Blog Entries tagged 'Proverbs'

God's Amazing World

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Linda Bailey is currently away. Her new devotionals will begin again on the 1st February, 2010. In the meantime, here is a Daily Devotion that has been significant for one of my readers..

I think it's remarkable that if I flick an ant off my desk on to the floor it will just walk away unharmed even though it has fallen from a height that is thousands of times it's size.

Proverbs 30:1-33

Reference: v.18-19
"There are three things that are too amazing for me,
four that I do not understand:
the way of an eagle in the sky,
the way of a snake on a rock,
the way of a ship on the high seas,
and the way of a man with a maiden. (NIV Bible)

Explore: I am regularly amazed at the world I live in. I think it is absolutely fasinating that I can call my parents, who live 300 kilometers from me, on the phone and they can hear me clearly and instantly. I think it's remarkable that if I flick an ant off my desk on to the floor it will just walk away unharmed even though it has fallen from a height that is thousands of times it's size. I find it hard to understand that there are some people you just seem to click with instantly, a profound chemistry between two people that leads to something deeper and yet had begun with just a feeling.

Application: Our world is an amazing place. And it represents just a fraction of the brilliance of God. He put all that we see, feel, hear, taste, smell, and know in to being. No one can fully understand how imaginative and detailed God is. I know that I stand in awe of things that He probably thought of in an instant. As we walk throughout our day it is so easy to just glide past the intricacy and depth to our world around us. But may we not forget how amazing our world is, and how brilliant God, who created all things, is still today.

Prayer: Lord, everything we touch and know came from You. While we can never understand You completely we do thank You for all You have given to us. Amen.

Look around you. What is something that amazes you and shows you God's brilliance?

A Mouthful of Scripture

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Linda Bailey is currently away. Her new devotionals will begin again on the 1st February, 2010. In the meantime, here is a Daily Devotion that has been significant for one of my readers..

Each verse in Proverbs is like a mouthful of my mother's roast.

Proverbs 18:1-24

Reference: v.15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out. (NIV Bible)

Explore: My husband always laughs at me when I eat a roast dinner prepared by my mother. She always includes so many wonderful flavours and all my favourite vegetables. Therefore, each mouthful is like a tasty work of art. I have to be discerning and craft together the right mixture of flavours on the one forkful so that my tastebuds have a party with every single bite! When it comes to my mother's roasts and my mouthful-combinations, every forkful of food is a winner.

Application: Each verse in Proverbs is like a mouthful of my mother's roast. Each individual verse holds so much wisdom and a Godly way of looking at things. It's actually quite challenging to read a whole chapter at a time as each one is filled with 20-30 morsels of importance. It's like trying to eat a whole plateful in one bite. This is a book that you don't read once and then move on. It seems like it will be a book that makes more sense as you live life and as you process each verse individually. While reading chapter 18 means that I am half way through the book of Proverbs I can see that it will take a life time to glean even a tenth of the wisdom presented within.

Prayer: Lord, Your word truly is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. May we engage with it as we live life so that we can discern how you would have us live. Amen.

What passage have you read a number of times and received something different from it depending on your life situation?

Millionnaire Mindset

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Linda Bailey is currently away. Her new devotionals will begin again on the 1st February, 2010. In the meantime, here is a Daily Devotion that has been significant for one of my readers..

Generosity is not about the amount of money in your wallet, generosity is an expression of your heart.

Proverbs 21:1-31

Reference: v.26 All day long he (the sluggard) craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing. (NIV Bible)

Explore: I know a guy who would love to be a millionnaire. While he is currently working a standard job, he is always on the look out for a quick way to make money. I bumped in to this guy after one of my mission trips to the Philippines. He asked me about what it was like over there and I told him about the child sponsorship areas we had visited and some of the affects that poverty has had on thousands of the Filipino people. "You see," he said to me, "when I'm a millionnaire I'd give money to help those kind of people." Now, I don't know if this guy will ever become a millionnaire but I could be pretty sure that if he does he wont be giving his money away to those in need. This guy had a 'millionnaire mindset'. He thought that everything would be smooth sailing once he was a millionnaire so he would suddenly change his attitude and be more generous. However, generosity is not about the amount of money in your wallet, generosity is an expression of your heart. If you are not generous with the little you have, it is unlikely you will become generous when you have more.

Application: Some of the most generous people I know are those that only have a little. They may not be able to give large sums of money but they find ways to share what little they have with the others around them. They have a generous spirit. Having large sums of money does not make you generous because large is never enough. If you did not have a generous spirit before you became wealthy, extra money is not going to bring that sort of spirit to life! It is better for us to work less on obtaining a particular figure of money and work more towards being people who are generous... no matter how much money we have.

Prayer: Lord, all things we have come from You. May we not hold on to our wealth and possessions too tightly but be willing to pass them on to others in need. Amen.

Would others say that you have a generous spirit?

Lost In Translation

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0100

I think it is great that a passage written about the ideal wife is constructed in such a complex but creative way.

Proverbs 31:1-31

Reference: v.10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. (NIV Bible)

Explore: From verse 10 onwards this final chapter of Proverbs is actually written as an acrostic where each verse begins with a successive letter from the Hebrew alphabet. We don't pick that up when it is translated into English but the original was written in this poetic way. While translations have helped people of many nations to know more of the wisdom and majesty of our God, we can miss some of the beauty and play-on-words that were written in to the original text.

Application: I think it is great that a passage written about the ideal wife is constructed in such a complex but creative way. It's like the very structure of the writing also resembles the character of a wife. Women span the whole spectrum of diversity but we are all made to bring honour to God.
The whole book of Proverbs teaches us how to live wisely and fully. It sets ideals that we know are good but that could overwhelm us as they seem difficult to fulfill everyday. Don't let this high standard make you give up, but as you live each day may Proverbs give you the guidance and instruction to honour God in all you do.

Prayer: Lord, we can always find someone else that is better than us. Help us not to focus on them but just to strive to honour You. Amen.

Do you find you are striving to live up to someone else's expectations? Who is it that God is calling you to be?

Inflatable Ball Challenge

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Holding in your anger is like holding inflatable balls under the water.

Proverbs 29:1-27

Reference: v.11 A fool gives vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control. (NIV Bible)

Explore: Holding in your anger is like holding inflatable balls under the water. If you force an inflatable ball under the water it will try to push it's way back up to the top. While holding one ball under the water creates a bit of a struggle, it is possible. However, bring another ball in to the scenario and you have your work cut out for you. With both balls vying to come to the surface you need to use your whole body to keep them down. Add yet another ball into the challenge and it becomes almost impossible. In fact, when you try to hold multiple inflatable balls under the water you will find that when you lose control all the balls will fly up and past the water's surface.

Application: This is often true when we hold our emotions in as well. If we don't deal with our hurt, pain and anger then it will only take one small additional obstacle for all the emotion to rise to the top. I would often witness this in children that were going through a very difficult time in their homes. They would be able to hold it all together until they were at school when someone would do something as simple as bumping their chair and then all their emotions would come tumbling out. Not because they were worried about their chair but because it only took one small additional incident to bring all the balls flying through the surface. If we are not wise at dealing with our emotions when they occur then we will not be able to control them in the end. We can keep pushing them below the water but it wont take long before we can no longer keep them down.

Prayer: Lord, it is a challenge for women and men alike to deal with honest emotions. Help us to be wise and in control so that we deal with issues when they arise. Amen.

What emotions are you holding in at the moment? Is there something you need to deal with today?

What Could I Possibly Do?

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0100

When you play a part in transforming someone else’s life you cannot help but have your own life transformed too.

Proverbs 28:1-28

Reference: v.27 He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses. (NIV Bible)

Explore: When you stand in the middle of a slum you can’t hide from the stench of decay that fills your nostrils, you can’t shake off the dust that shades everything into a dreary grey, and you can’t mistake the suffocating wave of hopelessness as a whole community struggles to make it to the end of another day.
Whether we see it on the TV, hear about it on the radio or read of it in the newspaper we are well aware that parts of our world live in poverty. However, when the need is so overwhelming we are often left asking, “What could I possibly do?”
While making a personal contribution does help to alleviate the pain of those in developing countries, our impact can be multiplied when we work together as a whole church.

Application: Over the last five years I have led a number of church mission teams to the Philippines through International Needs . On these mission trips different churches have witnessed first hand the plight of those struggling to survive in poverty stricken areas. But because this was experienced within a faith community there have been new plans put in place for longer-term, sustainable changes. Feeding programs have been maintained; new child sponsorship programs have been created; international church partnerships have been established; and church worship instruments have been purchased. There is nothing greater than seeing lives changed to fulfil the purpose they were meant to have. And yet, none of this would have happened if we had have worked on a solo mission. We’re not created to do these things on our own.
Through working as a team, each group was able to bring their first-hand experience back home to encourage their own faith community to help those in need in tangible and practical ways. Every member of the church did not have to fly half way across the world to contribute to the need of others. Through a small group experiencing life in a developing country, they were able to come home and facilitate the whole church to live out the call of Jesus and care for those in need.
When you play a part in transforming someone else’s life you cannot help but have your own life transformed too.

Prayer: Lord, help us to work as a unified body to bring peace and wholeness to all people. Amen.

Is there an extra way you can help support someone in need? Is there a church or organization that you can add your gifts and resources to?

Rubbing Off On Others

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0100

As I look back on those three years I lived with these fabulous females I realise that their gifts and diligence in serving God rubbed off on me.

Proverbs 27:1-27

Reference: v.17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (NIV Bible)

Explore: Before I got married I lived in a house with a few other girls. Although we called it ‘The Cubby’ it was actually a huge house in the outer suburbs. It was the first time, since leaving home, that I had lived with Christians and each of us played a different role in our respective churches. One had the gift of creativity and teaching, another had the gift of music and encouragement, and still another had the gift of hospitality and compassion. As I look back on those three years I lived with these fabulous females I realise that their gifts and diligence in serving God rubbed off on me. Every time I start something new I wonder how Penny would have creatively communicated it. Every time I gather a group of people together I wonder how Gaylene would have made them feel welcome. Every time someone is in need I wonder how Fiona would have cared for them. Each of my housemates rubbed off on me in a different way and helped to make me a better person.

Application: The people we surround ourselves with makes a big difference in how we learn, grow and develop. I did not move in with my old housemates to strategically learn from them. In the beginning they were just a group of friendly, hilarious girls who needed an extra person to help cover rent. However, the longer I lived there the more I realised how supportive and nurturing they were. Sometimes you may find yourself in a similar place to me, where you are surrounded by good quality people. It’s in those times that you learn all you can and become open to growing more. However, sometimes you may find yourself surrounded by people who only tear you down and place a great burden upon you. It’s in those times that you need to find a strong support network and place yourself in other spheres that encourage you and build you up. When we associate ourselves with others it’s not just about the time we spend with them in person, but the impact they have on us long term. The people we are surrounded by will rub off on us, it’s up to us to discern whether that is a positive thing or not.

Prayer: Lord, it is important for us to help those in need. However we also know that we need to have the support and encouragement to continue on the work for You. Open our eyes to those places of restoration. Amen.

Who are the people that are rubbing off on you? Are you in a good place or do you need to find some more positive people to be around?

I Pity Da Fool

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0100

While Mr T is quite a strong character I never realised how Biblical he was!!

Proverbs 26:1-28

Reference: v.9
Like a thornbush in a drunkard's hand
is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. (NIV Bible)

Explore: Mr T is an American actor who plays a tough guy with a big heart. To those who grew up in the 80s, they'll know Mr T from his roles in the 'A-Team' and 'Rocky III'. For those who grew up in the '00s, they'll know him as the tough guy in the Snickers advertisements. While Mr T's roles have changed slightly his character and sayings have stayed the same: "I pity da fool!" Mr T can not stand people who are foolish. He even hosted an instructional video instilling positive values in to children so they would not grow up to be a fool.

Application: While Mr T is quite a strong character I never realised how Biblical he was!! As I read through the book of Proverbs, and particularly the 26th chapter, it seems like Godly wisdom also pities the fool. It is pretty blunt about how useless a fool can be. Thousands of years ago they said it like this: 'Like a lame man's legs that hang limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool' (verse 7). However today we would say, "As useful as a screen door on a submarine." (There are a few other similar sayings, but I thought I would stick with this one!) If we desire to live a life worthy of God's calling then we need to veer away from foolish behaviour. It's not just Mr T who despises foolishness but the Bible warns as clearly away from it too.

Prayer: Lord, you give us life, talents, resources and guidance. So often we make foolish decisions and waste what you have given to us. May we hear your wisdom and apply it to our lives. Amen.

Where have foolish thoughts and ideas crept in to your life? Who can you talk to about rectifying foolish behaviours?

Nothing Compares to Him

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0100

We could never contain God in a blog or a song.

Proverbs 25:1-28

Reference: v.3 As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable. (NIV Bible)

Explore: We can never fully understand God. Louie Giglio in his DVD Indescribable outlines how incredibly vast the creation is when you start to look in to it all. While we feel so significant and the earth seems so big we are humbled when we here how larger stars and galaxies are beyond ours. And yet God, who put all of these enormous, wonderous and mind-boggling galaxies in to place is keen to know you and me. It's hard to fully comprehend.

Application: When I first read this verse in Proverbs I thought that it must have been translated incorrectly and that the heart of the King is unsearchable. And yet then I remembered that God is the King of Kings. If a king's heart is unsearchable that gives us a small glimpse into the immensity of God's heart. We could never contain God in a blog or a song. He is more wonderous than our eye's will ever see or our mind will ever know. He is the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. And this Almighty Creator desires to know you and me. There is nothing that compares to Him.

Prayer: Lord, You are wonderous and mighty. We are humbled that you would desire to have a relationship with us. Thank you, oh glorious Saviour and Friend. Amen.

When have you noticed the immensity of God?

Be Delighted in Your Enemy's Failures

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0100

It's not like I wanted them to get hit by a bus or anything but I did feel great delight everytime their favourite football team lost.

Proverbs 24:1-34

Reference: v.17 Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice (NIV Bible)

Explore: I often amaze myself at how petty I can get when I am hurt. There was someone I used to attend church with who hurt me by totally breaking my trust in them. From then on, just within my heart, I always wished bad for them. It's not like I wanted them to get hit by a bus or anything but I did feel great delight everytime their favourite football team lost. Every little bit of pain they experienced I felt was justified because they had hurt me.

Application: When Jesus was instructing his disciples it will come to no surprise to you to know that He did not say, "Be delighted in your enemy's failures". In fact he said that we were to love our enemies. I guess that rules out rejoicing when their footy team loses! Often when we are hurt we easily slip into petty behaviours. The wisdom given to us from the Old Testament and the New Testament instructs us not to do so. It explains that God is to be the judge, not us. While that does not stop us from feeling hurt, it does hold us accountable for our behaviour as we respond to that hurt.

Prayer: Lord, when you walked this earth you were rejected by everyone. You understand what it is to be hurt. May we look to You as we strive to act in a Godly way towards those who hurt us. Amen.

Are you rejoicing over someone else's failure?

Memorable Meals

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0100

With my parents gifts of hospitality and generosity, it always makes for a memorable meal.

Proverbs 23:1-35

Reference: v.3 Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive. (NIV Bible)

Explore: Our family never do meals by halves. When it is time to celebrate there is no expense spared for great food and enjoyable wine. If my mother knows someone enjoys something, she will have it prepped and ready for intake. With my parents gifts of hospitality and generosity, it always makes for a memorable meal. However, if you were to drop by unexpected at a meal time you would see my parents consuming a simple meal of chops and vegetables. While the food is different their attitude is not. They would still invite you to stay and Mum would just pop another couple of potatoes in the pot to help the meal go around. While the food is fantastic during times of celebration I can now see that my parents attitudes of hospitality and generosity can make any meal special.

Application: So often we can fixate on what we can see and taste rather than the attitude behind the meal. Someone can try to impress you by the type of restaurant they take you to, however their true intentions will always come out in the end. We must not just look at the meal but the emotions behind the gift. The meal may be divine and yet their intentions may be to deceive. Whereas another meal may be very basic but the intention is to share life. Don't just look at the tangible but the intention behind each gift. Then you will see the real person behind the food.

Prayer: Lord, may we share meals with others with an attitude of love and thanksgiving. Amen.

Who do you know is a generous giver? How do you see through the gift and look to the intention?

Common People

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Just because we were both Christians was not going to make us instant BFFs!

Proverbs 22:1-29

Reference: v.2 Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all.

Explore: When I was at university I went along to a friend's party. At one point during the night the host came up to me with another friend and said, "Linda, this is Donna. Donna, this is Linda. You two have something in common. By the time I come back I want to see if you have worked it out." And with that our 'friend' turned around and disappeared in to another room. After some awkward conversation we started going through the things that we may have in common. It was clear from our outward appearance that we were both female, but we figured there was something more to our similarities. We were both studying but different courses at different universities. Neither of us liked seafood but we didn't think our friend even knew that about us. I grew up in the country whereas Donna grew up in the city. So, I finally bit the bullet and asked the question that I suspected would reveal our similarity, "Do you go to church?" "Yes," said Donna, "and you?" "Yes," I said. "And I suspect that is the reason that our 'friend' has brought us together. Let's get all the Christians in the one corner, shall we?!" We had a bit of a chuckle, asked a few general questions about our churches and then headed back to our respective friendship circles. Donna was nice but I think we were both keen to just hang out with our friends, the people we connect with best. Just because we were both Christians was not going to make us instant BFFs!

Application: While it is often nice to meet someone who has a similar view about faith it does not mean that we are going to be better friends with them than with our non believing friends. Sometimes we think that our faith makes us so much better than other people, and sometimes other people are inclined to group us "religious" people together. However, when we do believe in God we realise that God has created us all as equals. We are all God's children, He made us all and we all fall short of His glory. We may connect better with some people or have more in common with others, but God has created us all equally. When we come in contact with the shop assistant, our boss, the neighbourhood children or a politician, it's important for us to remember: The Lord is the Maker of us all.

Prayer: Lord, help us to see all people as equal and to treat them all with the love that You have for us. Amen.

When have you not been treated equally? How did that make you feel? Is there someone that you do not treat as an equal?

Loud Actions

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0100

They are so careful about using the correct words and being politically correct and yet their actions are flippant and often offensive.

Proverbs 20:1-30

Reference: v.11 Even children are known by their actions, by whether their conduct is pure and right. (NIV Bible)

Explore: "I cannot hear a word you are saying, your actions are speaking too loudly." This is a new take on the saying: Actions speak louder than words. So many people forget this truth. They are so careful about using the correct words and being politically correct and yet their actions are flippant and often offensive. I know a few older people whose language may come across as a little archaic, and because of their history they have been taught stereotypical views on particular nationalities, and yet their actions show that they love and accept all people. On the other hand, there are people who talk up their correct use of language and yet when you look at their actions you see that it is all just head knowledge and their care for others is only skin deep.

Application: In our world of 'political correctness' we have to be careful not to jump down people's throats because of their words. Yes, some people may need to be challenged about what they are saying, however if we observe someone's behaviour we are much more likely to get a clearer picture of what they really think. It takes longer to observe but we can understand someone better if we recognise their actions rather than just listening to their words.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your actions are still resounding throughout our world today, even though it is 2000 years later. May our actions have a positive impact on our world this week too. Amen.

When have you noticed someone's words are contrary to their actions?

Instruction Manual For Life

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0100

An easy-to-read manual that helps us through the tricky times of parenting, dating or job interviews.

Proverbs 19:1-29

Reference: v.16 He who obeys instructions guards his life, but he who is contemptuous of his ways will die. (NIV Bible)

Explore: There are many hilarious moments happening the world over as people try to construct things without reading the instructions. Ikea has multiplied these occurrences as it sells thousands of pieces of household furniture that need to be put together in the home. How hard can it be, right? Well, many people find they spend hours trying to construct something from their own understanding only to discover an important piece was forgotten near the beginning and so they almost have to start from scratch again. Reading the instructions can often seem like a waste of time but it can save many hours and a great deal of frustration.

Application: I often hear people say that it would be nice to have an instruction manual for life. An easy-to-read manual that helps us through the tricky times of parenting, dating or job interviews. And yet, if we had it, would we read it? Millions of people have the Bible in their home somewhere and yet very rarely pick it up to read it and gain instruction from it. Proverbs is filled with many pearls of wisdom that we can implement in our lives and yet so few people are delving in to it's instruction. The Bible is a book that we don't just read through once and receive all the instruction that we need but a guide that we can keep dipping in to that gives us a better understanding of God therefore a greater understanding of who we were created to be. It's the closest thing we have to an instruction manual for life. Pick it up and start reading, it could save years of wasted time and frustration.

Prayer: Lord, Your Word opens our eyes to the life you would have us lead. It may not give us a step-by-step pictorial example but it teaches us how to love You and love others. May we open it up to receive from You each day. Amen.

What 'instructions for life' from the Bible are helpful for you?

Testing The Heart

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100

While we spend so much time looking acceptable on the outside we often forget to develop and grow our hearts.

Proverbs 17:1-28

Reference: v.3 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart. (NIV Bible)

Explore: As I mentioned yesterday, I have recently watched the movie 7 Pounds. The character Ben searches out people who have integrity. That means that they're not just nice to their friends or patient when everything is going well but it means that they are good people, even when no one is watching.

Application: Integrity is a great indicator of what is going on in our hearts. If we are only good, honest and caring people at selective times then it means we are trying to gain something at those times and the thoughtfulness is not coming from a good heart. God's first priority for us is not how good our job is, how well-behaved our children are, or how great we look in the latest fashion. People look at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16.7) While we spend so much time looking acceptable on the outside we often forget to develop and grow our hearts. And that's where Proverbs is so important because the wisdom held in this book gives us advice on how to improve our hearts, not our outward appearances.

Prayer: Lord, our current culture tells us so many ways that we can present ourselves better and yet You look straight to our hearts. May we dedicate our time to make our heart more appealing to You rather than our outward appearances appealing to others. Amen.

How much time each day would you spend on improving your outward appearance? How much time each day would you spend on improving your heart?

7 Pounds

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Throughout the whole scene Ezra kept his calm, stayed polite and never shot back anger or aggression towards Ben.

Proverbs 16:1-33

Reference: v.32 Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city. (NIV Bible)

Explore: It was only the other day that I got the chance to see the movie 7 Pounds starring Will Smith. I had gone to see it at the cinemas but the screening was interrupted so we missed the first five minutes. We had no idea what was going on so ended up getting our money back. So I finally got around to hiring the DVD and was enraptured by this storyline from start to finish. One particular moment that stood out to me - don't worry, I wont spoil the plot if you haven't seen it yet - was when Ben, the person Will Smith was portraying, was testing the character of a guy called Ezra. It was over the phone and Ben started challenging not just Ezra's work position but his personal life too. Throughout the whole scene Ezra kept his calm, stayed polite and never shot back anger or aggression towards Ben.

Application: I watched that scene knowing that I would never be able to keep my cool like Ezra had. I'm generally fairly polite but to be pushed as far as Ezra was, I would have snapped at some point. And yet Ezra showed fine quality of character even under persecution. In Proverbs 16 it says that it is better for us to control our temper than for us to over power a whole city. It is important that we don't let people just walk all over us however so often we get feisty back at someone even though it will not bring us to a better place in the end. When I am in a heated discussion with someone I try to stop myself and ask, 'What will be accomplished by pursuing this argument?' If I am helping to shape a whole groups mentality then sometimes it is worth bringing a different perspective. However, if it is just to save my pride or 'win' an argument, then that's not worth losing my temper over. Patience is a virtue and it is one that is honorable to God. The challenge is using our patience when it is being tested.

Prayer: Lord, you are a God of reason and understanding. Help us to know when to fight and when to swallow our pride. Amen.

When have you lost your patience? Was it advantageous being a warrior?

Meal Of Love

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100

In the middle of the table was a large  pot of stew, which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water.

Proverbs 15:1-33

Reference: v.17 Better a meal of vegetables where there is love, than a fattened calf with hatred. (NIV Bible)

Explore: "A holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said, 'Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like.'  The Lord led the holy man to two doors.    He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in. In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large  pot of stew, which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water.    The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful. But because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.   The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.   The Lord said, 'You have seen Hell.'    They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of  stew which made the holy man's mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking. The holy man said, 'I don't understand.'  ' It is simple,' said the Lord. 'It requires but one skill. You see they have learned to feed each other, while the greedy think only of themselves.'"

Application: Where do we position ourselves? Are we part of a life that helps to build up others, feed them and nourish them, or are we only striving to fill our own bellies? It's clear to see which one God desires.

Prayer: Lord, you give each of us so much but you leave it up to us to decide whether we will share and support others. May we live according to You will. Amen.

What can you do today that extends your spoon to others?

Own Worst Enemy

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100

This is when we thwart our own success before we let anyone else even try!

Proverbs 14:1-35

Reference: v.1 The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. (NIV Bible)

Explore: The first saying that came to mind when I read verse 1 of chapter 14 was 'she's her own worst enemy'. This is when we thwart our own success before we let anyone else even try! We had a family friend who was trying to find work. After writing many applications he would finally get to the interview stage only to freak out the day before, convince himself that he was not good enough for the job and so not turn up for the interview. He was rejected himself before he even gave the interviewers the chance to. He was his own worst enemy. I had a friend at uni who desperately wanted a boyfriend. Her desperate pleas lead to a number of her friends trying to set her up with their associates. But her friends gradually stopped trying after they heard she was either an absolute mess on the date or a total no-show. Her desire to have a boyfriend made her so anxious that she could never present herself well when the date came around. She was her own worst enemy.

Application: There are times when we too can be our own worst enemy, when we end up sabotaging our own progress. Sometimes we don't even need another person to help, we just self-annihilate. But the wise person who walks with God stops themselves from taking that path. When we see ourselves with God's eyes then we have more clarity about how we should live and what we should aim for. There will be many more opportunities ahead of us that give us the chance to be our own worst enemy, however we must aim to be diligent in the Lord and move forward in progress rather than destroy the person God has created us to be.

Prayer: Lord, you have made us all uniquely and yet you desire abundant life for all. Open our eyes when we start down the path of self-destruction and help us to see the abundant life that you offer us. Amen.

When have you sabotaged your own progress? How did you stop yourself from doing that again?

Friends and Companions

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Having friends and companions is very important to our well-being, however the type of companions we associate with will rub off on who we are.

Proverbs 13:1-25

Reference: v.20 He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. (NIV Bible)

Explore: I hesitate to put people in to stereotypes however I do find that people who are similar do tend to gravitate to each other. Those who enjoy sports spend time together discussing game plays and team selections, those who have children can often relate well to other parents, and those who have a specific hobby often find instant companionship when they find another with the same interest. It's not rocket-science, it's about having a connecting point to feel that someone else understands a part of you.
The people we associate with can have a big part to play in our lives. While we may be mainly talking about sport, children or hobbies we are actually picking up how our companion responds, loves, uses vocabulary, presents humour and many other subtleties. At the same time we are expressing all of these elements back to them.

Application: Having friends and companions is very important to our well-being, however the type of companions we associate with will rub off on who we are. We may not replicate them completely - we are our own person - however it's amazing how particular elements of their personality can impact our own character. If we want to learn more about sport we go to those who are or have been professional athletes. If we want to learn more about parenting we go to those who have children of their own. If we want to learn more about God we associate with those who have a close relationship with God. You can see what people are interested in by who they associate themselves with. The people you associate yourself with will definitely have an impact on who you are.

Prayer: Lord, it is great to be in community with others, learning with them and developing friendships. May we have a positive impact on others as well as finding people who encourage us to be better people. Amen.

If someone was to look at the people you associate with, what impression would they get about the type of person you are?

Building Up or Tearing Down

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Our words can either build people up or tear them down.

Proverbs 12:1-28

Reference: v.18 Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (NIV Bible)

Explore: Last month I was driving home from church and I saw one of our elderly congregation members walking along the footpath. Nancy struggled a great deal with memory loss and sometimes forgot her way home. She was heading in the correct direction but as her house was on my way anyway, I thought I would offer to give her a lift. She hardly hesitated when I asked her if she would like me to drive her home and once in the car she even remembered I was one of the ministers from church. I reminded her of my name and then told her I had actually been talking about her that very week. I had met with a gentleman who had been part of the conversations that led to the creation of Northern Community Church of Christ. He had mentioned Nancy by name as someone who had been willing to make a big change, even in her older age, for the sake of the church. She was so surprised that this gentleman had remembered her and admitted that she could not recall who he was. But she was happy to be told the story. As I pulled up beside her house she thanked me for giving her a lift. She said that she had left church that day feeling very unhappy and that she didn't feel that she had a place there. She realised that it was probably because of her memory that she forgot things and that she was probably silly to feel that way, but she even wondered whether she should keep coming. That's why she was so happy to receive a lift in the car from me and to hear that story. She felt important again and that she had a place. And as I waved her goodbye she thanked me again and said, 'See you next week.'

Application: We never truly know how someone is feeling when we meet them. We don't know if they have had a great day or a disasterous day. We don't know whether they are in a positive place or finding even the most simple things a challenge. But we can have an impact on them. Our impact can be positive or it can be negative. Most of us speak so often that we forget the power behind what we say. Our words can either build people up or tear them down. This doesn't mean that we always have to say nice, lovey-dovey things to people to build them up. Even when we are giving guidance and critique we can still do so in a way that either builds them up or tears them down. Although words come so easily to us, this is a good reminder to us that words thrown our recklessly can cause great harm, but those given carefully can bring healing to others.

Prayer: Lord, you give us words of wisdom. If we take them on board they can only make us better people. Thank you for building us up and giving us Your guidance. Amen.

Watch what you say today. Are your words those that build or tear down?