A Chapter A Day - Proverbs 25

Do you remember why we started this challenge? In case you need a refresher, here's why. I wanted to challenge myself, as well as you dear reader to read the Bible daily. One of the best places to start is the book of Proverbs. With thirty-one (31) chapters - one chapter for each day of the month - this book is the perfect addition to any daily reading. Proverbs talks about every imaginable basic aspect of life - love, parenting, money, sex, God, relationships. It instructs on business, public policy, government, and family. It’s the best counsel in the whole world and it's free! (Luis Palau, Changed by Faith, 2011)
With less than a week remaining, let's use discipline to carry us through. The finish line is in sight, and the folks on the sideline are cheering you on.

Proverbs 25

Gems

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the honor of kings is to search out a matter (v 2). To conceal - means to hide to cover. It is God's glory to cover our sins - He did this by dying for us. As humans, when an injustice is hidden, it is an honor for someone in authority to discover it and then treat it appropriately. It is an honor to right a wrong, but as a leader when a wrong is righted it will have a greater impact.
This verse also seems to have spiritual application - in that God has revelations available for us, but we as his children have to be ready to receive it. The Glory of kings (Christians) is in searching out the Glory of God.

We are again counseled to watch our speech. In our relationships with our neighbors, we should not be a talebearer (v9, 10), because as mentioned before, a talebearer cannot be trusted.

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver (v11). The first time I saw this image, it was in a painting in the Prayer Room of my old church. I was not aware of this verse at the time, but every time I looked at that picture these words came to mind: perfect, peaceful, calming, and beautiful. And then I finally discovered this verse and it all made sense. Are your words fitly spoken? Fitly - the right time and the right place to express a thought in the right way, so that it ministers and heals.

Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith and vomit it (v16). Too much of anything is bad for you. Though honey is good, too much of it will make you sick. In the case of neighbors, don't overstay your welcome and live peacefully with your neighbors (v17, 27). Another comparison to an excess of honey is to not seek out praise. Don't be so full of self that you always expect praise, for then you are conceited.

Have you ever heard the expression "Heap coals of fire upon their heads?” The verse reads - If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you (v 21, 22). These verses do not actually refer to causing the person's head to burn literally, but it refers to them being so taken aback by your kindness toward them because they know they have not treated you properly. This phrase is a metaphor taken from smelting metallic ores. It's what we refer to as "taking the high road,” or "not stooping to another person's level", even though sometimes it would be much easier to be on equal footing with them. I think the visual image of this makes sense in difficult times also because hopefully you're not causing them to burn, but you're hoping your actions melt them into kindness. As to when their behavior will change toward you; we're not responsible for that. However, we need to ensure that we're acting in a way God would have us act.

Which brings us to self-control - He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down and without walls (v 28). Without walls, you have no protection - everything (thoughts, ambitions, desires) gets in and bothers you. Also, everything gets out - you unleash your emotions on unsuspecting people. Fortify yourself; guard your heart. The walls that you erect are not to isolate, but are a means of self-control and protection.

Read on.

A Chapter A Day - Proverbs 11

Proverbs 11 like the previous chapter contains a wealth of information that can be used in our daily interactions with our neighbors, co-workers, random people we meet, or our families.

Before we go further, I like the analogy of distance running when it comes to doing this challenge. When you initially start running, a few minutes in you may feel like stopping, but you tell yourself to press on. Your legs are a bit sore and your feet feel like lead, but the longer you run, that feeling disappears. We're at that point.

Today, I've provided my thoughts on a few verses that resonated for me.

Highlights and Observations
The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.(v3) Integrity is the quality of  being honest and having strong moral principles. A person of integrity usually does not shift their views based on the circumstance but rather their moral compass allows them to handle any circumstance appropriately. Having strong moral principles will always guide you in the right direction. Something isn't right because it feels right, it's right because you have a guide of right and wrong and you know what right is.

When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy. (v10, 21) A note about the joy - we're not joyful to see another person's demise; it's more of an acknowledgement of what we always knew but they refused to see. We shouldn't get too cocky about being right, or a person's downfall either.

A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret. (v13) People who talk freely about others to you in a slanderous way, will talk about you the same way to others. This makes you not able to trust them. A trustworthy person does not betray trust.

Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion (v22). My immediate thought today is Kim K and her latest antics. Your beauty is priceless, something to be treasured, not thrown around or flaunted in the mud until it is tattered and unrecognizable because it is co-mingled with the filth of the pig sty. Think of the imagery of a gold ring in a pig's snout the next time you wish to recklessly flaunt what you have been given. Instead, be discreet; you're still beautiful.

The liberal soul shall be made fat...(v25) Be generous; you have nothing to lose by doing so. It is God who has blessed us, so liberally share his blessing with others as you will be blessed also. This may be your time our resources.

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he that wins souls is wise...(v30) The fruit of a believer's life is attractive, appealing and inviting. Our righteous living speaks for itself and others are influenced to follow Christ by our example.

Keep reading. What verses/proverbs stood out for you?

Thoughts on Moving - Location, Location, Location

Yesterday at church we chatted with a couple that have lived in Los Angeles all of their lives. As someone who had lived here all of his life he mentioned that he was surprised that Angelenos appear to be insular; and he couldn't figure out why that appeared to be so. He came to this conclusion after his house was broken in to while he was on vacation. This incident forced him and his wife to come out of their comfort zone and chat with their neighbors but it seems like the neighbors were quite comfortable in their boxes. No one saw anything suspicious activity around their house while they were gone. It almost seems as if most of the neighbors were truly minding their own business. Since the break in they've made an effort to connect with their neighbors.

We debated the merits of why the locals seem to stick to themselves, but came up with no good answers.

Later that day, I decided to talk to a neighbor. It's LA, so there's always something being filmed. The whole neighborhood received notices that the reality show "I Hate My Yard" was being filmed on our block. So we all knew which house it was (not because the yard was ugly, but because the notice stated the address). Being curious, I started to talk to this particular neighbor and she invited me over to see what the show had done so far. As we were leaving her yard, she saw my Little One on her scooter and recognized her from school. It turns out they both knew each other.

Source

All  of this got me thinking about insularity:

• Someone has got to be brave and say hello first. 
• People are usually really welcoming if you are friendly. 
• You might not get a connection the first time but you have to be persistent, especially if it's who you are. 
• It's worth it in the long run. 
• People may have built walls around themselves and perhaps have forgotten the reasons why. 
• It's easy to stay to yourself, harder to reach out, but more rewarding. 
• We won't know what each person is going through until we start talking to them. 
• At their core most people want to connect. 
• Life is more fun with friendly neighbors.

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”[a] you are doing right. James 2:8 (NIV)

Do you know your neighbors? Do you make an effort to connect with them? Why would an entire town, village, etc be known as being insular?