words.  They can either cut down or build up.  Let us use our words for healing and peace.  Read some more:

Those who control their tongue will have a long life;

a quick retort can ruin everything. (13:3)

What has taken years to build up can be destroyed with one ill-timed and mindless word.  Speak quickly and rashly and ruin everything.  Read some more:

The advice of the wise is like a life-giving fountain;

those who accept it avoid the snares of death. (13:14)

Life comes from the wisdom rooted in God.  Read on:

The talk of fools is a rod for their backs,

but the words of the wise keep them out of trouble. (14:3)

Trouble never leaves the talk of fools.  Wisdom prevents much trouble from coming.

So listen to the words of a children’s song: “Be careful little tongue what you say, say, say.  The Father up above is looking down with love.  Be careful little tongue what you say.”

Enough mumbling for now…  

Peace Out

Choosing Wisely. Proverbs 8-9; First Peter 4

May the mumbling commence!

When we talk about the wisdom that comes down from the Lord, how far down does the foundation go?  It goes all the way before creation…  It predates time itself.  Read from Proverbs chapter eight:

"The Lord formed me from the beginning, before he created anything else.  I was appointed in ages past, at the very first, before the earth began.  I was born before the oceans were created, before the springs bubbled forth their waters.  Before the mountains and the hills were formed, I was born – before he had made the earth and fields and the first handfuls of soil. 

I was there when he established the heavens, when he drew the horizon on the oceans.  I was there when he set the clouds above, when he established the deep fountains of the earth.  I was there when he set the limits of the seas, so they would not spread beyond their boundaries. And when he marked off the earth's foundations, I was the architect at his side. I was his constant delight, rejoicing always in his presence.  And how happy I was with what he created – his wide world and all the human family! 

And so, my children, listen to me, for happy are all who follow my ways. (Verses 22-32)

The wisdom of God came before anything else.  The wisdom of God was there when all other things were created and established.  More than that, the wisdom of God was the architect by the side of the Lord.  God’s wisdom took part in the creation itself.

And God’s wisdom took full part in the delight of the creation.  It is very good.

So, who better to go to than the one who created us and all we can see around us?  No one – that’s the answer.  We come humbly to lady wisdom to learn God’s Way.

Sometimes going God’s Way will mean suffering.  But, at least, this suffering has a silver lining.  It is suffering with meaning because the promise of a full and abundant life is its conclusion.

In this old world, we will suffer.  There is no way around it.  So, we must ask ourselves: Do we want to suffer meaninglessly like the world does?  OR do we want to suffer with the foreknowledge that this suffering will lead to live eternal?  Which will we choose?

Read from First Peter chapter four:

So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you are willing to suffer for Christ, you have decided to stop sinning.  And you won't spend the rest of your life chasing after evil desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God.  You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy – their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols. (Verses 1-3)

So, will it be suffering that leads to death?  OR will it be suffering that leads to life in Christ?  The choice is clear.  The foundation of the wisdom of God in Christ is deep.  Help us, O God, to choose wisely.

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out