As one who has the gift of persuasion, I have to be ever mindful of this verse. Is what I am saying truth or just flattery? Am I just buttering someone up to get what I want but do I truly believe what I am saying?
May my lips be used to edify and encourage others and at times speak truth in love but never used for manipulation.
Whenever I read this proverb, I think of baseball pitching legends, Roger Clemens and Andy Petitte. Both men were accused of using Human Growth hormones (HGH) during their time as Major League players. Petitte confessed that it was true and though his name was sullied just a bit he continued on without much fanfare. Meanwhile, Clemens denied it and ended up going to trial on perjury charges which lasted 10 weeks. In the end he was found not guilty but there is still a cloud around his name and the supposed use of the HGH. Regardless of whether or not Clemens used HGH, I see the value of just confessing my transgressions and deal with the fallout. I have learned that owning up to it is better than deflecting or denying.
In the Bible, the king represents the authority in your life. In this proverb, the writer is saying that God controls the heart of your authority and He does it in the same way He turns a river. A river is turned through time and pressure.
Often, I will say, “God, give me the time and I will put on the pressure.” But usually His response back is, “You give Me the time and I will put on the pressure.” This is always the wiser course.
I probably quote this verse at least once a week. When relationship difficulties happen, or the challenges of ministry occur, or the hassles of traffic frustrate me, this verse (if I am being Spirit led and not fleshly led) will pop into my mind.
I wouldn’t have any difficulties if I did not have people in my life that I loved and cared for and whom feel the same way about me. Ministry challenges would disappear if I didn’t have any ministry. Traffic would not be frustrating if I didn’t have a car or a place to go.
No oxen, no problems but the oxen are what brings in the crop. We sometimes have to deal with the manure to get to abundance.
Last month, I heard a definition for insight that was well, rather insightful. Insight is information that is beyond the obvious. As I read this verse, I immediately thought of that definition. What a blessing it is when we go to our trusted advisors and tell them our problem and they are able to clearly communicate a solution that we never even considered. This is insight.
I call these moments “golden ticket” moments and they sometimes happen not even when you are seeking advice. We are in a meeting talking about business and someone says something that is exactly what we need to hear concerning an issue at home. We are listening to a podcast on one topic and the teacher casually mentions something and the proverbial light bulb goes off and you can apply it to a totally different situation.
May we strive to be people with golden tickets for others.
Review your habits today and stop some and start new ones.
There is a good chance that despite it just being Halloween, the Christmas decorations are out at the store and the sales circulars are already arriving in the mail. And if we are not careful, the commercialism may just take over the true meaning of the season. Jesus came in the first advent because we all were poor…poor in spirit. We were lost and needed a Savior. I am so glad He saw my need and chose to meet it.
Several years back I learned about theAdvent Conspiracyand its mission to celebrate Christmas more humbly, beautifully and generously. In 2016, thisvideoreally grabbed my heart. (Note: the number is now $600B.) Check it out and let’s start today making sure we keep our hearts in tuned to the first Advent and our poverty apart from Christ. And may I be the first in 2018 to wish you Merry Christmas!
Go do right now what you have procrastinated on for weeks.
In this proverb God does not say, “I will rescue them, or I will hold back those who are stumbling.” He expects us to do it. Now we know that we can only do anything for Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit but we are the hands and feet that actually do the work.
Today, look around you and see what work you need to be doing for Him. Seek His face to find out what work He planned for you before the foundations of the earth and then go about doing it. You are in this generation and at your specific geographic location for a reason. Take full advantage of it!
Let’s get started on greatness!
The refining of silver or gold requires an extremely hot fire (around 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit), a craftsman willing to skimming the dross off the top and a rock of silver or gold. In this proverb, it says that the Lord does the same thing to test our hearts.
We are the rock, God Himself is the Craftsman and the circumstance of life is the fire. Challenges come – God is cranking up the furnace. How many impurities will rise to the top? Impurities like unbelief, despair or anger. If success comes (and it can still be the turning up of the heat,) impurities like pride, self-reliance and greed can surface.
May we be sensitive to the heat around us and be willing to allow the impurities to come and when they do, we will allow the Craftsman to skim them off.
Start moving towards the possible today! With God all things are possible.
As most of you know, food is my “go to” for just about anything. If I am sad, chips will fix that. If I am happy, let’s have ice cream. If I am depressed, a run to Waffle House will be happening soon. If I am bored, buttered popcorn will entertain me.
However, most of the time it is not my body that is hungry for food but rather my soul is hungry for love, comfort or hope. And I have found that if I stop…identify where my true hunger is coming from and then turn to the Lord, He has ALWAYS feed me and my soul will be sated. He is the Bread of Life.
Success is not determined because you never failed but that you kept going after the failure. Do you feel knocked down? Get up. If you need help, reach out.
Love and loyalty….if that is one’s focus and motivation, you really can’t go wrong. This verse also reminds me of I Corinthians 13 where the Apostle Paul says, “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
The greatest is love?
It wasn’t until recently that I really let that sink it. It is more important to love then to be right. It is more important to love then to be selected. It is more important to love then to change another’s mind. It is more important to love than to give one hope…especially false hope. It is ALWAYS more important to love.
May we be people of love!
What is uncomfortable in your life today? If there isn’t anything, then set a goal that takes you out of that comfort zone and go make it happen.
Becky Turner is the National Managing Partner at The Barnabas Group who offers Personal Coaching, Coaching for Non-profit Executives and is the voice behind the "Laughing at the Future" podcast.
