Bragging On Jesus

Proverbs in 365 Devotions

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Proverbs 12:8 A man is commended according to his good sense, but one of twisted mind is despised.

Twisted Synapse

R Aylor

Today Solomon is talking about good sense verses bad sense. Good sense leads to praise and compliments but bad sense leads us on a road that twist's our mind and distorts our conscious and we become more and more jaded the longer we travel on that path. Solomon says this person is despised by others.


In this devotion I will be using some information I pulled from the Internet… so even though it is believable and can be used as an illustration… I just wanted to be up front with that little fact… Ok, lets get to it…

Here are some wise words from few children that started out with the possibility to learn some good sense:


1. “Never trust a dog to watch your food.”


2. "Wear a hat when feeding seagulls."


3. “Never tell your mom her diet’s not working.”


4. "Never spit when on a roller coaster."


5. “Never hold a dust buster and a cat at the same time.”

Some of these children or children like them apparently strayed from the path of good sense along the way and grew up to be legislators who passed these next laws which, at least now… looking back seem lacking in good sense:


1. In Britain eating mince pies on Christmas is banned.


2. In Vermont, women must obtain written permission from their husbands to wear false teeth.


3. In Germany it is illegal to wear a mask.


4. In Ohio, it is against state law to get a fish drunk.


5. In Alaska it's illegal to get as drunk as a fish

Remember our text:

Proverbs 12:8 A man is commended according to his good sense, but one of twisted mind is despised.

The favorite Dr. Seuss children’s book “How the Grinch stole Christmas” tells the story of this proverb well.

The Grinch was not commended or praised or thought of well by the Who’s in Whosville was he? He planned and schemed with devious intention and his twisted mind and heart had a purposeful objective to ruin Christmas for the whole town… and as our proverb indicates, he was one despised man.



In the real world under the cloak of children’s stories and poppycock laws we see the real culprit. In our depravity we find our sense is linked with chains to our Sin. Like earthquakes and volcanoes change the course of rivers, our sin changes the synapse of our mind. We become more twisted the longer we travel this path. And yet, we cannot change course on our own. We are all distorted by our sin. Like Chinese thumb cuffs, the more we try to escape the tighter sins grip on our life. A person cannot dig themselves out of a hole.

Thanks be to Jesus who never sinned, died and then defeated death and offers us victory over sin and life after death forever. He gives his righteousness to all who look to him.

In John 6:40 Jesus said: For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

Proverbs in 365 Devotions


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Proverbs 12:5 The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. 6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them. 7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand.

I Press On

R Aylor

These verses seem to be an overview of some of the things Solomon has been saying about righteousness and wickedness.

Solomon knew that wickedness offers its perks to the world. More money, more power, their personal vengeance's may be satisfied; they even may really enjoy planning and scheming all the way to their own grave.


So, sure they may sometimes seem successful, the scoreboard may show them having lot’s of points; and we may feel like its the fourth quarter and there is hardly a slim chance to win.

But even the man that God calls righteous is not able to pull off a win on his own because the good that is in him did can not be credited to himself but to God. So, in the end it is the righteousness of Christ that wins the day.

The Bible clearly shows us that a person who follows Christ at times may enjoy the thrill of victory, or even the agony of defeat as they walk in this broken world.

But the difference is that Believers walk by faith and not by sight. Satan wants us to walk how?… By sight. He wants us to keep moaning over our aches and pains and keep looking at the scoreboard. He wants us to see the other team as giants and to say there’s no way we can win this fight… He wants us to grumble all the way to our grave…

Who shall we trust for the win?

Philippians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

I love the way Philippians 3 talks about how God made us his own first… but that does not mean we are not intentional about running the race. Paul puts it beautifully:

Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

In Luke 18:27 Jesus said: …“What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

Thank you Father for this relationship we have with you where we were made righteous and given peace through your Son…. where we are being conformed to your righteousness practically and you stand ready to give us victory over sin every yard of the the way… at every down. And though we face giants and the field is rough we need never loose heart because you are faithful! You will be glorified on the earth and that’s what brings us joy. And thank you for one day raising us up incorruptible stand before you and with you forevermore!

Psalm 138:8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.

Proverbs in 365 Devotions

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Proverbs 12:3 No one is established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will never be moved.

Never Moved!

R Aylor

A healthy tree is considered to be established if it has good well nourished and deep roots.

Have you ever noticed how the general population can move their views on morals and truth based on what seems to be good for them at the time?

We sometimes see the poor support causes which give them less responsibility along with free housing and money. And many of these individuals have said over and over that they believe in accountability and people who can work should work for all their benefits… Their roots moved and so they followed suit.

Some of the rich who have worked hard much of their life and say they believe in justice and accountability manipulate those that their money can reach for their own purposes. They take advantage of peoples weaknesses… even the poor… They support and buy stock in global demoralizing companies… They make judgments on how to invest not based on righteousness but on greed. Like many of the poor, they support politicians who bring less accountability to their dealings.

Speaking of politicians… along with the press that supports each party. A great number of them change their views solely based on who’s in the White House. They denounce the very things they had supported earlier or vice versa.

You see, they all have their own agendas and they have no problem moving their stand at any given time based on what helps them reach their self centered goals.

Here’s our text again: Proverbs 12:3 No one is established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will never be moved.

Do you think the heroes of the faith in Hebrews chapter 11 moved their stand on truth. No! In closing let me read just a bit from this awesome chapter.


Hebrews 11:32 …For time would fail me to tell of Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness,  became mighty in war,  put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.



A man who is made righteous through faith in Christ would sooner be sawed in two than move from his stand for God's word of truth.

But even as these heroes of the faith did not receive the fullness of the promise before us who follow... We will all be made perfect in Jesus when we see him and his glory face to face.

1st John 3:2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

Proverbs in 365 Devotions

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Proverbs 12:2 A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of evil devices he condemns.

Approved

R Aylor

If this were the only verse we had ever read from God's word one might get the idea that righteousness is obtained by being good.

However, this verse rings true in two very specific but related ways.

It is 100% true that our righteousness is related to Gods favor; but only if the righteousness of Jesus has been first imputed to us, exchanging our guilt with his innocence.

We’ve talked about this before… it’s the Gospel and it should be a part of our everyday life… not just as Salvation… It’s threads make everything work in our life as we walk in the invisible Spiritual Kingdom of God… as it intersects with our physical lives since Jesus came down to this earth as a man and abides in us through the Spirit.

Our text says a good man obtains favor from the Lord… Jesus was a man… and only Jesus was a good man. We’ve also talked about how Jesus had favor with God. A voice from heaven confirmed that the Father was pleased with his Son Jesus at his Baptism and again at the Transfiguration as well as other places we mentioned. For more check out the devotion “With Whom He Is Pleased” https://www.braggingonjesus.com/with-whom-he-is-pleased

You see, we as believers become a good man, woman or child… and we obtain favor from the Lord because Jesus went to the cross and suffered for our sin.

2nd Corinthians 5:21 says: For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Secondly, after we have experienced Gods righteousness positionally, he motivates us to grow in his goodness practically. As he does this awesome work in us it quickens us in good works and we obtain his favor while he gets all the glory.

In a similar way the person who is from a positional standpoint wicked practically does evil things with his life. Oh, they may not be always bad for everyone… for example he may donate money to orphans… But he likely wants to get the glory for what he does… You see somewhere down deep in his soul his heart is tainted with sin and it infects everything he does practically.

But he cannot attain goodness or righteousness or Jesus or grace or mercy on his own… We all come to Christ the same way.

Ephesians 2:8 by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Pray

Hebrews 2:1 Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.

Closer Attention

c @ robin Aylor 12/22/2013

What does it mean to pay closer attention

To this news so inclined in the work of redemption

What angels declared and now we have heard

Never to drift but observe every word

If we neglect, this message so great

With delusion, retribution, will be no escape

Let Gods word bring our course, into correction

With each jot and tittle find detailed direction

Salvation so great, insured and attested

With treasures of joy and wonders are vested

Turn back, don’t drift, focus, align

Conform, rejoice, recenter your mind

Look out at His story, and all that's occurred

Then unpack Salvation, word by word

​

Proverbs in 365 Devotions

For more go to braggingonjesus.com

Proverbs 11:8 The righteous is delivered from trouble, and the wicked walks into it instead.

Delivered

R Aylor

So far in chapter 11 we have listen to Solomon give us some vastly contrasting truths regarding righteousness and wickedness… If we believe what he says it should not be even a question we should consider concerning which path in life we would walk.

He talks about things like:

righteousness keeps one on the path while wickedness brings down

integrity guides, crookedness destroys

Riches do not profit in day of wrath, righteousness delivers

hope dies along with the wicked… not so with righteous

uprightness brings exaltation wickedness brings overthrown

Again our text:

Proverbs 11:8 The righteous is delivered from trouble, and the wicked walks into it instead.

It doesn’t say the righteous will not see trouble; no, the righteous will see plenty. (2 Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to  live a godly life in Christ Jesus  will be persecuted, ) 

But it says, the righteous will be delivered. We have this promise interwoven throughout the 66 books of God’s word. It is clear and dramatically documented in Hebrews where while some faithful were raised from the dead, other faithful were sawn into; and yet God’s promise is clear. You see, one day we will be raised up incorruptible to be with him forever. No matter how dark things may seem we have this promise: Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Proverbs in 365 Devotions

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Proverbs 11:10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.

Here’s a poem I’m calling: The Day The Sun Came Out In Gotham City

Good deeds send a smile full of endorphins to my mind

A surge of energy and confidence shoot through my spine

In Gotham City the metropolis rejoices at unselfish deeds

Those in hiding without hope take heart and believe

Remember in Bagdad when the people sang

They pulled down the statue of Saddam Hussain

They had lived under tyranny, torture and pain

Then the city rejoiced when righteousness reigned

In every good story; books, movies, TV

When good wins out and captives go free

When oppressors are judged by a righteous King

The people are happy and we hear the birds sing

One day soon, we who are righteous in Christ

Made that way by his own sacrifice

Will be home in a city without sorrow or vice

In bright sunny elation, jubilation and life

Praise, love, adoration shall come forth from our tongue

Not a song of thanksgiving shall be left unsung

We will shout with joy at the top of our lungs

The city will rejoice even New Jerusalem!

Proverbs in 365 Devotions

For more go to braggingonjesus.com

Proverbs 11:7 When the wicked dies, his hope will perish, and the expectation of wealth perishes too.

Imperishable Hope

R Aylor

I don’t know if you’ve ever thought about this… but it seems strange to me how someone who is in the last years of their life… some even at deaths door… can still be obsessed with obtaining more riches or at the least guarding the little they have. We see this attitude every day among so many of the elderly. Maybe its because they have put it first place their whole life. Society has even supported them in this. “Make more money, get more stuff, buy more insurance, the best way to protect yourself from anything that comes your way is with money… get more… get more… get more…” They still value wealth over everything including their closest relationships.

In days gone by some would worship idols carved out of wood. They would pray to those idols and sacrifice to them hoping for blessing and fruitful crops. Money too is make of wood and people still put their hope in it for the few years they’re here on earth.

But, like our text says… when this person dies, their hope dies with them.

On the other hand, when a follower of Christ dies, the greatest portion of their hope begins coming into an unveiled reality. Though the Kingdom of God has begun in the heart at conversion, and a Christian has been granted spiritual graces and guarantees; there is so much more. We will be sharing in glory with him eternally. 

2nd Corinthians 4:16 says:

 "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."  

What a contrast to the person who's hope was never satisfied in this world and neither had any confident expectation in the life to come.

Proverbs in 365 Devotions

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Proverbs 11:6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust.

Righteousness Delivers

Robin Aylor

The definition of this word treacherous carries with it the ideal of deceit and betrayal… A backstabber… False heartedness… Consider someone like this. How can a person who hides in their deceptive shadows be overpowered? That is the way terrorists operate. They hide in civilian clothes and bunker down among the peoples… even around orphans and the elderly. Is there something that can overpower and subdue someone with such a wickedly way? Their deceptive nature is the strength of their treachery.

Could it be that their own sinful passions might eventually humble them to be servants themselves immobilized by the very things they hoped would deliver them?

Here's one of many possible timelines of this individual who clothes themselves as an upright citizen where you work or go to church… etc.: They are selfish and greedy and this causes them to be overbearing and deceitful toward others… One by one each of the relationships in their life suffers… They loose more and more trust among fellow workers on the job along with their boss… Their self centeredness severs relationships between their in-laws and then their own parents… it begins isolating their spouse and children and close family friends… When these are severed they have great despair. Sure, in their greed they took what was not theirs… They manipulated family, they stole at work, they took everything in the divorce… and now they are alone… and none of their stuff satisfies them in the least.

You know, we were made for relationships… to love God with our all and our neighbor as ourselves… to love family… The false promises our selfish lusts did not set us free as promised but took us captive. “the treacherous are taken captive by their lust.”

So far here in chapter 11 we have seen verses with this theme playing out… something like: righteousness delivers while sin enslaves.

But today's verse is even more specific… it says the righteousness of the upright delivers them.

Notice it refers to the upright as being upright before they did righteous things. That's right! We cannot do righteous thing in order to be upright… for one thing we started out in sin and so we can never be upright on our own. When we see Jesus as the greatest treasure and hope in him, we are made upright positionally through Jesus righteousness. Then his righteousness works in us as we grow in righteousness practically.

Philippians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Today, may we not believe in any of satan’s filthy stinking lies. They will take us captive… But our righteousness, our hope, our joy, our delight our deliverance, our peace, our all in all is in Jesus Christ our Lord!!!

​

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Thank You Lord Jesus for being all our righteousness, our hope, our joy, our delight our deliverance, our peace, our all in all!!!

Proverbs In 365 Devotions

For more go to braggingonjesus.com

Proverbs 11:5 The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight, but the wicked falls by his own wickedness. 

Wicked Irony

R Aylor

Can you see the irony in this proverb?

It is the very sin which promises fulfillment that envelops the wicked. The sin that pledges happiness brings depression; the sins that promise life bring sickness, dread and death.

Yes, the wicked person wants life and happiness and pleasure for sure. The only thing is that he wants his own version of what he thinks these things are… and he wants to obtain them by his own plans.

Oh the joys of his daily sins that will give him all his hearts desires. They promise pleasure, power and riches… enough riches to buy anything else he desires… even health and long life… He hopes… at least; for these kinds of things down deep in his heart.

Our text says the wicked falls by his own wickedness. Sure, it only takes one sin to taint a mans soul… But that one sin is not satisfied with a single prick on the soul. And the sin taunts the man and pesters him till he gives in again. Soon the person is caught up in a sin and that sin leads to other sins and the more they sin the more they need to fill the craving void it leaves.

Its like scratching an itch even after it begins to bleed and to continue to score it just to satisfy the craving. Sin breeds more and more sin, rotting the body and all the while we still call her our sweet friend.

Its like taking a bath in the hot dirty waters of wickedness; and as our bodies become used to the heat we have to continually add wickedly hotter water until we are bathing in sins deadly flames and don't realize the extent of it. 

As we spoke of earlier the wicked want delight and pleasure and happiness… They want to save their life but they want to do it their own way.

Its interesting how Jesus talks about those who seek to save their life.

Luke 9:24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?

Throughout Proverbs we see this principal played out in how the righteous man is kind to others and receives a blessing himself while the wicked seeks blessings for himself and it ends in destruction.

Even in relating to salvation we can see how a person might be so obsessed with salvation of their own soul from hell that they never see the beauty of Jesus… they never rejoice in him for who he is. They don’t delight in his glory, they don’t see how he is good news for their soul, they don’t ponder him on their bed and rejoice in all he has done… they don’t rejoice in him for the future although there may be unknowns around every corner.

I know it may seem like we got a little off track from todays text but I still think we have stayed pretty close.

Let me reread it: 5 The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight, but the wicked falls by his own wickedness. 

We spoke mainly about the wicked who seek happiness by their own devices and they fail miserably… but the person who is blameless in Christ righteousness is lead by his Spirit… And he is one who loves God and his neighbor and is not obsessed with self…. and yet he is the one who finds life and all the joys of God.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.