Category: Proverbs–BibleTrekToday
Divided priorities fail
Scripture reading for January 8: Matthew 6
“”Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. . . .No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”” Matthew 6:19-21, 24
Our world is obsessed with accumulating the ‘treasures’ of this earth. We have basic needs of food, clothing and shelter and should be concerned about those, but our appetites always outpace our basic needs. As I began my life on the farm with a new wife and a degree from a state university, my goal was to become a big farmer and find success. We started out small and began to accumulate land, animals and equipment. Borrowed money was used and debts grew as well. Then the economy took a turn and interest rates skyrocketed. I learned that the borrower becomes a slave of the lender! (Proverbs 22:7) That’s when our Lord revealed to me the truth that I couldn’t serve Him and ‘money’. My heart was tied up in worry about the things and money and not in worship and love for God.
But thanks be to God, He loved me enough to call me to follow Him. He called me to come to Him and learn His ways. He taught me that if I would seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, everything I truly needed would be supplied in my life! (Matthew 6:33) He taught me dependence on Him for my daily bread! (Matthew 6:11)
Where is your ‘treasure’ laid up today? Is your heart divided trying to serve two masters? Have you given all your love and devotion to your true Master Jesus Christ? Are you worried about your daily needs?
Prayer: “Our Father in heaven, hollowed by Your Name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Amen! (Matthew 6:9-13)
2025–The world according to Jesus!
Bible Reading Plan: one chapter of the ESV New Testament five days a week
Dear Friends and citizens of the Kingdom of heaven,
Greetings in the Majestic Name of Jesus Christ!
In Luke 21:33 (ESV) Jesus states, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will never pass away.” As we begin a new year, we choose to ask our Lord Jesus to guide us and transform our thinking, attitudes and resulting actions to reflect His eternal Word.
Our world view is initially formed before salvation by our inherited sin-nature that places us at the center of everything. Relying on the desires of our fallen nature, we easily succumb to the world’s pressure to conform to its definition of ‘normal’. We seek to create our own views of reality through our senses and whatever training is given to us by our parents, peers, and educators. Our world in America not only condones but encourages choices about our sexuality, our morality, and our freedom to be and do anything it now considers ‘woke’, despite laws already on the books or God’s Law which never changes. As those who have repented of our conformity to the world, we seek daily transformation of our thinking through reading and hearing God’s Word.
I have chosen the theme “The world according to Jesus” to guide our reading of the New Testament this year. I am using the English Standard Version (2001) and will read a chapter each day, five days a week, beginning in Matthew and ending with Revelation. As you read along with me, I will share in devotional form a passage from each chapter that helps me understand life and God’s plan for us. Please feel free to make your own journal or to comment on my posts by sharing what God is showing you. “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17 ESV)
I am thankful for the Holy Spirit Who will help each of us to stay faithful and be conformed to our Lord Jesus and discern worldly habits. Have a blessed year of reading and watch daily for our Lord’s return!
In His Love, Pastor John Morse
Would you lie to God?
Scripture reading for November 6: Acts 5-7
Lying is a sin! One of the ten commandments states that we should not give a false accusation against a neighbor! (Exodus 20:16) God hates a lying tongue! (Proverbs 6:17-19) Lying causes mistrust because lies are usually found out and the person’s character is degraded by all who know the truth. Lying breaks relationships, marriages, homes, and even churches! A lying tongue hates the one it hurts! (Proverbs 26:28) A false witness will not go unpunished and he who pours out lies will perish! (Proverbs 19:9) The devil is a liar and can speak only one language: “LIE!” (John 8:44)
The Book of Acts records the history of the early church from just before the day of Pentecost and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to the imprisonment of the Apostle Paul in Rome. Very early in the history of the new church, Luke recorded the story of a Ananias and Sapphira, who told a costly lie. Acts 5:1-16.
Ananias and Sapphira sold some of their property and made an offering to the Apostles for the use of the church. The price of the property was more than what they gave, but they told the Apostles that they gave all the money to the Lord. Now it wasn’t wrong not to give it all. It was only wrong to lie about what they had given. Scripture doesn’t say why they did this. It may be that they wanted to look good to other church members . It may be that they dedicated more than they were willing to give and decided to keep some back. Whatever the reason, both husband and wife died for telling less than the truth.
“Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men, but to God.”” “When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what happened.” (Acts 5:3-5)
This should make each one of us evaluate our own hearts and giving. We need mercy more than ever! This is a New Testament story to warn God’s people that dealing with God is serious business! Amazingly, the church grew and many souls were added after this judgment! God is building a holy church that will reflect His character of Truth! The Holy Spirit is a Spirit of Truth given to us as a gift!
The ‘wine’ of Pride
Scripture reading for August 31: Daniel 4-6
Alcohol has been around for many years. Alcohol impairs judgment and often brings delusional thinking and uninhibited lewd behavior. (Proverbs 23:29-35) These effects of alcohol are also a picture of the effect of sin on the body, soul, and mind of a person made in God’s image for His glory!
King Belshazzar of Babylon had a party for a thousand of his nobles where they drank wine. After drinking for a while, the king ordered that the golden goblets that his grandfather had taken from the Temple of God in Israel be brought out. They were filled with wine and toasts were offered to the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood and stone. These idols of Babylon were thought to bring protection and power to the King of Babylon. As they were toasting, boasting and celebrating, there appeared what looked like human fingers that held a writing instrument and wrote upon the wall. (Daniel 5:1-6) This sight was so deeply sobering that the king’s knees began to knock with fear and his legs gave way.
The king called all his wise men and astrologers to read the writing but no one could tell him what it said. Then the queen, very possibly his own mother or grandmother, told him about Daniel, probably in his 80’s. He was not among those drinking in the palace because of his life of prayer and consecration to the one true God. (Daniel 5:10-12) It was the Spirit of God in him that made the difference.
Daniel spoke plainly to Belshazzar about God’s dealings with his father Nebuchadnezzar. He then told Belshazzar that he had failed to honor the God who held his life in His hands. (Daniel 5:22-24) Belshazzar had mocked God and angered Him by his refusal to humble himself and by drinking wine from the sacred goblets. Now the decree of God on the wall stated that God was sending judgment and Belshazzar’s kingdom would fall that very night and be given to the Medes and Persians. (Daniel 5:25-31)
What can we learn from this incident? It is easy to become drunk on the wine of this world and put what is profane in our holy goblets (our bodies and souls). Only those who are consecrated to God have insight and ability to read the handwriting on the wall because they truly know God and His Word! Daniel had read God’s Word in Jeremiah 51:39 and could understand what was happening. Let’s apply the lessons taught by Daniel and stay alert to speak prophetically to those drunk on this world system.
Wisdom as a virtuous woman!
Scripture reading for July 11: Proverbs 30-31
As Proverbs comes to it’s conclusion, it ends with emphasis on the godly wife and mother. Wisdom was described as a virtuous woman in several locations in Proverbs. (Proverbs 8 and 9:1-12) The contrast of this virtuous woman was another woman, “Folly”. (Proverbs 9:13-18) Folly was a prostitute and lacked sense. She wouldn’t stay at home and was often on the prowl. Her door led to death and the grave and many were the number she had slain! (Proverbs 7:26-27)
Proverbs 31:10-31 describes the wife of noble character. This description of the noble wife has stood as a pattern for women throughout the ages of godliness and righteous living. This godly wife is a worker and is trustworthy. (Proverbs 31:11-17) She is up and busy providing for the needs of her household. She cares for the poor and needy with her excess. She is thoughtful for the future and plans ahead. She clothes her children with scarlet and her husband is honored in the city gate. She speaks with wisdom and is clothed with dignity and strength. Her children and husband bless her and honor her! She fears the Lord and will be given her reward at the city gate! I am thankful for my wife–a godly woman!
This woman is also like the Bride of Christ! The “Bride” is a worker and is faithful and trusted by Jesus Christ. The Bride is busy and cares for the needs of the household of faith. She provides garments of scarlet–coverings of the Blood over all her true children! She reaches out to the poor and needy with gracious giving. She is mindful of the future return of the Bridegroom and makes preparations and is assured that She will be ready! She speaks with wisdom and is clothed by her Husband with dignity and strength! Her children and Husband honor her! She will receive her reward at the city gate and Her works will praise Her–The New Jerusalem!
Are you in the Bridal company and ‘betrothed’ to Jesus Christ? Are you busy providing a godly example and covering of prayer for your family and friends? Let’s stay busy and working for the day of His appearing is coming quickly! This is true and godly wisdom!
Word pictures!
Scripture reading for July 10: Proverbs 25-29
“A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.” Proverbs 25:11-12
Word pictures help us to grasp and remember sayings of the wise. These word pictures come back to us and we can meditate on them and begin to apply them and pray for God to work them into our lives. This is the process of the renewing of the mind. It involves us reading the sayings and then remembering them and saying them again and again. We allow them to come into our heart and bring understanding.
This proverb tells us of words that are spoken at just the right time and in the right tone. They are not many words but sometimes only a “word”. They are beautiful to look at as fine art and have a good ring in our ear. They bring to mind pictures that can reveal more to us than words. They are the “pleasant words that promote instruction”. (Proverbs 16:21)
The earring of gold or ornament of fine gold reminded the reader of what a “listening ear” might look like if it received correction from a wise man. It would be pleasant to look at and decorated beautifully with richness of fine gold. The wise man receives correction so that he can be wiser still. The fool rejects correction and has no earring of fine gold!
“Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble.” Proverbs 25:19
This proverb uses a painful bad tooth or a lame foot that can’t support any weight because of the pain and brokenness to tell a story to those who will listen. An unfaithful man is just like that tooth that aches and causes discomfort. He is like the lame foot that is of no help moving forward or carrying a load. Faithfulness is a prized character trait of the wise and choosing faithful helpers, counselors and leaders is a wise move for everyone who has an ear to hear this word aptly spoken!
The proverbs contain many more of these pithy statements and word pictures that carry a picture and a message. Take some time and jot down several that speak to you. Share them with a spouse, friend or fellow-traveler in this journey through life. Your just may put a “gold earring or ornament of fine gold” in the listening ear!
Wisdom to rule and live!
Scripture reading for July 9: Proverbs 22-24
The Bible teaches that we are all designed to rule and have dominion! Adam was given dominion over creation in order to tend and care for it as God desired and instructed. (Genesis 1:27-28) We need God’s wisdom because He is the source of all wisdom and authority and created all things for His purposes. The proverbs offer wisdom to those in authority to enable them to effectively rule with the mind of God.
Proverbs emphasizes our need for humility. (Proverbs 22:4) When we fear the Lord, God gives us discernment between good and evil. When we choose the good consistently we get wealth, honor and life as added benefits. We also get a good name and reputation, something that money can’t buy! (Proverbs 22:1) Keeping humility when God has blessed you can be a real test, for many times prosperity causes pride and God is forgotten or not honored.
When a king rules, he acts on behalf of God. Rulers are to treat the poor with equity and respect. (Proverbs 22:16, 22-23) When the poor are mistreated, God Himself promises to take up their case and rule on their behalf! Rulers must stay away from the adulteress and the hot-tempered man. (Proverbs 22:14, 24; 23:26-28) Both of those people lead to trouble. When rulers judge in court, they must be sure to convict the guilty and not show partiality or take a bribe. God will bless righteous judgment and integrity! (Proverbs 24:23-25) Also, do not seek revenge because that is for God alone! (Proverbs 24:29)
Those in authority must avoid drunkenness and laziness. (Proverbs 23:29-35) Drinking takes away your ability to have sound judgment and to see clearly. It causes violence and strife and quarrels. A hangover comes the next day and bloodshot eyes! It poisons our life like a snake-bite! The second warning is against laziness. (Proverbs 24:30-34) Laziness causes life to fall into ruin around you. Your life looks like a field that is not tended. Walls of protection are broken down and enemies steal the crop. Weeds grow and choke it out and thorns are a sign that the curse is at work. Laziness leads to poverty and lack!
Is you life marked by humility and respect for God? In your leadership, are you applying the wisdom of God in setting a good example? “Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life.” Proverbs 22:4
Sluggards, mockers, and meddlers!
Scripture reading for July 8th: Proverbs 18-21
When we lived in Washington state near Olympia for six years, we experienced slugs for the first time. After a rain, which was almost daily, the slugs came out, crawling on the sidewalks. They left slimy trails and if you picked them up, you felt slimy too! They did not move very fast but inched along like a snail. I imagine that the sluggard in the Bible is named after that slow and slimy animal!
The Bible talks more about the sin of laziness than that of drunkenness. Proverbs 19:15 says that laziness and sleeping go together and the result is a shiftless man who goes hungry! We are warned in Proverbs 20:13 that loving sleep results in poverty! The lazy man is called a “sluggard” in Proverbs 19:24. He is accused of being so lazy that he cannot even feed himself! The sluggard is always craving but never satisfied because he refuses to work! The sluggard is shouting “there’s a lion outside” or “I will be murdered in the streets.” His excuses to keep from work are ridiculous! (Proverbs 23:13)
The mocker is the next term dealt with in today’s reading. A mocker is someone who makes fun of God’s Word and ways, preferring to do things their own way. Mockers deserve flogging because they lead others astray. (Proverbs 19:25, 29) Mockers are often involved in drinking and mock when they are drunk with wine or beer. (Proverbs 20:1) Proverbs 21:24 names the proud and arrogant man “mocker”. Mockers are fools because they lack discernment and fail to value God or His Word! God’s Word says to drive out the mocker to remove strife, quarrels and insults! (Proverbs 22:10)
Meddling in affairs that are not yours often fills the time of a lazy person. Proverbs 20:3 states that it is a man’s honor to avoid strife and quarreling. Proverbs 20:19 warns against gossip and meddling as a source of trouble. Guarding your mouth and tongue will keep you from calamity! (Proverbs 21:23) We are to seldom set our foot in our neighbor’s house because with too much of us, he will end up hating us! (Proverbs 25:17) If you want to really get into trouble, meddle in a quarrel that is not your own! It will be like taking a dog by it’s ears! (Proverbs 26:17)
Evaluate your own life and take appropriate action before it’s too late! Are you loving sleep, meddling in others lives, or mocking God’s Word? Poverty, beatings, and a Doberman Pincer by the ears should be warning enough!
Sunday rest and reflection: wise living!
Dear Friends, Greetings in the Wonderful Name of Jesus Christ, the only wise God! What a day to be alive and learning to know and love God! The signs are everywhere of the last days and God’s Word tells us to live wisely and make the most of our time as we see the Day of Christ approaching. (Ephesians 5:15-16) Those who are righteous will become more righteous and live by the Spirit, following Christ more closely. Those who are wicked will become more wicked, following their own flesh and the evil spirits of this world more closely. (Revelation 22:10-11)
As we read Proverbs, we are exposed to wisdom for successful daily living. The proverbs were wise sayings and nuggets of God’s truth that would help to discern the right path. These truths were particularly helpful to youth and children who were beginning their walk through life. Parents were to teach their children wise living. They taught by impressing truth on the hearts of the young during daily meals, Sabbath day church gatherings, work, and sharing at bedtime around the fire.
According to God’s Word, wise living always centered on loving God and obeying His commandments. This wisdom has it’s beginning in a deep respect for God as Creator and giver of life! The term used in Scripture is the ‘fear of the Lord’. Parents teach the ‘fear of the Lord’ by their attitude towards God and God’s house. Regular church attendance and worship is a good indication of a desire to live wisely. Daily study of the Word of God and prayer are spiritual disciplines that indicate a desire to know God’s will in order to submit to it and obey it. Wise living honors God’s Word as the rule of faith and practice. We treat it with respect and believe it is truth–all of it! When we cut out parts of the Bible because it doesn’t line up with what ‘science’ teaches or with what we want to believe, then we have lost our fear of the Lord and our ability to know truth. This is a dangerous place to be!
In the last days, men will refuse a love of the truth, believe a lie, and end up in damnation. (2nd Thessalonians 2:9-12) When we have no fear of God or His Word, a delusion of deception blinds us even further. We lose our ability to discern right from wrong. We end up delighting in wickedness and going to our destruction. Now is the time to press on to know the Lord and live wisely in obedience and faith. Jesus is coming soon! (Revelation 22:20)
The ‘heart/tongue’ connection!
Scripture reading for July 6th: Proverbs 14-17
According to God’s Word, there is a definite connection between the heart and the tongue. The heart is the source of everything that the tongue speaks. The heart isn’t just the organ that pumps the life blood of a person, however. According to Jesus, the heart of man is the source of “evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly.” (Mark 7:21) These ungodly sins come from the un-redeemed heart and then the mouth speaks and directs a person into the trouble.
There are several proverbs that relate to the heart and the tongue. Proverbs 14:3 states that “a fool’s talk brings a rod to his back but the lips of the wise protect them.” “The tongue of the wise commends knowledge but the mouth of fools gushes folly.” (Proverbs 15:2) Proverbs 17:20 tells of a man with a perverse heart and a deceitful tongue. Punishment awaits those with perverse hearts and lips that speak lies. The Lord detests all who are proud of heart and He promises punishment! (Proverbs 16:5)
The wise person has a heart that is discerning and lips that promote instruction. (Proverbs 16:21) The wise man’s heart guides his mouth and brings forth pleasant words that are sweet to the soul and promote healing. (Proverbs 16:23-24) It is the fear of the Lord that teaches the heart wisdom, and humility brings understanding and honor. (Proverbs 15:32-33) As we think of Jesus Christ and His own life of humility and living in the fear of the Lord, we see how His heart guided his mouth. We are reminded of lips that brought healing and pleasant words of instruction. He only said what His father said, and did what His Father did! (John 5:19)
Do you need a new heart and a clean mouth? The good news is that a new heart is available today through Jesus Christ! He was totally pure in heart and perfectly obedient to the Father in order to give His life as a sacrifice for us to free us from our sins! If you will confess your sins to Him, He is faithful and just and will forgive you of your sins and cleanse your heart.
“This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts and I will write them on their minds.” Then He adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” (Hebrews 10:16-17)