Do What is Just and Right

Until we connect again via this update on January 2, we want to wish all of you His peace, comfort, and joy. Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year!

Devotional for 12.19.11

We’ll again keep our thoughts focused on Wisdom about Integrity as we turn to Proverbs chapter 23 to get wisdom that goes beyond the gold!

DO WHAT IS JUST AND RIGHT

Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless, for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you.

Proverbs 23:10-11

The Israelites acquired their land by conquest, and every tribe and family considered its allotment or inheritance as a gift from God. David said, The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance (Psalm 16:6). With contentment and gratitude He acknowledged that all he had was a gift from God.

Boundary stones were a common way of marking off property lines. Sadly, some didn’t see these stones as set in stone. They moved them to the right or the left, depending on what was most advantageous to them. It was subtle, a little push here, a small nudge there. They’d do just enough to gain the upper hand without being detected.

It’s today’s equivalent to fudging on your taxes or your timecard, cheating the system, taking company resources for personal use, or withholding your tithe. What seems like a small thing in man’s eyes is theft in God’s.

God gives warning in Scripture: Do not move an ancient boundary stone (Proverbs 22:28, Deuteronomy 19:14, 27:17, Hosea 5:10). The consequences listed within these verses include being cursed and God’s wrath being poured out like a flood of water.

God desires that we be people of integrity who do what is just and right, especially in our relationships with the fatherless and widow. He is their Defender (Proverbs 23:10). He will take up their case against those who deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless (Isaiah 10:2).

We’re in the midst of a season where there are ministries far and near (including GEMS!) asking for gifts, prayers, time, and resources to help the needy, widows, and fatherless. This is what the LORD says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of his oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the alien, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place (Jeremiah 22:33).

Whether making decisions within the boundary lines He’s entrusted to you or responding to the boundary lines of the poor and needy, be a woman of integrity: Do what is just and right!

Wisdom Step: Read Psalm 82:3. How will you obey this command today?

Lord, to those who hunger, give bread. And to those who have bread, give the hunger for justice.

Latin American Prayer

A Good Name

Devotional for 12.12.11

Hello! Are you ready for Christmas? When people ask that question they’re often wondering, “Are your presents bought and wrapped? Are your Christmas cards sent and the goodies baked?” That’s not the readiness that matters most! In this season of Advent may the preparation that tops our list be the preparation of our hearts as we remember His first coming and look forward to His next. Have a blessed week putting His name on display!

Turn to Proverbs chapter 22 to get wisdom that goes beyond the gold!

A GOOD NAME

A good name is more desirable than great riches,

to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

Proverbs 22:1

What do the names Nae, Percy, Bell, Rooney, and Bear have in common? Unless you’re a close friend or relative of my family, probably not much! That list includes my childhood nickname, and those of my siblings. We affectionately associate those names with one another yet today.

What names are personal to you? From given names to professional titles to pet names, each one of us has a name or two. For those who kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name, we’ve also been gifted the name child of God (Ephesians 3:14-15).

The names Christian, Daughter of the King, and Beloved originate with God. It’s because of His divine paternity and through His Son Jesus that we have a name that is more desirable than great riches and better than silver or gold (Proverbs 22:1).   

To have a good name means to have a good reputation marked by integrity, godly character and conduct. It’s one thing to receive a good name from God, it’s quite another to live up to that name.

Women of integrity have a good name because they hallow God’s name. Jesus taught us to pray, Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name (Matthew 6:9). We hallow God’s name when we think on His holiness and “recognize Him as transcendent in every moral attribute” (John Lewis). We hallow His name when we sanctify God in our hearts, setting apart Christ as Lord (1 Peter 3:15). His name is hallowed when our thoughts, conversations, and actions honor Him, and regrettably, His name is profaned when we fail to live as He requires.

If you were introduced to someone new in your community or at church and she said to you, “Oh, I’ve heard of you!” What do you think it is that she probably heard? Would it be your tender heart toward children, your prayer life, or your service projects? Or would it be that you’re a shopaholic, have control issues, or are updating your status on Facebook by the quarter hour? What is your name associated with first? Our integrity impacts our reputation, our reputation reflects our name, and more importantly, the holy name of God.  

Wisdom Step: Who are you trying to make a name for today? Seek to only desire and pursue His name and glory today and always.

My dear Jesus, my Savior, is so deeply written in my heart, that I feel confident, that if my heart were to be cut open and chopped to pieces, the name of Jesus would be found written on every piece.

St. Ignatius of Antioch

Conduct = Character

Devotional for 12.5.11

Happy December! Along with preparing our hearts during the season of Advent, we’ll join our GEMS in focusing on being wise in integrity. As leaders within this ministry it’s an important reminder to practice what we preach and be true to His Word in every area of our lives. Joining you on that journey. Have a blessed week!

Turn to Proverbs chapter 21 to get wisdom that goes beyond the gold!

CONDUCT = CHARACTER

The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

Proverbs 21:8

Our conduct points to our character. If our behavior is devious or scheming, it points to guilt. If our pattern of choices is upright it indicates innocence and purity of heart. More often than not, our conduct equates our character; our character and deeds tend to run plumb. Even a child is known by his (her) actions, by whether his (her) conduct is pure and right (Proverbs 20:11).

Job was a man of integrity. Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason” (Job 2:3).

Though Job lost all that he had – his family and his possessions – he held fast to his integrity. He fell to the ground and worshiped, demonstrating that He loved God more than His gifts.

Job’s response to such mind-numbing devastation agitated his wife who said, “Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9) Curse God and die. That was Satan’s goal for Job and remains his objective for mankind yet today.

In spite of Job’s pain and suffering, his unanswered questions and unsupportive spouse and friends, Job kept his steps on God’s path; his feet did not slip. He said, “Till I die, I will not deny my integrity” (Job 27:5). Although he wasn’t sinless, he was forgiven, and knew the joy and freedom of living with a clear conscious.

It’s complicated and pointblank exhausting, to cover up a lie with more lies, and deception with more deception. Foolish conduct leads to wickedness, death and destruction.

The way of the wise has nothing to hide. It’s a straight path to God and abundant life. God’s desire for His children is to guide them in the way of wisdom and lead them along straight paths (Proverbs 4:11). In everything – at home and/or the workplace, when we surf the Internet and pay our bills, interact with friends and/or strangers, let’s set an example by being women of integrity. Like Job, until we die, may we not deny integrity!

Wisdom Step: What kind of characters are you and I? Our conduct will point to the answer.

May I be consistent in conversation and conduct,

the same alone as in company,

in prosperity and adversity,

accepting all Thy commandments as right,

and hating every false way.

The Valley of Vision – A collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions

Loyal Friends

Devotional for 11.28.11

Good morning, friends! What joy it is to be forever friends because we are sisters in Jesus! During the month of November we’ve joined the girls and counselors in focusing on wisdom about relationships. Let’s specifically think on the precious gift of friendship together one more time.

Turn to Proverbs chapter 20 to get wisdom that goes beyond the gold!

LOYAL FRIENDS

Many will say they are loyal friends,

but who can find one who is truly reliable?

Proverbs 20:6, NLT

In the book of Proverbs Solomon tells us that what each one of us desires is unfailing love (19:22). We want friends who will love us just the way we are, who will be there for us when we hurt, who will throw a party for us when we’re celebrating, who will extend forgiveness and grace when we mess up.  

Solomon acknowledges that these friends are rare. Many a man (woman) claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man (woman) who can find? (20:6) The Hebrew word that is often translated unfailing love is hesed. It’s a rich word that describes God’s covenant love – His mercy and steadfastness.

Lamentations 3:22-23, speaks of the merciful and steadfast love God has for us: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

God is a Friend like no other. He loves us just the way we are – God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). He’s there for us when we hurt – He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (Psalm 147:3). He rejoices over us with singing (Zephaniah 3:17), forgives our failures (1 John 1:9), and from the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another (John 1:16).

Dear friends, since God so loved us [with unfailing, merciful and steadfast love], we also ought to love one another (1 John 4:11). Ruth demonstrated unfailing love to her mother-in-law Naomi when she said, Don’t urge me to leave you or turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me” (Ruth 1:16-17).

Jonathan and David promised unfailing love to one another. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself (1 Samuel 18:3). Their sworn friendship translated from words to action when Jonathan warned David that King Saul wanted to kill him, and when David showed kindness to Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, providing for all his needs and inviting him to always eat at his table (2 Samuel 9).

“Ruth” and “Jonathan”-like friends are a precious gift from God. May we seek loyal friends and be loyal friends who give unfailing love.

Wisdom Step: Think about your friendships, one by one. Are you demonstrating unfailing love?

Happiness isn’t in possessions, education, or sensory ability. Happiness is found in relationships. And life’s greatest happiness is found in life’s greatest relationship: a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Kenneth L. Tangen

True Friendship

Devotional for 11.21.11 

Let’s turn to Proverbs chapter 19 together so we can get wisdom that goes beyond the gold!

TRUE FRIENDSHIP

Wealth attracts many friends, but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.

Proverbs 19:4

*Sally was the new girl in our small fourth grade class. There was nothing beautiful or winsome about her. She smelled. She didn’t fit in. Thinking back on the way she dressed and the language she used, I shudder to think of what must’ve been going on in her life outside the protection of our school. Yet for a minute or two, first thing in the morning, she was the most popular child on the playground. That’s because Sally had access to candy – ring pops, candy necklaces, bubble gum, and more. She’d come with a pocketful; first come, first serve. Like a swarm of bees we gathered around Sally until the last piece of candy was dispersed. Then just as quickly as we congregated, we scattered, savoring her treats, but rejecting her. It breaks my heart to this day as I wonder whatever happened to Sally.

What took place on our school playground is not unique or isolated. In Proverbs 19:4 and 7 we learn, Wealth attracts many friends, but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them. The poor are shunned by all their relatives – how much more do their friends avoid them! Though the poor pursue them with pleading, they are nowhere to be found.

The wealthy have many friends, the poor has a friend.  It’s a sad commentary on the reality of human relationships. Left to the natural inclination of our sinful hearts, we’re attracted to people who have things we want – whether that’s resources, opportunities, or position. If our primary goal in seeking a friend is what we will gain, then the flip side of the coin is that those who lack resources will be bankrupt of friends as well.

Who are your and my friends? Do we love them for who they are or what they can do for us? Do we choose friends based on their Christ-like character or out of mere convenience? Are our relationships sacrificial or self-seeking?  

1 Corinthians 13 wisely points us to what true friendship looks like: Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, doesn’t have a swelled head, doesn’t force itself on others, isn’t always “me first,” doesn’t fly off the handle, doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, doesn’t revel when others grovel, takes pleasures in the flowering of truth, puts up with anything, trusts God always, always looks for the best, never looks back, but keeps going to the end (MSG).

Wisdom Step: Think about your closest friends. What is the motivation for choosing them as friends? How can you love them the way God loves you?   

We can’t be stingy about the way we love people;

go for broke.

Bob Goff

*Name has been changed.

In Community

Devotional for 11.7.11

Let’s turn to Proverbs chapter 18 together so we can get wisdom that goes beyond the gold!

IN COMMUNITY

An unfriendly man (woman) pursues selfish ends; he (she) defies all sound judgment.

Proverbs 18:1

Although Muppet character Oscar the Grouch lives on Sesame Street, you may know a person or two in your neighborhood with a character quality that resonates with his name. Proverbs 18:1 has a clear message for grouches: An unfriendly man (woman) pursues selfish ends; he (she) defies all sound judgment. Although it serves as a reminder for all of us to be friendlier and to smile more, it runs much deeper than that. At its core, it is wisdom about living in community, in relationship with one another.

He (She) who separates himself (herself) seeks his (her) own desire, he (she) quarrels against all sound wisdom  (NASB, emphasis added).

A man (woman) who isolates himself (herself) seeks his (her) own desire; he (she) rages against all wise judgment (NKJV, emphasis added).

Loners who care only for themselves spit on the common good (MSG, emphasis added).

The Proverbs 18:1 message is clear. It’s foolish to intentionally separate yourself from the faithful and wise community of believers. There should be no lone rangers within God’s family. Stubborn independence goes against sound wisdom, wise judgment, and the common good of the body.

It’s hard work to live in community. Personalities clash. Opinions collide. Petty disagreements ignite into full-flamed conflict. When the dust settles, foolish people may get what they desire, but they’ll lose out on the sound wisdom and relationships that they need.

The New Testament word for community is koinoœnia. It means partnership, communion, participation, and fellowship. We celebrate koinoœnia in Communion. We put it into practice when we share our lives (1 Thessalonians 2:8), our property (Acts 4:32), the gospel (Philippians 1:5), and share in Jesus’ suffering and glory (1 Peter 4:13).   

Can you think of someone within God’s family whom you’ve separated yourself from or maybe he or she has made the choice to separate from you? Paul gives us practical wisdom on relationships in Romans 12:9-21, including this command: If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone (v18). Is that always easy? No. Is it the wisest choice you can make? Every time.

Wisdom Step: If there is division between you and another person within the body of Christ today, seek to do your part to live in community.   

If we do not give thanks daily for the Christian fellowship in which we have been placed, even where there is no great experience, no discoverable riches, but much weakness, small faith, and difficulty; if on the contrary, we only keep complaining to God that everything is so paltry and petty, so far from what we expected, then we hinder God from letting our fellowship grow according to the measure and riches which are there for us all in Jesus Christ.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Wisdom About Relationships

Devotional for 10.31.11

Hello, friends. What a dear word: Friends. Throughout the month of November we’re going to focus on the wisdom the book of Proverbs gives us about our relationships. Let’s give thanks again to God for the gift of relationships and for the especially sweet treasure of the sisterhood.

Let’s turn to Proverbs chapter 17 together so we can get wisdom that goes beyond the gold!

WISDOM ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS

Better a dry crust with peace and quiet

than a house full of feasting, with strife.

Proverbs 17:1

As fall transitions to winter, there are changes in wardrobes and food choices. The capris and t-shirts are traded in for jeans and sweaters. The menu moves from chicken on the grill to comforting chicken noodle soup on the stovetop. There’s comfort in the warmth of a fireplace, a mug of hot chocolate, and extra quilts on the bed.

Relationships are one of the comforts of human life that God has gifted us. He intends for us to experience comfort and joy in the love, peace, and unity that are characteristics of wise relationships.

• Those who are wise in relationships care more about who’s around the table then what’s on the table. Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife (Proverbs 17:1). Experts agree that sharing meals strengthens family relationships. Children who eat regularly with their families and feel a sense of peace and security around the table, experience better grades, healthier eating habits, closer relationships with their parents and siblings, and a greater ability to resist negative peer pressure.

• Those who are wise in relationships extend grace to all. He (She) who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends (Proverbs 17:9). When people makes mistakes the wise cover it with grace and love. The foolish gossip about it. One strengthens relationships; the other destroys them. So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you (Matthew 7:12).

• Those who are wise in relationships are quick to help those in need. A friend is loyal, and a brother (sister) is born to help in time of need (Proverbs 17:17). True friends stick together in the good times and the bad. If one falls down, his (her) friend can help him (her) up. But pity the man (woman) who falls and has no one to help him (her) up (Ecclesiastes 4:10)!

Jesus is the glorious, perfect fulfillment of how to be wise in our relationships. He is a friend to sinners, one who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24), and a servant of all, who in love and humility, made Himself nothing, becoming obedient to death so we can have a forever relationship with God (Philippians 2:5-11).

Wisdom Step: Thank God for the relationships you have. Pursue wise, practical, and fun ways to strengthen your relationships today.   

To have a good friend is one of the highest delights of life; to be a good friend is one of the noblest and the most difficult undertakings.  

Unknown

The Heart/Lip Connection

Devotional for 10.24.11

Blessed Monday to each one of you! How are you? What’s stirring in your heart today? That impacts so much, doesn’t it? The things that we think about and that we treasure within our hearts, impact our attitudes, our choices, and our words.

Let’s turn to Proverbs chapter 16 together so we can get wisdom that goes beyond the gold!

THE HEART/LIP CONNECTION

A wise man’s (woman’s) heart guides his (her) mouth,

and his (her) lips promote instruction.

Proverbs 16:23

The book of James, chapter 3, provides practical and truth-filled visuals about our tongues. A small bit can turn a large horse. Even in strong winds, a small rudder can steer a huge ship. A small spark can ignite a great forest on fire. And our teeny-tiny tongues contain that same fiery power for good or for evil.

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, (my sisters), this should not be (James 3:9-10). This should not be, yet too often it is. James speaks of the irony of how all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man (or woman) can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison (James 3:7-8).

  

To be wise women who speak wise words, we need to fill our hearts and minds with God’s wisdom. Our heart guides our mouth (Proverbs 16:23a). From a wise mind comes wise speech (Proverbs 16:23a, NLT). Jesus said, “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man (woman) brings good things out of the good stored up in him (her), and the evil man (woman) brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him (her).” (Matthew 12:34-35) We cannot ignore the connection between our heart and our lips! This is an especially critical reminder for those who teach and are in leadership positions within their clubs and churches.

When we fear the LORD and gain His wisdom, the way we lead and instruct those we disciple will reflect that wisdom. According to Proverbs 16 our words will be . . .

• From the LORD. He gives the reply of the tongue (v 1)
• Honest. Truth will be spoken (v 13)
• Pleasant. Learning will increase (v 21)
• Sweet. Health will be given to the body (v 24)
• Patient. Self-control will be kept (v 32)

Sadly, the opposite is also true. Foolish words come with painful consequences. When we speak what seems right to us instead of speaking from God’s wisdom, it leads to death (v 25). When our words are poison instead of wise, they scorch like fire (v 27); they stir up dissension, and separate friends (v 28).

Wisdom Step: Think about the connection between your heart and lips in your leadership positions within your home, club, church, and community.  

God be in my head, and in my understanding;

God be in my eyes, and in my looking;

God be in my mouth, and in my speaking;

God be in my heart, and in my thinking;

God be at my end, and in my departing.

Old Sarum Primer, 1558

An Apt Reply

Devotional for 10.17.11

Let’s turn to Proverbs chapter 15 together so we can get wisdom that goes beyond the gold!

AN APT REPLY

A man (woman) finds joy in giving an apt reply –

and how good is a timely word.

Proverbs 15:23

Timing is everything, they say, and according to Proverbs 15:23 there’s special joy when we give an apt and timely word. Maybe that’s because it’s so rare when we say the right thing at just the right time! In haste or frustration we tend to speak too soon or too much. In retrospect we think of the should’ves – Should’ve listened closer, should’ve talked less, should’ve said this, shouldn’t have said that . . .

How do we gain wisdom on giving an apt reply? One of the ways is to look to Jesus, the greatest of all communicators!

Jesus listened and paid attention to people. An apt and timely word begins with closed lips and open ears. Concentrate on what people say and listen closely to their words (Proverbs 4:20). Jesus paid attention. He noticed Zacchaeus in the treetop (Luke 19:1-10), in a large crowd He felt the touch of a woman who was subject to bleeding for twelve years (Mark 5:24-34), and He stooped to hold babies and bless children (Luke 18:15-17). When people were hurting, hungry, and lacked hope, He listened, paid attention, and responded with love.

Jesus asked a lot of questions. The first to present his (her) case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him (her) (Proverbs 18:17). Asking sincere questions invites people into the activity of discovery. It’s often more effective for people to discover the truth on their own then for us to bulldoze our way through the conversation with bullet points of advice and three-point sermons of how they should make wiser choices. Although the Gospels only record a fraction of Jesus’ words, they contain more than one hundred fifty questions that Jesus asked! Jesus could’ve told His disciples, “I am the Christ.” Instead He invited them into the discovery and asked, “Who do you say I am?” (Mark 8:29). He could’ve told the religious leaders that His authority comes from God. Instead He answered their questions with questions that were imbedded with truth. Do you think questions are an effective way to give an apt reply?

Jesus spoke the truth in love. An apt and timely word is motivated by love. All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse (Proverbs 8:8). Jesus was the Truth and He spoke the truth. Not to prove that He was smart or right, or to be well-liked or well-known. He spoke the truth because He loved people. Jesus told His heavenly Father, “I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them” (John 17:26).  

Wisdom Step: Read through one of the Gospels this week. Record and learn from the ways that Jesus gave an apt and timely word.  

Jesus isn't wowed by fancy words. Keep it simple: Love God; love people; and do stuff. That about covers it.

Bob Goff

Healing Words

Devotional for 10.10.11

Happy Monday, dear sisters! And Happy Thanksgiving to our Canadian sisters and their families! Giving thanks to God for each one of you today and all season long!

Let’s turn to Proverbs chapter 14 together so we can get wisdom that goes beyond the gold!

HEALING WORDS

Fools mock at making amends for sin,

but goodwill is found among the upright.

Proverbs 14:9

Last week a Club Coordinator shared how their counselor team had intentionally focused on wisdom about words at their club meeting. When the girls arrived they wrote words of encouragement on lips cut out of red construction paper and posted them to their club’s “Wisdom Wall.” For a large group activity each girl had a piece of paper taped to her back and they wrote nice things about one another on that paper. What fun they had giving and receiving those uplifting words!

“As one of the counselors was leaving club, I noticed that she was upset,” the Club Coordinator said. She asked her about it and the counselor said nothing was wrong. She questioned her again, and the counselor said she was fine. She probed further and the truth came out. Another counselor had made a snide comment that had crushed her spirit.

The Club Coordinator lamented, “How can we focus for two hours on being wise about words and still wound one another before the night is over?” I had asked myself a similar question earlier that week. Within 48 hours of writing a devotional about speaking what is pleasant, beautiful, and kind, I pulled out the sword of sarcasm, wounding a family member instead of nourishing her soul with what was fitting and appropriate. What a battle it is to consistently be wise with our words!

Romans 8:1 reminds us that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Jesus paid for that sin on the cross. Our job is to repent to God and to others, receive His grace, and press on to be the wise women He calls us to be.

Some of the best healing words that we can gift to one another is “I’m sorry,” “Please forgive me,” “I love you.”

Fools mock at making amends for sin (Proverbs 14:9a). They dismiss and excuse their reckless words with, “She had it coming, it just slipped out, it’s no big deal . . .” They fail to comprehend that God hears their words and will hold them accountable for each one. Jesus said, “But I tell you that men (and women) will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36-37). But goodwill is found among the upright (Proverbs 14:9b). Those who speak wisely, remembering that God hears each word they say, will experience favor and grace in their relationships with Him and with others (Proverbs 3:34, 11:20).

Wisdom Step: What words of repentance and restoration do you and I need to speak today?  

Cold words freeze people and hot words scorch them, and bitter words make them bitter, and wrathful words make them wrathful. Kind words also produce their image on men’s souls; and what a beautiful image it is. They soothe, and quiet, and comfort the hearer.

Blaise Pascal

Open Them, Shut Them

Devotional for 10.3.11

Happy October, dear sisters in Jesus! I hope you’re all well. What’s the last thing that you ate today? If it was your foot, then this devotional may resonate with you. May all the words of our mouths . . . be pleasing in His sight and to His ears. Seeking to guard my mouth with you!

Let’s turn to Proverbs chapter 13 together so we can get wisdom that goes beyond the gold!

OPEN THEM, SHUT THEM

He (She) who guards his (her) lips guards his (her) life, but he (she) who speaks rashly will come to ruin.

Proverbs 13:3

Open them, shut them. Open them, shut them.

Give a little clap.

Open them, shut them. Open them, shut them.

Lay them in your lap.

This fun hands-on song for children is applicable to our lips. There is a time to open our mouths and a time to shut them. To get the timing right, we must guard the gate of our lips with God’s wisdom!

The wise open their lips . . .

• To speak what is right, true, good, and honest (Proverbs 8:6, 12:19, 12:14, 24:26).
• To nourish other people’s souls with hope and healing (Proverbs 10:21, 12:18).
• To share knowledge, understanding, and wisdom (Proverbs 15:7).
• To speak what is pleasant, beautiful, and kind (Proverbs 16:24)
• To say what is fitting and appropriate (Proverbs 10:32)

With many of us having to admit that we’re rarely at a loss for words, can it be said of you and me that we only open our lips to speak what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (Ephesians 4:29)? Do our words give life and preserve life? Is the motive behind our words to uplift and extend grace?

If not, we need to shut our lips! Wise women stop talking when they’re tempted to fault-find, grumble, complain, gossip, lie, exaggerate, and criticize. If these words reflect our patterns of speech around the dinner table, at lunch break, via email, or even during prayer request times within our small groups, we need to get to the root of the matter and it’s not our lips – it’s our heart!

What we say reflects the condition of our heart. Jesus said, For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man (woman) brings good things out of the good stored up in him (her), and the evil man (woman) brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him (her) (Matthew 12:34-35). When the Holy Spirit controls our words and the motives behind them, wise and edifying words will be sure to follow.

Be wise and make David’s prayer your own. Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips (Psalm 141:3).

Wisdom Step: Not sure if you should open your lips or shut them? Lay your words in His lap – surrendering the motives of the heart to Him.  

The words we say not only have shelf life, but have the ability to shape life. Choose well.

Bob Goff

Healthy Roots

Devotional for 9.26.11

Good morning, dear sisters in Jesus! How are you? I pray well. The hymn, How Firm a Foundation, was running through my mind as I read Proverbs 12. Read along, sing along, and celebrate that though all hell should endeavor to shake, He will never, no never, no never forsake! We cannot be uprooted when our souls are anchored to Jesus and His excellent Word!

Let’s turn to Proverbs chapter 12 together so we can get wisdom that goes beyond the gold!

HEALTHY ROOTS

A man (woman) cannot be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.

Proverbs 12:3

The health of a tree is dependent on its root system. Healthy roots equate healthy trees. Diseased and severely injured roots often result in the tree needing to be removed.

The church is God’s field (1 Corinthians 3:9) and the health of the church is dependent on its root system. As Jesus sows the seed of His Word into the hearts of people, the enemy is at work attacking the roots. The evil one comes and snatches away what was sown. Life gets hard; persecution comes; hearts are uprooted. Worry and anxiety trigger disease within the root system. The deceitfulness of wealth injures the roots and makes it unfruitful (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-22).

But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man (woman) who hears the word and understands it. He (She) produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown (Matthew 13:23). When the seed is rooted in the firm foundation of God’s excellent Word, the righteous cannot be uprooted (Proverbs 12:3b)! Their house will stand firm (Proverbs 12:7b) and their roots will flourish (Proverbs 12:12b).

How strong is your root system? How healthy is mine? Things may look good from the topsoil up – faithful in church attendance, active in GEMS and other ministries, quick to volunteer and to tell people that we’ll pray for them, but what about our roots? Just because things currently look good above ground, doesn’t mean all is healthy and well underneath.

The vital function of a tree’s root system is to anchor the portion of the tree above ground and to absorb and transport water and minerals from the soil to the rest of the tree.  

Healthy root systems are anchored to God’s Word. The righteous delight in God’s law and meditate on it day and night (Psalm 1:2). They accept His word, store up His commands within them, turn their ear to wisdom, and apply their hearts to understanding (Proverbs 2:1-2). They do what it says! Is that true of you and me? If not, we need to anchor our roots!

Healthy root systems absorb and transport the living water and bread of life to every word, action, and thought. The righteous remain in Jesus, the true vine, and He remains in them (John 15:1-4). Is that true of you and me? If not, we need to nourish our roots!

Wisdom Step: Do you see signs and symptoms of root disease in your life? If so, be wise and go to God and His Word for restoration.

The one who sinks the roots of his choices, allegiance and commitment deep into God and His ways will find security and longevity. Living God’s way brings stability and fruitfulness.

John A. Kitchen

The Perils of Pride

Hello! I hope and pray that this finds all of you in a good place – thanking God for His wonders and recounting His love and goodness. You are dear sisters in Jesus to faithfully pray for and give of your time and energy so that girls and women everywhere will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD (Psalm 40:3).

Let’s turn to Proverbs chapter 11 together so we can get wisdom that goes beyond the gold!

THE PERILS OF PRIDE

When pride comes, then comes disgrace,

but with humility comes wisdom.

Proverbs 11:2

Aaron and Miriam had some issues. Pride and jealousy had blown into their thinking and inflated their egos. They were resentful of Moses’ popularity and asked one another, “Has the LORD spoken only through Moses? Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” (Numbers 12:2)

After all, their brother Moses wasn’t the only one involved in the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt. Aaron figured he was the only reason Moses took the first step in this whole journey. Can you hear the possible sibling putdowns as Aaron says to Miriam, “You remember how he begged God to send someone else to go talk to Pharaoh? And God pointed him to my gifts. God said that He knew that I could speak well!” (Exodus 4:13-14) Miriam had her own contributions she could’ve touted. “I’m a prophetess and do you remember how all the women followed me when we sang and danced after we crossed the Red Sea?” (Exodus 15:20-21)

What a drastic difference between the pride of Aaron and Miriam and the humility of Moses – a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth (Numbers 12:3). Proverbs 11:2 says that when pride comes, disgrace will follow. Aaron and Miriam experienced the perils of pride in tangible ways when the LORD’s anger burned against them for speaking against His servant Moses. Miriam’s skin became leprous like snow, resulting in a seven-day confinement outside of the camp (Numbers 12:9-10, 14).

Sometimes we smoke screen pride. Like Aaron and Miriam, we complain about one thing (for them it was Moses marrying a Cushite woman), when the real issue is within ourselves. Sometimes our self-inflated superiority comes out with a rapid succession of “I, me, my” statements or “If I want something done right I need to do it myself.” No matter how we dice it, pride is pride and God hates it (Proverbs 8:13).

In his book, Humility True Greatness, C.J. Mahaney writes that pride has only one end: “Self-glorification. That’s the motive and ultimate purpose of pride – to rob God of legitimate glory and to pursue self-glorification, contending for supremacy with Him.”

Robbing God of His glory is a serious offense. The ongoing battle in our hearts and minds between pride and humility is real and perilous. May we wisely seek to have the attitude of Christ Jesus who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped (Philippians 2:6).

Wisdom Step: What segment of your heart contains vain conceit today? Respond to it in light of God’s holiness and Jesus’ humility.

At every stage of our Christian development and in every sphere of our Christian discipleship pride is the greatest enemy and humility our greatest friend.

John Stott

The Long View

Devotional for 9.12.11

Let’s turn to Proverbs 10 to get wisdom that goes beyond the gold!

THE LONG VIEW

The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry

but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.

Proverbs 10:3

How often have you heard the expression, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is”?

That is an applicable rule of thumb when discerning the gimmicks of sales personnel and telemarketers. We must be careful that we do not apply that same thinking to God’s Word. It’s different with God. It’s always different with God. When He tells us something in the Bible that sounds too good to be true, take Him at His word.

Within chapter 10 of Proverbs are two verses that sound too good to be true:

The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry

but he thwarts the craving of the wicked (v 3).

What the wicked dreads will overtake him (her);

What the righteous desire will be granted (v. 24).

What do God’s children do with these verses? We know from history and personal experience that the wicked can prosper and the righteous do indeed suffer. Paul E. Kopak wrote, “Christians must avoid mechanistic understandings of God’s moral order and remember that the long view calls them to affirm God’s care even when present circumstances do not appear to show it.”

We need the long view that David gives in Psalm 37: Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away (v. 1-2). Do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret – it leads only to evil (v. 7-8).

Look at the long view! Look past today’s circumstances by looking back: I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread (Psalm 37:25). Look beyond the here and now by looking forward: Those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. The meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace (Psalm 37:9, 11). The long view trusts that God is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do. He’s  Jehovah Jireh – God our Provider, El Roi – God Who Sees, Jehovah Ezer ­– The Lord our Helper, Jehovah Shammah – The Lord is There, El Shaddai – God Almighty. By faith, the long view is sure of what it hopes for and is certain of what it does not see (Hebrews 11:1).

Wisdom Step: In what circumstances do you struggle to take God at His Word? Ask Him for power to overcome your unbelief so you can see the long view.

True, the immediate reward of the righteous often appears to be only pain and toil, but, in the end, God Himself guarantees that the things they have most longed for they will have: the conscious enjoyment of His full presence. [See Matthew 5:6].

John A. Kitchen

Being Teachable

Devotional for 9.6.11

There’s a special energy in school hallways this time of year. The excitement for learning is contagious – especially among students in the lower elementary grades. That enthusiasm is evident in GEMS counselors as well. What a privilege and joy it is to teach girls. Do we also count it all joy when others teach and instruct us? That’s what we’re going to think on together. Let’s turn to Proverbs 9 and get some wisdom on being teachable.

BEING TEACHABLE

Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse.

Proverbs 9:7

A wife was making a breakfast of fried eggs for her husband. Suddenly, her husband burst into the kitchen. “Careful,” he said. “CAREFUL! Put in more butter! You're cooking too many at once. TOO MANY! Turn them! TURN THEM NOW! We need more butter. Gracious! WHERE are we going to get MORE BUTTER? They're going to STICK! Careful. CAREFUL! I said be CAREFUL! You NEVER listen to me when you're cooking! Never! Turn them! Hurry up! Are you CRAZY? Have you LOST your mind? Don't forget to salt them. You know you always forget to salt them. Use the salt. USE THE SALT! THE SALT!”

The wife stared at him. “What in the world is wrong with you? You think I don't know how to fry a couple of eggs?”

The husband calmly replied, “I just wanted to show you what it feels like when I'm driving” (Author unknown).

Although this story is taken to an extreme, it does raise the question: How well do you and I receive correction when it’s merited and necessary? Are we approachable and teachable? Do we appreciate or resent spouses, employers, and sisters and brothers in Christ who speak the truth in love?

Our character is revealed by the way we give and receive correction. The book of Proverbs calls those who do not listen to correction “Mockers.” A mocker is proud and arrogant. She does not listen to rebuke, resents correction, and insults and even hates those who suggest course-corrections to her (Proverbs 21:24, 13:1, 15:12, 9:8).

Wise women heed instruction from His Word, His Spirit, and His people. Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning (Proverbs 9:9).  They love those who care enough to speak wisdom into their lives, even when it hurts. They apply that wisdom to their lives and experience its reward (Proverbs 9:8, 12).

It feels a little bit like sitting in a dentist chair to willingly enter into a conversation with someone who tells us that our words or actions were careless or even sinful. Correction cuts. Rebuke hurts. Those who are wise will get past that pain rather than letting it fester. They’ll pray for discernment, measure it against the standard of God’s Word, and grow through it.

Wisdom Step: How teachable are you? Be wise and loving in how you give and receive correction.

If any speak ill of thee, flee home to thy own conscience, and examine thy heart; if thou be guilty, it is a just correction; if not guilty, it is a fair instruction; make use of both, so shalt thou distill honey out of gall, and out of an open enemy create a secret friend.

Francis Quaries

Wisdom's Call

Devotional for 8.29.11

What’s calling out to you today? A child? The telephone? Email? A to-do list? An employer? A neighbor? A parent or friend?

Do you hear her? There’s someone else calling. Her name is Wisdom! Let’s page to Proverbs 8 and do more than hear. Let’s listen; let’s listen well.

WISDOM’S CALL

Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?

Proverbs 8:1

When my daughters played sports, and I was in the stands amidst the other parents, if any of the children called out, “Mom!” on cue, every mother’s head turned in that direction. We heard the call “Mom!” and responded – whether it was our child or not!

In chapter 8 of Proverbs, Wisdom calls out with raised voice: You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding. Listen, for I have worthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right(Proverbs 8:5-6). Wisdom loudly calls out, but do we hear and respond to her call?

In the New Testament Jesus repeatedly said to His listeners, “Whoever has ears, let them hear” (Matthew 11:15, 13:43, Mark 4:9 . . .)

Hearing and listening can be two different things. I can hear my husband and nod at timely intervals, without listening to a word that he has to say. We can do the same with wisdom. We can read Proverbs and even teach Proverbs, without listening to a word that the Lord has for us.

Ears that really hear and listen, respond with obedience. Their hearts are not calloused to wisdom’s call; they are doing what He decrees! James asked, Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom (James 3:13).

Those who listen will be happy and blessed. Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway (Proverbs 8:32, 34).

Those who listen will find true life. For those who find me find life and receive favor from the LORD. But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death (Proverbs 8:35-36). Jesus repeats that life-giving truth in all four gospels. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul (Mark 8:35-36)?

Sometimes we can be guilty of “selective hearing” – hearing what we want to hear, and tuning out what we don’t want to apply to our lives. There’s a deadly price tag to tuning out wisdom’s call. May we hear, listen, obey, and find true life.

Wisdom Step: Today measure your wisdom by what you do, instead of what you know. On a scale of 1 to 10, how wise are you?

Wisdom is hearing and doing the Word of God.

John Piper

Proverbs 7 Warnings

Devotional for 8.22.11

PROVERBS 7 WARNINGS

Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinsman; they will keep you from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words.

Proverbs 7:4-5

With the Bible heading, Warning Against the Adulteress, Proverbs 7 seems like a chapter exclusively for men. The reality is that each page of God’s book is for each one of His children – male and female. The warnings given to the young men in Proverbs 7 are needed by women of all ages, too.

In an online article posted on April 7, 2011, Guardian reported that more and more women are using pornography. “At Quit Porn Addiction, the UK’s main porn counseling service, almost one in three clients are women struggling with their own porn use, says founder and counselor Jason Dean. Two years ago, there were none. While more than six out of 10 women say they view web porn, one study in 2006 by the Internet Filter View found that 17% of women describe themselves as ‘addicted’”.

Sexual temptations for men and women are not limited to the Internet. There are TV shows like “Sex and the City”, larger than life posters of scantily dressed models in the mall’s display windows where families are flocking to purchase school clothes this time of year, and morning talk shows openly discuss sex toy parties.

Be warned! To follow after these temptations will be like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his (her) life” (Proverbs 7:22-23).

Now then, my sons (daughters) listen to me; pay attention to what I say. Do not let your heart turn to her (the ways of the adulteress) or stray into her paths. Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death (Proverbs 7:24-27).

Sex is God’s idea. Sadly, the images, persuasive words, and smooth talk of our culture are desensitizing an entire generation from God’s good and beautiful plan.

We must store up His commands within us, guard His teachings as the apple of our eye, bind them on our fingers, and write them on the tablet of our heart (Proverbs 7:2-4) – and teach the girls in our clubs to do the same! His wisdom will give us a discerning heart and keep our feet on His good and pure paths.

Wisdom Step: Measure everything you read, see, hear, do, and wear today to the plumb line of God’s commands.

When young women understand the cosmic consequences of sexual sin, the worldviews that shape our consumption of sexual messages today, and how God’s glory is under spiritual attack . . . they will be sobered by how Satan still “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8) – and that men and women alike are fair game.

Carolyn McCulley