Read the Bible in a Year (16JUL19)

DAILY REMINDER – Today, July 16’s Bible reading is Proverbs 10-12.

NEXT DAY REMINDER – Tomorrow, July 17’s Bible reading is Proverbs 13-15. May God bless you with the reading of His WORD.

 

PROVERBS MOMENT – (16JUL19) There used to be a well-known short story about a woman who went around her neighborhood to place feathers on every door. After she finished placing the feathers on the doors, she went back to collect them. Unfortunately, she was unable to do so because the wind blew all the feathers away. This is how gossip operates. When gossip is spread about a person, there is no way to take it back rather it is true or untrue. The gossip gets released into the atmosphere, and it goes for miles without ever being able to be returned. The Bible says, “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret” (Proverbs 11:13). Malicious gossip has ruined many people’s lives. We have seen this happen in politics, entertainment, and unfortunately even in the house of God. People who did not even seek to find the truth went to spread gossip causing someone’s hard earned reputation to be brought into question and utter ruin. The Apostle James addressed this matter and wrote, “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless” (James 1:26). The Apostle James was letting us know that our religion is in vain when we cannot tame our tongues. 

How can the lost understand God’s love for them if we, fellow believers, cannot keep confidence should they come to us? There is a time when we may have to break a confidence if our silence would endanger someone’s life such as a suicide attempt. But let’s be honest, especially for those who misuse “prayer” lines for “gossip” lines, if what you share is not because you care, then it’s best to keep silent. Therefore, let’s be mindful of how we use our tongues when it comes to others. It takes two to gossip, but only one to pray. Something to ponder….

QUESTION OF THE DAY - (16JUL19) Is it a sin to gamble? Many Christians have debated the subject of gambling because the Bible does not have a “thou shalt not” when it comes to the subject. Yet, there are scriptures that address the subject of getting “dishonest” gain. One may say, “I paid for my lottery ticket. The proceeds go to a good cause. God doesn’t say anything about it so it must be okay.” The list goes on and on as to why some people feel that it’s okay. But what does the Bible say, if anything? “A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward” (Proverbs 11:18). Let’s take a look at what deceptive wages involve. Deception, as defined by the dictionary, involves trickery, fraud, lying, bluff, double-dealing, underhandedness, and more. The word “wages” is defined as a fixed payment, salary, stipend, fee, and honorarium – just to name a few of its common synonyms. When a person goes to the casino, play the machines, card table, or other gambling enticements, they are contributing to the casino being able to defraud people out of money.

The casino machines are “fixed” where they only pay out at certain times. This means that the machines do not just “happen” to fall on 777, but only do so as they are programed. Another thing to think about is that many people are “addicted” to gambling and they use their money to feed into this addiction. Therefore, should a person happen to win a game, they have taken money at the expense of someone’s unfortunate habit. It’s like taking milk from a baby’s mouth to feed yourself. You wouldn’t do it, and neither should we. The Bible says, “Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death” (Proverbs 10:2). So, lets’ go back to the words “deceptive wages.” When these two are used together, it involves being paid for trickery. Therefore, there is nothing honest when it comes to gambling. You are taking a “chance” at winning and even if you win, it is at the expense of someone else who also took a chance and lost. It is a vicious cycle that for some, have led to death when they were not able to honor their gambling debts. 

Do we as Christians think that we should play a part in this type of system? I would think not. There is one more thing to consider. We claim to believe that God is our Jehovah Jireh (God my Provider). So, if we truly believe that, then we must know that God will provide whatever it is that we need. The Bible says, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). When we rely on God, we do not have to play a game of luck. “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 2:20). Whatever blessings God has for you, you will never have to go to a machine or a card table to try your hand at luck. His faithful promises are yes and amen. Something to ponder….

PROVERBS MOMENT – (16JUL19) “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up” (Proverbs 12:25). The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has reported that 110 million people die every year as a direct cause of STRESS. Yes, stress and stress-related issues cause many people to fall prey to an early grave. Stress, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, is the brain’s response to challenging situations rather short-term, long-term, or recurrent events. Things such as finances, relationships, jobs, and school can bring about stress if not managed effectively. The stress then causes many to have health-related illnesses such as anxiety, panic attacks, depression, high-blood pressure and more, which negatively affects the body. Although it is impossible to avoid stress completely, it can definitely be controlled, monitored, and maintained to a minimal if certain actions are taken.

Jesus, when speaking to a crowd, said, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? …See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.…  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:25,27, 28b, 30, 34). Jesus was letting the crowd know that they did not have to worry about life because God was their provider, and just as He clothed the lilies of the field, He would do even more for them. Many people suffer from anxiety, worry, and other issues of the sort because they have not learned to place their complete trust in God. Yes, it’s difficult when the rent is due, the lights are do, and the car note too. But, how many of us can say that when we “worried” it produced a check in the mail? Not one of us can make that claim. Someone else is going to take over your rent payments should you die tomorrow. The electric company will continue to send their customers notices should you be on a cold slab tomorrow. The gas company will still be operating business as normal should your tombstone be set in place. Nothing can be accomplished by worrying other than a guarantee of compromised health. Therefore, let us place all of our cares on the Lord’s shoulders because He can carry our load when we cannot. “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Something to ponder….