Bragging On Jesus

The Gospel and Sharing the Gospel

Proverbs 6:34 For jealousy makes a man furious, and he will not spare when he takes revenge. 35 He will accept no compensation; he will refuse though you multiply gifts.

Spouse Thief

By Daniel Castor

When I was a child I got a brand new metallic blue bike. It was my pride and joy and I rode it all over the neighborhood. One day a friend form school saw me out riding my bike and he ask for a turn. We took turns for a while and he like my new bike too. He lived several blocks away and ask if he could borrow it for the night so he could get home on time. I didn’t want him to get in trouble so I said sure, knowing I’d be able to walk over and get it the next morning. I was up bright and early and I woke my friend. He went to grab the bike and Much to my surprise the bike was gone.

He swore up and down that he had no idea where it was. I was crushed my new bike was gone. Week after week went by and still no sign of my favorite bike. He told me story after story of what might have happened to it and all his stories led nowhere... until one day when I was walking down the ally behind his house and there is was. It was not in the best shape, the bike was scraped up... the tiers worn... but it was my bike. I took it home and put it in my garage.

Needless to say that that boy and I didn’t have the best friendship after that. You can’t take something so near and dear to someone’s heat and treat it like trash and expect them to be ok with you.

This is Solomon’s point in today’s proverb. Except that which is stolen is not a bike... it is a mans wife.

What if your souse stolen away? What if she taken and used and abused... You would be filled with a righteous furry! And you would be out for blood. The man who took advantage of your wife could beg with you and plead and give you gift after gift but how could all of that compare to what you had taken from him.

Adultery is no trivial thing. What where your eyes and your heart go! Don’t steal looks or take pleasure in that witch dose not belong to you.

Week 6 Lincoln University - Knowing The Gospel We Share / Robin Aylor

This week is knowing what we will share and that it is Gods Spirit, Gods Mercy and Grace, his choosing us and them, Gods quickening, God's word, God's help that we share it and make it clear and that others respond in faith. We must make sure we do not rely on the flesh but on God.

Proverbs 7:24 And now, O sons, listen to me, and be attentive to the words of my mouth. 25 Let not your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths, 26 for many a victim has she laid low, and all her slain are a mighty throng. 27 Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death.

What young man out there dose not think himself invincible? And what strapping young lad doesn’t consider himself strong. Even at the ripe old age of nine there is not much that my small framed skinny armed son doesn’t think he can handle. He is always up for a Chalange when it comes to feats of strength and he is slow to admit that some things are just to much for him to handle. As much as it pains me to say this I think I am much the same way. I think all me have this built in to them. We thing that we are tuff enough to handle whatever comes our way. But Solomon gives us a stern warning here. There is indeed something that even the strongest of men need to be afraid of. Her name is the seductress. Oh she has many other names, maybe you know her lust or pornography or the temptress, she comes in all shapes and sizes and they are all oh so appealing but oh so deadly.

Now here is the danger for young men who think much of themselves. At first glance the seductress seems inviting. There is no apparent danger. She has soft skin and smooth lips. She is dainty and delicate. How could she really be any threat to a real man? How could she destroy their lives? Just ask David, Solomon and Sampson

David, the most Godly man, Saul the worlds wisest man. And Sampson the worlds strongest man. All of these men the strongest and the best where brought down to their lowest and darkest moments in their life by the seductress.

If the wisest, most Godly and strongest among us can fall into her traps than you and I have no business going anywhere near her.

Proverbs 6:30 People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry, 31 but if he is caught, he will pay sevenfold; he will give all the goods of his house. 32 He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself. 33 Wounds and dishonor will he get, and his disgrace will not be wiped away.

To Catch A Thief

By Robin Aylor

When a hungry person steals food or money to buy food it is easy to have sympathy for such an individual. As long as we don’t know who they really are and all we know is they were hungry… we tend to show compassion… But when they are caught and we find out that they were hungry because they were too lazy to work our view of their crime may possibly be swayed. However, that being said it really doesn't matter if they stole from others because of a lack of a desire to work or a lack of opportunity... when they are caught and come before a just judicial system their deeds are weighed in the balance of the letter and intent of the law.

The hooded villain known as Robin Hood comes to mind. He stole from the rich and gave to the poor. Even with the most liberal interpretations and if by some imagination the intent of the law was on his side, still... he likely stole and hurt many innocent and some who had made their riches honestly and lawfully. Justice is not to be carried out by each mans individual rationalizations.

Not all, but some of the Liberal left in the US follow the premise to take from the rich even if they obtained it lawfully and give to the poor even if the able refuse to work. In Bible times Sanctuary Cities were not built to protect criminals. It may sound like I’m voicing a clear political view but I cannot be that general. You see, I believe there is a time and place for mercy even in the worlds court.

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Let me bring this back to the text... For a man to commit adultery is to steal his neighbors wife. It does not matter if his own wife was bringing him satisfaction or not. He has no right to steal from his neighbor. There will be a price to pay. Even if there is forgiveness it will change their families forever. No one can remove the consequences of his sin.

One day we will all stand before the supreme Judge who is 100% righteous. As a man steals his neighbors wife we have committed adultery with God making the world our love. As a thief steals food we have all stolen glory from God to satisfy our own selfish appetite... We are all guilty and we will all face judgment.

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Thankfully, there is someone who can bear penalty for our sin. There is mercy for those who treasure Jesus as their love. Jesus said in Matthew 9:13 ...‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

look to Jesus as the Good News he is… He gives us his righteousness! 2nd Corinthians 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

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Thank him for taking upon himself the wages due us for our sin. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Rejoice in Jesus who died for us and rose again giving us that same power to defeat sin and love our neighbor and one day be raised incorruptible to be with him.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Proverbs 6:20 My son, keep your father's commandment, and forsake not your mother's teaching. 21 Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck. 22 When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you.

What's That

Around Your Neck?

By Robin Aylor

Many parents teach their children basic truths through commands and rules. For example, don’t touch the fire on the stove, pick up your toys, share with others, don’t play in the street… or always wear clothes when you go outside… These are commandments and teachings we should take with us into adulthood and never ignore. I actually remember something about those last two… (playing in the street and going outside without clothes on) I think it was the mid to late 70’s in Dodge City Kansas as I watched a streaker on a motorcycle puttering up Boot Hill. If I am not mistaken he was being followed by a Police car with sirens a blaring.

Our text says to tie them around your neck. The problem is that many young people think honoring and obeying their parents is like tying a noose around their neck choking the life from them. But the truth is that good parents speak words into our lives that protect us from danger and horrible life altering mistakes... even death. Their commandments are based in love.

Good solid teachings are good for life. Our Father in heaven... his word is full of them. Read them, learn them, ponder them… Bind them on your heart and tie them around your neck. They are that important! Let them guide you as you walk throughout your day in work ethic and relationships and with your spouse and family… Keep them with you even when your day is done and when you awake again they will again bid you good morning.

Lincoln University Week 5 (Class: Bragging On Jesus) Statement Of Purpose

Proverbs in 365 Devotions

Proverbs 6:27 Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned? 28 Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched? 29 So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife; none who touches her will go unpunished.

Carry Jesus

Close To Your Heart

Robin Aylor

And so here we see Solomon, the wisest man alive asking two seemingly foolish questions. Back then if there were video cameras and you-tube… I just wonder how many people would film themselves putting these questions to the test. What… you wanna give it a try? Really? Ok then lets roll!

Here ya go then… don’t be alarmed; this is a small fire… only a single flame from this cheap lighter. Alright then, i’m bringing it towards your chest… Steady… You want me to come closer? Ok, for the sake of science then… just a little closer. Woe!!! Oh no!!! I think your shirt is on fire… Stop! come back! Let me put it out! Roll over!… No! No! Your hair is on fire! Don’t put it out with that. It’s a container of gasoline!!!! Ahhhhh!

Experiment Number Two:

“can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched?”

What… you wanna back out? You think Solomon was being sarcastic? That's right, he answers both questions with his last scenario.

He said: So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife; none who touches her will go unpunished.

Look, if you leave your first love and become an adulterer you are gonna be burned as sure as you carry fire in your chest and as sure as if you walk on hot coals. This plot line never ends well. There is always pain and sorrow and ruin associated with adultery.

Also, if you think about it, one can commit adultery in other ways as well. For example a person can cheat and run around on and deceive their king, their president, their Country, even their Creator. If we delight in any other over Jesus. If the lure of a seductress leads us to seek joy in them over our true love… Remember this: Sin is not good for our relationship with God… It brings a multitude of sorrows and burning pains. Yes, with true repentance there is forgiveness but sin can cause us to backslide farther than we ever wanted to go and it can leave scars that last a life time.

So, instead of fire, lets keep Solomon's words close to our chest and the love of Jesus close to our heart that we might not fall prey to lustful desires.

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Proverbs in 365 Devotions

Proverbs 10:31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. 32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.

Does Any Part Of Your Tongue Need Cut Off?

Daniel Castor

Did you know the average person speaks around 16,000 word a day. That’s a whole lot of talk. What kind of words are coming out of our mouth? Well that really all depends... if you work in a fast food drive through you may say the phrase, “how may I help you” a couple of hundred times a day. If you are a librarian your words may be few and your shushes may be plentiful. if you are a grandma probably say things like sure you can do whatever you want. But, If you are a parent your favorite words are probably “absolutely not” and “stop that right now”

All sorts of different things come out of different peoples mouths. That is the point that is being made in this proverb. And he gives us two clear examples. Take a look at a righteous man and a wicked man. The words that come out of their moths perfectly reflect the the heart that they have. The Righteous man speaks truth's that are good and wise while the wicked man spews nothing but perversity.

It is just like our Lord once said, out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

That which rolls off the tip of the tongue comes from the bottom of the heart.

Here is my challenge for you today pay very close attention to all that comes out of your mouth. Use it a self diagnostic test. Is there any perversity, slander, any foolish talk course joking? Is so ask God for a change of heart that will lead to a change of speech. Better to have a changed heart and a tame tongue than no tongue at all!

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Proverbs in 365 Devotions

Proverbs 10:24 What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted. 25 When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous is established forever.

Be Ready

Brad Chase

When I was younger, my mother would leave my older brother and I at home alone while she went to work. The night before, she would give a to do list of things that need to be done by the time she returned for lunch and a list for the end of the day. Without fail, one of us played the goody two shoes roll and did his chores and the other would slack off. The slacker felt he had all the time in the world. (trust me on this. I know exactly what the slacker was thinking. It was more often than not, me.)

The morning would roll by and my brother would not only do his chores to stay out of trouble, he would also do mine to please my mom. No one would get in trouble at lunch. But then... round 2 would begin. We would argue and fuss because he felt I owed him and I should do his afternoon chores. It was only fair he would say. But my argument was that I had never asked him to do my chores. My brother would through his hands up and say fine don’t do mine. But I’m not doing yours. Followed by the last word wins game of fine, fine, fine.

Within an hour or so, my brothers chore was done and he sat and watched TV for the rest of the day. We new mom would be home at 5:15. She was always home at 5:15. I would have goofed off all day and it was now 5:00. I would turn to my brother and beg him to help. Some times he would cave, some times he would not. The times he would not were terrible. I remember he would turn off the TV and kick back with a snack and watch me race all over the house trying to finish up what should have already been done. He was ready for 5:15... I was dreading it.

My mom would come home like clock work and walk in with me nowhere in sight. Calmly and lovingly talking to my brother and praising him for a job well done. Then she would notice what I hadn’t done. It was like a light switch! I’d honestly one out of my room covering my backside because I knew what was coming for my disobedience.

See, in comparison, I was the wicked who dreaded mom coming home. Where as my brother would be the righteous and eagerly awaiting mom coming home. (even if it was to see me get whooped.)

Our moms wrath was the tempests in our childhood. Rage and anger. The poor woman had to try to channel both loving mother and disciplining father. Some times the storm got pretty scary. But one thing is for sure. My brother and I are much better people now having the correction from our mother. Once we were older and had endured enough of her storms, there was no disobedience left in us. (Ok. Maybe some. But come on. We’re human) We wanted to make her happy. Not out of fear of her wrath. But out of love for our mom.

Ok, let’s apply this to the passage.

Verse 24 talks about What the wicked dreads coming upon him and the desire of the righteous being granted.

The wicked know in their heart that time is running out and they will not be ready for Jesus return and judgment. Where as the righteous have been diligent and obedient and eagerly awaiting the second coming of Jesus.

25 says When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous is established forever.

When Jesus comes back. When judgment is passed. When this life is over and after Jesus destroys all wickedness for good, only the righteous will remain. And peace will come to all who is left.

Don’t be as I was as a kid. I was not ready for the authority to show up. Now is the time to do business and get ready. A popular quote says “ if you stay ready, then you ain’t gotta get ready” get ready now and stay ready for when the time comes.