Just thought I’d share 3 great “Sips” from Proverbs (with my brief personal comments) from my time of “Coffee with the Lord this morning… Good stuff!! (Using New King James Version this morning)
From Proverbs 24:9 – “The devising of foolishness is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination.” My comment in the margin: “Remember this and don’t forget it!”
From Proverbs 24:10 (next verse) – “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.” My comment: “Stay strong! Do what is necessary to sustain strength physically, emotionally, and most of all spiritually!”
Then Proverbs 24:11-12 – “Deliver those who are drawn toward death and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, ‘sure I did not know this,’ Does not He who weighs the heart consider it? He who keeps your soul,, does He not know it? And will He not render to each person according to their deeds?” My comment: Protect, help and rescue those in need and at risk both personally and spiritually! No excuses!”
FAITH! … It’s a big deal for me – and for that matter ANYONE who wants to please God and know Him personally! “Without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would draw near to God mut believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him!” (Hebrews 11:6)
This morning I finished reading the section of Hebrews 11 in my Bible (Hebrews 11:32-40). My personal definition of faith is “confidence in God (and everything about Him – His person, His character, His dealings with us and others, His word, His promises, His warnings, etc.) In fact, here’s what I jotted in the margin of my Bible this morning about that final section of Hebrews 11…
“Here are all the kinds of things that FAITH – confidence in God – accomplishes in a person’s life (great things and challenging things – EVERYthing!)… Here it for your reading, reflection and response…
“And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets — who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection.
“But some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated — of whom the world was not worthy — wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
“And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.” (From Hebrews 11:11–40 ESV)
Yup… FAITH – Confidence in God through all that life brings our way – God’s faithfulness – God’s purposes fulfilled in my life! I’m trusting in Him!
Here’s some really good advice from my time of “Coffee with the Lord” today in Proverbs… “Do not say, ‘I will repay evil!’ – Wait for the Lord, and He will deliver [or vindicate] you! (Proverbs 20:22 ESV) Help me Lord to always heed these wise, godly words!!
