B.C. Bolt's Blog, page 35
July 7, 2012
Strength for the Battle
For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.
Proverbs 7:26
I am an avid fan of SEC Football (War Eagle!). I love to watch the battle in the trenches between some of the strongest and fastest men in college. Each year, there seems to be one defensive lineman at one of the SEC universities that is stronger and faster than the whole offensive line. He rips through the line and makes crushing tackles and game-saving sacks seem like an every day thing. They have my utmost respect and admiration for mastering the game of college football.
But even the best of these are no match to temptation. Solomon goes in great detail to describe the horrendous effects of yielding to temptation. Even from my example above, not a season goes by that the news doesn't cover some star athlete that falls prey to temptation that results in his expulsion from what he does best.
And the same applies to our Christian life. We can not overcome temptation by brute strength or chanting the same mantra repeatedly. We must have His strength to protect us. And it is only through maintaining a strong relationship with God through prayer and studying His word that we have a fighting chance to win the battle against temptation.
Perhaps we should have the same commitment to our regimen of following Christ as the athletes do with physical conditioning. If we were as dedicated to daily practicing His word, we would have the ability to resist all temptation!
Proverbs 7:26
I am an avid fan of SEC Football (War Eagle!). I love to watch the battle in the trenches between some of the strongest and fastest men in college. Each year, there seems to be one defensive lineman at one of the SEC universities that is stronger and faster than the whole offensive line. He rips through the line and makes crushing tackles and game-saving sacks seem like an every day thing. They have my utmost respect and admiration for mastering the game of college football.
But even the best of these are no match to temptation. Solomon goes in great detail to describe the horrendous effects of yielding to temptation. Even from my example above, not a season goes by that the news doesn't cover some star athlete that falls prey to temptation that results in his expulsion from what he does best.
And the same applies to our Christian life. We can not overcome temptation by brute strength or chanting the same mantra repeatedly. We must have His strength to protect us. And it is only through maintaining a strong relationship with God through prayer and studying His word that we have a fighting chance to win the battle against temptation.
Perhaps we should have the same commitment to our regimen of following Christ as the athletes do with physical conditioning. If we were as dedicated to daily practicing His word, we would have the ability to resist all temptation!
July 6, 2012
A Constant Reminder
Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.
Proverbs 6:21
Solomon exhorts us to remember the instructions and commandments passed down to us by our parents. This is the second of three times that he encourages us to bind them upon our hearts. Surprisingly, his direction is an abbreviated form of the guidance given in Deuteronomy 6:6-9 by Moses. Moses directs the children of Israel to keep the words in their heart, to teach their children, to talk of it when sitting in their house or walking or lying down or rising up, to bind them upon their hand, to keep them as frontlets between their eyes and to write them upon their posts and gates. Essentially, Moses never wanted them to forget the commandment which he gave them.
And what great commandment was Moses and Solomon concerned with? And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. (Deut 6:5) And just to be sure we got the message, Jesus repeated the first commandment in Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30 and Luke 10:27. I think we can all agree, the first commandment should have the highest priority in our life.
But what have we done today to remember it? What do you use as a constant reminder of the fundamental law of being one of His own? If we all kept the law in front of us, what a different world we would live in! So join me in reminding ourselves the basic law of Christianity. To commit all that we have to our Lord and to remember His Law continually.
Proverbs 6:21
Solomon exhorts us to remember the instructions and commandments passed down to us by our parents. This is the second of three times that he encourages us to bind them upon our hearts. Surprisingly, his direction is an abbreviated form of the guidance given in Deuteronomy 6:6-9 by Moses. Moses directs the children of Israel to keep the words in their heart, to teach their children, to talk of it when sitting in their house or walking or lying down or rising up, to bind them upon their hand, to keep them as frontlets between their eyes and to write them upon their posts and gates. Essentially, Moses never wanted them to forget the commandment which he gave them.
And what great commandment was Moses and Solomon concerned with? And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. (Deut 6:5) And just to be sure we got the message, Jesus repeated the first commandment in Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30 and Luke 10:27. I think we can all agree, the first commandment should have the highest priority in our life.
But what have we done today to remember it? What do you use as a constant reminder of the fundamental law of being one of His own? If we all kept the law in front of us, what a different world we would live in! So join me in reminding ourselves the basic law of Christianity. To commit all that we have to our Lord and to remember His Law continually.
July 5, 2012
The Hopelessness of Self-Help
And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed, And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;
Proverbs 5:11-12
Solomon paints a pretty graphic picture of failing to heed instruction. When we choose to do things our own way, we end up such a dismal situation that we can almost see the buzzards circling around us. We too lament our situation much like the second verse above. While we get ourselves in such a predicament, there is only One who can restore us whole and clean.
And the most comforting words were spoken by Paul in Romans 5:8. For we can not reverse the situation through self-help. If we were to rely solely on our own actions, we would be hopeless. For it is hopeless to rely on self-help to restore what has been broken. Only our loving Savior who gave His life for us can rescue us from the mire of our own will. And He freely gave His life long before we realized the hopelessness of our situation.
Quite trying to do it on your own and give it to Jesus. Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7 Surrender to His will and the buzzards will leave. Try to help yourself and the buzzards will have a feast.
Proverbs 5:11-12
Solomon paints a pretty graphic picture of failing to heed instruction. When we choose to do things our own way, we end up such a dismal situation that we can almost see the buzzards circling around us. We too lament our situation much like the second verse above. While we get ourselves in such a predicament, there is only One who can restore us whole and clean.
And the most comforting words were spoken by Paul in Romans 5:8. For we can not reverse the situation through self-help. If we were to rely solely on our own actions, we would be hopeless. For it is hopeless to rely on self-help to restore what has been broken. Only our loving Savior who gave His life for us can rescue us from the mire of our own will. And He freely gave His life long before we realized the hopelessness of our situation.
Quite trying to do it on your own and give it to Jesus. Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7 Surrender to His will and the buzzards will leave. Try to help yourself and the buzzards will have a feast.
July 4, 2012
The Tar-Baby of Salvation
Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
Proverbs 4:13
In Uncle Remus story of Brer Rabbit, he encounters a Tar Baby made of tar and turpentine. The more he struggles with the Tar Baby, the more entrapped he becomes. Soon he can not break away and the fox has the rabbit where he wants him - all tied up in the tar! Too often, we become ensnared by the wiles of temptation of this world. It gets to the point where the more we struggle, the more we become entrapped by the clutches of sin. Only through the grace of God are we able to escape.
If only instruction and wisdom was the same way! However, Solomon warns us in the verse above that this is not the case with instruction. She appears more like a greased pig than a tar baby - hard to catch and even harder to hold on to once caught! We need to follow his advice and aggressively seek instruction on how to life a Christian life.
While hearing instruction is not hard, the implementation within our current lifestyle sometimes becomes the challenge. Have you captured instructions lately and held on fast by incorporating them into your life? As they say, practice becomes habit and we need to practice Christian living daily so that we become the tar baby to salvation!
Proverbs 4:13
In Uncle Remus story of Brer Rabbit, he encounters a Tar Baby made of tar and turpentine. The more he struggles with the Tar Baby, the more entrapped he becomes. Soon he can not break away and the fox has the rabbit where he wants him - all tied up in the tar! Too often, we become ensnared by the wiles of temptation of this world. It gets to the point where the more we struggle, the more we become entrapped by the clutches of sin. Only through the grace of God are we able to escape.
If only instruction and wisdom was the same way! However, Solomon warns us in the verse above that this is not the case with instruction. She appears more like a greased pig than a tar baby - hard to catch and even harder to hold on to once caught! We need to follow his advice and aggressively seek instruction on how to life a Christian life.
While hearing instruction is not hard, the implementation within our current lifestyle sometimes becomes the challenge. Have you captured instructions lately and held on fast by incorporating them into your life? As they say, practice becomes habit and we need to practice Christian living daily so that we become the tar baby to salvation!
June 24, 2012
Building a Dream House
Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
Proverbs 24:3-4
We all have a dream house. Not the one you live in, but the one that you wished you had. It has all the amenities that you desire but don't have. From the sprawling drive to the elegant entry way, the yards are neatly landscaped. The interior has the color palette that fits your taste and the furnishings are to die for. The grilling area has the latest grills and attachments (for us men) or the kitchen has the sleekest counters with sparkling appliances (for the ladies). All doors, closets and windows are positioned perfectly so that your furniture fits perfectly. And not a single thing needs repairing! What a wonderful image we paint in our imagination!
Solomon provides a mental image of building a house but from a spiritual vice physical perspective in the verses above. What a grand vision he creates! Much like "our" house, it seems almost too good to be true. But wait, his is real - not a figment of someones imagination. As a Christian, we are building our current and future life daily, step by step. And if we follow Solomon's blue prints, we will be rewarded with riches beyond our wildest imagination. Take note, he didn't promise these riches in this life - but if we seek after wisdom, knowledge and understanding, we will be rewarded by our Savior in the life to come.
How is the construction of your spiritual house coming? Sometimes, I feel as if I am still living in a spiritual shack with no splendor to be found. But I remind myself that soon, I will be walking on streets of gold. And that surely beats any imaginable stamped concrete drive to an imaginary house!
Join me in picking up the tools of wisdom, knowledge and understanding and applying them to our daily life. You will be amazed at the results! For it will outshine any physical accomplishment we can dream of performing in this life.
Proverbs 24:3-4
We all have a dream house. Not the one you live in, but the one that you wished you had. It has all the amenities that you desire but don't have. From the sprawling drive to the elegant entry way, the yards are neatly landscaped. The interior has the color palette that fits your taste and the furnishings are to die for. The grilling area has the latest grills and attachments (for us men) or the kitchen has the sleekest counters with sparkling appliances (for the ladies). All doors, closets and windows are positioned perfectly so that your furniture fits perfectly. And not a single thing needs repairing! What a wonderful image we paint in our imagination!
Solomon provides a mental image of building a house but from a spiritual vice physical perspective in the verses above. What a grand vision he creates! Much like "our" house, it seems almost too good to be true. But wait, his is real - not a figment of someones imagination. As a Christian, we are building our current and future life daily, step by step. And if we follow Solomon's blue prints, we will be rewarded with riches beyond our wildest imagination. Take note, he didn't promise these riches in this life - but if we seek after wisdom, knowledge and understanding, we will be rewarded by our Savior in the life to come.
How is the construction of your spiritual house coming? Sometimes, I feel as if I am still living in a spiritual shack with no splendor to be found. But I remind myself that soon, I will be walking on streets of gold. And that surely beats any imaginable stamped concrete drive to an imaginary house!
Join me in picking up the tools of wisdom, knowledge and understanding and applying them to our daily life. You will be amazed at the results! For it will outshine any physical accomplishment we can dream of performing in this life.
June 23, 2012
Finality of Life
For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.Proverbs 23:18
Solomon hits upon a topic we do not like to discuss as Christians or sinners: Finality. We all prefer to ignore the fact stated by Paul in Hebrews 9:27: And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: No one likes to discuss the end of his life here on earth. We tiptoe around the topic for we are uncomfortable with the thought that we have no control of when it will occur - young or old, peaceably or traumatic, quietly or heralded. We feel powerful with a stack of remote controls and voice activated electronics, but nothing we can do will add or subtract a single heart beat from those assigned by God. And the last half of Paul's statement strikes fear into the bravest Christian's heart. For who feels worthy to be judged by God? Not a topic for lively dinner time conversation - or is it?
Look closely as the last half of Solomon's verse above. Your expectation will not be terminated by the end of life. What are you expecting following death? A judgement that renders eternal damnation or to be sheltered in His loving arms in a place that knows no tears? If you expect to celebrate eternity with the angels for you know you have been forgiven, why shouldn't this discussion be one of excited expectations? Do you not have loved ones who have gone on before you that you long to see again? I can't wait to see my family members and friends that I want to spend at least a thousand years just sitting and sharing communion with again. I want to thank them for the daily influence they had on my life long after they left this life!
So is Finality of Life to be feared? Absolutely not, for it is the beginning of our expectation to spend eternity with our Savior!
Solomon hits upon a topic we do not like to discuss as Christians or sinners: Finality. We all prefer to ignore the fact stated by Paul in Hebrews 9:27: And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: No one likes to discuss the end of his life here on earth. We tiptoe around the topic for we are uncomfortable with the thought that we have no control of when it will occur - young or old, peaceably or traumatic, quietly or heralded. We feel powerful with a stack of remote controls and voice activated electronics, but nothing we can do will add or subtract a single heart beat from those assigned by God. And the last half of Paul's statement strikes fear into the bravest Christian's heart. For who feels worthy to be judged by God? Not a topic for lively dinner time conversation - or is it?
Look closely as the last half of Solomon's verse above. Your expectation will not be terminated by the end of life. What are you expecting following death? A judgement that renders eternal damnation or to be sheltered in His loving arms in a place that knows no tears? If you expect to celebrate eternity with the angels for you know you have been forgiven, why shouldn't this discussion be one of excited expectations? Do you not have loved ones who have gone on before you that you long to see again? I can't wait to see my family members and friends that I want to spend at least a thousand years just sitting and sharing communion with again. I want to thank them for the daily influence they had on my life long after they left this life!
So is Finality of Life to be feared? Absolutely not, for it is the beginning of our expectation to spend eternity with our Savior!
June 22, 2012
Monkey See, Monkey Do
Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul. Proverbs 22:24-25
As children, we were warned about our behavior with the old phrase. "Monkey see, Monkey do". Solomon has expounded upon this phrase and place a sterner warning about whom we hang out with. When we accept an individuals behavior as "normal" or "acceptable", we are numbed to the effects of such behavior. And sooner, or later, we begin to mimic such "accepted" behavior.
Solomon did not say that we should not interact with such individuals - for how else will they be exposed to the saving grace of our Savior? But we are not to accept their behavior as appropriate. Using the old phrase, "We are to love the individual but not his behavior". Isn't that what God did with us? Each and every one of us were despicable sinners in His sight before we accepted His salvation. He loved us, not our behavior. And we should mirror His love and disdain of actions by those around us who are not following His will.
My father used to add a caveat to the old monkey phrase: " It is the wise monkey who recognizes when others are making a fool of themselves and chooses not to imitate the actions, no matter how much attention the fools are getting from others." Shouldn't we do the same to our wayward acquaintance? We need to show them the love of Christ but we must be wise to recognize their foolish behavior does not become a Christian.
As children, we were warned about our behavior with the old phrase. "Monkey see, Monkey do". Solomon has expounded upon this phrase and place a sterner warning about whom we hang out with. When we accept an individuals behavior as "normal" or "acceptable", we are numbed to the effects of such behavior. And sooner, or later, we begin to mimic such "accepted" behavior.
Solomon did not say that we should not interact with such individuals - for how else will they be exposed to the saving grace of our Savior? But we are not to accept their behavior as appropriate. Using the old phrase, "We are to love the individual but not his behavior". Isn't that what God did with us? Each and every one of us were despicable sinners in His sight before we accepted His salvation. He loved us, not our behavior. And we should mirror His love and disdain of actions by those around us who are not following His will.
My father used to add a caveat to the old monkey phrase: " It is the wise monkey who recognizes when others are making a fool of themselves and chooses not to imitate the actions, no matter how much attention the fools are getting from others." Shouldn't we do the same to our wayward acquaintance? We need to show them the love of Christ but we must be wise to recognize their foolish behavior does not become a Christian.
June 16, 2012
Blind Trust
There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.Proverbs 16:25
Have you ever trusted in someone, only to be disappointed? We often value ourselves as being a great judge of character or we trust in a person based upon their position in life (preacher, doctor, etc). Yet, if we watch closely and long enough, they will fail our trust. Why? Simply - they are human. We all make mistakes and none us are perfect. I am often amused when people justify their behavior by referencing the mistakes of local or national Christians who have failed to live up to expectations. I kindly point out that they, too, are simply sinners saved by grace not by works. And we should all be thankful that we are not saved based upon our behavior!
However, there is One who is perfect and worthy of our trust. When we place our trust in the Lord, we will not be led astray. Nor will our paths lead to death. Rather, they will lead to everlasting life! Place your trust in Him and he will never disappoint you!
Have you ever trusted in someone, only to be disappointed? We often value ourselves as being a great judge of character or we trust in a person based upon their position in life (preacher, doctor, etc). Yet, if we watch closely and long enough, they will fail our trust. Why? Simply - they are human. We all make mistakes and none us are perfect. I am often amused when people justify their behavior by referencing the mistakes of local or national Christians who have failed to live up to expectations. I kindly point out that they, too, are simply sinners saved by grace not by works. And we should all be thankful that we are not saved based upon our behavior!
However, there is One who is perfect and worthy of our trust. When we place our trust in the Lord, we will not be led astray. Nor will our paths lead to death. Rather, they will lead to everlasting life! Place your trust in Him and he will never disappoint you!
June 15, 2012
Short-Term Pain for Long-Term Gain
Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
Proverbs 15:10
God always gives us a choice. And as Solomon points out above, there may be pain with either choice. It is painful when we have to acknowledge that we have failed to meet God's standards for our life. Correction is never pleasant. However, the long-term pain is much greater and longer lasting! When we refuse to admit our error, the ramifications are far reaching and not pleasant to think about.
Have you or someone you love strayed from the path? If so, consider the cost of failing to return to a loving relationship with God. He is waiting for you. Won't you call out to Him right now?
Proverbs 15:10
God always gives us a choice. And as Solomon points out above, there may be pain with either choice. It is painful when we have to acknowledge that we have failed to meet God's standards for our life. Correction is never pleasant. However, the long-term pain is much greater and longer lasting! When we refuse to admit our error, the ramifications are far reaching and not pleasant to think about.
Have you or someone you love strayed from the path? If so, consider the cost of failing to return to a loving relationship with God. He is waiting for you. Won't you call out to Him right now?
June 14, 2012
Talk is Cheap
In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.Proverbs 14:23
How often have you heard the phrase, "Put your money where your mouth is"? It is usually a challenge for someone to step up to action vice just words. So does Solomon in the verse above. Talk is cheap and generates nothing. Labor or effort, on the other hand, generates a profit. Seems like a simple concept, but we often fall victim to the disease as Christians.
How often have we heard of the terrible plights of others in foreign countries? How often have we heard of the missionary's needs? How often have we seen the advertisements against poverty and hunger? But the most important question is: What have you done to resolve the situation? Sitting around and sadly shaking our head while bemoaning their sad condition does nothing to improve the situation.
We are often quick to point out that the situations described are far away and you don't have the ability to travel there and help. The easy solution is not to travel to reach the individual, but reach for your wallet.
More importantly, stop and look. While the situation you heard may have occurred in another continent, are there hungry and penniless people in your home town? Are there infants and children in need of a caring and loving individual in your home town? Are there people who have not heard of God's salvation in your home town? Yes, and you don't need a plane ticket or infinite wealth to make a difference.
So quit talking about it and do it. Step out in the love of Christ, He will be with you every step of the way!
How often have you heard the phrase, "Put your money where your mouth is"? It is usually a challenge for someone to step up to action vice just words. So does Solomon in the verse above. Talk is cheap and generates nothing. Labor or effort, on the other hand, generates a profit. Seems like a simple concept, but we often fall victim to the disease as Christians.
How often have we heard of the terrible plights of others in foreign countries? How often have we heard of the missionary's needs? How often have we seen the advertisements against poverty and hunger? But the most important question is: What have you done to resolve the situation? Sitting around and sadly shaking our head while bemoaning their sad condition does nothing to improve the situation.
We are often quick to point out that the situations described are far away and you don't have the ability to travel there and help. The easy solution is not to travel to reach the individual, but reach for your wallet.
More importantly, stop and look. While the situation you heard may have occurred in another continent, are there hungry and penniless people in your home town? Are there infants and children in need of a caring and loving individual in your home town? Are there people who have not heard of God's salvation in your home town? Yes, and you don't need a plane ticket or infinite wealth to make a difference.
So quit talking about it and do it. Step out in the love of Christ, He will be with you every step of the way!
