Read the Bible in a Year (18JULY19)

DAILY REMINDER – Today, July 18’s Bible reading is Proverbs 16-18.

NEXT DAY REMINDER – Tomorrow, July 19’s Bible reading is Proverbs 19-21. May God bless you with the reading of His WORD.

PROVERBS MOMENT – (18JUL19) Life coaching and motivational speaking is a big business across the globe. Those inspiring to make changes in their lives seek out these professionals to motivate them to achieve their goals, make changes in their lives, have a sense of direction, and more. Those wishing to make plans for their future utilize the tips, strategies, and expertise of these professionals, so that they can maximize their life’s achievements. Although there is nothing wrong with receiving help from professionals, there is One who knows the plans that He has for each and every one of us. The Bible says, “To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue” (Proverbs 16:1). God does not have a problem with us making plans for our lives, but we should always have Him as our main Consultant regarding the design that He has for our lives.

Many of us have been guilty of leaping before we consulted God. For example, many college students have sought after a degree – only to find out that they hated the field – hundreds of dollars in debt later. Some bachelors and bachelorettes dated a person, but later found out that they were one of many suiters, and not just on the television show. Many investors have invested in stocks, only to have them plummet and put them in financial ruin. Happy romantics got married, but later discovered that their mate was both Dr. Jekyll and Mr. or Mrs. Hyde. Some Christians eagerly joined a church, but later, it was exposed that their pastor was a wolf of the cloth. We need the Lord’s guidance in everything that we do. The Bible says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you” (Psalm 32:8). The Lord promises to give us direction with our lives if we seek after Him. Although there is nothing wrong with getting counsel from others, we should even consult God as to who that counsel should be taken from. God is concerned with every matter that concerns us. There is nothing too big or small that does not concern Him. He knows what is best for us because He sees the end from the beginning. Therefore, it is good to plan, but ensure that your plans are aligned in the will of God. “We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but he is ready to hear those who worship him and do his will” (John 9:31). Something to ponder….

QUESTION OF THE DAY - (18JUL19) “All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord” (Proverbs 16:2). Have you ever seen a person do an act of kindness, but you questioned their motives? Maybe you have been the recipient of someone’s compliment, gift-giving, acts of compassion, or donation of good-will, only to later find out that it was not sincere as you’d hope. In the world of psychology, they use a term called “love-bombing” to define acts of kindness that are actually acts of manipulation done by what many would be classified as Narcissists. You know those people, who have a grandiose view of themselves, and everything must center around them – along with a whole array of other traits that are destructive in nature, strategically use this as a manipulative tool in their arsenal. These types of people often do the right thing for the wrong reason. The writer of Proverbs was addressing this by saying that in such a person’s eyes, they seem to be doing what is right, but the Lord looks at the motives of the heart. We can see an example of this with the story of Absalom.

Absalom was King David’s son who took revenge on his brother, Amnon, for raping their sister, Tamar, by killing him. After which, he left Jerusalem, but later returned – only to attempt to overthrow his father on the throne. Absalom got a chariot with men to run ahead of him and would sit by the city gate to listen to the people’s complaints. The people thought that he was trying to help them, but Absalom was using their situations to gain their confidence, so that his plans would succeed. The Bible says, “Then Absalom would say to him, ‘Look, your claims are valid and proper, but there is no representation of the King to hear you.’ And Absalom would add, ‘If only I were appointed judge in the land. Then everyone who has a complaint or case could come to me and I would see that they receive justice’ ” (1 Samuel 15:3-4). Absalom tried to woo the people, but his plans, however, did not succeed because the Lord had chosen his father to be the king. Absalom was guilty of doing the right thing for the wrong reason.

We should be careful to always judge our motives in what we do. For example, if we speak a word of correction, make sure that we do so in humility. If we render a service unto God, make sure that we do not do it to be seen. If we give something to the poor, do not videotape it to receive praises. Whatever you do for God with the right motive, He will reward with righteousness. “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you” (Matthew 6:1-4). Something to ponder….

PROVERBS MOMENT – (18JUL19) Most people, if asked the question, “Are you a good listener?” would say yes. Unfortunately, that is not the case for most involved in a conversation. Have you ever had someone speaking to you, but you were thinking of a “rebuttal” prior to hearing them out? If a person is already thinking of an answer before they have had a chance to listen to the other person entirely, then that person is NOT a good listener. The writer of Proverbs wrote, “To answer before listening – that is folly and shame” (Proverbs 18:13). Being a good listener involves both listening and talking skills, but not at the same time. Why does the writer in Proverbs consider such as being foolish? One cannot properly analyze a situation if they are running their mouth before the other individual has had a chance to speak. Improper judgment is made rashly without considering all points that may have been made from the other person. Many marriages are broken due to a lack of proper communication between the two individuals. One is talking and the other is actually ignoring, while acting as if they are listening. The two within the marriage begin driving down a fork in the road where they are on opposite sides instead of walking in agreement due to poor communication skills. Let’s consider something to help us further understand how damaging not listening can be.

Imagine you were accused of a crime that you did not commit. You go to an attorney and he agrees to defend you. Once you arrive to court, your attorney tries to lay out the facts to the judge and jury only to have the judge say, “We do not need to hear any of your evidence because we have already determined that your client is guilty.” The judge proceeds to bypass the appropriate prosecution and defense legalities and sentence you to twenty years in a maximum prison facility. You and your attorney look at each other dumbfound after he has attempted to make his objections unsuccessfully. This is how it is when a person is not a good listener. The other person is convicted before the case is heard. The Bible says, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19). Many fiery situations can be avoided if only we take time to listen. Let’s be patient listeners and allow grace to season our words when we speak. Something to ponder….