Bragging On Jesus

Proverbs in 365 Devotions

For more go to braggingonjesus.com

Proverbs 9:4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks sense she says, 5 “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. 6 Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight.”

Simpleton Me

R Aylor

Throughout the Old Testament we find what are known as "Types" which prefigure Christ in the New Testament. Solomon has made out Wisdom as a character in Proverbs in which Jesus can be inserted within its place quite often with doctrinal integrity.



Here are a few:


1. Wisdom calls those who lack sense to leave their simple ways and turn toward her. (Jesus calls sinners to turn away from their sin and toward him. Luke 5:32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”)



2. In our Proverbs text, Wisdom invites us to eat and drink. Jesus invites us to eat and drink.

Matthew 5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

John 6:35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

3. Wisdom communicates to us that the table is set; the work is done. (We saw that in the previous passage and devotion.) Gods word teaches us that every good work is complete and the perfect sacrifice needed for righteousness has been given by Jesus. It is finished. Our feasting and fellowship with God in Spirit and Truth may commence. Come.

John 19:30 says: When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.



Are you a simpleton? Then you may come to Wisdom. Do you hunger and thirst? Then you may eat her bread and drink of her wine. Do you lack an in-depth understanding and your purpose in life? Then come to Wisdom; yes, rather come to Jesus and live.



Again Jesus calls in Matthew 11:28: Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Pray

​

Proverbs in 365 Devotions

For more go to braggingonjesus.com

Proverbs 9:1 Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. 2 She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. 3 She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town,

Family, Fellowship & Road Kill

R Aylor

There is nothing like gathering together for food and fellowship to break down walls, establish relationships, binding one another together with a common bond.

But; what if you you were invited to a backyard BBQ with steaks, hotdogs and the works thinking the meal was ready and they had not even started the grill? In fact, they had to go get charcoal from the store; then they had to return because they didn't have something else, the table was not set, they were still missing condiments and they served pond water for drinks and the food… Oh my, the food was even worse. Instead of steaks and hotdogs they served BBQ road kill!!

Not so with Wisdom. She has fully prepared herself for you and I so that we may eat at her table. There is nothing left to do before we sit down in fellowship and feast together. Wisdom says there is no need to wait… she is ready for you… come now… She has built what I envision as a magnificent palace on a large rock solid foundation so we could meet and spend forever feasting with her. There is meat and wine overflowing for celebration of all things good and true for God's exaltation; and the table is set.

Her young women have already been sent out to call us to come even now. We have been graciously and specifically called and we are 100% responsible to respond. Wisdom has sent a Rolls Royce to pick us up and escort us to her.

Like Wisdom, the bible says the Lord calls… In Revelation 3 Jesus said: 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

Revelation 19:6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”

Pray

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;

Proverbs in 365 Devotions

For more go to braggingonjesus.com

Proverbs 8:12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.

It Really Is All About Who You Know

R Aylor

Continuing with her resume, Wisdom opens up to give us a background report on herself by telling us who she lives with and even runs around with.

You know, we tend to find a way to spend time with those we have the most in common with… at least in relation to those things that mean the most to us. For example, musicians hang out together, basketball players run in their same circles, cyclists ride in packs, and Trekkie's congregate at sci-fi conventions all because of their common interests.

That's why Christians from all walks of life and with various incomes and social status meet together weekly for worship and fellowship. They share something in common that's important to them and that bridges every gap that all other shared interests in life cant.


If we have an interest… a yearning or desire… if we have a heart to seek for wisdom and find her, we will also have the opportunity to spend lots of time with prudence who will teach us to thoughtfully think ahead before we make rash decisions. We will also be introduced to knowledge which works well with Wisdom and Prudence. It will be our great honor to shake hands with Discretion who can teach us the art of knowing how and when to communicate truth, love and wisdom so that it will be honoring to God.

So... seek to know Wisdom. Her resume is open and honest and speaks for itself. She will introduce you to many others of great importance; because… it really is all about who you know.

That being said, I hope you have met Jesus who is better than everything.

Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Proverbs in 365 Devotions

For more go to braggingonjesus.com

Proverbs 8:10-11 Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, 11 for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.

What's Better Than A Booming Economy?

Robin Aylor

So Wisdom is continuing to write her resume. She says she is worth more than all you might desire!

Have you ever thought about how much wisdom is really worth to you. What do you treasure the most in life?

 

Not sure? It will possibly be easily discovered in what you desire for those individuals you love the most. That person may be yourself or someone else. Consider for example someone you love dearly. Let's say you have a son; and you have the power to give him only one of two life treasure packages:

Package number one: great intellect, social status, riches to his hearts desire, a long healthy life... Your son would be successful by all known worldly definitions... and then here's the possible deal breaker, he would have a 50% chance of being extremely self-centered all his days.

Or, package number two: a fifth grade education, much poverty, various bouts of sickness, an early death… say 45, but all his days he would have integrity and self sacrificing love for others. A young man who sincerely searches for truth and purpose and loves his neighbor.

So... which would you choose?

Are your treasures beginning to surface yet? Yes, we all have tendencies to compromise toward sin, even to those we love.

What would be your treasure concerning the country you live in? If you were able to pick the next president or ruler and your decision would change the course of History? What would be your choice from these two options: either a leader that would influence the country to a great economy but lead it further from the truth of God; or, a president who would usher in a poorer economy but impact the country toward delighting in Jesus and worshiping God more than has been in many years?

These questions may help us to look at ourselves, our motives and character to tell if we're daily allowing God to mold our wills as we look to Jesus as our great treasure.

Proverbs in 365 Devotions

For more go to braggingonjesus.com

Mr. Wiseheart & Mr. Lacks-sense

Daniel Castor

Once upon a time in the little town of Life-Lessons lived two men, Mr. Wiseheart and Mr. Lacks-sense. The two men lived on the same side of town, in the same neighborhood on the the exact same street. But these two neighbors where as different as different could be. Mr. Wiseheart seemed to live a somewhat boring life. He was always being very carful and cautions with his time, his money and the company he kept. He considered all that he had as a gift from God and he intended to be a good steward of all that he had been given.

This was quite annoying to Mr. Lack-Sense. He thought, Why is my neighbor such a stick in the mud. He is always working hard and . Doesn’t he know how to enjoy life. I could teach him a thing or two. Mr. Lack-Sense had a berry different outlook on life. Everything he had was his own. His time, his money, even his his wife and family, all belonged to him and he was going to enjoy all that he had whenever he wanted. So he spent his money, He used up his time, and he wore out on his family on many worthless pursuits. Until one day when the little town of Life-Lessons went through a terrible recession. Work slowed down and People started loosing their jobs as times got very hard.

Mr. Lack-Sense and the whole Lack-Sense family felt the effects of the recession immediately. Things where not as fun as they use to be. The money was all gone, and now his time was all spent in sorrow and sadness, and he had brought his family along with him. He had brought trouble into his own home and had nothing left to his name.

Mr. Wiseheart’s story turned out a bit different. The recession hit him as well but he had saved and invested him time and money well. He and his family where able to whether the time or trouble. Mr. Lack-Sense was so desperate that he eventually came to me wise heat and ask for a job.

Mr. Wiseheart was happy to help him out and put him to work right away. But for Mr. LackSnes this only added to his shame and sorrow.

Proverbs 11:29 Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.

​

Proverbs in 365 Devotions

For more go to braggingonjesus.com

Proverbs 12:20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy.

Two Of Mans Favorite Delights

Here we see two types of individuals with opposing plans. One plans his way to the top at his job or with his friends by lying his and and double dealing and hoodwinking deceit.

The other plans peace… both peace with his God and fellow man.

Solomon tells us that joy is in the person planning peace... that part makes sense to me.

But then he says deceit is in the heart of the one planning evil. I would have expected him to say misery or sorrow... you know something that is the opposite of joy... but no he says deceit.

But after I thought about it, it dawned on me that maybe Solomon is contrasting the two treasures that are associated with the two individuals and their plans…

One of the great treasures of the believer who seeks out peace is of course joy. Joy because the impossible has happened and he is accepted by God because of Jesus…

But for the sinner who devises evil, he is given an imitation of joy and that is deceit. The thrills that go along with planning out our own self centered lusts is the best satan has got to offer. But his thrill is not joy; it is a counterfeit . It falls short by a million miles and it always ends in a malignant tumor with only one impossible yet sure cure… Jesus.

Jesus told this parable in Matthew 13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Today, Would you join me in pursuing the greatest joy in the Universe that includes peace and life and so much more… or will your plans be for the thrill of sin which leads to death?

Cover For Practice Db

Let me know if anyone needs lyrics or chords

Proverbs in 365 Devotions

For more go to braggingonjesus.com

Proverbs 8:9 They are all straight to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge.

Straightening The Curves

R Aylor

The Dukes of Hazard theme song indicates that they "straighten the curves, and flatten the hills". Truthfully though, we are a people bent on sinning and not straightening what's bent.

But in our text we find that everyone who has found knowledge and has understanding can see the truth in all the things that Wisdom says.

I think this goes along with what Jesus said in John 7:17 If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.

As I'm beginning to write this today, a couple buddies and I are heading home to Oklahoma from a wonderful trip to Mountain View Arkansas. I have to ride in the front seat on these winding roads or I will turn colors. Even now I'm a little queazy.

Just a few miles back we screeched our tires to a stop as a man waved us down and around an accident on one of those curves. A motorcycle had just crashed and the rider's upper body was covered up with his feet sticking out as he lay along side the road. A long path of blood led to where his body lay. Another cyclist was clearly in mental anguish. Just up ahead a van had pulled to the side and we concluded that someone was possibly throwing up.

Right now on these winding roads I am thinking how the path of wisdom is straight. You can see further and clearer and the road is much more manageable and less nauseating to drive than the crooked road that sin takes. On the road where there is fool heartedness that pulls on us with every fleshly passion there is danger at every curve and the ultimate end is death.

The more we are transformed into the likeness of Christ the more we agree with Wisdom's views... the more light of Christ that is internalized within us... as we are awakened to see more of the glory of God... 

Our only hope is straight and narrowly placed in Jesus Christ. If we have come to rest in his righteousness, then practically he works the goodness of God out in our lives as we look to him alone to straighten the curves and flatten the hills of sin in our life.

Proverbs in 365 Devotions

For more go to braggingonjesus.com

Proverbs 8:6 Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right,

100% Truth

R Aylor

Today Wisdom says she speaks all things right and pure and true. This is godly Wisdom… Wisdom in relationship to her sisters and intimate friends… We’ve mentioned them before in the allegory Solomon has projected. Ladies like Prudence and Insight, Knowledge and Understanding. They support and help guide Wisdom in godliness.

If you have ever met Wisdom, you know she will not lead you in making good and proper decisions only 50% of the time, (definitely not!) she will not lead you down the right paths in everyday into forming good relationships and resolutions… to peace and contentment, strength of character and inward joy only part of the time… and she will not be honest and forthright with us 99% of the time; but rather 100%!



We can be certain that her words will always be outstanding, accurate and trustworthy to hear. Truth is not muddled, diluted or confused.

One may possibly concur that their spouse is correct 99% of the time (at least in public); that they're favorite weather forecaster may claim to be right 60% (doubtful); you may think 25% of your facebook friends will post likes to your last status on Facebook (not gonna happen); but Gods wisdom is trustworthy 100% of the time.

Gods word has never failed anyone at any time and never will.

God’s word is 66 books were written by about 40 authors on three continents in 3 languages over a period of approximately 1600 years and is right 100% of the time. It's inerrant words point forward and backward to Jesus and the cross from both directions of eternity. 



John said he is the word: John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
 

Of himself Jesus said in John 14:6 “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Pray

Proverbs in 365 Devotions

For more go to braggingonjesus.com

Proverbs 8:5 O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense.

Spiritual Sense

R Aylor

In the previous verse 4 Solomon switched from speaking as himself and made Wisdom to be the one speaking in the first person again. So it is actually her who in verse 4 calls out to all men and the children of man.

She now begins speaking a specific group those people… the "simple”. … I would say this is someone who needs to learn discernment and wisdom; someone who is currently unequipped to resist the sweet honey dripping words from the forbidden woman ore the forbidden sin… That again is everyone… to some extent… right? all the children of man…

And also for background… remember we have already seen Wisdom call out to the simple in Proverbs… And here in chapter 8 She is being straight forward and plain spoken. ”O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense.”

In the remaining verses of Proverbs 8 Wisdom is going to be giving us her resume…

- In verse 1 she has acknowledged that she has sent it out.

- In verses 2-3 she listed some of the places she has shown it.

* On the heights beside the way,

* at the crossroads she takes her stand;

* beside the gates in front of the town,

* at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:

- In verse 4 she tells us it is for everyone

- In today's verse 5 she tells why it is for everyone… You see, we are all simple and foolish and need her to work for us.

Later in this chapter she will tell us what she stands for… or her character

She will tell us what her value will be to us if we employ her.

She will tell us about her family and who she lives with.

She gives us a basic account of her wealth and finances.

She will also give us a short biography so we may know who she really is.

But back to today’s text… she addresses the simple and foolish…

You know, we may not all have much cents... in our pockets, but most of us do have 5 senses built into our person. There's sight, hearing, the ability to feel, smell and taste. These all allow us to make wise and accurate assessments as we live in the flesh.

God’s wisdom wants to grow us as believers to use our spiritual senses much better than we do. We need to realize we still have many foolish notions and simple ways when it comes to his wisdom. He wants us to drink, eat, smell and savor the truths in his word to the full extent.

Father we pray for you to quicken our heart to your wisdom. If someone reading or hearing this has never seen the glory of God in Jesus and therefore cannot grow in spiritual senses please awaken them to your beauty. May they turn away from the path of sin and have faith to look to you in delight.