B.C. Bolt's Blog, page 6
January 9, 2014
The Invitation
She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
Proverbs 9:3
In the first part of this chapter, Solomon describes the invitation from wisdom. It is a graphical depiction of the invitation to each of us to gain wisdom. It mirrors our invitation from our Savior to a new life available only through Him. Each of these invitations required great effort by the inviter. The invited only had to accept the invitation.
Now that we have accepted the invitation to accept Jesus as our Savior, we have become His living invitation to others. By our actions and words, we show the love of Christ to others. I often wonder what type of invitation I am. While I would like to be the impressive, formal invitation that causes the invited to catch their breath as they open the envelope, I often fall short. I feel more like the tattered, torn and smudged invitation that few bother to open. However, I am comforted by the fact that when Jesus chose his disciples, he didn’t choose the affluent, educated individuals with a polished appearance. Rather, he chose the unlikely. And I am proof that He still chooses the unlikely (me) today.
The question is how much effort are we putting into our physical invitation to show Christ’s love to others? When we measure our efforts against those of wisdom’s invitation or our Lord’s invitation, we fall short. Let us remember today that as we interact with others we are delivering an invitation from our Master. Let’s make it impressive vice tattered!
Proverbs 9:3
In the first part of this chapter, Solomon describes the invitation from wisdom. It is a graphical depiction of the invitation to each of us to gain wisdom. It mirrors our invitation from our Savior to a new life available only through Him. Each of these invitations required great effort by the inviter. The invited only had to accept the invitation.
Now that we have accepted the invitation to accept Jesus as our Savior, we have become His living invitation to others. By our actions and words, we show the love of Christ to others. I often wonder what type of invitation I am. While I would like to be the impressive, formal invitation that causes the invited to catch their breath as they open the envelope, I often fall short. I feel more like the tattered, torn and smudged invitation that few bother to open. However, I am comforted by the fact that when Jesus chose his disciples, he didn’t choose the affluent, educated individuals with a polished appearance. Rather, he chose the unlikely. And I am proof that He still chooses the unlikely (me) today.
The question is how much effort are we putting into our physical invitation to show Christ’s love to others? When we measure our efforts against those of wisdom’s invitation or our Lord’s invitation, we fall short. Let us remember today that as we interact with others we are delivering an invitation from our Master. Let’s make it impressive vice tattered!
January 8, 2014
The Choice Is Yours
Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
Proverbs 8:10
We are sometimes like fish. Have you ever looked at fishing lures? They are shiny, distracting or stink. There is nothing plain about them. And fishermen catch fish using these artificial lures in amazing quantities.
We are often distracted from our true purpose in life by the shiny distractions offered by the world. Who wouldn’t like to be rich? No worries about the mortgage or grocery bills! But Solomon cautions us against the glittering financial attractions of the world. Rather, we are to seek after wisdom and knowledge. Nothing is attractive about the mundane characteristics of knowledge.
Jesus cautions us in Matthew 6:19-21: Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
The choice is yours – will you be distracted by short-term worldly gain or remain focused on the eternal blessings of seeking wisdom and knowledge. If we pursue worldly gain, we will end up like the fish: short term pleasure followed by a payment for our choices. I would rather remain boring and earthly poor rather than forsaking eternal blessings. Wouldn’t you?
Proverbs 8:10
We are sometimes like fish. Have you ever looked at fishing lures? They are shiny, distracting or stink. There is nothing plain about them. And fishermen catch fish using these artificial lures in amazing quantities.
We are often distracted from our true purpose in life by the shiny distractions offered by the world. Who wouldn’t like to be rich? No worries about the mortgage or grocery bills! But Solomon cautions us against the glittering financial attractions of the world. Rather, we are to seek after wisdom and knowledge. Nothing is attractive about the mundane characteristics of knowledge.
Jesus cautions us in Matthew 6:19-21: Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
The choice is yours – will you be distracted by short-term worldly gain or remain focused on the eternal blessings of seeking wisdom and knowledge. If we pursue worldly gain, we will end up like the fish: short term pleasure followed by a payment for our choices. I would rather remain boring and earthly poor rather than forsaking eternal blessings. Wouldn’t you?
January 7, 2014
The Slippery Slope of Sin
Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.
Proverbs 7:25
Solomon warns us of allowing our hearts to lower its standards to that of sin. In the following verses, he describes the woes of when the sin has matured in our heart. Quite a dreadful picture of what happens to us internally as well as externally when sin has matured in our life.
I don't think anyone awakes in the morning and boldly states that they intend to commit a horrible sin that day. But just as described in the preceding verses, we are incrementally drawn into the filth of sin, sometimes in a manner in which we are not aware. However, once we start sliding down the slippery slope, it takes extreme effort to extract ourselves! The cost to us is sometimes great and affects all aspects of our life - physical, emotional and spiritual.
How do we prevent such pain? As Solomon states in the first verse of the chapter - My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. (Proverbs 7:1) If we keep God's commandments in our heart, there is no room for sin. And our heart never takes the first step down the slippery slope leading to sin.
Proverbs 7:25
Solomon warns us of allowing our hearts to lower its standards to that of sin. In the following verses, he describes the woes of when the sin has matured in our heart. Quite a dreadful picture of what happens to us internally as well as externally when sin has matured in our life.
I don't think anyone awakes in the morning and boldly states that they intend to commit a horrible sin that day. But just as described in the preceding verses, we are incrementally drawn into the filth of sin, sometimes in a manner in which we are not aware. However, once we start sliding down the slippery slope, it takes extreme effort to extract ourselves! The cost to us is sometimes great and affects all aspects of our life - physical, emotional and spiritual.
How do we prevent such pain? As Solomon states in the first verse of the chapter - My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. (Proverbs 7:1) If we keep God's commandments in our heart, there is no room for sin. And our heart never takes the first step down the slippery slope leading to sin.
January 6, 2014
The Secret to Long Life
My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother
Proverbs 6:20
As a parent, I have often longed for my strong-willed children to memorize the verse above. However, it is hard to expect them to behave any better than I did as a teenager. Part of developing our independence is to challenge authority.
As usual, Solomon is much smarter than I. And Paul elaborates in Ephesians 6:1-3: Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. What a novel idea! Honor yields long life! My wife’s grandmother lived to be almost 106 and when questioned for her secret to long life, she quoted Paul’s verses above.
We are often caught up in the latest health and fitness fad to lengthen our lifespan. If we spent less time chasing after better health and more time honoring our parents, we are promised a long life! So, the secret to long life is no secret at all – Solomon and Paul spell it out for us in the scriptures above.
Proverbs 6:20
As a parent, I have often longed for my strong-willed children to memorize the verse above. However, it is hard to expect them to behave any better than I did as a teenager. Part of developing our independence is to challenge authority.
As usual, Solomon is much smarter than I. And Paul elaborates in Ephesians 6:1-3: Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. What a novel idea! Honor yields long life! My wife’s grandmother lived to be almost 106 and when questioned for her secret to long life, she quoted Paul’s verses above.
We are often caught up in the latest health and fitness fad to lengthen our lifespan. If we spent less time chasing after better health and more time honoring our parents, we are promised a long life! So, the secret to long life is no secret at all – Solomon and Paul spell it out for us in the scriptures above.
January 5, 2014
Take Heed
And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!
Proverbs 5:12-13
It took me a while as a teenager to heed my father's advice. At the time, I thought I knew better. But as I matured, I recognized the wisdom behind the guidance. Unfortunately, we often fail to recognize when we are receiving good advice. We casually dismiss the advice since it doesn't mesh with our plans or desires. Too often, we don't recognize the value of the advice until it is too late.
While it is sometimes difficult to evaluate the wisdom or motive behind advice from our peers or mentors, there is one source that is always reliable - God's word. Whenever we falter in our thoughts, there is one source that never leads us astray.
David's advice in Psalms 16:3 sums it up: Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. If you have doubts about what to do, seek the advice from the one reliable source and take heed!
Proverbs 5:12-13
It took me a while as a teenager to heed my father's advice. At the time, I thought I knew better. But as I matured, I recognized the wisdom behind the guidance. Unfortunately, we often fail to recognize when we are receiving good advice. We casually dismiss the advice since it doesn't mesh with our plans or desires. Too often, we don't recognize the value of the advice until it is too late.
While it is sometimes difficult to evaluate the wisdom or motive behind advice from our peers or mentors, there is one source that is always reliable - God's word. Whenever we falter in our thoughts, there is one source that never leads us astray.
David's advice in Psalms 16:3 sums it up: Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. If you have doubts about what to do, seek the advice from the one reliable source and take heed!
January 4, 2014
First Things First
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
Proverbs 4:7
Many of us love to dream and scheme. If I had a penny for each of my get-rich-quick schemes or dreams of instant popularity, I would be a wealthy individual. Unfortunately, life does not work that way. However, this is the time of the year when we tend to make life-changing resolutions to start out the new year.
However, much like my schemes and dreams, I overlook the simplest of facts that causes my house-of-cards dream (or resolution) to crumble quickly when put to the common-sense test. My schemes rarely hold up to close scrutiny. And neither do many of my New Year's resolutions. Why? Because I didn't dig into the details before making great assumptions.
Solomon gives us the clue in the verse above. If we build upon solid principles, our dreams will stand the challenges and scrutiny. Ah! If I would only listen to what I read! If I resolve to seek wisdom vice fame and fortune, I will have the foundation upon which to build by life, not just dreams but in reality. And Jesus encourages us even further in Matthew 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Pretty simple - focus on the fundamentals and the rest will come from God.
I need to drop the resolutions and resolve to follow Christ. If I put the first things first, the rest will come without wasting time on foolish dreams and schemes. Where are your priorities today?
Proverbs 4:7
Many of us love to dream and scheme. If I had a penny for each of my get-rich-quick schemes or dreams of instant popularity, I would be a wealthy individual. Unfortunately, life does not work that way. However, this is the time of the year when we tend to make life-changing resolutions to start out the new year.
However, much like my schemes and dreams, I overlook the simplest of facts that causes my house-of-cards dream (or resolution) to crumble quickly when put to the common-sense test. My schemes rarely hold up to close scrutiny. And neither do many of my New Year's resolutions. Why? Because I didn't dig into the details before making great assumptions.
Solomon gives us the clue in the verse above. If we build upon solid principles, our dreams will stand the challenges and scrutiny. Ah! If I would only listen to what I read! If I resolve to seek wisdom vice fame and fortune, I will have the foundation upon which to build by life, not just dreams but in reality. And Jesus encourages us even further in Matthew 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Pretty simple - focus on the fundamentals and the rest will come from God.
I need to drop the resolutions and resolve to follow Christ. If I put the first things first, the rest will come without wasting time on foolish dreams and schemes. Where are your priorities today?
January 3, 2014
Blinded by Pride
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5
It is an ageless struggle of married couples - directions to a new location. Husbands refuse to acknowledge they are lost and wives refuse to quit voicing their doubts. Even after maps were replaced with GPS receivers, men still struggle to find their way and women continue to criticize. I often wonder what are the statistics of the number of spousal arguments daily caused by being lost? And the root cause of such arguments? Pride. As a husband, it is sometimes too painful to confess that I have no clue where I am, so I will continue to drive in desperation of getting lucky and finding my destination. I could probably rely on luck if I was consistent in winning the lottery but I have yet to convince myself that I am lucky in any perspective!
Solomon cautions us in the verse above regarding our Christian life. We are tempted to rely on our inherent abilities to determine right from wrong vice following the Lord. While it doesn't make any sense that we would trust our sinful selves vice our Savior, we often have too much pride to confess our inabilities to our Master. Doesn't He know already? Much like your wife can see the street signs when you are lost, your Savior knows when your soul is straying as well. Simply, everyone else can see the error of your way, except you. When you are blinded by pride, you fail to see the obvious.
Confess you weakness to your Savior - he is waiting for your acknowledgement of wrong. And he will forgive us. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9
Proverbs 3:5
It is an ageless struggle of married couples - directions to a new location. Husbands refuse to acknowledge they are lost and wives refuse to quit voicing their doubts. Even after maps were replaced with GPS receivers, men still struggle to find their way and women continue to criticize. I often wonder what are the statistics of the number of spousal arguments daily caused by being lost? And the root cause of such arguments? Pride. As a husband, it is sometimes too painful to confess that I have no clue where I am, so I will continue to drive in desperation of getting lucky and finding my destination. I could probably rely on luck if I was consistent in winning the lottery but I have yet to convince myself that I am lucky in any perspective!
Solomon cautions us in the verse above regarding our Christian life. We are tempted to rely on our inherent abilities to determine right from wrong vice following the Lord. While it doesn't make any sense that we would trust our sinful selves vice our Savior, we often have too much pride to confess our inabilities to our Master. Doesn't He know already? Much like your wife can see the street signs when you are lost, your Savior knows when your soul is straying as well. Simply, everyone else can see the error of your way, except you. When you are blinded by pride, you fail to see the obvious.
Confess you weakness to your Savior - he is waiting for your acknowledgement of wrong. And he will forgive us. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9
January 2, 2014
Hurricane Straps for Life
For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.
Proverbs 2:21
My first house after leaving home was a mobile home. When we were installing it on my farm, an essential safety element was installing the "Hurricane Straps" so that it would not be blown off the block footing. I laughed at the installer and explained that I was too far from the coast to worry about a hurricane. He just smiled and said to give him a call after the first big storm. It was only a few months later that a chain of thunder storms and tornadoes swept through the area blowing down several pine trees surrounding my new little home. Surprisingly, the trailer remained firmly planted - thanks to the straps!
Solomon promises above that we, as Christians, will endure and not be removed. Yet, it is not by our actions that such accomplishments are achieved. We are assaulted daily by challenges that could easily up-root and blow us away. But we are strapped to permanence by God's strength. Much like the straps that anchored my mobile home, His love encompasses us with protection from the storms of life. When we yield to His will, we are strengthened in our ability stand. Submit to Him and He will protect us against any storm life has to offer.
Proverbs 2:21
My first house after leaving home was a mobile home. When we were installing it on my farm, an essential safety element was installing the "Hurricane Straps" so that it would not be blown off the block footing. I laughed at the installer and explained that I was too far from the coast to worry about a hurricane. He just smiled and said to give him a call after the first big storm. It was only a few months later that a chain of thunder storms and tornadoes swept through the area blowing down several pine trees surrounding my new little home. Surprisingly, the trailer remained firmly planted - thanks to the straps!
Solomon promises above that we, as Christians, will endure and not be removed. Yet, it is not by our actions that such accomplishments are achieved. We are assaulted daily by challenges that could easily up-root and blow us away. But we are strapped to permanence by God's strength. Much like the straps that anchored my mobile home, His love encompasses us with protection from the storms of life. When we yield to His will, we are strengthened in our ability stand. Submit to Him and He will protect us against any storm life has to offer.
January 1, 2014
Are You Listening?
A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
Proverbs 1:5
With the start of the new year, many have a long list of resolutions. They see the new year as an opportunity to create the new you. Many of the items require great sacrifice to obtain a seemingly elusive goal of improvement. Solomon provides us with a challenge for the new year as well: increased learning and wisdom. The result? A closer walk with God. I would wager that this goal far exceeds the majority of items on our "improvement list" for the new year. And yet, it starts with a simple act: hearing. However, it is not just hearing but actually taking action upon the words heard. The actions will result in a closer walk with our Savior.
Is God speaking to you? And more importantly, are you hearing? In our daily hectic lives, we often fail to hear His words. They are not blared above the volume of our headsets, they don't come in the form of text messages or dazzling displays upon our television monitors. Rather, he still uses the same format he did with Elijah - the still, small voice. Often, we fail to hear it for all of the worldly distractions. But when we hear it, we know. And you are never the same - whether you choose to obey or ignore, you will remember His words. (John 14:26)
Join me in simplifying our list of resolutions for the new year by putting the most important thing first: Listening to our Savior. He will guide us in all decisions to a new and better you for the coming year!
Proverbs 1:5
With the start of the new year, many have a long list of resolutions. They see the new year as an opportunity to create the new you. Many of the items require great sacrifice to obtain a seemingly elusive goal of improvement. Solomon provides us with a challenge for the new year as well: increased learning and wisdom. The result? A closer walk with God. I would wager that this goal far exceeds the majority of items on our "improvement list" for the new year. And yet, it starts with a simple act: hearing. However, it is not just hearing but actually taking action upon the words heard. The actions will result in a closer walk with our Savior.
Is God speaking to you? And more importantly, are you hearing? In our daily hectic lives, we often fail to hear His words. They are not blared above the volume of our headsets, they don't come in the form of text messages or dazzling displays upon our television monitors. Rather, he still uses the same format he did with Elijah - the still, small voice. Often, we fail to hear it for all of the worldly distractions. But when we hear it, we know. And you are never the same - whether you choose to obey or ignore, you will remember His words. (John 14:26)
Join me in simplifying our list of resolutions for the new year by putting the most important thing first: Listening to our Savior. He will guide us in all decisions to a new and better you for the coming year!
December 31, 2013
Honor Perfected
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
Proverbs 31:26
Lemuel goes to great lengths, and many verses, to describe the ultimate wife. This is one verse that sticks out to me above all others. It clearly shows how we should deal with others. If we constrain our words to those spoken with wisdom vice malice, jealousy and the assorted other sinful motivations, we would never have to regret any spoken word. Likewise, if we base our comments upon kindness, our words will be better received by others.
How often I have hastily spoken words that I later regret! The pain caused by malicious words and the advice unheeded due to the tone of the words cause my heart to regret ever speaking them. Unfortunately, we can not unspeak our words - once spoken they have a life of their own. Often repeated but never forgotten. What a better life we would have if we never had to regret a spoken word!
Clearly the advice in the verse above is applicable to all of us. So as we contemplate resolutions for the coming year, let's ask God to help us follow the advice above. The results will honor our actions and more importantly, honor God.
Proverbs 31:26
Lemuel goes to great lengths, and many verses, to describe the ultimate wife. This is one verse that sticks out to me above all others. It clearly shows how we should deal with others. If we constrain our words to those spoken with wisdom vice malice, jealousy and the assorted other sinful motivations, we would never have to regret any spoken word. Likewise, if we base our comments upon kindness, our words will be better received by others.
How often I have hastily spoken words that I later regret! The pain caused by malicious words and the advice unheeded due to the tone of the words cause my heart to regret ever speaking them. Unfortunately, we can not unspeak our words - once spoken they have a life of their own. Often repeated but never forgotten. What a better life we would have if we never had to regret a spoken word!
Clearly the advice in the verse above is applicable to all of us. So as we contemplate resolutions for the coming year, let's ask God to help us follow the advice above. The results will honor our actions and more importantly, honor God.
