Bragging On Jesus

Proverbs 1:20 Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; 21 at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:

Lady Wisdom Cries Out

R Aylor

In an earlier devotion we have already confirmed there are lots of voices calling out in the world, most of which promise satisfaction while leading us to destruction. As we go through Proverbs Solomon will focus on a few women allegorically… but basically two who are calling out, one of which is Wisdom. 

 

And so Wisdom is out there calling; somewhere close by in your neighborhood… Can you hear her call among all the other voices. She is always close by and ready for those who long for her; but for those who think themselves wise, it is the other women of the night who get their attention. For those who think themselves not needing wisdom… they will have no meetings… no dates… no get together's with the lady Wisdom. 

 

I believe the lady Wisdom in Proverbs allegorically directs us to the wisdom of God through Jesus. 1st Corinthians 2:7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.

 

Like the lady Wisdom the wisdom from God which comes only through Jesus is also very near. Romans 10:8 and 9 says this: But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

 

When we are granted to hear Gods voice above all the other noises we can receive his wisdom through faith and it doesn't depend whatsoever on mans strength or even will; (Romans 9:16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.). 

 

The wisdom of God is not granted for good deeds; (Ephesians 2:8 For 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.)  

But salvation and righteousness and fellowship and good standing with God… This wisdom of God comes when we are gifted faith with ears to hear and eyes to see Jesus as good news for us. Let us thank God for this gift of grace.

Proverbs in 365 Devotions

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Godly Fear Is A Blessing

Robin Aylor

The word oxymoron comes to mind when I think about how overly wise a fool may think themselves to be. It’s clear they despise even the seeking of wisdom aside from their own musings because they refuse advice and instruction from others even if it is given from personal experience.


They say: I need no correction, rebuke or guidance; I need no mercy; I got this.

Little do they know… no matter how hard they try and no matter how fast they run and no matter what they do… even with all their efforts… they will never see the most important knowledge of the ages from within themselves. They may smell it in the aroma of a flower… Their mouth may water when they see a beautiful sunset… But the taste of wisdom stays hidden from them and they do not savor it’s taste or delights.


They do not fear their Creator so they refuse to take his advice. They do not listen to his words of truth and so… wisdom and knowledge and understanding have been hidden from the foolish from throughout the ages.

A young boy might fear his father who loves him enough to teach him right from wrong. The son knows a belt or paddle or switch is waiting for him if he bullies someone at school or steals from the grocery store. He knows his father disciplines him because he loves him. This same father also worked hard to provide a roof over his son’s head and food for his belly and a good education for him. Now he fears he might bring his father sorrow by living a life of disobedience which would also bring more pain to his own soul than the worst spanking.

We too may fear our Father in heaven when we rebel because he loves us and so disciplines us. But we also fear him in the sense that we are desperate not to betray his love. He has shown us love and we fear lest we take his love for granted. We fear we might be like Solomon and in our old age forsake our fathers teachings as Solomon did his father David when his heart was turned to other gods.

The last verse of 2nd Corinthians 6 says: and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” Then chapter 7 verse one continues: Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

Thank You Lord for the wonderful way we are to fear you… A fear that purifies us and works to transform our character and attributes to conform to your holiness.

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Proverbs in 365 Devotions

​Proverbs 1:5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, 6 to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.

Hear, Learn, Understand

Robin Aylor

We hear lots of things everywhere we go; at the market, work, school, on television, the internet, music, in nature, among our families, our church and Gods Holy Word. But truth is not relative. The laws of right and wrong are not a thousands shades of grey. Yes, seeing truth can take honesty and discernment. I want to discern truth and then let it be applied in my life.

If I am arrogant and foolish I won't listen to advice. I would only hear noises agreeing with myself saying I should be the teacher instead. I’ve done that very thing. Solomon wanted his son's to listen to true counsel and not advice from their worldly friends or the politically correct voices of the day.

All real rock bottom, in context truth whether in the world... in nature or on tv or wherever is anchored in or tethered to the word of God whether they know it or not. And the source is even more defined than that.

Solomon wanted his sons to know truth and not be blindsided by the many self centered world views they would encounter in life. As Believers we have a helper to Guide us. We no longer have ears that only hear the politics of a broken world. But we have someone who stands for us and guides us… even God himself, the Holy Spirit.

John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will beg in you.

And so as we live in a broken world, may we humble ourselves, listen, pay attention, ponder, consider, read, study, ask and reflect until the treasures of Gods word sparkle like diamonds to the transforming of our life for the glory of God.

Pray

Proverbs 15:18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.

How To Quiet A Boiling Pot / R Aylor

Have you ever been lied to, used or hurt in some way and your heart became angry and bitter? I can even imagine someone may have possibly looked at me wrong or even only wonder if they imply a grudge against me and the wheels in my mind start their turning. The next thing you know my heart is simmering then piping hot. It may cool down a bit from time to time but as I drive down the road or when I lay in bed or when I’m alone and have time to think about it the pot begins to stew once again. And whether I speak of what’s on my mind or not… this stirring in my heart effects the relationships around me… my demeanor.. my body language, my words… my focus…

A hot temper in relation to being slow to anger makes me think of cooking, possibly because I spent many years in the restaurant business.

A cook who quickly stirs new ingredients into a boiling pot can cause the contents to burst out, burning the cook and others who are close, but a wise chef will stir in slowly with patience… The same with life… a wise person will stir in long-suffering, and love with patience. The heated frictions will soon level out and simmer into gratifying calmness and peace.

Since we live in a broken world and we too are a work in progress… It’s a good ideal to continually be adding in good things to our thought life. One way is that whenever the pot begins to boil we should immediately bring it back to the Lord and praying for those who have hurt us. Think about how much God loved us even while we were still at odds toward him. We should love others in the same way.

Philippians 4:8 gives us a list of good ingredients to always be adding to our boiling pot:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Proverbs 15:17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it.

What's Better Than A Feast?

Many people plan for a day when men will have to live off the land once more. They learn about growing wild herbs of all kinds. They find out what weeds are good for food, what roots are eatable in winter and how to find them. They know what kinds of tree bark will sustain them and what berries will not kill. We live in an age when some people seem to embrace living this kind of lifestyle.

Though a dinner of greens may appeal to some in our culture today but there was a time when it represented someone very poor. And to tell the truth if you try to live off of herbs alone… as if you only had the spices to eat that normally went along with the main course to flavor the vegetables and meats… Meals like that would be pretty skimpy meals to eat with your family day after day.

And yet… If there is love between one another in your family, the time you spend eating together is a sweet time. It is so much better than a table full of food with everyone demeaning one another. Fightings and strivings and prideful self seeking people are miserable and they encourage despair in those they are around.

Father please keep me from being that kind of person. Make me a person of love and peace and one who privately and publicly adores You and savors the delights of your word above any food and may I point others to this same joy in you.

Proverbs 15:14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

Understanding Is Not Knowledge / Robin Aylor

I have to admit I’m not that great with directions… And I would rather not ask for directions when Im lost… It shows my incompetence… And another thing… I’d rather not ask for help when putting something together like a shelf or piece of furniture… I usually even wait till I’ve failed a number of times before really focusing on the instructions.

This seems to be a shortcoming of mine… But… what about the important things of life? If I never ask for advice or counsel or have accountability with someone else as this verse implies… I actually lack understanding because understanding does not mean I already know or have the answers… It says how those who already have understanding will seek knowledge outside of our self... We don’t have the answers… So we go to God and his word for counsel…

Psalm 34:4 says: I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

We also seek knowledge from Christian brothers and sisters.

Galatians 6:1-2 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Finally this passage says the mouths of fools feed on folly. What do we feed our lives with?

Philippians 4:8 says: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Proverbs 15:13 A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.

Explodes Into Smiles

What brings sorrow of the heart? The worst culprit is unrepentant sin. I think about the scoffer we just read about in the previous verse; Proverbs 15:12. He does not like reproof. I expect that could be the very thing that crushes the spirit of this one in verse 13. Being told we are wrong does not always set well with us. And yet Proverbs 12:1 talks about one who loves discipline. It says: “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,…”

Look… discipline is not joyous while it is in progress… I am the oldest of 4 children and I believe I received more whippings than any of my siblings… I never looked forward to that! What child likes to be spanked? However… proper discipline can have a good return on character for a child willing to be instructed…

Hebrews 12:11 says: All chastening seemeth for the present to be not joyous, but grievous: yet afterward it yieldeth peaceable fruit unto them that have been exercised thereby, even the fruit of righteousness.

However, when we are disciplined but keep rationalizing our actions instead of agreeing with our Father in heaven… our relationship with God does not change but our fellowship with him changes from joy to defiance… Our countenance falls and we are out of sync with the Lord. We are not abiding in his word and his word is not abiding in us… We think we know what is best for us but believe me… The promise of Sin is just one big scam!

But… when we accept rebuke and listened to counsel and turn to Christ for his tender mercies, our countenance explodes into smiles and our heart to singing all because of Jesus.

Consider the words of David in Psalms 30:11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, 12 that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

Proverbs 13:8 The ransom of a man's life is his wealth, but a poor man hears no threat.

What if you were kidnapped by someone and they called your spouse and said: “I will release your husband unharmed for a million dollars”? If you’re poor like me there would be a problem. You family bank account does not have a million dollars in it. The ransom for your life is only Nine Hundred and Seventy Five Dollars and eighteen cents… Less, of course if all the outstanding checks clear the bank! Right?

So yes, the ransom of a man’s life is his wealth and… poor people just don’t get held for ransom because they are not worth much to a kidnapper.

Solomon tells us this truth about life but why? What wisdom is there for us… Is it best to be poor to keep from being kidnapped?

Proverbs 13:8 The ransom of a man's life is his wealth, but a poor man hears no threat.

So what can we learn from this spiritually?

Jesus talked about this in Matthew 5:3… He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” This is the man who realizes he is bankrupt spiritually; he turns to the Lord for mercy.

Once his life was held for ransom by sin and he would pay the price from day to day with everything he had but in the end sin would still have him and it would end in death… But God, rich in mercy sent his only Son to die and pay Sin’s fee and ransom his life from sins hold.

And now since he believed, Jesus is his greatest treasure and no one can steal him away… and now he has riches beyond measure stored up in the kingdom of heaven. No one can touch them. They are safe and his life is safe from all pursuers.

And while on earth sin has no more hold on him. You see Jesus defeated death and gives him the same power that raised him to fight sin every day. When he does fall and pulled toward the promises of sin, he turns back to Christ his greatest treasure… He realizes the promises of sin are all just scams!!! He turns back to his greatest treasure Christ who has paid the ransom for his soul.

Psalm 116:12 What shall I render to the LORD, for all his benefits to me?

13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD,

Short sermon about God's mercy / robin aylor November 5, 2019

Proverbs 12:21 No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.

No ill? What do you mean?…

Everyone I ever knew has had their share of troubling woes.

How can you believe a book that says such blatant things?…

How can you preach truth from opposing poles?

All people have trouble…

Can anybuddy dispute that?

It’s a broken world inside this bubble

Filled with both Republicans and Democrats.

No ill befalls the righteous…

Wait… Knock on wood!

Why do you keep whispering words of hate?

Or is that just right wing lip service?

for those who love God all things work …for good …

for those … called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

But people get sick, right? They hurt, they cry;

whether spoken or unspoken, we’re all broken, we all die,

Friend listen! Pain is not ill for those righteous in Christ…

And this momentary affliction holds no restriction on peace and joy and eternal life

You talk of ill’s as though they are what ever you don’t agree with… Thats just a biased myth

Yes, the wicked are filled with troubles like all, but the righteous are joyful whatever befalls

Jesus said ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ Go and learn what this means

You see, His mercy carries with it no ill… Here lies his gift for all who believe