B.C. Bolt's Blog, page 74
April 7, 2011
Home-Bodies
She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:
Proverbs 7:11
I have often struggled with the description that Solomon provides of the tempestuous woman - especially the fact that she did not stay home. In today's society, it is sometimes viewed as derogatory to refer to someone as a homebody. However, the definition continues to be "one whose life is centered on the home". Clearly the lady described by Solomon did not care about her home. If she had cared, she would not have been out on the streets seeking someone to corrupt her marriage.
So the question becomes, "Am I a homebody?". Is my focus on my home and its occupants? Are my decisions based upon what is best for my family or what is my own instant gratification? Perhaps, if we allowed our decisions to be based upon the benefits to our family, we would make better decisions. Especially when it comes to our reputation!
Are you considered a homebody? Do others view you as one focused on your family? If not, seek God and He can re-prioritize your priorities!
Proverbs 7:11
I have often struggled with the description that Solomon provides of the tempestuous woman - especially the fact that she did not stay home. In today's society, it is sometimes viewed as derogatory to refer to someone as a homebody. However, the definition continues to be "one whose life is centered on the home". Clearly the lady described by Solomon did not care about her home. If she had cared, she would not have been out on the streets seeking someone to corrupt her marriage.
So the question becomes, "Am I a homebody?". Is my focus on my home and its occupants? Are my decisions based upon what is best for my family or what is my own instant gratification? Perhaps, if we allowed our decisions to be based upon the benefits to our family, we would make better decisions. Especially when it comes to our reputation!
Are you considered a homebody? Do others view you as one focused on your family? If not, seek God and He can re-prioritize your priorities!
April 6, 2011
A Wasted Life - Renewed
For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adultress will hunt for the precious life.
Proverbs 6:26
How often have we seen someone suffer from a poor decision. No matter how successful, popular or religious, the individual is publicly humiliated for his poor judgement and the choices he has made. It is often heard, "What a shame - he had so much going for him.". And yet his life becomes valued as nothing, or a piece of bread, for poor judgement. It is almost as if his life will be forever ruined. Such a situation causes me to wonder what motivates them to keep on living? Is there no hope for redemption?
The Bible provides us many examples of people who made poor choices, much like we do today. And yet, God uses them in miraculous ways to affect others. Consider David, the adulterer and murderer - why should he desire to live after it is well known that he committed adultery, murder and had a child born out of wedlock. Surely, enough to ruin his reputation for the rest of his life! And yet, he has the book with the most chapters in the Bible and was the father of the wisest man on earth who gave us three more books of the Bible. David gave us hope in his living example. Repentence yield foregiveness. And foregiveness produces redemption which motivates service to our Lord.
So the next time you see someone suffering from poor judgement, come along-side them and encourage them to seek God's foregiveness,. You never know what He has in store for the rest of their life!
Proverbs 6:26
How often have we seen someone suffer from a poor decision. No matter how successful, popular or religious, the individual is publicly humiliated for his poor judgement and the choices he has made. It is often heard, "What a shame - he had so much going for him.". And yet his life becomes valued as nothing, or a piece of bread, for poor judgement. It is almost as if his life will be forever ruined. Such a situation causes me to wonder what motivates them to keep on living? Is there no hope for redemption?
The Bible provides us many examples of people who made poor choices, much like we do today. And yet, God uses them in miraculous ways to affect others. Consider David, the adulterer and murderer - why should he desire to live after it is well known that he committed adultery, murder and had a child born out of wedlock. Surely, enough to ruin his reputation for the rest of his life! And yet, he has the book with the most chapters in the Bible and was the father of the wisest man on earth who gave us three more books of the Bible. David gave us hope in his living example. Repentence yield foregiveness. And foregiveness produces redemption which motivates service to our Lord.
So the next time you see someone suffering from poor judgement, come along-side them and encourage them to seek God's foregiveness,. You never know what He has in store for the rest of their life!
April 5, 2011
The Slippery Slope
For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:
Proverbs 5:3
I grew up in Clay County, Alabama and the county has red clay throughout. While it is neat to view, nothing is more frustrating than trying to walk in the wet, slippery clay - it sticks to your boots, stains your clothing and if the ground is sloped, slippery to walk in. It is almost comical to watch someone try to navigate down a slippery slope after a recent rain. Many tactics have been used but they normally provide the same results - flailing of arms, feet upended, loud laughter by the observers and a bruised ego by the victim. I know you are wondering what this has to do with Proverbs? Everything!
Solomon describes the enticement of a strange woman in the verse above. Likewise, David describes a similar situation in Psalms 55:21 - The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords. We are often misled by the smooth talking of temptation. While the voice is soft and alluring, the intent is harmful. Notice the authors choice of adjectives: smoother than oil, smoother than butter and softer than oil. Each of these descriptions remind me of the wet, clay slope: slippery. Once you start down the slope, it is difficult, if not impossible, to return to safety. And so it is when we are misled by the kind, soft words of those with evil intent.
Jesus warns us of such people with evil intent in Matthew 7:15-20. And he sums it up in verse 20 - Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. So when you are enticed to follow someone down a slippery slope, carefully consider their fruit. Is this someone that you would be proud to be associated with? If not steer clear so that your slipping and sliding down the slope doesn't provide entertainment to the devil!
Proverbs 5:3
I grew up in Clay County, Alabama and the county has red clay throughout. While it is neat to view, nothing is more frustrating than trying to walk in the wet, slippery clay - it sticks to your boots, stains your clothing and if the ground is sloped, slippery to walk in. It is almost comical to watch someone try to navigate down a slippery slope after a recent rain. Many tactics have been used but they normally provide the same results - flailing of arms, feet upended, loud laughter by the observers and a bruised ego by the victim. I know you are wondering what this has to do with Proverbs? Everything!
Solomon describes the enticement of a strange woman in the verse above. Likewise, David describes a similar situation in Psalms 55:21 - The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords. We are often misled by the smooth talking of temptation. While the voice is soft and alluring, the intent is harmful. Notice the authors choice of adjectives: smoother than oil, smoother than butter and softer than oil. Each of these descriptions remind me of the wet, clay slope: slippery. Once you start down the slope, it is difficult, if not impossible, to return to safety. And so it is when we are misled by the kind, soft words of those with evil intent.
Jesus warns us of such people with evil intent in Matthew 7:15-20. And he sums it up in verse 20 - Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. So when you are enticed to follow someone down a slippery slope, carefully consider their fruit. Is this someone that you would be proud to be associated with? If not steer clear so that your slipping and sliding down the slope doesn't provide entertainment to the devil!
April 3, 2011
Parental Challenge
Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
Proverbs 4:1-2
While I enjoy reading Solomon's exhortations, occaisionally he challenges me personally as a parent. Do we give our children good doctrine?
Proverbs 4:1-2
While I enjoy reading Solomon's exhortations, occaisionally he challenges me personally as a parent. Do we give our children good doctrine?
Give And Receive
Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
Proverbs 3:9-10
Too often, we get our priorities reversed. We often pray asking for something from God. Yet we fail to give him anything. No gifts of time, money or effort are given to our Master, yet we expect to receive another blessing from Him. Solomon clearly lays out the process above. If you want to receive, you must give.
What have you given to God lately? Have you been too rushed to visit with Him? Have finances been to tight to give back to Him through others? Have you ignored opportunities to help others? Have you used your talents to glorify Him? We often think that money is the only answer to worshiping Him, but He deserves glorification in all that we do, not just our wealth.
Our prayers of assistance are not limited to just financial blessings. And neither should our gifts to Him be limited to financial gifts, either. Allow Him to be Lord of all phases of your life and worship Him in all areas. The blessings you will receive will exceed anything you can imagine!
Proverbs 3:9-10
Too often, we get our priorities reversed. We often pray asking for something from God. Yet we fail to give him anything. No gifts of time, money or effort are given to our Master, yet we expect to receive another blessing from Him. Solomon clearly lays out the process above. If you want to receive, you must give.
What have you given to God lately? Have you been too rushed to visit with Him? Have finances been to tight to give back to Him through others? Have you ignored opportunities to help others? Have you used your talents to glorify Him? We often think that money is the only answer to worshiping Him, but He deserves glorification in all that we do, not just our wealth.
Our prayers of assistance are not limited to just financial blessings. And neither should our gifts to Him be limited to financial gifts, either. Allow Him to be Lord of all phases of your life and worship Him in all areas. The blessings you will receive will exceed anything you can imagine!
April 2, 2011
Catastrophy Insurance
When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:
Proverbs 2:10-11
We buy insurance for many things. From home and auto to personal property to body parts to weather, there is an insurance policy for almost any imaginable event. However, the insurance poilicy does not prevent the occurence. Just because you have auto insurance does not mean you will not have an accident. If just means that you will be compnesated.
However, Solomon promises a prevention insurance - one of its kind. He assures us that we will be protected if we pay the premiums of allowing wisdom and knowledge to dwell within us. While the premium doesn't seem too steep, the payments are difficult to pay. For wisdom and knowledge can not reside where there is foolishness and pride. No matter how hard you plead, they won't stick around.
Are your premiums paid up? Do you have assurance for today? If not, seek Him who can grant the policy! Commit your life to Him and he will save you in more ways than one!
Proverbs 2:10-11
We buy insurance for many things. From home and auto to personal property to body parts to weather, there is an insurance policy for almost any imaginable event. However, the insurance poilicy does not prevent the occurence. Just because you have auto insurance does not mean you will not have an accident. If just means that you will be compnesated.
However, Solomon promises a prevention insurance - one of its kind. He assures us that we will be protected if we pay the premiums of allowing wisdom and knowledge to dwell within us. While the premium doesn't seem too steep, the payments are difficult to pay. For wisdom and knowledge can not reside where there is foolishness and pride. No matter how hard you plead, they won't stick around.
Are your premiums paid up? Do you have assurance for today? If not, seek Him who can grant the policy! Commit your life to Him and he will save you in more ways than one!
April 1, 2011
Foolish Foolin' Around
And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.
Proverbs 1:18
Today is celebrated as April Fool's Day around the world with people going to great lengths to trick others. Unfortunately, Solomon was not joking when he wrote the verse above. People become so enthralled with the thrill of taking advantage of others they fail to see the damage to their own lives. As we have seen, his words come true much too often to those we know. They become consumed with besting another that they end up the loser themselves.
Isn't the same true when we try to live our own life without following God's guidance? We think we know better, only to find out in the end that we didn't? We try to become rich only to become poorer? And, of course, we try to become glamorous and only become hilarious. Such is the way when we try to do things on our own.
David's advice rings true still today: Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. (Psalm 37:4-5) So let's stop fooling our selves by foolin' around and remain focused on who can grant us the desires of our heart.
Proverbs 1:18
Today is celebrated as April Fool's Day around the world with people going to great lengths to trick others. Unfortunately, Solomon was not joking when he wrote the verse above. People become so enthralled with the thrill of taking advantage of others they fail to see the damage to their own lives. As we have seen, his words come true much too often to those we know. They become consumed with besting another that they end up the loser themselves.
Isn't the same true when we try to live our own life without following God's guidance? We think we know better, only to find out in the end that we didn't? We try to become rich only to become poorer? And, of course, we try to become glamorous and only become hilarious. Such is the way when we try to do things on our own.
David's advice rings true still today: Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. (Psalm 37:4-5) So let's stop fooling our selves by foolin' around and remain focused on who can grant us the desires of our heart.
March 31, 2011
Amazing Grace
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Proverbs 31:31
Proverbs 31 is well known as the chapter of praise for the virtuous woman. I, like many others, adore my wife and the lofty verses bring a fond smile as I listen to the graceful praise for a wonderful woman. While I wish I could write such poetic praise for my wife, I am content in knowing that she fully understands how appreciative I am of the blessing that God gave me when he granted me such a wonderful wife.
However, the book of Proverbs is ended with the sobering verse listed above. I often wonder how we would fare if we were rewarded with the fruit of our hands and how well our works would praise us? If we were given our just reward for our actual efforts, how well would we fare? The nagging thoughts of idle hands, mischievous acts, bitter words and wasted opportunities cause me to shudder just how pleasant my "reward" might be. If we had to rely solely on our efforts, I am afraid many of would be displeased and embarrassed by the results!
Luckily, we do not have rely on our efforts to make it to heaven! Paul so aptly describes how we achieve our rewards in Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Paul's acts before salvation would have never granted him a place in heaven but by God's grace, he was instrumental in writing a major portion of the New Testament. My favorite song, Amazing Grace, is a constant reminder that my admission to the glories of heaven having nothing to do with my efforts but rely solely on God's amazing grace.
For a stirring rendition of the song: Celtic Woman
Proverbs 31:31
Proverbs 31 is well known as the chapter of praise for the virtuous woman. I, like many others, adore my wife and the lofty verses bring a fond smile as I listen to the graceful praise for a wonderful woman. While I wish I could write such poetic praise for my wife, I am content in knowing that she fully understands how appreciative I am of the blessing that God gave me when he granted me such a wonderful wife.
However, the book of Proverbs is ended with the sobering verse listed above. I often wonder how we would fare if we were rewarded with the fruit of our hands and how well our works would praise us? If we were given our just reward for our actual efforts, how well would we fare? The nagging thoughts of idle hands, mischievous acts, bitter words and wasted opportunities cause me to shudder just how pleasant my "reward" might be. If we had to rely solely on our efforts, I am afraid many of would be displeased and embarrassed by the results!
Luckily, we do not have rely on our efforts to make it to heaven! Paul so aptly describes how we achieve our rewards in Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Paul's acts before salvation would have never granted him a place in heaven but by God's grace, he was instrumental in writing a major portion of the New Testament. My favorite song, Amazing Grace, is a constant reminder that my admission to the glories of heaven having nothing to do with my efforts but rely solely on God's amazing grace.
For a stirring rendition of the song: Celtic Woman
March 30, 2011
Modern History
There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.
Proverbs 30:13
In today's world, technology seems to be advancing by leaps and bounds. Compare the size and capability of laptops or cell phones from just ten years ago. And try comparing them to the modern advances during your grandparents youthful days. It seems that items become obsolete before you can get home from the store with them.
But there is some things that never change. And human nature is one of them. While Agur wrote of these wretched actions 700 years before Christ's birth, they remain true today. No matter how many inventions and time saving tools we develop, we are still creatures with a terrible human nature. If you think long and hard about the situation, it is enough to depress you.
However, something else remains the same as well. John 3:16 remains true today as the day it was written. No greater love has ever been demonstrated and his amazing grace is just as powerful today as the Day of Atonement. Rather than being subdued by the awful human nature that persists, be thankful for a love that will last for eternity!
Proverbs 30:13
In today's world, technology seems to be advancing by leaps and bounds. Compare the size and capability of laptops or cell phones from just ten years ago. And try comparing them to the modern advances during your grandparents youthful days. It seems that items become obsolete before you can get home from the store with them.
But there is some things that never change. And human nature is one of them. While Agur wrote of these wretched actions 700 years before Christ's birth, they remain true today. No matter how many inventions and time saving tools we develop, we are still creatures with a terrible human nature. If you think long and hard about the situation, it is enough to depress you.
However, something else remains the same as well. John 3:16 remains true today as the day it was written. No greater love has ever been demonstrated and his amazing grace is just as powerful today as the Day of Atonement. Rather than being subdued by the awful human nature that persists, be thankful for a love that will last for eternity!
March 29, 2011
Partners in Crime
Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.
Proverbs 29:24
Solomon aptly describes the feeling of someone who recognizes that he has partnered with a thief. I rarely doubt if the unknowing individual awakes in the morning with a resolution to perform a heinous crime. Rather, he is led down the slippery slope by enticements that have repercussions of which he is not aware.
Doesn't the same happen to us? While our "friends" don't convince us to rob a bank, they do convince to lower our guard against sin. Often, we are convinced that everyone is doing it and there is nothing wrong with.... a little gossip, taking advantage of others, taking something that doesn't belong to us, looking at things we shouldn't, and the list goes on and on. While the offenses rarely seem aggregious at first and rarely does anyone get hurt initially, the final toll on our hearts are beyond measure. Only after the sin has matured do we fully realize the true impact of our actions.
David clearly felt similarly threatened in Psalms 140. In Psalm 140:4 he recognizes the risk: Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings. But unlike us in many situations, he also recognizes his protection in Psalm 140:8 - Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah.
Do you feel tempted today? If so, follow David's example in Psalm 140 and seek the strength to resist from the One who is always able to protect us from becoming partners in crime!
Proverbs 29:24
Solomon aptly describes the feeling of someone who recognizes that he has partnered with a thief. I rarely doubt if the unknowing individual awakes in the morning with a resolution to perform a heinous crime. Rather, he is led down the slippery slope by enticements that have repercussions of which he is not aware.
Doesn't the same happen to us? While our "friends" don't convince us to rob a bank, they do convince to lower our guard against sin. Often, we are convinced that everyone is doing it and there is nothing wrong with.... a little gossip, taking advantage of others, taking something that doesn't belong to us, looking at things we shouldn't, and the list goes on and on. While the offenses rarely seem aggregious at first and rarely does anyone get hurt initially, the final toll on our hearts are beyond measure. Only after the sin has matured do we fully realize the true impact of our actions.
David clearly felt similarly threatened in Psalms 140. In Psalm 140:4 he recognizes the risk: Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings. But unlike us in many situations, he also recognizes his protection in Psalm 140:8 - Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah.
Do you feel tempted today? If so, follow David's example in Psalm 140 and seek the strength to resist from the One who is always able to protect us from becoming partners in crime!
