The Painter

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 7

Gold Nugget

Verse 21:  With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, with her flattering lips she seduced him. 

Commentary

The devil sure paints a pretty picture as to the pleasures of sin. It's his desire for you to see only the upside of walking in disobedience. He is quite skilled with his paint brush of deception. With smooth strokes on the canvass of her mind, he convinced Eve that her act of rebellion in the garden would actually put her on the same level as God. He didn't reveal the curse that would be enacted as a result of her actions. When David pursued Bathsheba, the tempter didn't give him any insight as to the anguish he would suffer from abandoning the Lord's principles and laws. When Judas betrayed the Lord for what he thought would be beneficial to him, the enemy presented his masterpiece of art to Judas' fleshly desires. The benefit of a mature Christian who walks in wisdom is the ability to see the immediate destruction that comes from disobedience. To them, they can see the perils of rebelling as sure as someone that falls from a cliff. To the foolish the enemy can describe the rush of excitement from a 100 foot free fall as something to be enjoyed. As farfetched as it seems, the spiritual destruction that comes from willful disobedience can be as evident to the wise as the person that falls to their death on the rocks below. Don't be deceived by the skilled painter that portrays your sinful acts as harmless. Your temporary pleasure will soon be replaced with continual suffering. 

Prayer

Lord, I don't want to trade the peace and security that comes from being disobedient for any pleasures of this world. Help me to be able to see the enemy as he tries to paint a deceptive portrait of what could be gained from leaving the path you've set before me. I will follow you without looking to the left or to the right.  Amen

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Ridiculous Racoon

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 5

Gold Nugget
Verse 22: “His own iniquities entrap the wicked man, and he is caught in the cords of his sin.”

Commentary
There is an old belief that you can catch a raccoon with just a shiny object. When I was a kid I read the book and saw the movie, “Where the Red Fern Grows”. In this story, a shiny object, like a ball of tin foil, was placed in a can with a hole drilled through the top. A couple of nails were then driven in at an angle. It is true that raccoons have great attraction to shiny objects. Although I’m not country enough to prove the validity of the book or even know if anyone else has ever succeeded in doing this, it’s believed that the raccoon will reach through the hole to grab the shiny object. The problem is he doesn’t have enough room to back his hand out. His hand grasped firmly around his treasure requires more room than the tiny hole will allow. According to the folks that support this as fact, the raccoon will not let go of his treasure to save his life. He is absolutely trapped by his refusal to let go due to his desire for a piece of worthless tin foil. We may find this ridiculous and assume it is the difference between a stupid animal and a more “intelligent” creature like ourselves. Oh, if that were true. The reality is we are more like the raccoon than we care to admit. We too, have a habit of being trapped by our desires for worthless things. They may not seem worthless to us, but from a more “intelligent” perspective like God’s, He sees a rolled up ball of tin foil. He wants us to let go of our sinful desires and be set free, but we, like the raccoon, hang on with everything we’ve got. Today’s “gold nugget” says, “His own iniquities entrap the wicked man, and he is caught in the cords of his sin.” Like the lie that leads to more lies, our sins begin to entrap us. This is not what Jesus suffered on the cross for. He died on the cross to set us free from sin's hold on us. It isn’t appropriate for those that have been set free to be trapped again.  “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage”. (Galatians 5:1)

Prayer
Lord, we do not do you justice when we get entangled with the cares of this world and bound by foolish and sinful desires. You died on the cross to set us free and the payment was sufficient to free us indeed. Let us walk in freedom from sin and be a testimony of the power that you accomplished through the cross. Amen

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Just Do It!

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 3

Gold Nugget
Verse 27: “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so.”

Commentary

One of the greatest characteristics of a Christian is the giving heart they possess. The breaking point on whether or not someone gives should be on whether or not they can. Today’s “gold nugget” proclaims, “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so.” In other words, if you are able and choose not to give, you are not reflecting the character of a God. There are times when you may be able to give, but should not. The verse says, “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due”, meaning, if someone is worthy of the gift or has not done anything to warrant being neglected, then you should give if you are able.

“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due” leaves all kinds of options. It can be financial giving, giving of your time or maybe one of the most effective and powerful acts of giving - encouragement. You may not have money to give to the lady next door that has given more than anyone could ever give back to her, but breaking out that mower and tending to that yard would be “doing good to those who are due”. Just sitting down with her and listening to her many stories may be giving her more than you could measure. Whatever you can do good… Just do it!

Prayer
Lord, I may not always have a financial gift to give those that are in need, but as the Apostle Peter said, “Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have, give I to thee.” Whatever I have, I make available to you to use however you wish to help others. Forgive me of the times I have failed to do so. Amen

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Making a Change

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 2

Gold Nugget
Verse 20: “So you may walk in the way of goodness, and keep to the paths of righteousness.”

Commentary

As we continue into the New Year, let us stay focused on making any necessary changes that we have come to acknowledge as needing attention. Most New Year’s resolutions are either to lose weight or quit smoking. Although my focus today is more on spiritual things, we could easily see the spiritual connections to those top resolutions. I’m not all that big on New Year’s resolutions as some people may be. Some Christians even say they are not scriptural and I guess I would have to agree that it’s not a common biblical practice. Whether we wake up on any given day and purpose to allow the newness of that day to be an inspiration for needed change or we start a new week with resolve to make changes, as long as we find motivation for these changes, all is good. Allowing the newness of a new year to be a spark for making change is grand enough for me. With most resolutions comes an almost immediate sense of failure and regress. After failing to stick to diets or failure to keep from lighting up, we quickly abandon our hopes of change until the next year. What can be the difference this year? What can keep us on the right path? Consider today’s “gold nugget”. Earlier the proverb tells us to seek wisdom and knowledge, “So you may walk in the way of goodness, and keep to the paths of righteousness.” Although my concerns are spiritual and not of smoking or dieting, the things that I am more concerned with in my spiritual life can only find change in a steady diet of the Word of God that brings the wisdom and knowledge that Proverbs says will keep me on the path. I must be determined to be hungry for the Word of God this year and let it take care of my spiritual health. This will overflow into the other areas of my life. Of all the New Year’s resolutions that you have made, let the old “I’m going to read my bible more” be a priority this year despite however many times you and I have failed at it before. Refusing to make reading the bible a resolution because of how many times you have failed to maintain it is more foolish that avoiding a diet because of how many times you’ve failed to do that. Just a little reality check for you here; if you will admit that you don’t read His Word and or worship with the saints as you should and you have more focus on losing weight this year, what does that say about what’s truly important to you? Just something to think about…

Prayer

Lord, although losing weight is an important thing for many and should be done, let us be more concerned about the spiritual changes we need to make. Help us to be more interested in making our spiritual life more appealing than making our physical bodies more appealing. Amen

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Procrastination

Reading for Today: Proverbs Chapter 1

Gold Nugget

Verse 28: “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they will not find me."

Commentary

I will tell on my son for just a moment. Since I have more than one, we will leave it a mystery to which son it is… (well to those that don’t know him anyway). Through his early school years, he was very good in his studies. He always finished atop his class with little effort. As he grew older he got less and less interested with his school work. Sports, girls and video games became more his passion. Somehow he always managed to squeeze out a point above failing and progress to the next level. Procrastination became his new approach to all things that didn’t fall in the big three categories previously mentioned. This approach got him through most of high school - although it strained our relationship at times. As was his mode of operation, he had everything all figured out leading up to graduation. He had barely passed all the classes he needed to pass and had a few classes that he was going to “test out” of. Like many classes, if you can pass a test of general knowledge, it can result in a passing grade despite your lack of input in daily assignments, quizzes, etc. He did so with several tests and was on track to graduate. Until… he had only one class left that would stand between him and walking the stage on graduation day, but he was certain he would pass it with ease.

Finally the day cam for my son to test out of his final class and graduate from High School. At the last moment he learned a tragic detail that had escaped him. This was one of the classes that could not be circumvented by a “test out”. This class was like many others that required the minimum daily assignments and quizzes be completed and passed. At this point it was too late. After years of hanging in with his friends and progressing to the next grade, he was not able to walk the stage and graduate with them. He sought out the teacher for an escape from the dilemma, but it was too late. All of his crying out for help went un-answered. He had doomed himself. Like today’s “gold nugget” describes, “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they will not find me." We must react to doing the right thing while the opportunity is still here. Many people will miss the “Big Graduation” because they think they can just get by with the bare minimum. If we treat our walk with the Lord like my son did his studies, we may find ourselves calling out, but it may be too late.

Prayer

Lord, help us to realize that we should be living our lives in a way that pursues what is right and not just trying to get by. I want to please you in my daily assignments and even in the pop quizzes of life. All of these will require consistent interaction with you, my Teacher. Amen

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The Promoter

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 30

Gold Nugget

Verse 32: If you have been foolish in exalting yourself, Or if you have devised evil, put your hand on your mouth. 

Commentary

Years ago people used to be entertained by the great boxer, Mohammad Ali. His skill in the ring was unmatched for several years. He was fast, strong and tough, but you didn’t need me to tell you that did you? Ali never needed a promoter. He promoted himself. At every camera and in every microphone, the champ would declare his greatness. “Fly like a butterfly, sting like a bee”, he would say. “I’m so pretty”, he would shout. “It's hard to be humble when you're as great as I am”. The list of his boasting and self promotion is too long to include here. Ali was an entertainer and even in his day, entertainer or not, many people could not tolerate his bragging. Most folks just chalked it up to being a showman and dismissed it as part of his act. One thing that should be noted is the reason he got so much attention was because no one else was doing this. People either loved him or loved to hate him, but the cameras were obsessed with him. Today, sports and entertainment celebrities are infested with this self promotion. It no longer needs to be masked by showmanship or entertainment; people just love to declare how great they are. I enjoy sports, but can hardly stand to hear this self promoting phenomenon. Just as tolerance of this horrible trait has grown over the years, it didn’t stop at celebrities. The self promotion and fixation with themselves expressed by our youth is repulsive. Whether it’s “Facebook”, “Instagram” or whatever social networking application is being used, people have taken it from what can be healthy networking on to self glorifying and self exaltation.

Nowadays, there isn’t any shame in standing in front of a mirror with a cell phone posing like they are on the cover of a magazine, dressing provocatively and outright claiming in writing their greatness. Modesty has been thrown out the window. Just to share the blame, it should be noted that even adults are being caught up in this self love and self glorifying. Maybe it has always been there and it just wasn’t accepted. Probably so, but I will take closet conceit over this shameless manifestation of “me over thee” behavior. What happened to humility? Just in case you are wondering, it is still expected of Christians. What of putting others above and before yourself? It may not be popular, but it’s still scriptural. Maybe this applies to you and maybe it doesn’t. Maybe it applies to our kids. Shouldn’t that be enough to corral them before it get’s any further. Whether it’s us or our kids, we aren’t supposed to be going with the flow of this world. Maybe you should take a stand today. What do you say?

Disclaimer: Social media is not necessarily evil. The purpose in this devotion is to illustrate the way they are too often used for self exalting. If this is not the way it is being used by you, it still may be necessary for you to to steer someone else in the right direction.

Prayer

Lord, despite how accepted it has become in our world, I want to represent the character that you have developed in me. I don’t need to exalt myself, but rather need to humble myself. Thank you for reminding me of this truth. Amen

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Fearing Man

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 29

Gold Nugget
Verse 25: “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.”

Commentary

What is the fear of man and how does it relate to your safety? Imagine being in a sticky situation at work. You made a small error in your job that had massive effects. You cost your company thousands of dollars, but nobody really knows who did it. You know that there isn’t any way that anyone could find out who did it. All you have to do is deny it was you, knowing that there isn’t any way to identify what happened. You have a free pass. Some folks would say that it was a gift from God that you were able to avoid harm, but a mature Christian knows better. As today’s “gold nugget” says, “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.” This brings us back to the original question. Your fear of man (your boss or company in this case) is tempting you to lie for your safety. There are many situations that will fall into this scenario. Maybe it is the jokes your boss tells that you laugh at when you wouldn’t normally. Maybe your father-in-law challenges you in a spiritual area that you may be afraid to take your normal stance against. We may have to use our imagination a little, but if you think about it, you will see how the fear of man or maybe peers will cause us to compromise our beliefs. In that, we allow ourselves to be caught in the snare mentioned in today’s “gold nugget”.

It may be difficult, but we have to cling to the truth of the latter part of this verse, “but whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.” This is to say, whoever will stay faithful and stand on truth despite any repercussions, God will surely keep us safe. We may fear losing our paycheck, but God will keep us fed. As a matter of fact, if we lied about costing the company money, we may survive that day, but when other areas of our life starts to fall apart, we foolishly don’t make the connection. Be sure that what it will cost you to avoid the wrath of man will not compare to what it will cost you to bring on the wrath of God. Consider what Jesus said in Matthew 10:28 “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Prayer

Lord, in our day to day life we find ourselves in situations where our fear of man will cost us in our relationship with you. Help us to see clearly what is at stake and walk boldly in the truth. We would rather avoid your wrath than the wrath of man. Even without your wrath, we would rather be at peace with you than at peace with man.  Amen

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Spoiled Milk

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 28

Gold Nugget
Verse 13: “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”

Commentary

Out of sight may be out of mind for some things, but not for everything. They say there isn’t any use in crying over spilled milk either, but spilled milk behind the couch may be out of sight, but it won’t be out of mind when it starts to sour. There are many things we try to pretend doesn’t or didn’t happen. Dirt continually swept under the carpet will build a lump that everyone can see and you will eventually trip over. Many of us attempt to go through this life with our faults and weaknesses unattended to. Pride or carelessness drives us to overlook our own faults and sins, as if they are not issues that need to be dealt with. Whether it is because of some misunderstanding of what God’s grace is supposed to be viewed as, or whether we just don’t care if we grow in those areas, our hidden or ignored sins will catch up with us. When we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we ask Him to forgive us of our sins and we are immediately cleansed from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9), but as we continue to walk with Him, we must deal with our weak areas as they arise.

If we fail to reflect Godly character, we must identify and repent of our sins and look for change in our behavior. Trying to pretend that these things didn’t happen will stunt our spiritual growth, causing pain and hurt to others. As today’s “gold nugget” says, “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”  When we do see we have failed to be the people He wants us to be, we should not try to “cover” our sins, but rather we hurry to confess them and receive the mercy that heals both us and others we have hurt. When we confess them, Jesus covers them. We can't cover them ourselves through denial of secrecy.

Some things left unattended will begin to sour or rot. If we overlook it, we may grow used to the smell and not find it so offensive and actually become so blind that we wonder why others are not pleased to be close to us. Leaving sin unattended will leave us spiritually smelling soured, spoiled and rotten. We would be quick to clean up spilled milk and throw out things that would rot. Why would we be so ignorant of leaving sin in our lives if they will have the same effect?

Prayer

Lord, when I fail to obey you and cause harm to others with my behavior, I want to be quick to repent of my sins and receive your mercy and corrective plan. Please don’t allow me to try and cover my sins as if they don’t exist. This will only ensure that they mount up and cause continued harm to you, me and others.  Amen

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What of Tomorrow

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 27

Gold Nugget

Verse 1: “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.”

Commentary

While speaking at a conference in Florida, I had the pleasure of meeting a very sweet couple from Odessa. While having dinner with folks from the conference, I was blessed to be seated next to them. After a few moments we began to make small talk, but as is normally the case - spiritual people identify each other quickly and the small talk turned to deep spiritual discussion. We talked about our Heavenly Father and His marvelous grace. As it turns out, both of their young adult children had been in a horrible car accident just a few years ago. Their son had been thrown from the car while their daughter remained inside the vehicle as it flipped several times. As it goes, the protective mercies of the Lord prevented what should have been sure death for one if not both of them. Although the son suffered a broken leg, the condition of his sister was much worse. Family and friends began to call on each other for prayer as the daughter endured 40+ days in the hospital. Testimonies of miracles were shared with me that showed the supernatural intervention from God at every turn. From the comforting presence of the Holy Spirit that ministered to them at the scene of the accident while they lay praying, to miracles that were even proclaimed from the doctors over the following days, God revealed Himself to the entire family that has strengthened them and strengthens them to this day. They all have a wonderful message and testimony that is very passionate in their hearts. They can’t wait to brag about the goodness of their Savior. Of the entire testimony, one of the things that stood out most was a comment that the husband made towards the end. Early on the wife had shared how they have learned to trust God with their children and all areas of their lives for that matter. The husband validated her statement when he said, “God doesn’t see death as we do. The perspective that we have towards death is unique to us as humans.” So very true. When it comes to God’s concern for us, our physical body takes a back seat to the condition of our souls. Today’s “gold nugget” says, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” We are so concerned with our own survival and well being that we lose sight of what is important; our spiritual survival and well being. We need to be less concerned with tomorrow and more concerned with where we stand with God today. We are not promised to be given tomorrow, but we can still promise to give Him today and trust Him for the rest.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for the reminders and blessings that I received from this couple. Today, I will focus on what I can be for you now. I trust you for tomorrow. Amen

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Merry CHRISTmas

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 25

Gold Nugget
Verse 6: “Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of the great;”

Commentary

“And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:11) We read in the scriptures about the wise men that came from the east, searching for the Savoir of the world to worship Him. A wise man was one to be respected and honored. In those days it was more likely that children were not even suffered to come unto a wise man and yet here are wise men bowing before the true King. They exemplified today’s “gold nugget”, “Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of the great;” They knew who this newborn baby was and was to become. They dare not exalt themselves in His presence, but rather humbled themselves in worship and offerings. On this treasured day, our society is guilty of exalting everything and everyone other than the one who is worthy. It’s my prayer that Christians be the exception to this norm. Let us make a bold statement to our family, friends, but especially to our children what is truly the meaning of CHRISTmas. We have a challenge in this. We can say with our mouths that He is the reason for the season, but the gifts and food galore, with all the attention on one another, it doesn’t carry over into the hearts and minds of our next generation unless we make a massive ordeal about who Jesus is and why He came to be born unto us.  We are presented with that challenge today. I hope we arise to the challenge!

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given: and the government shall be on his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Prayer

Lord help us to overshadow gifts and food with truth, knowledge and adoration for our King that was born unto us to save us from our sins. Amen

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Try Again

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 24

Gold Nugget

Verse 16: “For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity.”

Commentary

Many have heard the story of how our 16^th President, Abraham Lincoln, had many failures in his career, both public and private. Although it makes for good emails and inspirational media, Abraham Lincoln is one of the most beloved and respected presidents in US History. His stance against immoral actions and policies is renowned. Although somewhat familiar to many, I have included a few of these so-called “failures” for the sake of discussion.

1831: Lost His Job

1832: Ran for state legislature - lost.

1832: Wanted to go to law school but couldn’t get in.

1833: Borrowed some money from a friend to begin a business and by the end of the year he was bankrupt. He spent the next 17 years of his life paying off this debt.

1836: Had a total nervous breakdown and was in bed for six months.

1838: Sought to become speaker of the state legislature -defeated.

1840: Sought to become elector - defeated.

1843: Ran for Congress - lost.

1849: Sought the job of land officer in his home state -rejected.

1854: Ran for Senate of the United States - lost.

1856: Sought the Vice-Presidential nomination at his party’s national convention – did not get enough votes.

1858: Ran for U.S. Senate again - lost.

In 1860 he successfully ran for president of the United States of America. Although the validity of some of these instances leaves room for debate, much of them are undisputed. What is also undisputed is the determination and passion he had for his duty and his country. Today’s “gold nugget” reminds us that, “a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity.” I refuse to allow my failures to prevent me from pressing on.

What have you resolved to change in your life that fear of failure has prevented you from trying again? It’s time to try to quit smoking again. This time, I think you can do it. It’s time to try to quit drinking again. This time, I think you can do it. It’s time to try to quit cussing, cheating, etc. -again. This time, I think you can do it. It’s time to start praying again. This time, I think you can do it. It’s time to start reading your bible again. This time, I think you can do it. It’s time to start going to church again. This Sunday, I think you can do it.

Prayer

Lord, I know I have failed you on many occasions. I have failed my family, my church and myself. I will not fail to try again. I want to be the righteous man that will rise again and agin. I have resolved to serve you for the rest of my life. Amen

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Read Your E-mail

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 22

Gold Nugget
Verse 20: Have I not written to you excellent things of counsels and knowledge?

Commentary

In today’s business atmosphere, the written word has taken on greater power than it has in many years. E-mails have raised the level of accountability in various aspects of business. When a memo of the 80’s could have left doubt as to whom it was addressed, delivered to and read by could be challenged or denied. I see so often today claims of conversations or delegations either confirmed or overruled by the mention of an e-mail. Just recently I had to remind a contractor of an e-mail conversation between us that proved he was notified of certain conditions that he agreed to. While at first he tried to waffle out of some accountability, he quickly withdrew his position at the mention of the e-mail. There is something very effective about the written word. It cannot easily be discounted, argued with or dismissed. Such is today’s “gold nugget”, here we are reminded by God, “Have I not written to you excellent things of counsels and knowledge? I think it is an unfortunate scenario that many people think they will only be held accountable for what they know. The truth is, we will also be held accountable for what knowledge and counsel was made available to us. If I neglect to read my e-mails throughout the day, I will fall behind in knowledge of situations that require my action. I can’t simply claim that I did not read my e-mails and therefore cannot be held accountable for its contents. As crazy as that sounds, it is the exact same thing with the Word of God. Like e-mails addressed to us from God, in the scriptures, we find that He has “written to us excellent things of counsels and knowledge and we will not be excused for choosing not to read our e-mail. The information in the Word of God, the bible, contains knowledge of situations that require our action. Have you been reading your e-mails or are you just hoping to get by playing ignorant?

Prayer
Lord, your truth, precepts and expectations of us are clearly laid out for us in the bible. Help us to realize that we will be held accountable for both what we know and what was made available for us to know. Amen

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Ungodly Gain

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 21

Gold Nugget

Verse 27: The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; How much more when he brings it with wicked intent! 

Commentary

Our current"Christian" society is flooded with doctrines to pacify the wicked person mentioned in today's "gold nugget". Many of today's Christian leaders are appealing to the sinful nature of mankind that is self serving and full of greed. Teachings that are attractive to this sinful nature are full of ideas that - giving to "god" will ensure you financial gain. There are scriptures that (when taken in proper perspective with proper intentions) give us confident that God will regard our giving with favor. The area of concern is the teachings that lure people to give to a particular "cause" or "ministry" by promising them God's supernatural financial flood. Too often the giver and the recipient of these offerings are working outside of God's participation and promises, and therefore are not guaranteed or even likely to receive anything from God as a reward. These particular doctrines are more in line with "Pyramid Schemes" (AKA - multi level marketing) than they line up with scripture. As scripture warns us, "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions" (2 Timothy 4:3) Sacrifices or gifts/offerings given for personal reward or gain are (as today's "gold nugget" proclaims) is an abomination.

Prayer

Lord, when I give to anyone I want to be giving it with pure intentions - without regard for reward or gain. If my brother is in need, I want to give to him because I don't want him to go without and not because I want to see a return on my giving. Whether my giving is time, money or any other way I can contribute, I want to do it with a pure heart. Amen

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The Grey Head

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 20

Gold Nugget

Verse 29: “The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men is their gray head.”

Commentary

It’s all about perspective. Being optimistic about your situation or condition is one of the successful keys that open up the door to living a satisfying life. I try to find the good in whatever situation I’m in. For instance, over the years I have worked various work schedules. Whether it is a 4/10 work week (Mon-Thursday 10hrs per day) or the typical 5/8, I choose to make it a win/win for me. If I work the 4/10, yee-haw! 3 day weekends! If I work the 5/8, yee-haw! 2 hours less per day! If I am like today’s “gold nugget” (a young man), yee-haw! I have my strength! If I am like the latter part of today’s “gold nugget” (an old man), yee-haw! I have my wisdom! Sometimes we need to be more content with where we are in the process. Too often the old man envies the young man’s youth, energy and opportunities and on occasion, the young man sees the splendor of the old man's accomplishments and envies him. We need to more appreciative of which part of the timeline we live in. Either end has its benefits if someone wants to see them. It’s a horrible waste of your time, energy and happiness to be consumed with where you aren’t instead of enjoying where you are. Whether it's that promotion, house, car or relationship that you are looking towards, don’t let waiting for it ruin your "right now". The old saying, “It’s not the destination as much as it is the journey” was probably originated by an old grey haired man or woman. Being content is one of the greatest personal accomplishments you can make. It doesn’t mean that you're content with less than you should be, but rather content with where you should be. The young folks that sees the rewards of the old folks hard work and feel entitled to equal rewards are not only barking up the wrong tree, but are an offense to the person that earned them through time. Be patient young one. Pay your dues and in time you will reap your reward. Old one, enjoy your season. If it’s "winter", grab a blanket and warm your gray head by the fire. The young man can go out in the cold and put his good strength to use.

Prayer

Lord, I’m grateful for the accomplishments you’ve made in me and purpose to enjoy the today you’ve given me. Help me to be patient for the things to come and honor you with the day at hand. Amen

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