The Fear

"The fear of the LORD leads to life, so that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil." Proverbs 19:23

Proverbs provides a profound paradox. The fearless are lifeless, and sleepless. The fearful find rest and protection.

Children learn to fear what they hear. That usually means the first word they learn to say is, "NO!" There is a reason for that. Little ones are prone to wander into great danger. For their own good, they must learn to listen and and to obey the voice of a protective parent. Without some kind of consequence for their actions, they just keep repeating the same mistakes. Anyone who does not believe in "original sin" has never dealt with a two year old.

Wayward adults are merely king-sized versions of children who never developed a fear of the word "No." Rebellion does not age well. The longer it is allowed to develop, the more bitter it becomes.

The fear of the LORD refers to a respect and a reverence for God's direction, correction and protection. It is exhibited by an inclination for and an implementation of immediate obedience to the first thing God says to do. It requires no explanation from God, before being obedient to Him. God said it. Just do it. Nuff said.

America is a nation in crisis. It is exhibited by the scourge of abortion, and an epidemic of sleeplessness. There is no fear of God, and it has resulted in a national shame. Since Roe vs. Wade, the number of babies killed in this country matches the total population of 26 states. This callous disregard of God's gift of children indicates a total disrespect for the Giver of Life.

Sleep Aid ads abound, but still there is no rest for the weary. God will not be ignored. It may sound like another paradox, but sleeplessness requires a Great Awakening. There will be no rest until God is obeyed. Til then, expect nights to be short, days to be long, nerves to be on edge, and satisfaction to be a distant mirage.

Prayer invites God's direction, correction and protection. There is little hope of protection, when a nation of rebellious people ignore His direction and correction. In a world filled with fanatics who hate the very mention of the name of Jesus, and the very existence of the nation of Israel, it should come as no surprise that evil reigns.

Evil can only march into territory that has been yielded. When a person lowers the flag of God's authority in their own life, they are invaded by forces of evil who have no fear of a fellow rebel. They fear only God, not man. Where man reigns, evil rules. Where God reigns, evil runs.

You may want to plant a flag over your heart today, UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP. While you are raising the flag, remember, being untouched by evil begins with being in touch with God.

TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!

The Prep

"Answering before listening is both stupid & rude." PR 18: 13 (The Message)

"He who gives an answer, before he hears, it is folly & shame to him." PR 18:13 (NASB)

DEBATE PREP 101: Listen before you speak.

Regardless of what version of the Bible you use, this message rings true. The recent debates between the candidates for POTUS & VPOTUS revealed a startling lack of understanding, of this maxim, on their part.

Proverbs provides great wisdom to any person making their case, in the court of public opinion, or taking part in daily conversation. It could be said to all of the candidates for these two high offices, or to any of us, "If you are listening, you may not be losing."

So, take stock of yourself. God made you with two ears and one tongue. Do the math. In His grand design, He placed a priority on listening. My first grade teacher, Miss Hamm, repeated to us every day, "If you are talking, you aren't learning." Wise words that a person never outgrows the need to apply on a daily basis. Thanks Miss Hamm. See, I was listening.

When candidates or anyone else, for that matter, become obsessed with the sound of their own voice, they are probably losing their audience and their argument. The ears of the citizens of this nation have grown weary of the unreliable promises of politicians. There is a great deal of truth in the popular assessment of politicians.
Q: "How can you tell when politicians are lying?"
A: "Their lips are moving."

God intends for His children to listen before they speak. Giving people a piece of your mind doesn't give the person receiving it much peace and it doesn't leave you with much mind.

Avoid attending any independent lecture series that begins with the statement, "I have half a mind to say something about that." People with half a mind are usually full of themselves. They are seldom right, but never in doubt.

In the last debate, a candidate was held accountable for a statement made about a national crisis. His response was, "Get the manuscript." The moderator did, and spoke her mind. When the dust settled, the moderator was wrong, the candidate's argument was weakened, and his opponent started preparation to use it against him in the next debate. There is a lesson here.

The Word of God is a manuscript that is meant to be read, understood, and applied, on a daily basis. Having it in your hand, by your bed, or on your shelf is not enough. It must not be ignored. It must be read, obeyed and applied. When we speak before we listen to what God has already said, in His Word, it reveals more about us than we want others to know. A person with half a mind is never full of the wisdom of God.

In this combative, confrontational culture there is always a huge temptation to speak before you listen. The worst thing a person can do is to speak for God, before they have listened to Him. Spend time in His Word, and ask Him to give you a firm grip on what it means. Listen before you speak.

TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!

The Decision

"Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is considered prudent." Proverbs 17: 28

The American people are one step closer to Election Day. Thank God! After the debates are over, I vote for a day of silence.

As if the debates themselves are not draining enough, the spin doctors from each camp have to race to the first available microphone or camera and start the suffocating replay of each verbal assault, word for word, blow by blow. Instead of stopping the bleeding, they suffocate the patient. Give me a break!

The typical response of those who did not agree with what was said, by either their champion or their opponent, sounds something like this, "Why I oughta..." or "Well, I woulda"...or "Well, he coulda..."or "Well, he shoulda..." Second guessing is the favorite pastime of both the slow witted, and the back seat driver. In both cases, it is either an exercise in futility or a flight of fantasy.

It is always easier to be eloquent in a war of words, after the other person has left the room. I can't tell you how many times, I have replayed in my mind's eye, the scene of a confrontation, and then hit with a sudden burst of insight. A have often burst out with genuine dismay, "I should have said...!" It was a PERFECT comeback. Just late!

A good argument and a good joke have at least two things in common. Each loses something in the translation. If it has to be explained, it wasn't a good joke or a good fight. Another common trait is shared by fighters and comedians. They both know, missing your punch line or you opponent makes you look weak. As they say, timing....................... is.....................everything. But is it?

Proverbs states that even a fool that keeps silent is considered prudent. Giving another person more air time to reveal their own ignorance is often a wise way to prove a person wrong, with their own words. Cowboys of the old west would say, "Give that man enough rope and he will hang himself." Wise words.

After a recent debate, Twitter world was aflame, at the injustice of one candidate being allowed four minutes longer to make his case than his challenger. The angst and outrage of those who took up the offense of the short-changed participant was eloquently pronounced and at times, equally profane. They were right, of course, ...but were they?

A great deal can happen in four minutes. A man can fall a long way in a short period time. When a man jumps from a balloon from 23 miles in the air, we know it takes him about four minutes to come down to earth. It does not have to end in death and disaster. He just comes back to earth, lands on his feet, and goes back to his family.

On Election Day, the American people will decide if the POTUS used his four minutes wisely. They will determine if he deserves four more years, in the highest office of the land, or if it is time for him to come back to earth, return to his family, and live out the dreams of his father, in his house, not theirs.

This may be small comfort. Great confidence in the free people of this nation would not be well placed, in light of their recent track record of foolish decisions. Still, desperate times are never a time to panic. They are always a time to pray. "Discernment is given for intercession, never faultfinding." Oswald Chambers. Before you give into panic or Tweet your brains out..

TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!

The Focus

"Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; assuredly, he will not be unpunished." Proverbs 16: 5

The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their right name. Pride. You can't spell it, without "I" right in the middle of it. God hates it. His Word calls it an "abomination." Who knew? More on that later.

God expresses His name with the two words, "I AM." He did not say, "I WAS." Nor did He say, "I WILL." His Presence is as fresh as breath in the lungs. Leaving God out of the "NOW" always results in intimidation, by immediate circumstances. Pride tries to seize control, when fear rushes in. Prayer steps out of the way, and lets fear run right smack into the hands of God. He turns it around, and hands it back to us, and says, "Have faith."

The Wise Man begins and ends his day with a focus on "The Great I AM." The Fool places confidence in the wrong source. His life revolves around his own "I." With an admiring glance in the mirror, and a quick "Yes, I can!", he heads out to change the world. Before long, it fits his image. There is that "I" thing again. You can't spell image without...OK. You get the picture.

Wisdom comes from a life time of focusing on the God of Creation and following His lead. The Wise have learned that their "I" trouble is never improved by collecting lint from their own navel. The Fool takes pride in his lint collection, and shows it off to everyone he meets. He can never figure out why people aren't as impressed with it, as he is. Pride looks inward. Prayer looks upward. The Fool is prayerless and prideful. The Wise are prayerful and faithful.

Vision correction begins by taking a look at God's "I" Chart. Looking at God helps us see things His way. If He equates "Abomination" & "Pride," so should we. The Fool has too much pride to believe he may be a source of the problem. He reserves "abomination" for his pet condemnation. He only condemns what he sees in others, not in himself. What others do is sin. His lint is pure.

To be clear, God reveals His wisdom in Proverbs. He equates "abomination" with a list of dirty laundry often considered quite acceptable to be worn in public, by The Fool. They include, devious behavior, differing weights, false balance, lying lips, evil plans, scoffing, wickedness, perverse heart, and sacrifice of the wicked. If the lines of right and wrong get blurred, check your "I" with His. "Seven things which are an abomination to Him: haughty eyes, lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness that utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers." Proverbs 6:16-19

Just in case this sounds a little too Old Testament. Check out God's New Testament "I" Chart. "Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you..." I Corinthians 6:9-11.

Surprised? God equates your tendency to want what someone else has, with "the love that dare not speaks it name." That resentment you feel right now is called PrIde. God equates it with "abomination." The healing of a nation begins with admitting to God what He already knows about you. Ask Him for forgiveness, and for His Holy Spirit to remove the abomination in your own "I." You'll be glad He did, and this nation will be one step closer to the next Great Awakening.

TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!

The Cure

"The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, and before honor comes humility." PR 15:33

So few words, so simple, and yet so profound. They are so easily read. Even a child can understand them, yet they are so difficult to apply. They are like the directions on a bottle of iodine kept in the medicine cabinet. They remain available in the event of a crisis, but without application, the healing power will never be experienced.

During the summer of 1976, I was playing alot of softball. It was a requirement for membership at Sagamore Hill Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. Not really true, but almost. I had developed an injury on my right leg, from sliding into bases, trying to stretch a hit into more than what it was. The result was an abrasion that became infected, from being reopened, time and again, week after week. It was on fire.

One Monday night, after playing three games, I was in so much pain, I could not stand it any longer, and was ready for some relief. I was dating Dana at the time, and when I took her home, she ordered me into her house, and told me she would take care of what ailed me. Sounded promising. I was wrong.

Dana told me to put my right foot into the bathtub, and to hold onto the sink. It was a small bathroom. She took two bottles out of the medicine cabinet. One was clear peroxide and the other was red iodine. She gave me a choice. I chose the clear one. I had some previous experience with iodine, and I knew what to expect. I thought, "How bad could peroxide be?" I soon found out. She poured it into the open wound, and when the shock of pain hit my brain, I almost ripped the sink out of the wall. It was a come to Jesus moment, and I'm not ashamed to say, I squealed like a little girl. Before I could catch my breath, she poured in the iodine. When I came to, she assured me that now it would heal. She was right, but I haven't put my foot in a bathtub in 36 years. Can't be too careful.

Pride is the poison. You can't get rid of it, by swallowing it. You have to treat it. Humility is the cure. Conventional Wisdom says blame someone else for what ails you. God's Word says, follow His directions, if you want to heal your soul. Fearing God means applying His word. Wisdom results, from doing so, on a regular basis. Fear warns you that the cure might kill you. Faith knows better. Stop scaring yourself, by talking to yourself. False Expectations Aren't Real. F.E.A.R. (Get the picture?) Put your faith in God's Word. Follow the directions.

TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!

The Instructions

"Heed instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it." PR. 8:33

The Wise learn to heed, before they lead. Rushing in where angels fear to tread is not an act of courage. It reveals an empty head and a foolish heart. Learning requires a humble, teachable spirit, but a rebel requires no instruction. Neglecting The Master's guidance only equips a person to become the Master of Disaster.

When in doubt, read the instructions. Wise words for anyone assembling parts, or putting together a plan of action. Don't miss out on God's best for your life, by ignoring His counsel and then asking Him to bless the mess you have made. Take heed to what He says, in His Word, before you let your pride tell you what you want to hear. Coming to the end of yourself leads to the beginning of God. Heed before you lead.

TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!

The List

coming soon

The River

"For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth comes knowledge & understanding." PROVERBS 2:6

Traveling from Texas to the east coast requires the crossing of many rivers. The Mississippi River is the widest, and most majestic. It flows steadily, from a tiny source in Minnesota to its mouth in New Orleans. What began as hidden, insignificant rivulet that can be crossed over by a child's leap, continues to gain momentum, until its massive expanse requires a huge bridge to cross it. The source requires a diligent search, but the river cannot be hidden. Without the one, there will not be the other.

Only a fool cuts off his only source to wisdom, knowledge & understanding. Yet, people do it every day. The Lord God, Jehovah condescends to provide His people with a personal, private audience. Prayer is the door to His Throne Room, and the name of Jesus is the password to His Presence. The Wise come to God in prayer, and leave wiser still.

Prayerless people choose to stumble along in the dark, refusing to seize the opportunity God offers to shed light on their lives. Ignoring prayer forfeits their capacity to develop insight, and discernment into the ways of God. Without prayer, and the Word of God, it is impossible to comprehend the ways of God or to see the world, from His perspective.

Prayer involves listening to God, and waiting on God. There is some degree of satisfaction in His swift answer to an urgent request, but it is a poor substitute for the joy of His consistent companionship. Little children often rush into a parent's presence, with a breathless request for an answer to an immediate need. When they get the answer they want, they rush out as quickly as they entered.When they don't hear what they want to hear, they stay and whine. Both the parent and the child lose out on these exchanges. Sound familiar?

Wisdom, knowledge, and understanding are sorely missing in the lives of God's children. As long as they are sought, from substitute sources, they will remain lost treasures. Prayer taps the well of God's heart, and from His mouth, He pours out living water to His people. Those who seek Him will find Him. Those who listen to Him will be refreshed by Him, and become channels of His wisdom to thirsty people. If you desire the river, you must go to The Source.

TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!

The Hook

"If sinners entice you, do not consent." Proverbs 1:10

There is a huge industry built upon producing the latest lure. To develop this instrument, no expense is spared. Extensive research and field testing are placed into discerning the mind of a fish. Designing the best means, and employing the proper methods to deceive a fish into making the decision to swallow a hook, requires due diligence.

As the saying goes, "This is the catch." The hook is the instrument of death. The lure is the means of enticing the fish. The beauty before the bite is the last thing a fish sees, unless it fights for its life, and successfully shakes the hook. Some do. Some don't.

Proverbs describes sinners, as culpable, guilty offenders. Their well-known behavior has exposed them, and condemned them in the eyes of their fellow-men. They are known for what they proven themselves to be, impure in thought, word and deed. In this light, following them hardly appears to be a tempting proposition.

The proposition of following unsavory people is not the temptation. It is the appeal of the promise that entices. The appeal is made to the open-mindedness of a naive person to never judge a book by its cover. Unsavory people manipulate gullible a person into being an honest broker who will take the time to get to know people, before passing judgment. Proverbs warns, following the wrong people never leads to the right choices.

The wise won't be inclined, are prone to wishful thinking, when being seduced. It is impossible to come up with the right deduction, when faced with the wrong seduction.

Fish have plenty to eat. They have all they need. They can only be caught by a lure that appears to be newer, shinier or easier to obtain. It always promises life, but only delivers death. It creates a dissatisfaction with what a fish already has, but the lure never satisfies the hunger of a fish or a man.

The Wise consider the source of enticement, and refuse to trade what they already have received from God, for a promise of more than God has already given them. Prayer purifies a man's heart, and protects it from being enticed by empty promises. Don't bite on what God won't bless.

TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!

The Signs

"When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when a wicked man rules, people groan." PR 29:2

Back in the day, rabbis considered the three signs of a righteous man to be praying, giving and fasting. Jesus addressed those three character strengths in His Sermon on The Mount. (Matthew 5, 6, 7) He did not say, "If you pray...If you give...If you fast." He said "When you pray, give and fast." He expected it to be done with the right motive. This is true righteousness, doing the right thing for the right reason, pleasing God, not man.

Once upon a time, a great nation was birthed with the guiding principles of "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." Today "prayerlessness, selfishness, and unbridled appetites" could better describe the core values of the American culture. It has been described by others at, "Get all you can. Can all you get. Sit on the can. Poison the rest."

Jesus launched His Kingdom with a renewal of praying, giving and fasting...for all the right reasons. Prayer brings a person to the end of themselves and to a focus on God. Giving turns a person's covetous eye away from himself and towards the needs of others. Fasting exposes the power of the flesh, and forces one to lean on the Spirit of God for sustenance.

The wicked ruler always appeals to the worst in man. The Hebrew language defines wickedness as hostility toward God. A man who is hostile to God is a wicked man. A wicked man may be a nice guy to those around him. He is just a wicked man to the God above him.

The wicked man encourages those around him to shout, "Yes, we can!" God's Word says, "Apart from me, you can do nothing." (John 15:5) He builds an even larger following, by taking from those who oppose him, and making them pay their "fair share" re to those who support him. God's Word says, "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."( 2 Thessalonians 3:10) He encourages his followers to satisfy their appetites, whatever they may be. Rules are made to be broken. Borders are not recognized. Standards are lowered. The Word of God says, "The fruit of the Spirit is...self-control." (Gal. 5:22-23)

So what? The people of God are called to live in obedience to The Word of God. His Word of Life is His way of life. His Word is His will. Praying, giving and fasting have not been set aside, until there is an earthly leader, sympathy with the Word of God and the Way of God. God has spoken in His Word, and Jesus is The Way. Jesus established a model for His followers to follow. They are to pray, "Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven." (Matt. 6:10) Like the Nike commercial says, "Just do it!" The results will follow.

TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!