AIRO

July 30th. Proverbs chapter 30.

Verses 15-16 say, “The leech has two daughters. ‘Give! Give!’ they cry. “There are three things that are never satisfied, four that never say, ‘Enough!’: the grave and the barren womb; land, which is never satisfied with water, and fire, which never says, ‘Enough!’

The Bible is full of verses that on the surface can be confusing. That’s why it is the Bible. It isn’t designed to be simple. However, it is an invitation to search further as we apply its message to our lives.

Sometimes that happens when we are together with others as we read and study. You know ‘iron sharpening iron. Other times we just need to dig and find God’s truths under the surface. So, what can we learn today from a leech with daughters, a womb, land and fire?

To be honest, the message is very simple: unchecked desires can be destructive to our lives. When we allow greed to enter...it always wants more. The two daughters are the two aspects of greed, demanding and consuming.
Never satisfied.

The grave always can take more bodies. A woman’s womb will always desire children. The earth is never satisfied with one spring shower. The fire consumes all that it touches.

So today... are we craving the things of God, or of this world? Can we be satisfied with what God has planned for our lives, or do we want what we see with others? Ever seen a fire out of control? Scary!

July 29th. Proverbs chapter 29.

Verse 15 says, “A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom, but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother.”

One man said it this way: Discipline provides wisdom. A child left to himself brings shame. Discipline is a form of love.

I think I could go to any number of community parks and the percentage of parents who would agree with those three statements above, would be very small. We live in a world where being accountable and disciplining our children, is harder and harder to find. Discipline is a necessary tool for teaching children... and grown adults.

It provides structure, which we all need. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” (Proverbs 1:7) Bottom line... we grow when we are disciplined.

Children who are undisciplined is a recipe for failure. It creates a rough road ahead for them. It also is a formula for a disgraced mother in the long run. Nobody wants to have a disgraced mother.

In reality, discipline is an act of love. Parents who love their children, discipline with love. Coaches who love their players, discipline in love. The scriptures are very clear in the connection of discipline and love.

Simply put... “The Lord disciplines those He loves...” (Hebrews 12:6)

July 28th. Proverbs chapter 28.

Verse 25 says, “The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the Lord will prosper.”

Two words jump out to... greedy and prosper. Greedy is having an intense or selfish desire for something, like wealth or power. Anytime the word “selfish” is involved, it goes against what the Word tells us. It is the opposite of what Jesus stood for while on this earth. As a result, one can see where conflicts would rise up.

Whether in a family... at the workplace... and especially in a locker room or huddle. I want someone in my huddle that is thinking about those looking back at him, not one that is trying to put himself before others. The greatest leaders are servants. Ripple makers know the importance of lifting others up.

Prosper is to succeed, thrive, and grow strong.
The world wants you to frame that in terms of financial health. However, the Word tells us that our God will never let his children go without what they need.

In Luke it says our God will supply “all your needs according to His riches in glory.” The same book reminds us to not worry about what we will eat or drink, but instead seek the kingdom of God. A life lived for Him is prosperous. A life serving others, is prosperous. A life trusting that He is who He says He is, is prosperous. Stark contrast to most in our world.

Matter of fact, also in Luke, it says it is difficult for the rich to enter the kingdom of God. Not because money is bad... but the love of money is very dangerous. We tend to place it above our love of Him. Idolatry.

So... back to verse 25. Selfish people stir up conflict in families, organizations and huddles. However, when we TRUST in the Lord, He will take care of our families, organizations and even huddles. Which one are you? Ask your teammates if unsure.

July 27th. Proverbs chapter 27.

Verse 17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

We are not made to do life alone. We are not made to do life without any accountability. We don’t need a ‘yes man!’ We need to be sharpened.

We need someone who will challenge us. Someone who will hold us accountable. Someone who cares enough about us to tell us when we get off course.

When you watch someone ‘sharpen iron’, it is always against some other metal that is just as tough. Just as hard. The sparks are flying. Like iron.

We are no different. The only way we will be
‘sharpened’ for battle against the enemy, is when our rough edges are made smooth. Iron sharpens iron.

Join a small group. Get with someone who will study the Word with you. Grab a teammate, or two or three, and start meeting on a weekly basis. Learn from each other. Ask the tough questions. Lean on those who are wise... and willing to share truth.

Get those sparks flying!

July 26th. Proverbs chapter 26.

Verse 11 says, “As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.”

Easy to understand. Easy to picture. Nothing but truth... clearly spoken. What animal would do this? Unpleasant enough to throw it up, but not bad enough to swallow it back down.

The same can be said of the fool. Why continue to make the same mistake again, yet expect a different outcome. When we do foolish things... repeatedly, are we not acting the same way as a dog? We hear the words, “what were you thinking?” Or, “did you expect it to end any other way?” Or maybe, “you’ve made your bed... now lie in it.”

To repeat a common phrase, “If you run with the dogs, you will come home smelling like the dogs.”

July 25th. Proverbs chapter 25.

Verse 25 says, “Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.”

A couple of things come to mind with this verse. One is that the effects of hearing unexpected good news, especially when from a place of distance, is powerful stuff. The other thought is when one hears information that is good and refreshing, especially to someone who is weary, it is like cold water to a parched soul.

What about us? Where have we experienced this verse come to life? Remember the message you received from someone you haven’t seen in a long time? Or the voice of someone who traveled a distance... just to be there with you? Cold water!

What about when someone went out of their way to bring you “good news” from our Heavenly Father? Spoken at the just the right time. Spoken when you needed it most. Cold water for the soul!

Again, what about us? Are we messengers of good news? Do we reach out to those we haven’t spoken to in a while? Do we go out of our way to see the faces of those that need to be seen?

More importantly... what news are we bringing them? Is it life changing? Is it of eternal importance? Is it cold water...for their weary soul?

The Bible tells us to spread the Good News to our Jerusalem, our Judea, and the ends of the earth. Take ‘em some water!

July 24th. Proverbs chapter 24.

Verse 11 says, “Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.”

Two observations: First, “being led”. When we see others following, or being influenced by those heading to death... we should do what we can to rescue them. You know the times. Those where you tell yourself, ‘this isn’t going to end well.’

Influence is sometimes a bad thing. This world is full of influences that lead to death. There will be times when you are the most influential person in a room... or in a crowd. Make sure that you are using that position to rescue people, and not to steer them towards death.

Second, “staggering toward”. When we see others heading toward slaughter and it is simply their fault...we should rescue them. Tough love comes to mind. You know the ones. They can’t see the end result, or maybe they refuse to see the outcome just around the bend in the road. Again, we are to ‘hold back’ those on the path of slaughter. We may be the only voice of reason in this situation. Use it.

In both instances it is a perfect time for us to
“love others as we love ourselves”. It should grieve us when those we love are heading for destruction. Let’s don’t stand idly by. Throw the rope!

July 23rd. Proverbs chapter 23.

Verse 9 says, “Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words.”

Simply put, not every conversation is worth having because not everyone is willing to converse in a reasonable manner. The other person in this verse is a fool. In scripture we see the fool as someone who is often arrogant. Someone who is not just ignorant but rejects wisdom. One who doesn’t want to be open to maybe learn... or at least to try and understand another position of discussion.

So, in order to avoid a useless conversation, don’t give them a chance to scorn or ridicule your words. Pray for them? Absolutely. Love them like Jesus? That’s what we are called to do. Give them a platform to belittle you, or your message? Be careful. The harm may be too much.

Ask God to grant you discernment in these situations. Respectful discussions, or debates, is one thing. The Lord is the only one who can change a heart. Remember... this person is called a fool.