My Daily Pause

Category: Uncategorized

  • Proverbs 27:5 – Needed Guidance

    Proverbs 27:5 – Needed Guidance

    5 It is better to correct someone openly
    than to have love and not show it.      – Proverbs 27:5 NCV

    Can you think of anyone that enjoys being corrected?

    Maybe shedding light on how useless is a “love” that will not speak up when we need guidance will help. Here, that kind of love is said to be inferior to open rebuke. As a follower, student, friend, child, or employee of another we should appreciate that correction is part of growing and maturing.

    Reference the disciples/apostles’ growth throughout the New Testament.

  • Proverbs 24:17-18 – Love Your Enemies

    Proverbs 24:17-18 – Love Your Enemies

    17 Don’t be happy when your enemy is defeated;
    don’t be glad when he is overwhelmed.
    18 The Lord will notice and be displeased.
    He may not be angry with them anymore.     – Proverbs 23 NCV

    This Proverb doesn’t allow the wicked and sinners a free pass if His followers celebrate their failures, but it is a clear warning to stay composed. The short comings of His people are more of a concern to Him than the actions of the lost.

    Jesus said to “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” (Matthew 5:44) What better way to win over those that are against God than to display His Qualities in all situations.

  • Proverbs 23:17-18 – Heaven

    Proverbs 23:17-18 – Heaven

    17 Don’t envy sinners,
    but always respect the Lord.
    18 Then you will have hope for the future,
    and your wishes will come true.     –  Proverbs 23:17-18 NCV

    The NCV does not have the correct gist of what this verse is about:

    17 Let not thy heart envy sinners; But be thou in the fear of Jehovah all the day long:

     18 For surely there is a reward; And thy hope shall not be cut off. – Proverbs 23:17-18 ASV

    Christians have the promise of heaven. Jesus said in John 14:2
    “In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.” We have no need to accumulate riches while we labor in this earthly life, but this life is the best that sinners can hope for.

     

  • Proverbs 21:27 – A Giving Heart

    Proverbs 21:27 – A Giving Heart

    27 The Lord hates sacrifices brought by evil people,
    particularly when they offer them for the wrong reasons.     – Proverbs 21:27 NCV

    Giving to the Lord is a very specific and purposeful act and God wants us to give cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7). The Proverb writer tells us God hated those that offered their sacrifices with a wrong heart. Take a look at the New Testament version of God’s feelings: Acts 5:1-9. Was the amount of money they gave or the way they gave it wrong?

  • Proverbs 19:17 – Taking Care of the Poor

    Proverbs 19:17 – Taking Care of the Poor

    17 Being kind to the poor is like lending to the Lord;
    He will reward you for what you have done    . – Proverbs 19:17 NCV

    If you haven’t spent much time as a tourist in Washington D.C. you can’t know just how prolific the homelessness problem is there. Worse, it has become a career for many. As soon as you pop up out of the Metro station on the National Mall, you will be handed “helpful” leaflets and maps in exchange for “donations” to the homeless.

    My son was allowed to invite his young girlfriend with us on one of our frequent visits to D.C. She obviously had no experience with dealing with the homeless people and they knew it. I warned her about the games they play, but she didn’t care. Her pure heart spoke louder than my “experienced” heart.

    We eventually happened across a person that I am sure really needed help. She helped him just like all the others, and generously I might add. This time my whole perspective began to change – I realized I’ve passed on helping some truly hungry people. I can see some of their faces still.

    Throughout the Proverbs and the rest of the Bible, we see the importance of helping the poor and God’s love for them. In this one verse, we can understand that it is not for us to try and manage what will happen to our “gift”. If our kindness is like lending to the Lord, then He will take care of that part at the appropriate time. Our reward comes from being there for Him.

  • Proverbs 13:11 – Easy Money

    Proverbs 13:11 – Easy Money

    11 Money that comes easily disappears quickly,
    but money that is gathered little by little will grow.     Proverbs 13:11 NCV

    I’m not sure if it is just me or not, but the world seems to be rediscovering this little nugget of truth. Bestselling books and career guides all point to the value of earning what we have. Taking the time to build quality products, followers, resources, etc. rather than traveling the easy and fast path almost always leads to longer lasting return on our investment. History books are currently being written showing the results of governments emphasizing generous social programs over good honest work.