Bragging On Jesus

Proverbs in 365 Devotions

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Proverbs 18:1 Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.

Don't Hide With Reclusive Pride

R Aylor

Can it be prideful for someone to withdraw or isolate themselves from others? According to this verse it can. Whether we put ourselves in the spotlight to make ourselves look good or withdraw from the spotlight to keep from looking bad… either way it is all about us. When it is all about us our world view is going to be distorted. When a believer has this kind of solitary lone wolf vanity they hurt themselves as well as the kingdom of God.

Those with reclusive pride refuse to participate in small groups or other functions that involve fellowship with other believers because of how they might be perceived as socially inept. You see their spotlight is on themselves when it should be on loving the Lord with their all and their neighbor as themselves.

They refuse to step up and serve in the church through visitation or help with children’s ministries for similar reasons. It’s too risky for them to put themselves out there and try or even help someone teach a sunday-school class. They do not want to be seen as a failure.

These are all symptoms of pride.

King Saul was a prideful man for a good portion of his life. However it could be that even at the beginning his pride was concealed in feelings of inadequacy.

A good while after Saul's anointing to be king, Samuel called the 12 tribes of Israel together to proclaim publicly that Saul would become King but no one could find him.

1 Samuel 10:22 So they inquired again of the Lord, “Is there a man still to come?” and the Lord said, “Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.” 23 Then they ran and took him from there. And when he stood among the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward.

This may be an example of reclusive pride at the beginning of Saul's rule. Saul may have been so afraid of being perceived as a failure that he isolated himself. Reclusive pride can sometimes be misinterpreted as meekness and humility but it is another animal all together. As Saul settled into the kingship and realized the power and authority he had and that whatever he did or said could not be opposed without repercussions… his possible pride of withdraw switched into arrogant pride which led to his removal from being king.

Pray

Proverbs in 365 Devotions

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Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.

The Dice Will Glorify God

Robin Aylor

Is life on earth a happenstance; an accident… a fluke… a coincidence what?… Did it evolve from a big bang that stemmed from nothingness? Were we born on the continents and in the nations and towns and households to parents all by accident or is there a Mater plan far above our ability to fully comprehend that comes from o good and just Creator?

Many in the world believe in a God… a Creator even… some think that after creation that he stepped back and just left us alone preceding to do whatever he does. Some may believe the earth was a failed experiment by God. Others believe the Creator just doesn’t care about the earth, others say he is dead.

The Bible teaches us that God loves us more than we can imagine… So much that he gave his only Son and whoever delights in him as good news with joy is given life.

We don't deserve it so we can't understand it right?

Gods plan is seen throughout the pages of his word.

In Acts 17:26 the Apostle Paul says: And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,

Though at times it may seem like from our circumstances and limited knowledge that God rolled the dice with the world and mankind; the truth is that he determined beforehand how that every which way the dice would fall will bring him glory forever.

Philippians 2 talks about how God in human form willingly died on the cross being paid the wages for our sin… he loved us that much:

Philippians 2:9 says: Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Yes on that great day God will be glorified in some context by every person that has ever lived.

Even though the Bible tells us how God is slow to anger and is not willing that anyone should perish, He is still God… He is still a just Judge and he will be glorified.

Father God, I pray along with other believers that people from every Nation will kneel before you now and glorify you by having faith in Jesus instead of glorifying you in judgment when it is too late for them to delight in your mercy.

Proverbs In 365 Devotions

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Proverbs 16:26 A worker’s appetite works for him; his mouth urges him on. 

Hunger That Urges Us On

Robin Aylor

Starvation is of course a horrible thing in many parts of the world. Many places have little food to eat. However, today’s text shows us a context in which being hungry can actually be a good thing. Our cravings for food can keep us from getting lazy and weak and feeble because if we want to eat it is only proper and right that we get a job that provides income so we can buy food and satisfy our appetite. 

However; for mankind who is made in the image of God there is an appetite that no food can satisfy. This yearning is known as Spiritual hunger. CS Lewis said: “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”

Spiritual starvation is of course a horrible thing throughout the world. Many places have little or no access to Gods word. But a hunger for spiritual things is actually a very good thing. Jesus said “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”(Matthew 5:6) 

If we quit eating food we would quickly get feeble and ill and die… Even so, spiritual hunger keeps us from spiritual feebleness, sickness and death. If we have a longing or craving for God we are driven to seek after him. We must come to him. Our appetite demands it. Psalm 42:1 As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.

If you have an appetite for God it is because he gave you these new taste buds.

Psalm 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! …

Psalm 119:103  How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Psalm 63:5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, 6 when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; 

I would like to re-read our verse for today and then give a spiritual paraphrase.

26 A worker’s appetite works for him; his mouth urges him on.

A believers spiritual appetite works for him. his new affections for Christ urges him on.

Pray

Proverbs in 365 Devotions

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Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. 

At Our Core

R Aylor

What is that way that seems right?… It’s my way… Frank Sinatra and Elvis both sang about it… We learn early on how to get our own way… don’t we? And most of us pursue our own way all the way to our own demise. We learn right out of the womb that when we cried our Mother picked us up… and when we cried again she would feed us… so we keep doing what works and it just progressed from there. Even as adults when there are times we might not be immediately getting our way, even then we are weighing the consequences of how we can still get our way by taking some other route.

So how do human beings discern what is the right path for their life?

Clearly it depends on what is at our core. It’s what drives us… what gets us out of bed in the morning and keeps us going…

As stated, it starts the same for all men. It’s our attraction to getting our own selfish way and it clouds our judgment covering us layer after layer of darkness to truth. A man walking in darkness will naturally walk off the edge of a cliff and rationalize his sin all the way to the bottom.

It’s actually an obsession to glorify ourselves instead of our Creator and this consuming passion twists and influences how we process information for forming all kinds of opinions; our claims of truth, what we dwell on and so many of our daily decisions that keep us heading right for that cliff.

But many of our perspectives, interpretations and decisions are actually symptoms of what lays at our core. 

At our core, we are actually born out of fellowship with God. Jesus infers this to Nicodemus that since we are all born like out of Gods fellowship we are dead Spiritually.

The parallel analogy is that when our own Spirit leaves our body we are dead physically and so it stands to reason that when the Spirit of God is not in us we are dead Spiritually.

Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be born again and then he explains the invisible Spiritual kingdom of God to him.

You see Gods Spirit is what quickens and moves Believers. We used to be motivated to seek our own glory and we thought that would make us happy… That was Lucifers sin which caused him to be cast out of heaven and that was the same sin he tempted Eve with… to be like God. But Gods Spirit in us now motivates us to glorify God and thats what brings us true joy now.

What is it for you? Will you live like the song proudly says “I did it my way” What motivates you from day to day in your life?

I’ll close by reading todays text again: 25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

Pray

Proverbs in 365 Devotions

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Proverbs 13:5 The righteous hates falsehood, but the wicked brings shame and disgrace. 6 Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless, but sin overthrows the wicked.

Righteous Rabbit Hole

What do you take with you when you leave your home?

Your money, your clothes? Don’t forget your smart phone!

Theres something else that we take each day…

A heart that’s synced up to the words we say.

A heart thats connected to all that we do,

Its the charge that we take, it’s our own world view

What are you takin? What are you givin?

Tell me your vision, What is your mission?

What are you makin? Who are you kissing?

What’s your ambition, your reason for livin?

What are you breakin? To whom do you listen?

And for what are you wishing? Whats your treasure that glistens?

Someone once said “never hate”, they must have loved the food they ate

I say hate lies… abhor and despise vinegar, onion and peanut butter pickle pies

Falsehood wears a mask to hide his true face

But what he loves pops up in clouds above his head

Early repentance may have kept him from shameful disgrace

But he keeps running the race for himself instead.

You may think I’ve chased a rabbit, there he goes again… hear me out

Theres a few questions I’d like to ask you about

Did you know Gods way of counting… is miracle math?

Did you know hearts can actually walk… on two different paths?

Or the Invisible Spiritual Kingdom of God intersects one road?

It flows up and down, it guards young and old

From being cursed by sin and turned into a toad

Did you know gravity there is so small that it lightens our load

Or that the wicked heart walks the path that sin corrodes

Where souls are condemned and bombs explode

So listen to the rabbit who popped back up from the same hole

He says: remember righteousness guards and sin overthrows

Proverbs in 365 Devotions

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Proverbs 16:23 The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips. 24 Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

Hitler's Wisdom

R Aylor

Is there such a thing as a type of wisdom that is not godly… but of this world? I believe there is.

James 3 talks about people with hearts of jealousy and selfish ambition and in verse 15 he says this: James 3:15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

Consider Adolf Hitler… Was he a wise man? He was judicious and persuasive… that's pretty clear… He formulated his thoughts and words to make his personal goals for Germany make perfect sense to the hearers. His oration and articulation flowed building argument on top of argument creating a case that supported itself. He also spoke passionately about what he believed which could be seen in his body language and heard in his voice inflection.

He seemed wise in other ways; for example when he learned that if he appealed to the youth it would benefit his cause for years to come and so he pursued that course. 

With all Hitlers judicious and persuasive speech for a time it appeared as though all he did was for Germany and many people trusted his words.

But consider this: all these tactics of Hitlers were morally neutral. 

Make a goal, make a case and then use persuasive speech. These same strategies are used by successful organizations around the world to move people toward supporting their goals. 

These are ethically unbiased in themselves… they can be used for good or evil.

It’s the heart of man that determines whether utilizing these tools moves us with God glorifying or self seeking wisdom.

Hitler’s wisdom is seen as earthly wisdom because of his own pride. This one deviation shows mans wisdom as utter foolishness.

Pride is self glorification and it always guarantees failure.

In closing let me read verse 24 again:

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

Christians have received Gods clear judicious words in the Gospel. He persuaded us by showing us his grace and beauty in Jesus. We humbled ourselves and looked to him in joyful faith. We now share these gracious words with others. These are gracious words to people who are living in despair because of sin and all it brings.

If can articulate a good case for this good news we bring… We can demonstrate that we’re not talking fairy tales but rather all we say makes perfect sense. We don’t speak with a sanctimonious holier than thou attitude or with condemning words but rather with love and passion about the grace of God through Jesus. For those who’s hearts God opens to hear these words of grace it will be the best thing they have ever heard. Good news, beautiful, pure delight bringing eternal sweetness to the soul and health to the body especially when he raises us up incorruptible to be with him as he was raised up.

Proverbs in 365 Devotions

For more go to braggingonjesus.com

Proverbs 15:22 Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.

Counsel Outside Of Broken Self

R Aylor

We all make plans everyday… we go to bed at night with plans to get up… we have preexisting plans to shower, get ready and go to work and then to come home and do it all over again. All these plans have been tried and found to be good. We have the counsel of the history of mankind to support what we do every day and we have followed their lead with good results. But what about everything else that lies in between those plans? You see there are other choices every day where we much discern if and how we should face our dreams… What are our goals and what plan should we follow to accomplish them?

As I read today's text again I think what might have been going through Solomon's mind as he wrote them… What plans are you thinking of Solomon?

As a king he might have been thinking about how one should get counsel before committing to war. In Proverbs 20:18 he says: Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war. So he had clearly at some point thought about war and counsel.

But maybe what was going through his mind was the plans and counsel that went into his building of a Temple for the Lord. Where would he get the artists and craftsmen? How many would he need? How long would it take? His father David had also thought about this Temple and had made many provisions so these plans were not just Solomon's but Davids as well. So we could say these were not spontaneous ideas that just popped into Solomon's mind… No! he thought long and hard about how all this would come together.

We should even point out that the council of these plans came from the greatest Counselor in the Universe… God himself because he provided the specifics of the Temple with its houses, treasuries, upper rooms… its inner chambers, and the room for the mercy seat; he decided what what was to be gold and what was to be silver… God had given its design and the blueprint plans to King David. The Temple was of course an amazing success for the glory of God.

But you know, being the wisest man in the world, Solomon knew the value of not just listening to your own heart like Jeremiah 17:9 says that it “…is deceitful above all things…” .

Solomon says he received counsel from his own father and he wants his sons to receive his also.

Proverbs 4:1 Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, 2 for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching. 3 When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, 4 he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live.

And so good counsel should flow from not only trusted godly friends which I think is common sense but from father to son and so on.

But remember the rook of all good counsel comes from God.

In Proverbs 2:6 Solomon said: For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

Pray

Proverbs in 365 Devotions

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Proverbs 15:21 Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.

The Man Who Left The Path

R Aylor

Let’s see… In this verse we have one man who is walking straight ahead… We don’t know much about him except that he is a man of understanding and he is not distracted by the things along his path. He does not turn to the side and follow a trail that leads him away from what he is walking toward. There is something he understands about walking this path… maybe he has learned some hard lessons from experience or it could be that his own father taught him how to walk through this jungle of life.

The other person in the proverb is a man who lacks sense. It is implied that he is not like the man of understanding and so he does not walk straight ahead.

This one looks down a curving side path and sees a brightly colored fruit hanging over the trail that he thinks he can reach. Then up ahead there is a monkey that swings down along another byway that is laden with amazing thick vines that come from the ground and latch onto the trees. The vines go up and down and sideways… it is quite a sight to behold. The man looks up in the trees at three or four monkeys and says: “this has been quite an adventure”.

Well… his belly begins to ache most likely from the poisonous fruit he had eaten earlier and so he lays down to fall asleep on one of the humongous poison ivy vines that is laying at just the right angle to make him a good bed. Ah, that's nice he thinks… and falls asleep.

Many hours later… Sometime in the night the man awakens sick and throwing up and surrounded by a plethora of eyes and the sound of monkeys as they preformed a final war dance for the man who left the path.

This proverb is a bit like a parable. We could read a lot of other things into it that the writer does not intend… But knowing Solomon and the things we have read so far we can be sure of his intent. Solomon wanted his sons to be men of wisdom, understanding and knowledge… Men who walked that path and did not turn from it… Solomon does not even try to compare the joys of the foolish person with that of a man of understanding I suspect because he could not do it justice… But the joys of the many follies of the man who lacks sense will lead them to death while the man of understanding not only has joys in this life but he has a even greater hope at the end of the trail he walks.

Matthew 25:21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

Pray

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Proverbs in 365 Devotions

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Proverbs 15:20 A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

A Glad Father

R Aylor

You know… wisdom and foolishness have something in common… They both affect the lives of others don’t they?

Growing up I can remember a few times my foolishness made an angry father… and also my foolishness was witness to prove the fact that I disrespected my mother.

If we have stray from good teachings of our parents which also conflict with the laws of the land… There are systems in place where governments hope to execute justice.

I read a paper where a number of male criminals in prison were given an opportunity to write a card to their mothers on Mothers Day and also their fathers on Fathers Day… a great percentage wrote to their mothers but few if any to their fathers.. Why is that?

Could it be that no matter what kind of father they had; even if their Dad was a failure to them they know they too are a disappointment to to their father… they did not make wise choices and have not made them glad.

And possibly they overwhelmingly wrote to their mothers because they are accepted by them with love… (mothers are great that way)… and they love their mothers but still they know they have despised them and forsook their teachings and all the good hopes they had for them in life. And so many mothers just won’t give up… they will leave no child behind… I think that is awesome!

Truth is none of us have been perfect sons and daughters… We all have been foolish, disobedient and selfish children.

And not only that but we have despised and forsook our Father in heaven… Our Creator who created us for joy and righteousness and good works... He created us for his glory and wants good for us in all things.

He is a just God and we will all stand in his court to be judged for whether we despised him or made him a glad Father.

Of course… we all despised him and went our own way… We deserve something worse than prison… we deserve a horrible spiritual death. The Bible says the wages of sin is death.

But there is some amazing news! God promised he would send his own Son to take the judgement for us. And he would impute his righteousness into all who would delight in him. Jesus was paid the wages of our sin and then he defeated death itself by rising from he grave. One day he will raise all who rest in him incorruptible forever… But until that day… while here on earth he gives us the same power that raised him from the grave to be victorious over sin in this world… We now not only make our Father in heaven glad but we can honor our earthly father and mother as God intended.

Pray

Teach Us How To Love RA(Song) by Podcast startup by Robin Aylor