Rotten Bones

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 14

Gold Nugget
Verse 30: “A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones.”

Commentary

I’ve been in the work force 24 years. In that time I’ve seen the pay scales raise, fall, and rise again. I’ve worked in management a good part of those years and during those years, I've received raises and I have given raises. One of the unwritten and sometimes written rules is to never discuss your salaries. Even among adults, we still have the same deficiency we’ve had since childhood. We want what they have. When we were toddlers, you could see our real nature uncensored. One toddler is 100% content playing with one toy and all of a sudden, another toddler has a toy that they don’t. The toy that pacified them is thrown to the floor as they wobble over to the other child and snatch their toy. If the other toddler goes and picks up the abandoned toy, all of a sudden, the abandoned toy has the greatest value. We’ve seen this in children and we recognize it as natural for a toddler. Yes, we usually outgrow the blatant part, but only spiritual maturity will truly change it. Outside of being spiritually mature, all we do is learn how to mask it. Today we see the same toddlers in the work force, in our families and even in the church. In the church and elsewhere we see envy of others gifts, talents, etc. They may have grown up on the outside, but many are still the same toddler that can never be content with what they have. They can get a perfectly appropriate car that they’re content with… that is until their neighbor drives up with a newer or better one. All of a sudden, they look back at their car with discontentment. I have seen people do this with cars, jobs, homes, and even spouses. That’s right. It happens all the time. A husband or wife will look at someone else’s spouse, then look back at their own with discontent - even when their spouse is loyal and committed. We have painted a pretty negative picture of this person mentioned in the latter part of today’s “gold nugget”, “A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones.” I have seen this person consumed with envy and it is not a pretty sight. The scripture describes it well as “rottenness to the bones.” As far as the rest of us that don’t fall in this category, don’t be so fast to dismiss this application for you. Even for those that have matured spiritually and aren’t just masking their envy - know this, the bible deals with this issue repeatedly and though we may have matured, we may need more maturing still. Take a look at yourself closely. You may have some toddler in you yet.

Prayer

Lord, the truth is, we all have some room for growth when it comes to envying others. Help us today to be content with what is appropriate and have a “sound heart that is life to the body and not rottenness in our bones.” Amen

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Get Away

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 14

Gold Nugget

Verse 7:  Go from the presence of a foolish man, When you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge.

Commentary

Todays "gold nugget" instructs us to get away from the foolish man that does not speak with knowledge. Often times we are in situations where we cannot get away from people that we really would like to. I am keeping with the object of this verse when I say "we want to get away from someone". It is foolish of us to want to stay in the presence of those who instruct in foolishness, but what if we just can't physically remove ourselves? If we can't remove ourselves physically, then we should do it spiritually. The person that is described in this verse may be someone from work, school or another place that you do not have control over. This is when we see the need for us to separate ourselves spiritually. The bible tells us without fail that we are to separate ourselves from wickedness, foolishness, etc. I have done this without ever leaving the room. It requires boldness, but you can do it. An example of when I did this brings me back to a day when our crew had gathered together - just finishing off the day with small talk. One of the guys told an offensive joke and without fail the entire crew erupted with laughter... well almost the entire crew. It was a small area and very close quarters. My refusal to acknowledge, encourage or even smile was like nails on a chalkboard. It was like the elephant in the room.. everyone could see it, but nobody said a word. We may not always be able to leave the room, but we can sure separate from others when it is appropriate to do so. There may be someone in your life that you know you need to be bold and separate yourself from. It isn't always easy, but if you commit to it - God will see it through and give you strength.

Prayer

Lord, I see the need to separate myself from those who speak and live in wickedness and foolishness. Give me the boldness to make the stand against them when the time comes. Amen

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The Empty Cradle

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 14

Gold Nugget

Verse 4: Where no oxen are, the trough is clean; But much increase comes by the strength of an ox. 

Commentary

I'm reminded of an old song by Harry Chapin called "Cat's in Cradle". The song tells the story of young boy longing for the attention of his father to no avail. Years later the father is trying to get the attention of his then grown son to no avail. I think of people that long for their kids to be grown so that their life can begin. Focusing on the wrong thing can cause you to miss out on the right things. In today's gold nugget, we see that a barn that doesn't have an ox is a barn that doesn't need to be cleaned of oxen mess. Sounds good. On the other hand, a barn that doesn't house an ox makes for less planting and a smaller harvest - if any. It is just as true to say that not having a car saves space in the driveway, but makes for a long walk to work. Many of our setbacks, hurdles, responsibilities and such are actually the means to our purpose. Our responsibility to meet the needs emotionally, physically and spiritually of our children is also the reward of fulfilled life. What many view as an inconvenience, others see as a blessing. A man that has an ox to clean up after, is a blessed man. We should embrace our difficulties when they actually produce what's good. Don't miss the moment because you are too focused on the down side. Yes, children that are grown and out of the house means less to clean up after, but it also means that the children are grown and out of the house.

Prayer

Lord, help me to enjoy the responsibility that I have and see how they are linked to my blessings. If I see the benefit of what I am working for, I will embrace the work ahead of me. Let me enjoy today and face the morrow tomorrow. Amen

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Reflection Disorder

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 14

Gold Nugget

Verse 12-15:  There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. 13 Even in laughter the heart may sorrow, And the end of mirth may be grief. 14 The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied from above. 15 The simple believes every word, But the prudent considers well his steps.

Commentary

Have you ever listened to a recording of yourself and asked, “Is that really what I sound like?” I have been using microphones and hearing recordings of myself for so many years that I know what I sound like to others and I have gotten used to it. I do remember as a child after listening to myself on a tape recorder (for those of you under 30 - a tape recorder was a prehistoric recording device), and thought I sounded horrible. I may actually have and may still sound horrible to others, but I’ve gotten used to it. It seems that most people don’t like what they actually sound like when they are not used to hearing themselves recorded. That being said, we can with confidence tell people that what they hear of their own voice is not actually what they sound like. They are hearing through their own ears or head and it is giving them a false sense of what the truth is. I am not a fan of the television show “American Idol”, but at the start of every season, they put some people that have no idea of how bad they sing on the show. Well, some of them might. We have known people that think they sing well when they actually don’t. 

We need to be able to hear what we really sound like and see what we really look like. We don’t dare leave the house without looking in the mirror. We know that we can’t just go on how we feel like we look. The mirror will tell us if we are looking our best or if we are missing the mark. I have known people and am currently doing everything that I can to help someone that is going down a path toward destruction. In this person’s eyes “There is a way that seems right,” but I know that “its end is the way of death.” This person is not seeing a true reflection of what is going on in their life. They have taken a very unique perspective on what is right and wrong that isn’t a true reflection of God’s Word. They have taken their own twist on what is truth and manipulated it to conform to their lifestyle. As it is right now, everything is falling apart for them. We can’t trust our own perspective in life without looking in the mirror of God’s Word anymore than we can leave the house in the morning without looking in the mirror. We must know His Word, accept it as it is and conform to it. It will bring us life, peace, and security. His Word will show us what we really look like and give us the opportunity to adjust ourselves as needed.

Prayer

Lord, help me this day to see me as I really am. Help me to be able to see the truths in your Word and give me the ability to adjust myself accordingly. I want to be a reflection of who you are. Remind me that my natural man has a will of his own that does not regard your laws. Father, help me to read your Word daily and allow it to transform me by the renewing of my mind so I can prove what is your good , acceptable and perfect will.

Amen

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