July 11th – Proverbs 11: Guided by Integrity, Destroyed by Duplicity

“The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” – Proverbs 11:3

The unfaithful are like chameleons. They can change for whoever is in the room. If they disagree with you, they will never tell you to your face. They are much too cowardly for that. They will wait until they gather together with those who are as compromised as they are and when they are sure that their illegitimate support group is behind them, they will say what they really think. Funny thing though, they never tell the right person, which is the person they have the problem/disagreement with. The worst thing about the unfaithful and their total inability to be honest is that they are dishonest under the pretense of “helping” the person they slander against. They say nice things like, “I don’t think so and so could handle this, that’s why I am telling you… here, let’s pray!”

Righteous people are righteous all the time. People who possess the truth don’t need a chorus of voices that agree with theirs. They regularly stand alone, guided by their integrity. You see, integrity demands that we walk a certain way, ALL of the time, no matter who is in the room. The unfaithful shrink back from telling and walking in the truth, guided by their fear of facing men! The righteous are guided by their fear of the face of God! Who you fear determines the quality of Christian you are!

“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.” – Proverbs 29:25

The snare the fear of man talks about here is the same one that our Proverb for today is talking about: the snare of duplicity. The word duplicity here comes from a Hebrew word that means: to wrench, subvert, overthrow, pervert & distort. And that’s exactly what the unfaithful do, they distort the truth to make it fit their personal convictions. They distort their true feelings, telling everyone what they want to hear until their lies catch up with them. In an environment full of committed people, the unfaithful AMEN a call to commitment and sacrifice for the Gospel. Yet in another environment full of backsliders, they question the “wisdom” of such calls and side with the weak and fearful. The weak and fearful just need encouragement; they are weak and fearful ALL of the time! But the unfaithful man needs a kick in the tail and a sharp rebuke for his lifestyle of deceit.

LIFE LESSON:

We need to drop ALL pretense and just BE righteous.

July 8th – Proverbs 8: HATE Evil!

“To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.” – Proverbs 8:13

It’s very unfashionable these days to hate anything. Yet the Bible tells us that if we fear God, we will HATE evil! Not laugh at it when it’s displayed on our television screen! In truth, if we DON’T Hate evil, we really don’t fear the Lord! But in our compromised church environment, if anyone would be so bold to claim that they hate what the Lord hates, they would quickly be condemned for not “walking in love”. Yet the Bible is full of things that God hates and we are encouraged to love what He loves and hate what He hates!

“The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates.” – Psalm 11:5

Wow. Can you imagine being hated by the soul of God?? God’s soul HATES the wicked and those that love violence. I would HATE to be on that roll!

“There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.” – Proverbs 6:16-19

1. Think about this, GOD HATES haughty (proud) eyes.

I simply loathe them, but God takes it to another level and declares His HATRED towards proud eyes.

2. God HATES a lying tongue.

At the worst, I roll my eyes when people lie to me, a bit perturbed, yes, but HATE? Not quite.

3. It says here that God HATES hands that shed innocent blood!

Unrepentant murderers DESERVE the Hell they are going to get.

4. God HATES a heart that devises wicked schemes.

Wow! God hates a heart??

5. God HATES feet that are quick to rush into evil.

Maybe that will slow your pace next time you think about sinning??

6. God HATES a false witness that pours out lies.

This pretty much damns our entire political system. We all know they are lying just about every time they open their mouth.

7. God HATES a man that stirs up dissension among brothers.

A man that brings strife where this is none into a fellowship is on God’s short list of detestable things. Look out church splitters!

LIFE LESSON:

It’s OK to hate the right things. I’m bringing HATE back!

July 7th – Proverbs 7: Seduced With Smooth Talk

“With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk.” – Proverbs 7:21

The Devil is sneaky. He knows that we are naturally on guard for things that are overtly demonic. If he came to us shrouded in a red mist as he ascended from the depths of hell with pitchfork in hand and horns on the top of his head, after soiling ourselves, most Christians would IMMEDIATELY begin to rebuke him in Jesus name! No, he is much smarter than that. The New Testament tells us that the enemy many times comes masquerading as an “Angel of light”.

“And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” – II Corinthians 11:14

Light speaks of revelation and illumination. The enemy coming as an angel or messenger of light many times speaks of the enemy coming to deceive God’s people as a bringer of revelation and “truth”. I can’t tell you how many Christians, many of them dear friends who “see the light” and are led “off the path.” Time always tells though, normally, sooner rather than later, anyone paying attention can tell what quality this “new revelation” brings.

The adulteress, with all of her trappings and the total destruction that her ministry brings comes with smooth talk. If she told you the truth, you would RUN. Seduction always appeals to our base, carnal nature. It tells our flesh “You don’t REALLY have to persevere or endure things for the sake of the Gospel” or, “This whole walking with Jesus thing is too hard, I think you are striving in serving God”. I have watched many Christians, some of them dear friends be seduced by “the easy way”. Walking with God is TOUGH. Anyone who tells you otherwise is trying to get an offering out of you! Certainly there is joy, life and peace, but that is for your spirit! No one (except the devil) said you would get what you want, when you want it.

That’s Burger King, not the Kingdom.

LIFE LESSON:

It’s time to wake up and recognize that the seductive voice calling you to a life of ease is NOT the Holy Spirit, it’s the enemy of your soul!

July 6th – Proverbs 6: Wisdom for Walking, Sleeping & Waking

“My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's teaching. Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck.” – Proverbs 6:20,21

I know, not all of us have had mothers and fathers that walked in Wisdom and Understanding. In fact, the only thing that some of us can learn from our parents is what NOT to do! Even then, we should learn the lessons well. We’re encouraged to bind them upon our heart, the core of who we are. We are called to fasten them around our neck like an amulet, always remembering their instruction. Thankfully I have some wonderful parents. I especially remember my Mom and Dad reciting to us proverbs. My mom would continually warn us kids about hanging around with “fools” and my Dad would not so graciously awaken us in the morning with this passage:

“As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed!” – Proverbs 26:14

Regardless, we should take what wisdom and understanding that we did learn from our parents (whether what to do or what not to do) and apply it in our lives. Why? Well, this kind of wisdom has MANY benefits. As we will see, this wisdom and understanding coming from the Father’s commands and our mother’s teaching will benefit us when we are walking, sleeping and awake!

“When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you.” – Proverbs 6:22

As we walk, what we need is direction and guidance. We are already moving so we want to make sure that we are moving in the right direction and not walking in error. Regularly as I am living my life and making decisions I remember the teaching of my mother and the commands of my father. As I walk with God on the path of life, they are like markers on the edge of the path. More often than not, I know exactly when I stray from the path.

Their teaching and instruction also watches over me as I sleep. It is the context for my dreams and like a security blanket. The scariest place to be is out of the will of God and when I lie on my bed I am forced to come to grips and deal with my conduct, whether it is pure and right… or not! I’ve told unbelievers for years that there is power in a clean conscience. Going to bed with a clean conscience and knowledge that I am walking in truth is AMAZING!

When I awake from my peaceful slumber of the righteous, the teaching of my mother and commands of my father speak to me. They remind me of what is right and what is wrong. They set my feet in the right direction. They are like a road sign, directing me towards the path of life.

LIFE LESSON:

Those that forsake their parents’ instruction are confused when they walk, tormented when they sleep and harassed when they awake.

July 5th – Proverbs 5: In the END

“For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword.” – Proverbs 5:3,4

In the end, it all will be clear. In the end, the decisions we make, sometimes wondering if we are doing the right thing will be exceedingly clear. In the end, EVERYONE will know how right, or how wrong you actually were. In Proverbs, we are being continually reminded of this fact. It seems that part of Wisdom and understanding is simply looking past the temporary nature and appeal of things into the end of the matter. The adulteress sounds good, looks good and feels good, but in the END, she’ll kill you!

I believe that everything in our life should be considered from an eternal perspective. Every decision has got to pass the test of endurance. You should ask yourself, “How is this decision I am making today going to affect me tomorrow, or next year, or ten years from now?” If people considered the end of things, I believe there would be a LOT less bad decisions. As this Proverb tells us concerning adultery, yeah, the whore here is sweet as honey and as smooth as silk, but in the end, she’s nothing but heartburn and a piercing sword!

“At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent. You will say, "How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction! I would not obey my teachers or listen to my instructors. I have come to the brink of utter ruin in the midst of the whole assembly." – Proverbs 5:11-14

Again, we’re told to consider the END of things. It’s at the END of their life that the fool FINALLY has a realization of the price he paid to forsake wisdom and understanding. Hating discipline and spurning correction is fun… for a minute. It’s great to hang loose and not be disciplined in the moment. But the price in the long term really isn’t that pretty. But at the end of his probably short life, the fool considers the END. By disregarding the teaching of his teachers and failing to listen to his instructors, her has come to the brink of utter ruin in front of EVERYONE!

LIFE LESSON:

Consider the END of the matter, not only the temporary benefits.

July 4th – Proverbs 4: Everything Costs Something

“Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” - Proverbs 4:7

Wisdom is supreme. This word means: first, the beginning, chief, the principle thing. Wisdom should be the first thing we go after. Without wisdom, life does not have the proper context. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom. Whenever I wonder how Christians are able to rage against the most basic morality, getting involved in such base sins as lust, adultery, perversion, gambling, lying/cheating on their taxes, breaking their word, etc. I remember, they are able to do so simply because they lack the Fear of the Lord. With the Fear of the Lord, they would have a basic grasp of wisdom which would prevent such ridiculous errors.

Everything costs something. If you are going to possess wisdom and understanding it will cost you something to attain it. If you decide that maybe wisdom and understanding aren’t for you, that will cost you something as well. What’s always been amazing to me is the price that people are willing to pay to NOT get wisdom or understanding. We shrink away from paying a small price for something of eternal value while paying a HUGE price for our lack thereof. Understanding will cost us EVERYTHING we have here on earth. When you truly possess wisdom and understanding, you are walking in fellowship with the Lord. When you walk in fellowship with the Lord, there is no telling what you may have to give up to walk on the narrow way.

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” – Matthew 7:13,14

If you lack wisdom and understanding, you may get to keep everything you possess here on earth, but you will most certainly lose everything you could have had in eternity! We are all making decisions all of the time. Wise people make quality value decisions to esteem that which is eternal over that which is temporary, foolish people mortgage their eternal security for a fun time here on earth!

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” – II Corinthians 4:17,18

LIFE LESSON:

Wisdom and understanding will cost you everything here on earth. Failing to possess them here will cost you everything there… in eternity.

July 1st – Proverbs 1: #WINNING @ 30,000 Feet!

“My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them.” – Proverbs 1:10

I was sitting in First Class on a flight from Atlanta to California. I was given the option to upgrade my ticket to First Class for $50 and I took it. We were going on a ministry trip to minister at a church in Southern California and I had a team back in coach coming with me. It was a crammed flight and not an empty seat on the plane. One of the last people to get on the plane was a GORGEOUS young woman. She came and sat down next to me. Right away I knew she was trouble. The way she dressed and the way she carried herself were VERY seductive. I greeted her politely and began to read the book I brought with me very intently.

No sooner were we in the air than she began to order drinks. Only a couple hours into the 5 hour flight and she was pretty loose. She began talking to me, asking questions about what I was reading and what I did for a living. Telling her I was a preacher on my way to California to preach the GOSPEL didn’t seem to have any effect on her whatsoever. Clinking my wedding ring on the chair didn’t either. I excused myself, used the restroom and on my way back to the seat asked the stewardess if I could switch seats so I could sit closer to the guys on my team in coach. She was unable to help me, the flight was too full and they really couldn’t bring folks from coach into business mid-flight. I was stuck next to a loose lipped, slightly inebriated young lady that dressed and acted very seductively.

When I sat down, she gave me the whole story. Her marriage was in trouble, she was moving to California to pursue her career. She was seriously contemplating divorce. She suspected her husband of having an affair on her and she was angry. She began making eyes at me as she spoke. She also began touching my leg as she talked. I politely moved her hand off, but she would not STOP! She told me plainly that she wanted to get back at him and without a doubt; I was to be her revenge. She told me where she was staying and how to get in touch with her in California. But what took the cake was her less that subtle offer to join the “mile-high” club with her.

This sinner was enticing me! The temptation was intense to give in to her. But in a moment of clarity I saw her for what she is: a dirty WHORE inspired by the devil who was hell bent on ruining my marriage, my ministry and sending me to hell!

Here’s what I said:

Ryan: “Real quick, let me ask you a question.”

Whore: “Ok.”

Ryan: “You said you were married, right?”

Whore: “Yeah!”

Ryan: “So, you had a ceremony, right?”

Whore: “Sure!”

Ryan: “Like at a church or whatever?”

Whore: “Totally, it was this beautiful building, etc. etc. etc.”

Ryan: “Like all weddings, you probably had a bunch of witnesses, huh?”

Whore: “Yes, it was a BIG wedding, maybe 200 people!”

Ryan: “Did you have a preacher do the service for you?”

Whore: “Oh yeah, he was a family friend, blah, blah, blah…”

Ryan: “So, did he have you guys recite vows?”

Whore: “Of course!”

Ryan: “Like the traditional ones? You know, till death do us part type thing?”

Whore: “Ummm, yeah… I guess?” *getting suspicious now*

Ryan: “Let me make a recommendation, is that ok?”

Whore: “Ok…” *freaked out now*

Ryan: “I think that you should go home to your husband and fulfill your vows that you made in a church, before God and witnesses!”

Whore: *stunned silence*

The last two hours of that flight were as quiet as could be. I think I even managed to take a little nap, sleeping the sleep of the just!

LIFE LESSON:

“My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them.” – Proverbs 1:10