Words of Wisdom – Part II.

“A wise man is mightier than a strong man, and a man of knowledge is more powerful than a strong man.” ­– Proverbs 24:5 NLT

In chapter 24 we have the remainder of the 30 wise sayings from the pen of Solomon – and inspired by the Holy Spirit. These simple truths or maxims  seem so logical and obvious that we may read and ignore them. But they are about far more than wealth and worldly wisdom, the wicked and the lazy. They give us a glimpse of the life of the righteous – those who live their lives according to God’s standards. The wisdom Solomon speaks of is not of this world, but it dramatically impacts the quality of life on this world – for us and all those around us.

1. Don’t be jealous of the ungodly and long to be like them. They may be attractive on the outside, but their hearts are bad.
2. The wisdom, good sense, and knowledge that come from God are the keys to having a home that is a joy to live in.
3. Physical strength has its limits, but wisdom doesn’t. Which is why it’s better to be increasing in wisdom. It’s the key to success, even in battle.
4. Fools can’t handle wise conversation. When they find themselves in the middle of it, they have nothing to say.
5. Anyone who spends all his time causing trouble will end up with a lousy reputation and no friends.  Their sinful lifestyles will cause them to be despised.
6. Desperate times have a way of revealing the strength of our resolve. Be ready to help those who are suffering injustice and don’t say, “I didn’t know!” God is watching and He knows the truth.
7. You know how good honey tastes when you eat it? That’s the way wisdom is. Great tasting, but good for you too. And its benefits last a whole lot longer.
8. Don’t ever try to take advantage of or harm the righteous. You may succeed, but they will bounce back time after time. While they survive, you’ll ultimately fail.
9. Don’t get all excited when bad things happen to those you don’t like. God is watching and may just decide to show them mercy instead.
10. Don’t get all bent out of shape over what appears to be the success of those who don’t know or love God. Their blessings is short-term. Yours are eternal.
11. Have a healthy fear and respect for those in authority, including God. Don’t throw in your lot with those prone to plot rebellion. God will use those He has placed in authority to punish the rebellious.
12. It’s very dangerous to judge falsely – to excuse the actions of those who do wrong. Show justice to all without partiality and it will go well with you.

Father, these wise saying are great, but help me to live them out in my daily life. Help me to make them a part of who I am. May I listen to the promptings of Your Holy Spirit throughout each day and respond obediently. Bring these wise words to mind as I encounter various situations and circumstances, and help me to obey them. Amen

Ken Miller
Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org





Words of Wisdom.

“I am teaching you today — yes, you — so you will trust in the LORD. 20 I have written thirty sayings for you, filled with advice and knowledge.” ­– Proverbs 22:19-20 NLT

In chapters 22-24 we are given a series of wise saying – 30 of them to be exact. These are short, memorable, and highly practical truths that are timeless and priceless. They could make great teaching material for middle school or high school age kids, but they also apply to those of us in the upper age brackets. Following the wisdom in these sayings will not make you a righteous person, but they should reflect the behavior of someone who is a child of God. They are the characteristics of Christ-likeness. In fact, the only way you can successfully follow the advice in these 30 sayings is with the help of the indwelling Holy Spirit. A quick review of what they have to say may be a great indicator of just how much we are under the Spirit’s control. Check out the first few of these timeless truths from chapters 22-23.

1. Don’t take advantage of the helpless or exploit those who can’t defend themselves.
2. If you hang around with angry people, you’ll end up becoming just like them.
3. Don’t put yourself at risk by co-signing on a loan for someone else. Your guarantee could come back to bite you.
4. Don’t use deception to try and get an advantage.
5. Follow the example of those who work hard and well. They’ll be in high demand from the best employers.
6. When you have dinner with a person of power and influence, don’t talk too much, eat too much, or show yourself to have no restraint.
7. Don’t spend all your time, energy, and resources trying to get rich. Wealth doesn’t last and it can’t deliver.
8. Learn to recognize the motives of the stingy host who shows you hospitality, but doesn’t mean it.
9. Don’t waste your time trying to get a fool to understand, he’ll only laugh at your words.
10. Don’t try to steal someone’s inheritance or means of livelihood from someone who’s lost their dad, because God is their protector.
11. Learn to love godly instruction and to listen to knowledge that comes from experience.
12. Don’t be afraid to spank your kids. It won’t kill, but in reality, may save their life in the long run.
13. A wise child makes a parent happy. A child who speaks truth makes the hearts of his parents glad.
14. Instead of being jealous of what sinners have, be zealous in your awe and fear of God. That’s where your true hope is.
15. Don’t hang around with those who can’t control their appetites, physically or sexually. All their wanting will leave them wanting.
16. Respect your parents and listen to them. Do you want to make them proud of you? Then spend all your resources to acquire truth, wisdom, instruction and insight.
17. Stay away from a promiscuous woman or an unfaithful wife. Both seem to offer a lot, but will only lead to disappointment and disaster.
18. Anyone who can’t control their alcohol will end up suffering emotionally, physically and psychologically. The alcohol that started out as so appealing will leave them staggering, hallucinating, numb, forgetful, and addicted.

Father, some of these are really easy for me. But others are hard. Some I have had to learn the hard way – because of my stubbornness and hardheadedness. They all make so much sense, yet we seem to struggle with obeying them. Make these more than just sayings. Allow them to become characteristics of my life. May I live out the truths they portray each day of my life. Amen

Ken Miller
Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org





Let Justice Reign and Rain.

“The LORD is more pleased when we do what is just and right than when we give him sacrifices.” ­– Proverbs 21:3 NLT

This verse jumped out at me this morning. It fit in with a lot I had been reading the last few days. And it ended up convicting me of an area of weakness in my life. That of doing the just and right thing. Don’t get me wrong. I try to live my life according to God’s will and in step with His Word, but this verse has to do with my relationship with those who are suffering – those who are weak and defenseless. All throughout the Bible God talks about His care for widows and orphans, two of the most abused and neglected people groups during both the Old and New Testament periods. Listen to what He says, “The LORD your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and takes no bribes. He gives justice to orphans and widows. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing. You, too, must show love to foreigners, for you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt” (Deuteronomy 10:17-19 NLT). Psalm 68:5 says God is a “Father to the fatherless, defender of widows.” He cares for those who can’t care for themselves. There is something about God’s character as a just and righteous sovereign that drives Him to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. He cannot and will not tolerate the mistreatment of the defenseless, the poor, the downtrodden, the powerless and the weak. And He expects us to do the same thing. This is where I think I am weak. Do I really care for those around me who can’t take care of themselves? Do I have a heart of compassion for those who find themselves in a tough spot, unable to meet their own needs or dig themselves out of the hole in which they find themselves. The truth is, I can find myself judging them and rationalizing that they are where they are because they deserve it. I end up judging them unjustly. I don’t know their story, but I draw conclusions anyway.

In this verse in Proverbs the writer uses a word that is translated “justice.” It is the Hebrew word tsĕdaqah. As is true with most Hebrew words, its meaning is far greater and deeper than one English word can convey. We tend to think of justice as a response or punishment to some negative action. We want justice to be done. But in the Hebrew it can also mean righteousness or charity. In his book, The Gospel According to Jesus, Chris Seay puts it this way, “Justice – righteousness – is about putting yourself and the societal values to one side and trying hard to live in the God values that the prophets and Jesus have revealed, about the healing of the world.”  He goes on to say, “God wants us to be righteous – which means God wants us to be holy, healing, gathering, defending, and rescuing.” God wants us to do what is right and just – in regards to those around us. In fact, God prefers that over our sacrifices. Which might include our quiet times, prayers, and other Christian activities. It is not that those things are wrong or shouldn’t be done. But if we go through the religious motions and leave out showing justice to those in need, it becomes empty. James said it well. “Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us” (James 1:27 NLT). Justice and righteousness. They go hand in hand. You can’t have one without the other.

Solomon goes on to warn us, “Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need” (Proverbs 21:13 NLT). But he also encourages us, “Justice is a joy to the godly” (Proverbs 21:15 NLT). We should love doing the right thing. We should find joy in helping the helpless and giving hope to the hopeless. Because that is the heart of God Himself.

Father, give me a heart for the hopeless and helpless. Forgive me for all the times I have ignored them and walked right by them, unaware that they were even there. They are everywhere in our society. They are preyed upon, taking advantage of, abused, and neglected. And You have called us as Your people to express Your love and compassion to them. We are to care for them. Show me how. Open my eyes. Let Your justice reign through me and rain down all around me. Amen

Ken Miller
Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org





Protect Yourself With Love.

“Unfailing love and faithfulness protect the king; his throne is made secure through love.” ­– Proverbs 20:28 NLT

As you read through the Proverbs, most of them seem pretty logical and make perfect common sense. For instance, if you don’t work, you don’t eat. If you lie, it’s going to catch up to you. If you’re rich, you’ve got more friends than you know what to do with. If you’re poor, friends are few and far between. If you live with a nagging wife, it’s like listening to the constant drip of a faucet you can’t stop – ultimately, it will drive you crazy. These are like maxims or truisms that when you read them, you find yourself nodding your head in agreement. But then occasionally you’ll stumble across one that seems more like a riddle than a proverb. It seems to make no sense. It’s meaning either escapes you or it appears illogical. It goes against common sense. In fact, it seems to make no sense at all. Proverbs 20:28 falls into that category for me. Right in the middle of all the talk of fools, sluggards, unfaithful friends, liars, swindlers, and mockers there appears this surprising bit of advice for kings. Now you have to understand that the king audience did not represent a large market segment for Solomon. Among the people of Israel there were no other kings. So he is writing this to his son – the king to be. In fact, most of what we are reading as we work our way through the Proverbs was written for Solomon’s son. Over and over again, he says, “My son, listen when your father corrects you,” “My son, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them,” “My son, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands.”  So this note about kings was written for one person and one person only – Solomon’s son – the heir to the throne of Israel. And he gives his young son some really interesting advice. “Unfailing love and faithfulness protect the king; his throne is made secure through love.”

Love and faithfulness? Really? Are you telling me that if a king wants to keep his throne secure, all it takes is love? That sounds so naive, so simplistic and out of touch with reality. What about strong armies, alliances, impenetrable walls, the latest advances in military technology, offensive strategies and spy networks? Can you imagine the President of the United States giving this advice to his successor? But what is Solomon trying to say? What’s his point? That a king who loves his people will be loved in return. A king who provides protection for his people because he loves them will be a lot less likely to face a coup or potential takeover of his government. As I write this blog, things in Egypt are heating up. Riots are taking place in the streets of Cairo. The people are demanding the resignation of their president, Hosni Mubarak. According to a recent New York Times article, conditions under President Mubarek’s 30-year rule have been less than loving. “The police are brutal. Elections are rigged. Corruption is rampant. Life gets harder for the masses as the rich grow richer and the poor grow poorer. Even as Egypt’s economy enjoyed record growth in recent years, the number of people living in poverty actually grew.”

Mr. Mubarek could have learned from Solomon’s advice. If he had loved his people, he would have made sure that they were well-fed, well-cared-for, and protected. His love would have been practical and measurable. People know when they are being used and will not tolerate being abused. At least not for long. But Solomon’s advice is not just for kings and presidents. It applies to parents, employers, supervisors, teachers, pastors and elders. In fact, Paul shared similar advice to his fellow elders, “…this is my appeal to you: Care for the flock of God entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly — not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your good example” (1 Peter 5:1-3 NLT). God had a stern warning for the religious leadership in Ezekiel’s day. “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds, the leaders of Israel. Give them this message from the Sovereign LORD: Destruction is certain for you shepherds who feed yourselves instead of your flocks. Shouldn’t shepherds feed their sheep? You drink the milk, wear the wool, and butcher the best animals, but you let your flocks starve. You have not taken care of the weak. You have not tended the sick or bound up the broken bones. You have not gone looking for those who have wandered away and are lost. Instead, you have ruled them with force and cruelty. So my sheep have been scattered without a shepherd. They are easy prey for any wild animal. They have wandered through the mountains and hills, across the face of the earth, yet no one has gone to search for them” (Ezekiel 34:2-6 NLT). Paul warns fathers, “Don’t make your children angry by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction approved by the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4 NLT).

Love really is the best protection against rebellion. Weapons, walls, power and might are no match for unfailing love and faithfulness. Our children will excuse and overlook a lot of our shortcomings as parents when they know we love them. They will tolerate our inconsistencies and inadequacies as long as they feel like we are doing the best we can – out of love for them. Demanding compliance, defending our rights as parents, shouting “Because I said so,” and expecting our kids to keep in step with our wishes, while failing to show them love is a recipe for rebellion. Remember the words of Paul? “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Love will last forever” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NLT). That kind of love is the best protection we can provide ourselves against rejection and rebellion. No, it’s not a guarantee. Because even Jesus ended up being rejected when He showed us how much He loved us by dying on the cross. But love is still the best defense. In fact, I wonder what things would be like in Egypt had President Mubarek taken the advice of Solomon. I wonder what our homes, businesses, churches and marriages would be like if we did the same thing.

Father, what a timely reminder of the power of love. It is the best offense and the best defense. Love really is the answer to all of life’s problems. But not the sentimental, sappy kind of love we see portrayed in movies and on Hallmark cards. We’re talking the selfless, sacrificial, lay-it-all-on-the-line kind of love that You showed toward us on Calvary. Your Son gave His life out of love for us. He loved us selflessly and sacrificially. He gave, expecting nothing in return. May we learn to love one another that way. Amen

Ken Miller
Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org





A Word to the Wise and the Not-So-Wise.

“The name of the LORD is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe. The rich think of their wealth as an impregnable defense; they imagine it is a high wall of safety. ­– Proverbs 18:10-11 NLT

These two chapters address the fool, those who take bribes, evildoers, gossips, mockers, parents, children, the unfriendly, quarrelers, the wicked, the wealthy, the discerning, the lazy, the eloquent, the talkative, the prudent, and, of course, the wise. It is a gallery hung with the portraits of a wide range of characters. Some are flattering. Some are not. But all are extremely life-like. In fact, as you read these two chapters, images of someone you know probably come into your mind. You may even see a reflection of your own face. Or that of a child or loved one. These are realistic portrayals of real life. But even as Solomon paints the portraits of the wise and the foolish, the righteous and the unrighteous, he is contrasting two ways of life. This has little to do with wealth and poverty, power and weakness, intelligence and stupidity. It has to do with godliness and a fear of the Lord. This is all about living a God-centered, God-focused life where His will and His way are primary. What makes someone wise is not their position in life or the number of degrees on their wall. It is their relationship with the living God. It is whether they are willing to live in submission to and dependence on the God of the universe.

Wisdom is not related to the well-educated or wealthy. It is just as easily accessible to the poor. God’s wisdom is non-discriminatory – available to all who will seek it from the hand of the one who offers it – God Himself. But so much of what Solomon has to say is in regards to what happens when we refuse to turn to God for wisdom, help, direction, provision, protection, insight and, ultimately, salvation. We turn to our wealth. We rely on our own resources. And we end up becoming gossips, quarrelers, revengeful, mockers, spiritually lazy, and moral paupers. We act like fools and we find ourselves raising fools. We end up surrounded by fools. All because we refuse to submit ourselves to God. Rather than turn to God, we seek for comfort, wisdom, help, and happiness elsewhere. We live as if there is no God or we attempt to make our own gods. We find substitutes for God. And we end up as fools. Solomon puts it so simply, yet profoundly is verses 10-11 of chapter 18: “The name of the LORD is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe. The rich think of their wealth as an impregnable defense; they imagine it is a high wall of safety.” The godly learn to trust in God and in Him only. They discover that He alone is reliable. He alone delivers what He promises. The wealthy, just like the poor and the middle class, turn to something else. The rich just happen to have more to turn to. They have more resources and so are more tempted to lean on their abundance for sustenance. But the poor can end up finding substitutes for God just as easily. Whether it’s the comfort and security of a welfare state, the tantalizing hope of a lottery prize, or the mind-numbing pleasure of a television set, those who have little have a lot of choices for stand-ins for God. It’s not that any of these things are inherently evil or wrong, it’s just that they were never to act as replacements for God. They can’t measure up. They can’t deliver. They always disappoint. But because mankind can’t seem to keep from turning to anything and everything but God, we see a growing gallery of portraits featuring foolish, angry, argumentative, self-focused, addictive, lazy, quarrelsome, naive, and unhappy individuals. Yet, there is a room filled with those who have learned to turn to God. Their portraits feature faces filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and a surprising sense of calmness and contentment, in spite of all that is going on around them.

Where do you run in times of trouble? Where do you turn when times are tough? What are the God-substitutes in your life? The godly run to one place and one place only for safety and security – God Himself. Is He your strong fortress today?

Father, forgive me for all the God-substitutes I have had in my life over the years. They never deliver, but I keep turning to them. They always disappoint, but they continue to sucker me into believing it will be different this time. You have never let me down. You have never failed to deliver on a single one of Your promises. May I grow increasingly more dependent on You. Amen

Ken Miller
Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org





Older and Wiser.

“Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life.” ­– Proverbs 16:31 NLT

I love this verse. And if you’ve seen me lately, you understand why. What hair I have that has not turned gray has simply turned loose. But I still have plenty left and any hint that it used to be brown is long gone. So when I read this verse I am comforted. I sometimes blame my gray hair on my kids. But now I know that it is because of godly living! Wow! Why in the world would I even consider covering it up with Grecian Formula? I should wear it proudly like a badge of honor. Go ahead, you young whipper snappers, fling your full head of amber-colored locks in my face, but just don’t forget that my gray head is proof of my godliness! And godliness trumps good looks any day.

Don’t I wish it was that easy? Wouldn’t it be nice if I could just rest on the fact that growing old was a guarantee for growing in godliness? But we all know it’s not. We know plenty of gray-haired men and women who are anything but icons of virtue and fountains of faith. No, Solomon is not telling us that gray-headedness is proof of godliness. He is letting us know that a life of godliness can lead to long life. It is not a guarantee, but it can help prolong our life through wise living and the blessings of God. All the way back in Proverbs 3 he tells us that living a wise and righteous life will “give you a long and satisfying life” (Proverbs 3:2 NLT). Elsewhere he tells us that “Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life” (Proverbs 9:11 NLT). “Fear of the LORD lengthens one’s life…” (Proverbs 10:27 NLT). So gray hair is not proof of our godliness, but we are a whole lot more likely to live long enough to experience it if we choose to live our life according to God’s terms and not our own.

The truth is, the longer we live the more we should realize just how blessed we are. We should learn from life’s experiences and recognize just how true God’s Word is. Living life should prove to us once and for all just how ill-equipped we are to live it righteously. The older I get, the more easily I admit that I can’t defeat sin or discover contentment on my own. I am not smart enough, strong enough, brave enough, or determined enough to make this thing called life work. I need God. Learning to depend on Him seems to get easier with age. Oh, don’t get me wrong. I still have plenty of strength to say no to His callings and promptings, but I seem to be learning from my mistakes quicker than before. I may stray off His path just like when I was younger, but I don’t seem to go as far as I used to. Experience is a great teacher. I sometimes joke that I am in God’s remedial school for slow learners. He keeps taking me through the same lessons over and over again, but I am starting to learn. Repetition makes the brain grow stronger!

I have a full head of gray hair. Sometimes I miss the brown ones. Sometimes I wish I had that full head of long flowing locks again. But I would not trade where I am for anything. I have made it to where I am because of the grace and mercy of God. I am wiser than I used to be. Not because I am older, but because God has been my constant companion over the years and I have tried to seek Him and listen to Him. No, I have not done so perfectly, but I have tried to do so persistently. God is not calling me to be perfect, but to have purity of purpose. He wants my intent to be a life of godliness. He knows I will never be completely godly this side of heaven. Until He glorifies me, I will continue to struggle with my sin nature. But as I grow older I am growing more willing to submit to His will for my life.

Father, thank You for my gray hairs. May they always remind me of You. They are a crown of righteousness. They help me remember that I would never have made it this far without Your help. Amen

Ken Miller
Grow Pastor & Minister to Men
kenm@christchapelbc.org