The Simple Life

If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you. Proverbs 25:21-22 (ESV)   I am not sure anyone knows what the burning coals mean, and there is much discussion as to its meaning. I am sure that the context is clear. We are not to retaliate against our enemies. We are not to take vengeance into our hands.   We must realize that God and man have different responsibilities, and if we take on God's responsibilities, responsibilities we are not meant to bear, we will destroy ourselves.   It would be as if I was trying to lift a ton off the ground, or if I attempted to fly while jumping off a building. Either way, I will fail, and be in a world of hurt, because I am attempting something that I am not made to do.   God is God and I am Dave, and there are specific demarcations as to whose responsibilities are whose. I would be wise to know them and abide b...

Fret not yourself because of evildoers, and be not envious of the wicked, for the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out. Proverbs 24:19-20 (ESV)   Fretting is not productive. In fact, it is destructive. Fretting is like rubbing sandpaper on wood until the wood is gone. It is likened to a slow heating up of something until it bursts into flames. In Psalm 37:1-3 we are told this: "Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness."   David, in Psalms, and his son Solomon, in Proverbs, warn us against fretting. As King David says, there are more productive things I can do today other than fret. I can focus on trusting God and doing good, and if I am focusing on that, I am not wearing myself out rubbing the sandpaper of my life against the issues of life.   Sanding wood until it is gone ...

Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things. You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast. "They struck me," you will say, "but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake? I must have another drink." Proverbs 23:31-35 (ESV)   Once again, we are warned against the destructive properties of alcohol. Once again alcohol is mentioned in the context of something that is dangerous enough to alter the course of history. We are not warned about water, milk, or orange juice being dangerous--only alcohol.   People tend to ignore facts that would cause them to alter their lives. We tend to elect officials that empower our lifestyle, rather than challenge it, have friends we agree with, and twist data to say what we want it...

The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it. The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life. Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked; whoever guards his soul will keep far from them. Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:3-6 (ESV)   Children are like sheep. They need to be led, not herded like cattle. Children need examples, and whether or not we want to be an example does not matter--we are.   Training children to do right means living right ourselves, in their presence. There is too much telling children how they should act, while displaying a lifestyle contrary to our words. We seem to lose focus on the training we are to give our children when they are young. Instead of spending time with them, we allow the television or some electronic device to "train them up." Then, when they get old, we wonder why they cannot depart from such ways. h...

The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart. Proverbs 21:1-2 (ESV)   There is no king because there is a King. We are not victims of dictatorial leaders. We are soldiers of the King, who can, at any time, change the course of the wars we fight. Our King knows no boundaries, has no adequate foes, and is not controlled, surprised, or enlightened. His resources are endless, and He always acts out of love. Our King is available  24/7 , does not grow weary, will never faint, and is able to sustain Himself, His people, and the entire universe. Our King is ever present, ever capable, and has no equal on earth or in the universe.   Our King is a father to His children and a terror to His enemies. He is lovingly fierce, and both a shelter and a storm. Our King created and directed history and is already celebrating the future victory. He needs no one, yet He ...

Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. Proverbs 20:1 (ESV)   This seems rather specific. Wine and strong drink are dangerous. Alcohol kills over 100,000 people a year, is a common denominator in most emergencies that call for police and ambulance backup, has destroyed numerous families, and fuels self-indulgence. Alcohol has power and authority, and once we subject ourselves to it, we open the door to many retreats.   People drink alcohol because they like the influence it has on them, because they have lost the idea of having God influence their lives, and they have turned to a bottle for help. Alcohol does not solve their problems; rather, it causes them to ignore, hide, or escape from their problems.   God solves problems; alcohol masks them. For some reason, alcohol has been associated with celebrations and good times, when it is the cause of tremendous sorrow and defeat.   For some reason, many in the church ignore...

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed. Proverbs 19:17 (ESV) How often do we do something to be noticed by others? How often do we help others to help ourselves? How often do we help someone just because it is right to help them, and gain nothing for our efforts?   Is it hard to help someone who is ungrateful and gives nothing in return? So often, we measure all we do by the return we will receive on the investment. This mind-frame prevents us from helping those who are truly in need, for they cannot pay us back.   That is why we are told that those who "get it" care for widows and orphans. True widows and orphans are in a position of need, and they cannot pay back our kindness or multiply our investment, yet those who are truly Christian care for their needs.   Resources are given to us to multiply the important things in life, not to multiply our self-indulgent lifestyles. We need to practice being stewards and not owners. ...

Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11 (ESV)   What makes us want to make sure someone pays for hurting us? Why is it that when Jesus was hung on a cross, He looked at the crowd and asked God to forgive them?   We know that Christ is our example, yet we so often ignore what Christ did and why He did what He did. We often attribute the fact that He was the Son of God to why He did what He did, forgetting that we, too, (those who have their trust in Christ) are the sons of God.   Jesus lived making decisions that honored God. I can live making decisions honoring God. Jesus lived as one whom the Holy Spirit controlled. I can live being controlled by the Holy Spirit.   Too often, I look for excuses rather than reasons. Those who "get it" realize they need no retaliation, for their Heavenly Father has their back. If I am thinking clearly, it is a bummer to be them, in that they will one day have to answer to my Fathe...

A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. Proverbs 18:2 (ESV)   The most foolish among us are those who honor themselves the most. Honor is bestowed upon us by someone with the authority to do so. It is never something we bestow upon ourselves.   During one of our first meetings with our college football coaches, we were warned not to talk to our coaches, other players, or the fans about how good we were. The coaches told us they knew how good we were and would use our skills and talents accordingly.   The coaches had studied film, talked to our former coaches, and knew our strengths and weaknesses. We needed to yield ourselves to their plan and trust that our success and the overall success of the team would fall in line as it should.   Some did not listen to this directive and challenged the coaches' "understanding" of their abilities every season. Those who challenged the coaches' authority were frustrated and underutilized. ...

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud. Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. Proverbs  16:18-21  (ESV)   The prideful often do not think they are proud; they are just right. The haughty usually believe that all others around them cannot understand; they alone have understanding. It is impossible to be prideful and haughty if you trust God, and the discerning heart does just that.   A bit later in Proverbs 16, we are told that man often thinks he is wise when his very thoughts lead him to destruction. Pride is hard to detect when it becomes normative, and often, the only way to see it in oneself is to know its fruit. Those who are prideful seem to regularly criticize the motives and actions of others. ...

The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit. Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. Proverbs 16:1-4 (ESV)   We don't get up in the morning and hope that we do "dumb" things. Nobody plans to do a bad job today. Yet, today, some of us will do dumb things or a bad job. How do these things happen?   First, we need to ensure that we have people intimately involved in our lives who love God and us and who interact with us on a regular basis. Next, we need to personally commit our way to God, for it is difficult to do something "dumb" or bad when we have the pure motive of doing it to honor God.   Life is not as complicated as we make it. We need to simply honor God in all that we do.   https://www.podbean.com/relate365

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent. Proverbs 15:1-5 (ESV)   Reaction is not always bad, but it is different than responding. Reaction often tells us where our mind has been, whereas responses usually tell us where our mind should be. Those who practice responding will eventually have proper reactions.   If you follow sports, you hear of "muscle memory." Muscle memory happens when you do a task repeatedly until the movement of that particular body part seems to automatically move properly when called upon. After a baseball player swings the bat a thousand times in practice, the eye-to-hand coordination is ready and willing to mov...

Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox. Proverbs 14:4 (ESV)   As a former schoolteacher, I used to hear a phrase in jest: teaching would be wonderful if we had no students. I have heard ministry leaders jokingly say that ministry would be great except for the people.   These words were meant to be a joke, but they convey the same profound truth as this passage. There is always a way to an easier life, but the easier life will not produce abundant fruit. Life's value is not measured by how much play time we have amassed, but how much of our time has gone into the processes that will eventually produce fruit. Leveraging our time, efforts, and assets to maximize the reality of God to others takes tremendous effort.   This effort is not always "fun." Mundane is a state of mind that can be changed to make the same task fulfilling. What can you change to leverage more of what you have towards more of what you should be ac...

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. Proverbs 13:20 (ESV)   We are influenced by the company we keep. If we are constantly around those who walk with God, walking with God will be simpler. If we are constantly around those who think they are God, we will begin to think we, too, are God.   Research seems to indicate that we are more often influenced than we are influencers, and that the hours of influence shape our thoughts and actions. The Bible seems to indicate the same, referring to us as sheep whose number one tendency is to follow.   Godless chatter and behavior can keep us from God and cause us to focus our thoughts and energies on the meaningless. If Satan cannot destroy us through outright sin, he can render us worthless by having us constantly immersed in the worthless.   Time spent in the meaningless makes our lives meaningless. God's Word discusses the importance of bearing fruit, and to bear fruit, one nee...

Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it. Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded. The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death. Proverbs  13:11-14  (ESV)   Focusing on the little things can lead to big successes. Intentionality is the key to living a responsible and productive life.   Saving a little money each month will give you a lot when you are older. Fulfilling promises today, when you can, instead of tomorrow, will provide you with purpose in life and satisfaction in death. Listening to those who speak to you, and, most importantly, listening to God, will allow you to avoid many of life's mistakes. Intentionality in earning, saving, giving, and listening is the ingredient to a healthy life and fearless death.   ...

An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble. From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man's hand comes back to him. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult. Proverbs  12:13-16  (ESV)   The first thing that comes to our minds is often troublesome at best. I have learned that if I need to respond to something and start with my second thought, I fare much better than starting with my first thought.   My first thought is often a defensive posture, where digging in is the strategy of the day, which often fuels the fires of discord. My second thought is often quickly prayed about, thought about, and appropriate for resolving the matter.   As God has said, I have found that it is wise to ignore a fool, for the fool, as I also, will one day give an account to God for every...

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of evil devices he condemns. No one is established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will never be moved. Proverbs 12:1-3 (ESV)   We do not learn by accident. We learn when we position ourselves to learn. Some may think they learned by accident, yet God has never been random, and He will never be random in His dealings with man. One who understands life embraces that we are limited in our understanding and encourages those from the "outside" to be a part of our lives.   Second Timothy, chapter 4 discusses effective teaching, which includes reproving, rebuking, and exhorting. Those who want to learn are thankful for those who reprove, rebuke, and exhort them. Those who hate when that happens to them hate knowledge.   This seems to go against our normal thought process, but that is because our normal thought process excludes the idea tha...

Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered. Proverbs 11:21 (ESV)   God consistently tells us throughout the Scriptures that those who live lives apart from Him are evil, and they will not go unpunished. It may look like those who are ignoring God are getting away with it, but we are told that evil will be punished, and indeed, it will be.   As one who has been in an administrative position most of my life, I understand the misunderstanding that can come to those who are not in my position. Let's say an employee has done something wrong, and I know about it. I meet with that person, talk it through, and even create a plan for correcting what was wrong. Those who look at the situation from the outside were not part of our inner dealings, and may think that we are doing nothing, when doing something.   If I could talk to the "outsider," I would assure them we are dealing with it. God tells us to be assured. He will...

Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. Proverbs 11:14 (ESV)   We all have guidance systems in place whether we realize it or not. Our guidance system could be as simple as our feelings, our money, our friends, family,  job, and so on. Whatever it is, it has authority over us, and if it is anything or anyone other than God, we will one day be disappointed that we gave “it” such authority.   Healthy people live healthy lives, and part of being healthy is to have someone from the outside evaluating both the whys and the whats of our life. Healthy people are not afraid of a challenge. They embrace diversity, while never being tolerant, and enjoy opportunities to see things from various vantage points.   Healthy people discover more than they create and seek often more than they find. These actions place many counselors in their lives, and in this abundance of counselors there is safety.   In our world, we often...

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them. Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight, but the wicked falls by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust. When the wicked dies, his hope will perish, and the expectation of wealth perishes too. Proverbs 11:3-7 (ESV)   Those who have much in this life often use the much they have for advantage. Many times, they get used to the idea of having some sort of advantage because they have money. Really, those who have much will have much required of them. When we stand before God, money will not buy us anything. The power we amassed on earth will be meaningless, other than us being accountable to having used it well to bring others to Christ.   Those who are wealthy in this life need to be extremely careful that th...

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it. Proverbs  9:10-12  (ESV)   Knowing that God is God and I am not is the beginning of all good things. God is the creator; I am the created. God is the sustainer; I need sustaining. God is the healer; I am the sick. God is the convicter; I am the convicted. God is the master; I am the slave. God is the King; I am the vessel. God gives mercy; I need mercy. God is gracious; I live and learn by grace. God is infinite; I am finite. God wants me; I need Him.   There is a beginning to all good things, and the beginning to a good life is the recognition that God is God. This sounds simple, and it is, simply profound.   A world that has no fear of God, fears everything else, whereas those who fear God live a faith rest li...

Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. Proverbs 9:7-9 (ESV)   Sometimes we are told to be quiet because speaking would be a waste of time. Throughout the years, I have learned that anyone who is in the seat of authority of any kind will be ridiculed by those who are under their authority. They will be ridiculed directly or behind their backs, but they will be ridiculed. Not everybody treats those in authority this way, but you can count on it happening.   Christians who walk with and obey God are submissive to Him and the authorities they are under. It is a “characteristic of the Godly.”   In reality, there is no authority other than God. Leaders on earth will answer to Him, and are entrusted with leadership, not e...

”I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.” Proverbs  8:12-13  (ESV)   “Many men are prudent who are not wise—that is to say, they are superficially cautious, sagacious, calculating; but they are never wise. True wisdom is the metaphysic of prudence. It is the innermost life and reality, and it expresses itself in the large prudence which sees more points than can be seen by mere cleverness. He that seeketh his life shall lose it; he that will throw away his life for Christ’s sake shall find it, and shall thus prove himself in the long run to be the truly prudent man. Beware of the prudence that is as a skeleton. The true prudence is the living body, inhabited by a living soul—the soul is wisdom. Sometimes wisdom will drive a man to do apparently foolish things—at least, things that cannot be understood by those who live in rectangles, tw...

There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. Proverbs  6:16-19  (ESV)   The Lord hates things that destroy those He loves. We would be wise to do likewise.   Those who love are patient, not tolerant. Tolerance is not love. To tolerate means to wave the white flag, to give up any hope of abiding in truth, and to allow those we say we love to be much less than they should be.   God is love, and the only hatred in Him is for the things that destroy those He loves. God’s patience is way beyond our comprehension, and because His love is great, His hate is great. You cannot love deeply and not hate things that destroy your loved ones. It is impossible.   Therefore, when I see people enjoying the very things that de...

Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man. Proverbs 6:6-11 (ESV)   Man was cursed to work the ground, so work the ground we must. The motivation for working the ground is the pleasure that comes from working it. We enjoy the fruit of the garden, the dairy products from the cows, and the warm homes that come from the fireplaces.   However, in order to enjoy these things, one must hoe the garden, care for the cattle, and cut, chop, and stack the wood.   Sick, self-absorbed people live life expecting others to work hard on their behalf. They are constantly thinking about pleasure, and they will use others to gain more of it for t...