B.C. Bolt's Blog, page 68
July 1, 2011
Speaking With a Purpose
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:9
We are often directed in the Bible to guard our tongue and warned of its dangers. But here is a prime example of when we should speak up. While it is human nature to blindly blab about others with juicy gossip and to pass judgement, the opposite is true regarding the defense of others. Often, I have paused in speaking up to defend others. Whether it is from embarrassment or not wanting to go against the tide of current opinion, I have difficulty in speaking in a positive manner about others.
There is a gentleman that I know who I admire greatly. Any time someone starts to gossip about someone we know, he will kindly and gently speak up, in an authoritative voice, to highlight a positive attribute of the individual. Normally, the gossiping ceases. Amazing! I admire his courage and conviction to defend others.
We all want to be viewed as kind Christians but yet we are happy to share the gossip. If we are truly a Christian, we would cease from gossiping and comment on their positive attributes. Isn't that what Christ did? He looked beyond our faults and forgave us of our sins so that we may have eternal life. We should do the same with all that we know - look beyond their faults.
I challenge you to spend one day speaking only positively about others. You will be amazed at the impact it has on your life and others!
We are often directed in the Bible to guard our tongue and warned of its dangers. But here is a prime example of when we should speak up. While it is human nature to blindly blab about others with juicy gossip and to pass judgement, the opposite is true regarding the defense of others. Often, I have paused in speaking up to defend others. Whether it is from embarrassment or not wanting to go against the tide of current opinion, I have difficulty in speaking in a positive manner about others.
There is a gentleman that I know who I admire greatly. Any time someone starts to gossip about someone we know, he will kindly and gently speak up, in an authoritative voice, to highlight a positive attribute of the individual. Normally, the gossiping ceases. Amazing! I admire his courage and conviction to defend others.
We all want to be viewed as kind Christians but yet we are happy to share the gossip. If we are truly a Christian, we would cease from gossiping and comment on their positive attributes. Isn't that what Christ did? He looked beyond our faults and forgave us of our sins so that we may have eternal life. We should do the same with all that we know - look beyond their faults.
I challenge you to spend one day speaking only positively about others. You will be amazed at the impact it has on your life and others!
June 25, 2011
Defenseless
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.Proverbs 25:28
In olden days, the first line of defense for a city was the walls surrounding the city. If your defense was weak or broken down, it was almost like an invitation to be overthrown and taken captive. Solomon paints the same picture of controlling our spirit. If we do not control it, we are an open invitation to being overthrown and captive to the world. We must be able to control our urges and desires or we will be a slave to the whims and passions that are tempted before us each day.
While we alone are not able to resist many of the temptations, there is One that is. And when the Holy Spirit dwells within us, we are strengthen by His presence.
Don't be over run by temptation due to a weak defense. Rather be on the offensive for Christ showing His love to others. In doing so, you will gain control over your own spirit.
In olden days, the first line of defense for a city was the walls surrounding the city. If your defense was weak or broken down, it was almost like an invitation to be overthrown and taken captive. Solomon paints the same picture of controlling our spirit. If we do not control it, we are an open invitation to being overthrown and captive to the world. We must be able to control our urges and desires or we will be a slave to the whims and passions that are tempted before us each day.
While we alone are not able to resist many of the temptations, there is One that is. And when the Holy Spirit dwells within us, we are strengthen by His presence.
Don't be over run by temptation due to a weak defense. Rather be on the offensive for Christ showing His love to others. In doing so, you will gain control over your own spirit.
June 24, 2011
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, 2011
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, 2011
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, 2011
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, 2011
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, 2011
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!
June 13, 2011
Boomerang Blessings
Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.Proverbs 13:21
As a kid, did you ever play with a real boomerang? Did you ever get it to actually come back to you, without chasing it down? No, I didn't either! After thousands of tries, I was convinced the guy advertising them must have had fishing line tied to it so that he didn't have to chase it down! I am convinced that real boomerangs did work, just not the cheap toys that I had. What a neat concept for something to go out and come back to you!
Solomon defines a slightly different boomerang above. And I can testify that it does work! When I do acts of kindness for others in Christian love, wonderful things come back to me! As the old saying goes, "You can't out-give God." and I believe it to be true. When I serve and give unto others with a loving heart, I immediately feel a warm, peaceful sensation welling up within. Although, the individual may or may not know who was the contributor, God does and he never lets a good deed go unrewarded. Many times I have begrudgingly submitted to doing His will only to feel guilty that I waited so long to obey. Have you?
When we move God out of the center of our actions and try to "do good" on our own, it is like the cheap toy boomerang - you spend more effort chasing around the return without the peace within.
So, listen to Him today. How does he want you to serve others?
As a kid, did you ever play with a real boomerang? Did you ever get it to actually come back to you, without chasing it down? No, I didn't either! After thousands of tries, I was convinced the guy advertising them must have had fishing line tied to it so that he didn't have to chase it down! I am convinced that real boomerangs did work, just not the cheap toys that I had. What a neat concept for something to go out and come back to you!
Solomon defines a slightly different boomerang above. And I can testify that it does work! When I do acts of kindness for others in Christian love, wonderful things come back to me! As the old saying goes, "You can't out-give God." and I believe it to be true. When I serve and give unto others with a loving heart, I immediately feel a warm, peaceful sensation welling up within. Although, the individual may or may not know who was the contributor, God does and he never lets a good deed go unrewarded. Many times I have begrudgingly submitted to doing His will only to feel guilty that I waited so long to obey. Have you?
When we move God out of the center of our actions and try to "do good" on our own, it is like the cheap toy boomerang - you spend more effort chasing around the return without the peace within.
So, listen to Him today. How does he want you to serve others?
June 10, 2011
Who's Son Are You?
He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.
Proverbs 10:5
When I read this verse, I normally visualize a farm boy in a field of wheat. The wise son diligently strives to gather the harvest when it is ready vice lazily allowing it to ruin. However, Solomon may be alluding to Jesus discussion of the harvest of souls (John 4:35-38).
How are we performing as sons of Christ? Are we diligently striving to gather the harvest for our Master? Are we teaming with others to serve a common cause? We should consider the effort required by others in order for us to come to know the Lord. If we are truly grateful, we should do the same for others. Let us join in being a wise son of the "Son of the Living God".
Proverbs 10:5
When I read this verse, I normally visualize a farm boy in a field of wheat. The wise son diligently strives to gather the harvest when it is ready vice lazily allowing it to ruin. However, Solomon may be alluding to Jesus discussion of the harvest of souls (John 4:35-38).
How are we performing as sons of Christ? Are we diligently striving to gather the harvest for our Master? Are we teaming with others to serve a common cause? We should consider the effort required by others in order for us to come to know the Lord. If we are truly grateful, we should do the same for others. Let us join in being a wise son of the "Son of the Living God".
