Greetings Free People...Warning, Danger, LOOK OUT!
"Wine is a mocker...strong drink is a brawler...and whoever is led astray by it (the mocking wine and brawling strong drink) is not wise (aka...a fool)."
(Pro-Verbs 20:1 with Ruminator emphasis)
"Wine is a mocker...strong drink a riotous brawler, and whoever errs or reels because of it is not wise."
(Pro-Verbs 20:1 The Amplified Bible)
QUESTION:
"Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness and dimness of eyes?
(Pro-Verbs 23:29 The Amplified Bible)
ANSWER:
"Those who tarry long at wine, they who go to seek and try mixed wine. Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the wineglass, when it goes down smoothly. At the last it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder (poison snake). (Under the influence of wine) your eyes will behold strange things [and loose women], and your mind will utter things turned the wrong way, untrue, incorrect and petulant. Yes, you will be [as unsteady] as he who lies down in the midst of the sea, and [as open to disaster] as he who lies upon the top of a mast. You will say, they struck me, but I was not hurt! They beat me [as with a hammer], but I did not feel it! When shall I awake? I will crave and seek more wine again [and escape reality].
(Pro-Verbs 23:30-35 The Amplified Bible)
In a world filled with alcoholics...is it any wonder...the Bible is filled with warnings against excessive drinking?
NOTE: I do not believe that there is a prohibition against drinking...but there are enough warnings against the excessive imbibing we have have in this country.
Christians are not immune to this thing called alcohol. A cursory look at the deeds of the flesh...in Galatians 5:21 lists drunkenness and revelries. Sometimes...a Christian feels they have freedom to do certain things...thinking they will not reap the consequences.
"In [this] freedom Christ has made us free--completely liberated us; stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery--which you have once put off."
(Galatians 5:1 The Amplified Bible)
"Everything is permissible for me--allowable and lawful...but NOT ALL THINGS ARE HELPFUL--GOOD FOR ME TO DO, expedient and profitable when you considered with other things. Everything is lawful for me, but I will not BECOME THE SLAVE OF ANYTHING...or brought under it's power."
(I Corinthians 5:12 The Amplified Bible)
There are just to many Christians who are SLAVES to the things/deeds OF THE FLESH and SIN.
"And do not get drunk with wine...wherein is excess/for that is debauchery...but ever be filled and stimulated with the (Holy) Spirit."
(Ephesians 5:18 The Amplified Bible)
r.l.b.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
PRO-VERBS 19:27 Dear Son...Love Dad
Dear son,
"Cease listening, my son, to discipline, and you will stray from the words of knowledge."
(Pro-Verbs 19:27)
"...discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things since it holds promise for the PRESENT life and also for the LIFE TO COME." (I Timothy 4:7-8)
"Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech (what you say), conduct (how you act), love (what your motivation is), faith (what you believe) and purity, (what you allow in your life), show yourself an example of those who believe." (I Timothy 4:12)
The word discipline means to practice naked...unencumbered as your train for the race.
As of this writing...it is Father's Day. As a Father...along with Brenda my wife...we poured into our son...life lessons, love, discipline, correction, etc. If Phillip listens...and does...he will not stray from our words of love. However there comes a time when he must DISCIPLINE HIMSELF...for the purpose of godliness.
My Father's Day prayer is that seed planted will grow and bear fruit.
I love you son.
Dad
"Cease listening, my son, to discipline, and you will stray from the words of knowledge."
(Pro-Verbs 19:27)
"...discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things since it holds promise for the PRESENT life and also for the LIFE TO COME." (I Timothy 4:7-8)
"Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech (what you say), conduct (how you act), love (what your motivation is), faith (what you believe) and purity, (what you allow in your life), show yourself an example of those who believe." (I Timothy 4:12)
The word discipline means to practice naked...unencumbered as your train for the race.
As of this writing...it is Father's Day. As a Father...along with Brenda my wife...we poured into our son...life lessons, love, discipline, correction, etc. If Phillip listens...and does...he will not stray from our words of love. However there comes a time when he must DISCIPLINE HIMSELF...for the purpose of godliness.
My Father's Day prayer is that seed planted will grow and bear fruit.
I love you son.
Dad
Saturday, June 18, 2011
PRO-VERBS 18:10 STRONG SECURITY
Greetings Tower Dwellers...
"The name of the Lord is a strong tower...the righteous run into it and are safe (secure...set on high)." (Pro-Verbs 18:10)
I just returned from a trip to Chicago...and while there we took a tour on top of a bus...viewing the city. The pride of the city was touted...from the food...to the history...to the intellectual prowess and to the architecture with the largest buildings...the strongest buildings...the most unusual designs in buildings. It was truly amazing to see the unharnessed potential of human beings manifested in large and tall edifices.
I remember back to 9/11...when two large airliners were plowed into the side of the Twin Towers in New York City by terrorists...and the towers came crumbling down with thousands of lives lost...and shock, despair, fear, anger and disdain swept across our nation. In those two tall towers...nobody was safe...secure...set on high.
There was another tower in history...in the land of Shinar. At that time the whole earth had ONE LANGUAGE and ONE SPEECH. (Genesis 11:1) These were descendants of Noah (post flood) and had returned to their pagan ways. As they rolled into the land/plains of Shinar, they said..."Come, let us build ourselves a CITY...and a TOWER...whose top is in the heavens; let us make a NAME for ourselves...lest we be SCATTERED ABROAD OVER THE FACE OF THE WHOLE EARTH." (Genesis 11:4)
These one language/speech talking people...thought that their security would be in a city, a tower, a name (to be feared)...and that be binding together...the would NOT be scattered over the face of the whole earth. The only problem is that they DID NOT include God into their plans.
The Lord came down to see the city...and the tower...that the sons of men had built. This is the Lord's observation..."And the Lord said Indeed the people are ONE (united)...and they all have ONE LANGUAGE (code of speech)...and this is what they begin to do...now NOTHING THAT THEY PROPOSE TO DO WILL BE WITHHELD FROM THEM." (Genesis 11:6)
The Amplified Bible states it this way..."...Behold, they are one people, and they have ALL ONE LANGUAGE...and this is only the beginning of what they will do; and NOW NOTHING THEY HAVE IMAGINED THEY CAN DO WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE TO THEM."
(Genesis 11:6)
Wow...man's imagination can harness the impossible. That's not a surprise to me. God is the ultimate Creative Being...and the Creative Being CREATED us in HIS IMAGE...so we as humans have a CREATIVITY IN US. The problem is...our choice...as with Adam and Eve... and we can choose to OBEY...and have this creativity to flow or we can DISOBEY...and have creativity stifled.
The cause and effect of their ONE LANGUAGE/ONE PURPOSE...was the Lord SCATTERING them. The very thing that they FEARED...came upon them. "So the Lord SCATTERED THEM abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and THEY CEASED BUILDING THE CITY. Therefore its NAME is called BABLE (mixed up/confused) because the Lord confused the LANGUAGE of all the earth; and from there the Lord SCATTERED them abroad over the face of the earth." (Genesis 11:8-9)
Their purpose and tower were scattered...compared to THE NAME OF THE LORD...which was a STRONG TOWER...and instead of being scattered...they were (1) safe(2) secure (3) set on high (away from the enemy trying to get at them).
The NAME OF THE LORD...is where we run into. The ONE LORD...has many names to describe is multiple colours. From Jehovah-Jireh (supply), Jehovah-Tsidkenu (righteousness),
Jehovah-Shalom (peace), Jehovah-Nissi (banner), Jehovah-Rhoi (shepherd)...and on and on and on and on. Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace, Jesus (God is Salvation), Emmanuel (God With Us), Lord (one in control). This just scratches the surface of our STRONG TOWER.
I have found since 1970...when I plan something to lift me up...I am SCATTERED...but when I run into the NAME OF THE LORD...my STRONG TOWER...I am SAFE...SECURE...and SET ON HIGH with a God's eye view of my life.
Love and Safe Kisses
Rodney "In The Strong Tower" Boyd
"The name of the Lord is a strong tower...the righteous run into it and are safe (secure...set on high)." (Pro-Verbs 18:10)
I just returned from a trip to Chicago...and while there we took a tour on top of a bus...viewing the city. The pride of the city was touted...from the food...to the history...to the intellectual prowess and to the architecture with the largest buildings...the strongest buildings...the most unusual designs in buildings. It was truly amazing to see the unharnessed potential of human beings manifested in large and tall edifices.
I remember back to 9/11...when two large airliners were plowed into the side of the Twin Towers in New York City by terrorists...and the towers came crumbling down with thousands of lives lost...and shock, despair, fear, anger and disdain swept across our nation. In those two tall towers...nobody was safe...secure...set on high.
There was another tower in history...in the land of Shinar. At that time the whole earth had ONE LANGUAGE and ONE SPEECH. (Genesis 11:1) These were descendants of Noah (post flood) and had returned to their pagan ways. As they rolled into the land/plains of Shinar, they said..."Come, let us build ourselves a CITY...and a TOWER...whose top is in the heavens; let us make a NAME for ourselves...lest we be SCATTERED ABROAD OVER THE FACE OF THE WHOLE EARTH." (Genesis 11:4)
These one language/speech talking people...thought that their security would be in a city, a tower, a name (to be feared)...and that be binding together...the would NOT be scattered over the face of the whole earth. The only problem is that they DID NOT include God into their plans.
The Lord came down to see the city...and the tower...that the sons of men had built. This is the Lord's observation..."And the Lord said Indeed the people are ONE (united)...and they all have ONE LANGUAGE (code of speech)...and this is what they begin to do...now NOTHING THAT THEY PROPOSE TO DO WILL BE WITHHELD FROM THEM." (Genesis 11:6)
The Amplified Bible states it this way..."...Behold, they are one people, and they have ALL ONE LANGUAGE...and this is only the beginning of what they will do; and NOW NOTHING THEY HAVE IMAGINED THEY CAN DO WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE TO THEM."
(Genesis 11:6)
Wow...man's imagination can harness the impossible. That's not a surprise to me. God is the ultimate Creative Being...and the Creative Being CREATED us in HIS IMAGE...so we as humans have a CREATIVITY IN US. The problem is...our choice...as with Adam and Eve... and we can choose to OBEY...and have this creativity to flow or we can DISOBEY...and have creativity stifled.
The cause and effect of their ONE LANGUAGE/ONE PURPOSE...was the Lord SCATTERING them. The very thing that they FEARED...came upon them. "So the Lord SCATTERED THEM abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and THEY CEASED BUILDING THE CITY. Therefore its NAME is called BABLE (mixed up/confused) because the Lord confused the LANGUAGE of all the earth; and from there the Lord SCATTERED them abroad over the face of the earth." (Genesis 11:8-9)
Their purpose and tower were scattered...compared to THE NAME OF THE LORD...which was a STRONG TOWER...and instead of being scattered...they were (1) safe(2) secure (3) set on high (away from the enemy trying to get at them).
The NAME OF THE LORD...is where we run into. The ONE LORD...has many names to describe is multiple colours. From Jehovah-Jireh (supply), Jehovah-Tsidkenu (righteousness),
Jehovah-Shalom (peace), Jehovah-Nissi (banner), Jehovah-Rhoi (shepherd)...and on and on and on and on. Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace, Jesus (God is Salvation), Emmanuel (God With Us), Lord (one in control). This just scratches the surface of our STRONG TOWER.
I have found since 1970...when I plan something to lift me up...I am SCATTERED...but when I run into the NAME OF THE LORD...my STRONG TOWER...I am SAFE...SECURE...and SET ON HIGH with a God's eye view of my life.
Love and Safe Kisses
Rodney "In The Strong Tower" Boyd
Friday, June 17, 2011
PRO-VERBS17:3 Trials, Temptations, Testings (Heart Examination)
Greetings Tested and Tried...
"The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold...but the Lord TESTS the heart."
(Pro-Verbs 17:3)
The HEART is the core of who we are. It is the place where only we know our motives...our true desires, or reasons for doing the things that we do. "The spirit of man...is the LAMP of the Lord...searching all the INNER DEPTHS OF HIS HEART." (Pro-Verbs 20:27) "But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit SEARCHES ALL THINGS...yes the DEEP THINGS OF GOD. For what man KNOWS THE THINGS OF A MAN...except the SPIRIT OF THE MAN which is in him? Even so...no one knows the THINGS OF GOD...except the SPIRIT OF GOD." (I Corinthians 2:10-11)
This testing...searching that God will do in us...truly works better for us...if we INVITE Him to do it. It's going to happen either way. "SEARCH me...O God...and KNOW MY HEART...TRY (test) me...and know my anxieties, and see if there is ANY WICKED WAY IN ME...and LEAD ME in the way everlasting." (Psalms 139:23-24)
We are encourage by Paul...to EXAMINE/TEST YOURSELVES. "Examine yourselves as to whether you are IN THE FAITH...TEST yourselves...that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you are disqualified/do not stand the test." (II Corinthians 13:5-6)
Whether it is a refining pot or a furnace...the common denominator for both of them is heat. The fires of testing...will determine...purity, strength, faithfulness...and see who you turn to when the heat is up.
James...talks about testings...trials...and temptations and how our response should be.
"My brethren...COUNT IT ALL JOY...when you fall into various TRIALS...knowing that the TESTING of your FAITH...produces patience/endurance/perseverance. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect/mature and complete, lacking nothing." (James 1:2-3)
So...these negative things...if we persevere...will turn into a positive thing. Remember that TEMPTATION is not designed to pull you into something...as much as it is designed to pull you away from who you really are...or pull you away from your destiny. Also remember that..."Blessed is the man who ENDURES TEMPTATION...for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."
There is a big difference than the devil (little d) enticing us away to evil...and the Lord TESTING our hearts. "Let no one say...when he is TEMPTED, I am TEMPTED by God...for God cannot be TEMPTED by evil...NOR DOES HE HIMSELF TEMPT ANYONE...but each one is TEMPTED when he is DRAWN AWAY...by his OWN LUSTS and ENTICED."
The progression of this TEMPTATION...is the first mention of L.S.D. in the Bible. "Then, when lust (L) has been conceived...it gives birth to sin (S) and and sin, when it is full-grown brings forth death (D)." (James 1:15)
The Lord's TESTING...draws out impurities...and strengthens us. The Lord can use the devil's own temptations...and turns the table on the devil...and builds us up. It's like someone trying to put out a fire...and throwing what they thought was water on the fire...but it turns out to be a bucket of gasoline. Ooops. What the devil...means for harm...God means for good.
"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ...through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. and not only that...but we also GLORY IN TRIBULATIONS, knowing that TRIBULATION produces PERSEVERANCE...and PERSEVERANCE...PROVEN CHARACTER...and CHARACTER...HOPE. Now HOPE does not disappoint...because THE LOVE OF GOD...has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
(Romans 5:1-5)
Well...the heat is on...the temptations come...the testings come...and God will get us through it. You will come out the other side...stronger than ever...as in your weakness...He becomes STRONG.
Love and Heart Tested Kisses
Rodney "Tested and Tried" Boyd
"The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold...but the Lord TESTS the heart."
(Pro-Verbs 17:3)
The HEART is the core of who we are. It is the place where only we know our motives...our true desires, or reasons for doing the things that we do. "The spirit of man...is the LAMP of the Lord...searching all the INNER DEPTHS OF HIS HEART." (Pro-Verbs 20:27) "But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit SEARCHES ALL THINGS...yes the DEEP THINGS OF GOD. For what man KNOWS THE THINGS OF A MAN...except the SPIRIT OF THE MAN which is in him? Even so...no one knows the THINGS OF GOD...except the SPIRIT OF GOD." (I Corinthians 2:10-11)
This testing...searching that God will do in us...truly works better for us...if we INVITE Him to do it. It's going to happen either way. "SEARCH me...O God...and KNOW MY HEART...TRY (test) me...and know my anxieties, and see if there is ANY WICKED WAY IN ME...and LEAD ME in the way everlasting." (Psalms 139:23-24)
We are encourage by Paul...to EXAMINE/TEST YOURSELVES. "Examine yourselves as to whether you are IN THE FAITH...TEST yourselves...that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you are disqualified/do not stand the test." (II Corinthians 13:5-6)
Whether it is a refining pot or a furnace...the common denominator for both of them is heat. The fires of testing...will determine...purity, strength, faithfulness...and see who you turn to when the heat is up.
James...talks about testings...trials...and temptations and how our response should be.
"My brethren...COUNT IT ALL JOY...when you fall into various TRIALS...knowing that the TESTING of your FAITH...produces patience/endurance/perseverance. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect/mature and complete, lacking nothing." (James 1:2-3)
So...these negative things...if we persevere...will turn into a positive thing. Remember that TEMPTATION is not designed to pull you into something...as much as it is designed to pull you away from who you really are...or pull you away from your destiny. Also remember that..."Blessed is the man who ENDURES TEMPTATION...for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."
There is a big difference than the devil (little d) enticing us away to evil...and the Lord TESTING our hearts. "Let no one say...when he is TEMPTED, I am TEMPTED by God...for God cannot be TEMPTED by evil...NOR DOES HE HIMSELF TEMPT ANYONE...but each one is TEMPTED when he is DRAWN AWAY...by his OWN LUSTS and ENTICED."
The progression of this TEMPTATION...is the first mention of L.S.D. in the Bible. "Then, when lust (L) has been conceived...it gives birth to sin (S) and and sin, when it is full-grown brings forth death (D)." (James 1:15)
The Lord's TESTING...draws out impurities...and strengthens us. The Lord can use the devil's own temptations...and turns the table on the devil...and builds us up. It's like someone trying to put out a fire...and throwing what they thought was water on the fire...but it turns out to be a bucket of gasoline. Ooops. What the devil...means for harm...God means for good.
"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ...through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. and not only that...but we also GLORY IN TRIBULATIONS, knowing that TRIBULATION produces PERSEVERANCE...and PERSEVERANCE...PROVEN CHARACTER...and CHARACTER...HOPE. Now HOPE does not disappoint...because THE LOVE OF GOD...has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
(Romans 5:1-5)
Well...the heat is on...the temptations come...the testings come...and God will get us through it. You will come out the other side...stronger than ever...as in your weakness...He becomes STRONG.
Love and Heart Tested Kisses
Rodney "Tested and Tried" Boyd
Thursday, June 16, 2011
PRO-VERBS 16:1-3; 16:9 ; 16:25; 16:32-33 Preparation H (Heart)
Greetings Planners...
"The preparations/plans of the heart belong to man...BUT...the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the WAYS of a man are pure in his own eyes...but the Lord weighs the spirits. Commit you WORKS to the Lord and your thoughts will be established."
(Pro-Verbs 16:1-3)
"A man's heart PLANS his way...BUT the Lord directs his STEPS." (Pro-Verbs 16:9)
"There is a WAY that seems right to a man...BUT...it's END is the way of death."
(Pro-Verbs 16:25)
"He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty...and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. The lot is cast into the lap...but its every DECISION is FROM THE LORD."
(Pro-Verbs 16:32-33)
I don't know about you...but over my 60 years of living life on planet earth...I have had many dreams, plans, visions, ideas...about how my life should be. I have gone many times...three steps forward...and two steps back (sometimes 5 steps back). Many times...I come up with some hair brain scheme to make a million bucks...and just go out full force...ending up making tens of bucks. Going to school I changed majors faster than Bruce Lee with nunchucks.
Oh how much better my life would be...if I would take my preparations/plans...my ways...my decisions...lay them on the altar of the Lord...and let Him breath life on them...and THEN step out. "There is a way that seemeth right unto Rod...but the end fizzled in the end." (I Rod 1:1)
I find myself getting angry, frustrated, discouraged, depressed...when MY plans fail...my spirit is out of control...my soul is downcast. When the Lord WEIGHS my spirit...and my spirit is heavy with the funk.
I must learn to take my preparations...plans...ways...works...thoughts...and COMMIT them to the Lord...and let Him DIRECT my steps...and allow Him to ESTABLISH my thoughts.
"Come now...you who say...today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell and make a profit...whereas you DO NOT KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN TOMORROW. For what is your life? It is even a VAPOR/MIST...that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say...IF THE LORD WILLS, we shall live and DO THIS OR THAT. " (James 13-15)
Love and Established Kisses
Rodney "Vapor Man" Boyd
"The preparations/plans of the heart belong to man...BUT...the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the WAYS of a man are pure in his own eyes...but the Lord weighs the spirits. Commit you WORKS to the Lord and your thoughts will be established."
(Pro-Verbs 16:1-3)
"A man's heart PLANS his way...BUT the Lord directs his STEPS." (Pro-Verbs 16:9)
"There is a WAY that seems right to a man...BUT...it's END is the way of death."
(Pro-Verbs 16:25)
"He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty...and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. The lot is cast into the lap...but its every DECISION is FROM THE LORD."
(Pro-Verbs 16:32-33)
I don't know about you...but over my 60 years of living life on planet earth...I have had many dreams, plans, visions, ideas...about how my life should be. I have gone many times...three steps forward...and two steps back (sometimes 5 steps back). Many times...I come up with some hair brain scheme to make a million bucks...and just go out full force...ending up making tens of bucks. Going to school I changed majors faster than Bruce Lee with nunchucks.
Oh how much better my life would be...if I would take my preparations/plans...my ways...my decisions...lay them on the altar of the Lord...and let Him breath life on them...and THEN step out. "There is a way that seemeth right unto Rod...but the end fizzled in the end." (I Rod 1:1)
I find myself getting angry, frustrated, discouraged, depressed...when MY plans fail...my spirit is out of control...my soul is downcast. When the Lord WEIGHS my spirit...and my spirit is heavy with the funk.
I must learn to take my preparations...plans...ways...works...thoughts...and COMMIT them to the Lord...and let Him DIRECT my steps...and allow Him to ESTABLISH my thoughts.
"Come now...you who say...today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell and make a profit...whereas you DO NOT KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN TOMORROW. For what is your life? It is even a VAPOR/MIST...that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say...IF THE LORD WILLS, we shall live and DO THIS OR THAT. " (James 13-15)
Love and Established Kisses
Rodney "Vapor Man" Boyd
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
PRO-VERBS 15:13--18 Have Yourself a Merry Little Heartmas
Greetings Continual Feasters...
"A MERRY HEART makes a cheerful countenance/face. But by SORROW OF THE HEART the spirit is broken. The HEART of him who has understanding seeks knowledge. But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness. All the days of the afflicted are evil...but he who is of a MERRY HEART has a continual feast. Better is a little with the FEAR OF THE LORD...than great treasure with TROUBLE. Better is a dinner of herbs/vegetables where LOVE is...than a fatted calf with HATRED...A wrathful man STIRS UP ANGER...but he who is SLOW TO ANGER...allays contention." (Pro-Verbs 15:13-18)
There is an old song sung at Vacation Bible Schools back in the day..."If you're happy and you know it clap your hands...(clap, clap)...If you're happy and you know it clap your hands (clap, clap)...If you're happy and you know it...then your hands will surely show it...if you're happy and you know it clap your hands (clap, clap)." (If You're Happy And You Know It by Unknown)
The song continues with stomp your feet, raise your hands, etc. Well...let's add in our face... "If you're happy and you know it...notify your face (smile real big)...."
The COUNTENANCE...can be the indicator of inner emotion. When Cain killed Able (because Cain was Able)...in the first recorded murder and cover up...we see that when God did not respect his offering versus respecting Ables offering...Cain was VERY ANGRY (inner emotion). The cause and effect of this inner emotion of anger...was manifested on his FACE. "...and Cain was VERY ANGRY...and his COUNTENANCE FELL." (Genesis 5:5) Well this FACIAL MANIFESTATION was noted by the Lord..."So the Lord said to Cain...why re you angry? And why has your COUNTENANCE FALLEN? (Genesis 5:6) The Lord...had a solution for his anger...that would have averted the murder of his brother. "If you DO WELL...will you not be accepted? And if you do NOT DO WELL...SIN lies at the door. And its (sin's) desire is for you...BUT YOU SHOULD RULE/MASTER OVER IT (sin at your door)." (Genesis 5:7)
Well...Cain's UNMERRY HEART...that was manifested on his face...was not dealt with and was manifested in his actions...which was murder.
"Unrestrained thoughts (what we think)...produces unrestrained words (what we say)... resulting in unrestrained actions (what we do)" (Unknown)
It all hinges on the fear of the Lord which is the beginning of knowledge and understanding. Feast on the goodness of God...not the emotion of the moment...and AND HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE HEARTmas.
Love and Veggie Kisses
Rodney "Merry Heartmas" Boyd
"A MERRY HEART makes a cheerful countenance/face. But by SORROW OF THE HEART the spirit is broken. The HEART of him who has understanding seeks knowledge. But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness. All the days of the afflicted are evil...but he who is of a MERRY HEART has a continual feast. Better is a little with the FEAR OF THE LORD...than great treasure with TROUBLE. Better is a dinner of herbs/vegetables where LOVE is...than a fatted calf with HATRED...A wrathful man STIRS UP ANGER...but he who is SLOW TO ANGER...allays contention." (Pro-Verbs 15:13-18)
There is an old song sung at Vacation Bible Schools back in the day..."If you're happy and you know it clap your hands...(clap, clap)...If you're happy and you know it clap your hands (clap, clap)...If you're happy and you know it...then your hands will surely show it...if you're happy and you know it clap your hands (clap, clap)." (If You're Happy And You Know It by Unknown)
The song continues with stomp your feet, raise your hands, etc. Well...let's add in our face... "If you're happy and you know it...notify your face (smile real big)...."
The COUNTENANCE...can be the indicator of inner emotion. When Cain killed Able (because Cain was Able)...in the first recorded murder and cover up...we see that when God did not respect his offering versus respecting Ables offering...Cain was VERY ANGRY (inner emotion). The cause and effect of this inner emotion of anger...was manifested on his FACE. "...and Cain was VERY ANGRY...and his COUNTENANCE FELL." (Genesis 5:5) Well this FACIAL MANIFESTATION was noted by the Lord..."So the Lord said to Cain...why re you angry? And why has your COUNTENANCE FALLEN? (Genesis 5:6) The Lord...had a solution for his anger...that would have averted the murder of his brother. "If you DO WELL...will you not be accepted? And if you do NOT DO WELL...SIN lies at the door. And its (sin's) desire is for you...BUT YOU SHOULD RULE/MASTER OVER IT (sin at your door)." (Genesis 5:7)
Well...Cain's UNMERRY HEART...that was manifested on his face...was not dealt with and was manifested in his actions...which was murder.
"Unrestrained thoughts (what we think)...produces unrestrained words (what we say)... resulting in unrestrained actions (what we do)" (Unknown)
It all hinges on the fear of the Lord which is the beginning of knowledge and understanding. Feast on the goodness of God...not the emotion of the moment...and AND HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE HEARTmas.
Love and Veggie Kisses
Rodney "Merry Heartmas" Boyd
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
PRO-VERBS 14:12 The Right Way....Ooops!
Traveling Mercies O Ye Sojourners...
"There is a way that seems right to a man...but is end is the way of death." (Pro-Verbs 14:12; Pro-verbs 16:25)
Say it once...listen...say it twice...LISTEN! This verse is found twice in the Pro-Verbs...and there are multiple allusions to this thought throughout Pro-Verbs.
"What fruit did you have then in the things which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:21-23)
My Dad and I use to have arguments. Imagine that. He would have a point of view...and he was convinced that he was right and I was wrong...and I was convinced that I was right...and he was wrong. In this perpetual butting of heads...my Dad would reach the point of exasperation and he would say..."Am I right or wrong?" That was suppose to end the argument. Of course being 16 going on 35....I would respond to his question..."Am I right or wrong?"...with..."you're wrong." Oh how that would send his blood pressure up.
In C.S. Lewis' book MERE CHRISTIANITY...in the chapter entitled THE LAW OF HUMAN NATURE...he lays out the scenario of people quarrelling about various topics. Each quarrelling party...thinks their way is the RIGHT way.
"Now what interests me about all these remarks is that the man who makes them is not merely saying that the other man's behaviour does not happen to please him. He is appealing to SOME KIND OF STANDARD OF BEHAVIOUR which he expects the other man to know about." (C.S. Lewis Mere Christianity). Lewis calls this expectation of each party in a belief that there is some kind of rule or law that would be a judgement call of this RIGHT...or this WRONG. "It looks, in fact, very much as if both parties have in mind SOME KIND OF LAW OR RULE of fair play or decent behaviour or morality or whatever you like to call it...about which THEY REALLY AGREED." (C.S. Lewis Mere Christianity)
"Quarrelling means trying to show that the other mans is IN THE WRONG. And there would be no sense in trying to do that unless you and he had some sort of agreement as to what RIGHT and WRONG are..." (C.S. Lewis Mere Christianity)
"Am I right or wrong?" The Swirling Eddies have a CD called OUTDOOR ELVIS. One of the songs is called DRIVING IN ENGLAND. "I was driving in England down the Santa Ana freeway...somebody's screaming out. You're going down THE WRONG WAY." (The Swirling Eddies Driving In England) Of course the thought is...Christians go against the mainstream...in what they (the mainstream) consider to be right and the Christians are wrong. The mainstream non-believers are convinced they are right BUT...it is not the road...it is the final destination...which is either going to be life or death.
Larry Norman's song One Way speaks of the fork in the road...from The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost..."One way, one way to heaven, hold up high your hand...follow, free and forgiven, children of the lamb. TWO ROADS diverged in middle of my life, I heard a wise man say...I took the one LESS TRAVELLED by... and that's made the difference every night and every day." (One Way by Larry Norman)
Here's the diverging road...one way seems right to a man...but the end is death.
r.l.b.
"There is a way that seems right to a man...but is end is the way of death." (Pro-Verbs 14:12; Pro-verbs 16:25)
Say it once...listen...say it twice...LISTEN! This verse is found twice in the Pro-Verbs...and there are multiple allusions to this thought throughout Pro-Verbs.
"What fruit did you have then in the things which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:21-23)
My Dad and I use to have arguments. Imagine that. He would have a point of view...and he was convinced that he was right and I was wrong...and I was convinced that I was right...and he was wrong. In this perpetual butting of heads...my Dad would reach the point of exasperation and he would say..."Am I right or wrong?" That was suppose to end the argument. Of course being 16 going on 35....I would respond to his question..."Am I right or wrong?"...with..."you're wrong." Oh how that would send his blood pressure up.
In C.S. Lewis' book MERE CHRISTIANITY...in the chapter entitled THE LAW OF HUMAN NATURE...he lays out the scenario of people quarrelling about various topics. Each quarrelling party...thinks their way is the RIGHT way.
"Now what interests me about all these remarks is that the man who makes them is not merely saying that the other man's behaviour does not happen to please him. He is appealing to SOME KIND OF STANDARD OF BEHAVIOUR which he expects the other man to know about." (C.S. Lewis Mere Christianity). Lewis calls this expectation of each party in a belief that there is some kind of rule or law that would be a judgement call of this RIGHT...or this WRONG. "It looks, in fact, very much as if both parties have in mind SOME KIND OF LAW OR RULE of fair play or decent behaviour or morality or whatever you like to call it...about which THEY REALLY AGREED." (C.S. Lewis Mere Christianity)
"Quarrelling means trying to show that the other mans is IN THE WRONG. And there would be no sense in trying to do that unless you and he had some sort of agreement as to what RIGHT and WRONG are..." (C.S. Lewis Mere Christianity)
"Am I right or wrong?" The Swirling Eddies have a CD called OUTDOOR ELVIS. One of the songs is called DRIVING IN ENGLAND. "I was driving in England down the Santa Ana freeway...somebody's screaming out. You're going down THE WRONG WAY." (The Swirling Eddies Driving In England) Of course the thought is...Christians go against the mainstream...in what they (the mainstream) consider to be right and the Christians are wrong. The mainstream non-believers are convinced they are right BUT...it is not the road...it is the final destination...which is either going to be life or death.
Larry Norman's song One Way speaks of the fork in the road...from The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost..."One way, one way to heaven, hold up high your hand...follow, free and forgiven, children of the lamb. TWO ROADS diverged in middle of my life, I heard a wise man say...I took the one LESS TRAVELLED by... and that's made the difference every night and every day." (One Way by Larry Norman)
Here's the diverging road...one way seems right to a man...but the end is death.
r.l.b.
Monday, June 13, 2011
PRO-VERBS 13:20 Wise Walk Way
Greetings Walkers...
"He who walks with wise men will be wise...BUT...the companion of fools will be destroyed."
(Pro-Verbs 13:20)
The WALK...is our life. Wise men/wo-men and foolish men/wo-men all have a walk. I am not talking about the physical propulsion with two legs. Even people with physical disability have a walk...because they have a WAY OF LIFE. The walk is a way of life...and who we decide to walk with on a daily basis...will determine who we are...our character...how people view us.... and most importantly...how God views us.
The Psalmist is in agreement with the Pro-Verbist...as he says..."Blessed is the man who WALKS NOT in the counsel of the ungodly...nor STANDS in the path of sinners...nor SITS in the seat of the scornful; BUT...his delight is the law of the Lord and in His law he MEDITATES (ruminate, ponders by thinking to himself) day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water...that brings forth its fruit in its season...whose leaf also shall not wither (not be cursed) and WHATEVER he does shall prosper. The ungodly are not so BUT are like the chaff which the wind drives away. therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous. But the way of the ungodly shall perish." (Psalm 1:1-6)
NOTE: We are not talking about being a friend to the sinner. Jesus associated with "sinners" more then He did with "religious people" to the point where he was accused of being a drunk and a glutton. "The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they say...Look...a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners! But wisdom is justified by her children." (Matthew 11:19)
Your WALK will take you to all kinds of places...but your companions along the way...will influence your mind, your will, and your emotions.
Pro-Verbs 1:10..."My son...if sinners entice you...DO NOT CONSENT." "My son DO NOT WALK IN THE WAY WITH THEM." (Pro-Verbs 1:15) NOTE: Read the Pr0-Verbs 1 blog for more detail.
Walk with God...Walk with Jesus...Walk with the Word of God...Walk with the Holy Spirit... Walk with other believers....and you will be wise. Walk with fools...be a fool.
Love and Wise Kisses
Rodney "Walk On" Boyd
"He who walks with wise men will be wise...BUT...the companion of fools will be destroyed."
(Pro-Verbs 13:20)
The WALK...is our life. Wise men/wo-men and foolish men/wo-men all have a walk. I am not talking about the physical propulsion with two legs. Even people with physical disability have a walk...because they have a WAY OF LIFE. The walk is a way of life...and who we decide to walk with on a daily basis...will determine who we are...our character...how people view us.... and most importantly...how God views us.
The Psalmist is in agreement with the Pro-Verbist...as he says..."Blessed is the man who WALKS NOT in the counsel of the ungodly...nor STANDS in the path of sinners...nor SITS in the seat of the scornful; BUT...his delight is the law of the Lord and in His law he MEDITATES (ruminate, ponders by thinking to himself) day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water...that brings forth its fruit in its season...whose leaf also shall not wither (not be cursed) and WHATEVER he does shall prosper. The ungodly are not so BUT are like the chaff which the wind drives away. therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous. But the way of the ungodly shall perish." (Psalm 1:1-6)
NOTE: We are not talking about being a friend to the sinner. Jesus associated with "sinners" more then He did with "religious people" to the point where he was accused of being a drunk and a glutton. "The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they say...Look...a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners! But wisdom is justified by her children." (Matthew 11:19)
Your WALK will take you to all kinds of places...but your companions along the way...will influence your mind, your will, and your emotions.
Pro-Verbs 1:10..."My son...if sinners entice you...DO NOT CONSENT." "My son DO NOT WALK IN THE WAY WITH THEM." (Pro-Verbs 1:15) NOTE: Read the Pr0-Verbs 1 blog for more detail.
Walk with God...Walk with Jesus...Walk with the Word of God...Walk with the Holy Spirit... Walk with other believers....and you will be wise. Walk with fools...be a fool.
Love and Wise Kisses
Rodney "Walk On" Boyd
Sunday, June 12, 2011
PRO-VERBS 12:25 Anxiety/devil Buster
Hello friends...
"Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down...but a good word makes it glad." (Pro-Verbs 12:25)
Anxiety, worry, care, solicitude, fear, doubt, unbelief are words that describes someone who is pulled in 20 different directions...and can't focus on any one thing. Some people thrive on the drama of anxiety to the point that the anxiety becomes the normal. I know that when I am anxious...it is usually about something out of my control.
The solution for anxiety is humble casting. "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time...CASTING all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." (I Peter 5:6-7)
The word anxiety implies a heaviness upon our soul (mind, will, emotions). This heaviness weighs us down. In I Peter we see we are to humble...lower under God's hand instead of being forced down under the weight of anxiety. The very next verse speaks of being of sober spirit and being on the alert...because your adversary...the devil (little d) is prowling around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. (I Peter 5:6-7). I have seen a lion in real life (when I was in Africa)...seek a wildebeest...and destroyed it. It was the straggler...the weak link...that the lion prowled, stalked...and destroyed. When we are ANXIOUS...we are at a weak point...and the devil is on the prowl...and can smell fear. But we are called into a resistance force to "resist him firm in your faith..." (I Peter 5:9). You can't resist "firm in your faith" IF you are "firm in your anxiety."
One of the things that you can do for someone who is anxious...is to give them a GOOD WORD. The Pro-Verb says that a GOOD WORD will make the heart that is weighed down with anxiety...will make it glad. A good word is not joining in with the anxious thought, or showing sympathy, or enabling someone to continue to be anxious...that is on the level of a pity party...but a good word may mean speaking the truth in love...and pointing them to the Lord. The book of Pro-Verbs...is full of good words...but still speaking to the foolishness and the cause and effect of foolishness...giving contrast of the wise and the foolish.
Philippians is a great book on how to BUST ANXIETY. "Be anxious (don't be) for nothing (no thing, nuttin', zip, zilch, zero, nada) BUT (in contrast to being anxious)...in everything (including all the nothings)...by (1) prayer [talking to God] (2) supplication [humble specifics] (3) with thanksgiving [giving of thanks before you ever see the answer to your supplicating prayers] be made know to God." (Philippians 4:6) Of course He knows what is going on in your life...and He knows what you need...but he does want you to turn to Him instead of anxiously dealing with it yourself.
The cause and effect of praying, supplicating, and thanking Him about what is making you anxious...is PEACE...that PASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING AND COMPREHENSION...
will guard you (1) hearts (2) minds IN CHRIST JESUS. A peace that you can understand and comprehend is the ABSENCE OF CONFLICT. It is easy to proclaim the goodness of God when you have what you need...BUT...when you don't have an answer...and you have PEACE...that is an anxiety/devil buster.
This type of peace...can only come from a renewed mind. Where you mind is dwelling will be telling by what you write, say, and do.
"Finally, brethren...whatever is TRUE, whatever is HONORABLE, whatever is RIGHT, whatever is PURE, whatever is LOVELY, whatever is of GOOD REPORT/REPUTE, if there is any EXCELLENCE and if anything WORTHY OF PRAISE...let/allow your mind to DWELL ON THESE THINGS." (Philippians 4:8-9)
"Unrestrained thoughts (what you think)...produces unrestrained words (what you express)... resulting in unrestrained actions (what you do)." (Unknown)
How is your heart doing...is it weighed down or glad? If you don't have someone to speak a good word into you...turn to the Good Word.
Love and Glad Kisses
Rodney "Anxiety Buster" Boyd
"Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down...but a good word makes it glad." (Pro-Verbs 12:25)
Anxiety, worry, care, solicitude, fear, doubt, unbelief are words that describes someone who is pulled in 20 different directions...and can't focus on any one thing. Some people thrive on the drama of anxiety to the point that the anxiety becomes the normal. I know that when I am anxious...it is usually about something out of my control.
The solution for anxiety is humble casting. "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time...CASTING all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." (I Peter 5:6-7)
The word anxiety implies a heaviness upon our soul (mind, will, emotions). This heaviness weighs us down. In I Peter we see we are to humble...lower under God's hand instead of being forced down under the weight of anxiety. The very next verse speaks of being of sober spirit and being on the alert...because your adversary...the devil (little d) is prowling around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. (I Peter 5:6-7). I have seen a lion in real life (when I was in Africa)...seek a wildebeest...and destroyed it. It was the straggler...the weak link...that the lion prowled, stalked...and destroyed. When we are ANXIOUS...we are at a weak point...and the devil is on the prowl...and can smell fear. But we are called into a resistance force to "resist him firm in your faith..." (I Peter 5:9). You can't resist "firm in your faith" IF you are "firm in your anxiety."
One of the things that you can do for someone who is anxious...is to give them a GOOD WORD. The Pro-Verb says that a GOOD WORD will make the heart that is weighed down with anxiety...will make it glad. A good word is not joining in with the anxious thought, or showing sympathy, or enabling someone to continue to be anxious...that is on the level of a pity party...but a good word may mean speaking the truth in love...and pointing them to the Lord. The book of Pro-Verbs...is full of good words...but still speaking to the foolishness and the cause and effect of foolishness...giving contrast of the wise and the foolish.
Philippians is a great book on how to BUST ANXIETY. "Be anxious (don't be) for nothing (no thing, nuttin', zip, zilch, zero, nada) BUT (in contrast to being anxious)...in everything (including all the nothings)...by (1) prayer [talking to God] (2) supplication [humble specifics] (3) with thanksgiving [giving of thanks before you ever see the answer to your supplicating prayers] be made know to God." (Philippians 4:6) Of course He knows what is going on in your life...and He knows what you need...but he does want you to turn to Him instead of anxiously dealing with it yourself.
The cause and effect of praying, supplicating, and thanking Him about what is making you anxious...is PEACE...that PASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING AND COMPREHENSION...
will guard you (1) hearts (2) minds IN CHRIST JESUS. A peace that you can understand and comprehend is the ABSENCE OF CONFLICT. It is easy to proclaim the goodness of God when you have what you need...BUT...when you don't have an answer...and you have PEACE...that is an anxiety/devil buster.
This type of peace...can only come from a renewed mind. Where you mind is dwelling will be telling by what you write, say, and do.
"Finally, brethren...whatever is TRUE, whatever is HONORABLE, whatever is RIGHT, whatever is PURE, whatever is LOVELY, whatever is of GOOD REPORT/REPUTE, if there is any EXCELLENCE and if anything WORTHY OF PRAISE...let/allow your mind to DWELL ON THESE THINGS." (Philippians 4:8-9)
"Unrestrained thoughts (what you think)...produces unrestrained words (what you express)... resulting in unrestrained actions (what you do)." (Unknown)
How is your heart doing...is it weighed down or glad? If you don't have someone to speak a good word into you...turn to the Good Word.
Love and Glad Kisses
Rodney "Anxiety Buster" Boyd
Saturday, June 11, 2011
PRO-VERBS 11:24-26 God Economics
Greetings O Ye Bean Counters...how's da count.
"There is one who SCATTERS, and yet INCREASES all the more...and there is one who WITHOLDS what is justly due, and yet it results in only WANT. The generous man will be PROSPEROUS, and he who WATERS will himself be WATERED. he who WITHHOLDS grain, the people will curse him...but BLESSING will be on the head of him who sells it."
(Pro-Verbs 11:24-26)
I have been married for 39 years to Brenda. For 39 years...our household has been on a BUDGET. Thank God for Brenda...because without her...I would be BROKE. She is the ultimate Pro-verbs 31 Woman...the Excellent Wife. (Read Pro-Verbs 31:10-31 for a portrait of Brenda).
Love...is reflected in giving. "For God so LOVED the world that He GAVE his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him (the Son) shall NOT PERISH...but have EVERLASTING, ETERNAL LIFE." (John 3:16)
This is not only reflected in our "spiritual life" but also in our "secular life" as well. Well actually...secular means godless...and if you are a true believer...every area of your life...is spiritual...even what appears to be the non-spiritual...including our MONEY.
One of the most misquoted verses in the Bible is "money is the root of all evil." Not so. In I Timothy 6:10 it says..."For the LOVE OF MONEY...is the root of all sorts/kinds of evil, and SOME by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." (I Timothy 6:10)
The LOVE of money...is really a LUST of money...avarice, covetousness of money...so money in an of itself is nothing but currency. Also...the concept of money being the root of ALL evil...is a misconception...because the root of all evil is sin...brought about by disobedience...by believing the lie of the devil over the truth of God. The lust of money IS the root of all kinds or sorts of evil...because it entices/tempts you away from faith and trust in God. Remember temptation/enticement is not designed to pull you into anything (however that is a side effect) but it is designed to pull you away from who you really are.
The Pro-Verbs encourages us to be generous. One scatters and increases while the other withholds and is want. Wow....grasping, holding on, hoarding...and you still want. Water and you will be watered. Bless and you will be blessed.
This is laid out in Luke 6 where it talks about this principle of giving/receiving, sowing/reaping,
seedtime/harvest. "GIVE and it will be GIVEN to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your STANDARD OF MEASURE...it will be MEASURED TO YOU IN RETURN." (Luke 6:38) This principle works for money, grain, love, etc...and also in the negative...don't give and it won't be given to you.
"Do not be deceived...God is not mocked...whatsoever (anything) a man sows...that shall he also reap." (Galatians 6:7)
WARNING: You can't violate the principles of God...or try to twist God's arm...or try to manipulate your financial situation by holding God to a contract. There are variables that each individual must deal with...especially in the areas of sin, flesh, presumption versus faith, bad business sense, etc. James is very specific..."You ask and do not receive (have not because you ask not)...because you ask WITH WRONG MOTIVES...so that you may spend it on your own pleasure (consume upon your own lusts)." (James 4:3)
Also...for you to walk in Philippians 4:19 where it states..."My God will SUPPLY all your needs according to the riches in glory in Christ Jesus."...you have to walk in THE SECRET found in
Philippians 4:12)...where you learn to be CONTENT in humble means and how to live in prosperity...in any and every circumstance...of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and SUFFERING NEED."
It hinges on HOW YOU SPEAK. Do yo speak from want...or contentment.
FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY
Again...it was a long one...BUT...I think I needed to hear this.
Love and Financially Blessed Kisses
Rodney "Blessed and Not Cursed" Boyd
"There is one who SCATTERS, and yet INCREASES all the more...and there is one who WITHOLDS what is justly due, and yet it results in only WANT. The generous man will be PROSPEROUS, and he who WATERS will himself be WATERED. he who WITHHOLDS grain, the people will curse him...but BLESSING will be on the head of him who sells it."
(Pro-Verbs 11:24-26)
I have been married for 39 years to Brenda. For 39 years...our household has been on a BUDGET. Thank God for Brenda...because without her...I would be BROKE. She is the ultimate Pro-verbs 31 Woman...the Excellent Wife. (Read Pro-Verbs 31:10-31 for a portrait of Brenda).
Love...is reflected in giving. "For God so LOVED the world that He GAVE his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him (the Son) shall NOT PERISH...but have EVERLASTING, ETERNAL LIFE." (John 3:16)
This is not only reflected in our "spiritual life" but also in our "secular life" as well. Well actually...secular means godless...and if you are a true believer...every area of your life...is spiritual...even what appears to be the non-spiritual...including our MONEY.
One of the most misquoted verses in the Bible is "money is the root of all evil." Not so. In I Timothy 6:10 it says..."For the LOVE OF MONEY...is the root of all sorts/kinds of evil, and SOME by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." (I Timothy 6:10)
The LOVE of money...is really a LUST of money...avarice, covetousness of money...so money in an of itself is nothing but currency. Also...the concept of money being the root of ALL evil...is a misconception...because the root of all evil is sin...brought about by disobedience...by believing the lie of the devil over the truth of God. The lust of money IS the root of all kinds or sorts of evil...because it entices/tempts you away from faith and trust in God. Remember temptation/enticement is not designed to pull you into anything (however that is a side effect) but it is designed to pull you away from who you really are.
The Pro-Verbs encourages us to be generous. One scatters and increases while the other withholds and is want. Wow....grasping, holding on, hoarding...and you still want. Water and you will be watered. Bless and you will be blessed.
This is laid out in Luke 6 where it talks about this principle of giving/receiving, sowing/reaping,
seedtime/harvest. "GIVE and it will be GIVEN to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your STANDARD OF MEASURE...it will be MEASURED TO YOU IN RETURN." (Luke 6:38) This principle works for money, grain, love, etc...and also in the negative...don't give and it won't be given to you.
"Do not be deceived...God is not mocked...whatsoever (anything) a man sows...that shall he also reap." (Galatians 6:7)
WARNING: You can't violate the principles of God...or try to twist God's arm...or try to manipulate your financial situation by holding God to a contract. There are variables that each individual must deal with...especially in the areas of sin, flesh, presumption versus faith, bad business sense, etc. James is very specific..."You ask and do not receive (have not because you ask not)...because you ask WITH WRONG MOTIVES...so that you may spend it on your own pleasure (consume upon your own lusts)." (James 4:3)
Also...for you to walk in Philippians 4:19 where it states..."My God will SUPPLY all your needs according to the riches in glory in Christ Jesus."...you have to walk in THE SECRET found in
Philippians 4:12)...where you learn to be CONTENT in humble means and how to live in prosperity...in any and every circumstance...of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and SUFFERING NEED."
It hinges on HOW YOU SPEAK. Do yo speak from want...or contentment.
FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY
Again...it was a long one...BUT...I think I needed to hear this.
Love and Financially Blessed Kisses
Rodney "Blessed and Not Cursed" Boyd
Friday, June 10, 2011
PRO-VERBS 10:11-12 Mouth To Mouth Resucitation.
Greetings fountains....how's life?
"The mouth is a fountain of life...but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. Hatred stirs up strife...BUT love covers a multitude/all transgressions." (Pro-Verbs 10:11-12)
Our mouths are like armpits...everyone has em...but some stink worse than others. In this Pro-Verbs there are at least 16 references to speaking...with words like mouth, babbling, lips, spread (talking slanders), tongue. The Pro-Verbist...the Father talking to the son warns and contrasts words between the righteous and the wicked.
One mouth is a fountain...with the outflow of words being a refreshing fountain of life...while in contrast...the other is a cover up of violence. The mouth...is the GREAT REVEALER. In the Ruminator Sunday School class...we often use the example of the Coffee Cup Theology.
If you shake a cup full of coffee...to the point of the coffee spilling out over the top...we pose the question..."Why did the coffee come out of the cup." Usually the answer (for those who don't know the set up)..."Because you SHOOK the cup." Of course...the answer would be..."No, coffee came out of the cup...BECAUSE...that's what WAS IN THE CUP. The shaking only revealed what was in the cup."
Our MOUTHS can reveal or conceal...BUT when the SHAKING COMES...the true content of our hearts will be revealed through our mouths, babbling, lips, tongue, etc.
When you read the "words in red"...where Jesus spoke...He speaks of the heart/treasure and mouth relationship.
"You brood of vipers, how can you being evil...SPEAK what is good? For the MOUTH SPEAKS out of that which FILLS THE HEART. The good man brings out his good treasure what is good and the evil man brings out of the evil treasure what is evil...but I tell you that every careless WORD that people SPEAK they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgement. For by your WORDS you will be justified...and by your WORDS you will be condemned." (Jesus...Matthew 12:34-37)
NOTE: The WORD that Jesus is being referred to is what the religious people were SAYING about Him (See Matthew 12:1-33 for the set up of Jesus' teaching on WORDS).
What flows from your fountain...what is revealed from your concealed mouth will be based on what you STORE IN YOU HEART. What comes out of your MOUTH...when you are SHAKEN? Do you attack/curse...or give life/bless? Do you get even or release.
"The good man out of the good treasure of his HEART brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his MOUTH SPEAKS...from that which fills his HEART." (Jesus Luke 6:45)
The WORDS of HATRED...stirs up STRIFE. I've done it...you've done it...you have seen it done. Find somebody who thinks like you think...get them together...and begin stirring up the strife. Have a pity party...castigate those who have done us wrong...rail against the system. When we are bitter, hurt, angry...our concealed words manifest themselves in V.V...aka Verbal Violence.
In contrast...BUT...LOVE (that God kind of love that is not based on us but on Him)...COVERS UP...a multitude of sins...transgressions...going beyond known limits. Jesus...our example...hanging on the cross...beaten, bloody, nails driven in hands/feet, mocked by former friends...and taunted by criminals...SPOKE..."Father forgive them...for they know not what they do."
Well...we will have more opportunity to TALK about our words and mouth in the Pro-Verbs.
Until then...let/allow LIFE to flow from your mouth.
Love and Heart Felt Kisses
Rodney "Hopefully Flowing" Boyd
"The mouth is a fountain of life...but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. Hatred stirs up strife...BUT love covers a multitude/all transgressions." (Pro-Verbs 10:11-12)
Our mouths are like armpits...everyone has em...but some stink worse than others. In this Pro-Verbs there are at least 16 references to speaking...with words like mouth, babbling, lips, spread (talking slanders), tongue. The Pro-Verbist...the Father talking to the son warns and contrasts words between the righteous and the wicked.
One mouth is a fountain...with the outflow of words being a refreshing fountain of life...while in contrast...the other is a cover up of violence. The mouth...is the GREAT REVEALER. In the Ruminator Sunday School class...we often use the example of the Coffee Cup Theology.
If you shake a cup full of coffee...to the point of the coffee spilling out over the top...we pose the question..."Why did the coffee come out of the cup." Usually the answer (for those who don't know the set up)..."Because you SHOOK the cup." Of course...the answer would be..."No, coffee came out of the cup...BECAUSE...that's what WAS IN THE CUP. The shaking only revealed what was in the cup."
Our MOUTHS can reveal or conceal...BUT when the SHAKING COMES...the true content of our hearts will be revealed through our mouths, babbling, lips, tongue, etc.
When you read the "words in red"...where Jesus spoke...He speaks of the heart/treasure and mouth relationship.
"You brood of vipers, how can you being evil...SPEAK what is good? For the MOUTH SPEAKS out of that which FILLS THE HEART. The good man brings out his good treasure what is good and the evil man brings out of the evil treasure what is evil...but I tell you that every careless WORD that people SPEAK they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgement. For by your WORDS you will be justified...and by your WORDS you will be condemned." (Jesus...Matthew 12:34-37)
NOTE: The WORD that Jesus is being referred to is what the religious people were SAYING about Him (See Matthew 12:1-33 for the set up of Jesus' teaching on WORDS).
What flows from your fountain...what is revealed from your concealed mouth will be based on what you STORE IN YOU HEART. What comes out of your MOUTH...when you are SHAKEN? Do you attack/curse...or give life/bless? Do you get even or release.
"The good man out of the good treasure of his HEART brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his MOUTH SPEAKS...from that which fills his HEART." (Jesus Luke 6:45)
The WORDS of HATRED...stirs up STRIFE. I've done it...you've done it...you have seen it done. Find somebody who thinks like you think...get them together...and begin stirring up the strife. Have a pity party...castigate those who have done us wrong...rail against the system. When we are bitter, hurt, angry...our concealed words manifest themselves in V.V...aka Verbal Violence.
In contrast...BUT...LOVE (that God kind of love that is not based on us but on Him)...COVERS UP...a multitude of sins...transgressions...going beyond known limits. Jesus...our example...hanging on the cross...beaten, bloody, nails driven in hands/feet, mocked by former friends...and taunted by criminals...SPOKE..."Father forgive them...for they know not what they do."
Well...we will have more opportunity to TALK about our words and mouth in the Pro-Verbs.
Until then...let/allow LIFE to flow from your mouth.
Love and Heart Felt Kisses
Rodney "Hopefully Flowing" Boyd
Thursday, June 9, 2011
PRO-VERBS 9:7-9: School Daze (Class In The Class)
Good morning, afternoon, evening (good whenever),
"He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself...and he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself. Do not reprove a scoffer...or he will hate you...reprove a wise man and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser...teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom...and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me your days will be multiplied...and years of life will be added to you. If you are wise for yourself. And if you scoff, you alone will bear it." (Pro-Verbs 9:7-12)
Being a teacher is hard. In class...you have some who want to be taught...some who are there in class..."in body only." In I Timothy 3:16-17...the progression of teaching is laid out:
"All Scripture is God-breathed/inspired by God...and profitable for (1) teaching [information presented] (2) reproof [a testing of knowledge of information] (3) correction [taking wrong answers and making them right] (4) training [practicing the correct information]...IN RIGHTEOUSNESS; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."
(I Timothy 3:16-17)
In karate...we are taught in class...we practice at home...we demonstrate what we have practiced back in class...and then the instructor corrects what we have demonstrated...we go back home and practice again. If we get cocky and arrogant...we resent the instructor...but if we are wise... we take the instruction...and get it right.
That's how it is in the Kingdom of God. You have got scoffers and wicked who give you dishonor and insults...and you have wise and righteous who will love you and get wiser and increase in learning.
The starting point is to fear the Lord...is the beginning of this thing called wisdom....that leads to the knowledge of the Holy One and understanding. The scoffer can't learn..and the cause and effect is...no wisdom...no knowledge...and a life alone. The wise...take instruction...and GET IT RIGHT.
This Pro-Verb reminds me of Jesus' words about handing out to dogs and swine..."Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine...or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces." (Matthew 7:6) Hmmm...sounds like the wicked scoffers.
Love and Instructing Kisses
Rodney "Trying To Get It Right" Boyd
"He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself...and he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself. Do not reprove a scoffer...or he will hate you...reprove a wise man and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser...teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom...and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me your days will be multiplied...and years of life will be added to you. If you are wise for yourself. And if you scoff, you alone will bear it." (Pro-Verbs 9:7-12)
Being a teacher is hard. In class...you have some who want to be taught...some who are there in class..."in body only." In I Timothy 3:16-17...the progression of teaching is laid out:
"All Scripture is God-breathed/inspired by God...and profitable for (1) teaching [information presented] (2) reproof [a testing of knowledge of information] (3) correction [taking wrong answers and making them right] (4) training [practicing the correct information]...IN RIGHTEOUSNESS; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."
(I Timothy 3:16-17)
In karate...we are taught in class...we practice at home...we demonstrate what we have practiced back in class...and then the instructor corrects what we have demonstrated...we go back home and practice again. If we get cocky and arrogant...we resent the instructor...but if we are wise... we take the instruction...and get it right.
That's how it is in the Kingdom of God. You have got scoffers and wicked who give you dishonor and insults...and you have wise and righteous who will love you and get wiser and increase in learning.
The starting point is to fear the Lord...is the beginning of this thing called wisdom....that leads to the knowledge of the Holy One and understanding. The scoffer can't learn..and the cause and effect is...no wisdom...no knowledge...and a life alone. The wise...take instruction...and GET IT RIGHT.
This Pro-Verb reminds me of Jesus' words about handing out to dogs and swine..."Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine...or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces." (Matthew 7:6) Hmmm...sounds like the wicked scoffers.
Love and Instructing Kisses
Rodney "Trying To Get It Right" Boyd
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
PRO-VERBS 8:10-11 Comparitivly Speaking
Greetings Desiring People...
"Take my instruction and not silver...and knowledge rather than choicest gold...for wisdom is better than jewels; and all desirable things cannot compare with her." (Pro-Verbs 8:10-11)
Psalm 8 is a picture of this thing called wisdom...personified...in the form of a female. Some say it is a picture of Christ (Psalm 8:22-31). When I read it...I think of Jesus.
Wisdom is defined here as...chokmah (khok-man)- wisdom in a good sense; skillful wisdom, wisely, wit from the word chukam (khaw-kam= to be wise (in mind, word, act), exceeding, teach wisdom.
When you COMPARE anything in this world that you desire...to WISDOM...there is NO COMPARISON. Silver, Gold, Jewels...are things that we consider to be valuable...but compared to WISDOM...compared to KNOWING JESUS...there is NO COMPARISON.
We use to sing a chorus...that we still do..."Lord...you are...more precious than silver...Lord...you are...more costly than gold...Lord you are...more beautiful than diamonds...and nothing I desire compares to you."
My pastor...Ronnie Meek...says..."It's not WHAT you know...it's WHO you know." Well...it is WISE to KNOW...Jesus...true wisdom. Not just KNOW about Him...but to KNOW Him.
Love and Knowing Kisses
Rodney "Desiring Wisdom" Boyd
"Take my instruction and not silver...and knowledge rather than choicest gold...for wisdom is better than jewels; and all desirable things cannot compare with her." (Pro-Verbs 8:10-11)
Psalm 8 is a picture of this thing called wisdom...personified...in the form of a female. Some say it is a picture of Christ (Psalm 8:22-31). When I read it...I think of Jesus.
Wisdom is defined here as...chokmah (khok-man)- wisdom in a good sense; skillful wisdom, wisely, wit from the word chukam (khaw-kam= to be wise (in mind, word, act), exceeding, teach wisdom.
When you COMPARE anything in this world that you desire...to WISDOM...there is NO COMPARISON. Silver, Gold, Jewels...are things that we consider to be valuable...but compared to WISDOM...compared to KNOWING JESUS...there is NO COMPARISON.
We use to sing a chorus...that we still do..."Lord...you are...more precious than silver...Lord...you are...more costly than gold...Lord you are...more beautiful than diamonds...and nothing I desire compares to you."
My pastor...Ronnie Meek...says..."It's not WHAT you know...it's WHO you know." Well...it is WISE to KNOW...Jesus...true wisdom. Not just KNOW about Him...but to KNOW Him.
Love and Knowing Kisses
Rodney "Desiring Wisdom" Boyd
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
PRO-VERBS 7:22 Sudden Slaughter (That Ain't So Sudden)
Greetings
"Suddenly...he follows her as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as one in fetters is the discipline of a fool." (Pro-Verbs 7:22)
SUDDENLY...implies...something happened in the twinkle of the eye...BUT...what led up to the SUDDEN SLAUGHTER...was anything but SUDDEN. Notice that the sudden slaughter...is part of DISCIPLINE of a fool. In I Timothy we are called to..."DISCIPLINE yourself...for the PURPOSE OF GODLINESS." (I Timothy 4:7) Better you discipline yourself...(control yourself) versus being left to the discipline of the cause and effect of your sin.
You can see the progression that led up to the SUDDEN moment.
PRO-VERB 7 starts of with instructions on how to KEEP you from the ADULTERESS and from the FOREIGNER who FLATTERS you with her WORD.
Once again..the son is encouraged to (1) keep my words (2) treasure my commandments within you and live (3) keep my teaching as the apple of your eye (4) bind them [words, commandments, teaching] on you fingers (5) Write them [words, commandments, teachings] on the tablet of your heart. With these things you will have wisdom as your sister and understanding as your intimate friend.
NOTE: Your relationship with the WORD...will keep you from SUDDEN SLAUGHTER brought about by the FLATTERING WORDS of the adulteress and foreigner.
The Pro-Verbist is looking our from the window of his house...through the lattice and he saw...a naive...young man...among the youths...who was LACKING SENSE (apparently not doing THE WORD).
THE PROGRESSION TO SUDDEN SLAUGHTER
1. Passing through the street NEAR her corner
He is not WITH her...just NEAR her. Her corner...is like her office. It is where she does her business. It is like getting near the edge of the river bank...just to see how close you can get before you slip into the river.
2. And he takes THE WAY to her house
Another Pro-Verbs speaks of THE WAY..."There is A WAY which seems right to a man...but it's END is the WAY OF DEATH." (Pro-Verbs 14:12; Pro-Verbs 6:25)
So...Close Encounter of the 1st kind is NEAR her corner...close encounter of the 2nd kind is THE WAY to her house. Notice he goes (1) in the twilight (2) in the evening (3) in the middle of the night (4) in the darkness.
3. And BEHOLD...a woman COMES to MEET him
Now...Close Encounter of the 3rd kind. His passing near her corner, on the way to her house... shows her the he is interested...so she COMES to MEET him.
NOTE: She is (1) dressed as a harlot (2) cunning of heart (3) boisterous (4) rebellious (5) her feet do not remain at home. This is what attracts him.
4. She is NOW (1) in the streets (2) now in the squares (3) lurks by every corner.
She is AVAILABLE. It's like going to Amsterdam...and walking through the Red Light District... where the hookers/prostitutes are in windows...advertising their goods...or bads. Find one you like...go in...pay your money...close the curtain...and SUDDEN SLAUGHTER...all legal.
5. So she SEIZES him...and KISSES him
Close Encounter of the 4th kind. He has now gone from being on the street...near her corner to...being SEIZED and KISSED.
6. And with a brazen face, she SAYS TO HIM.
Not only does she have his body grasped...and has his lips...she now has his EARS. She is talking to him. Faith comes by hearing...and so does doubt and unbelief. It all hinges on who you are listening to...THE WORD...or her words.
7. THE ADULTERESS/FOREIGNER'S FLATTERING WORDS
(a) I was due to offer peace offerings (b) Today I have paid my vows NOTE: Hmmmm... she is religious...making offerings and vows. (c) I have come out to meet you to seek your presence earnestly (d) I have found you (e) I have spread my couch with coverings and colored linens of Egypt (f) I have sprinkled my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
NOTE: She is enticing him even more...since he appears to be interested in her...with kisses, flattery, sensuality and with reassurances.
8. Come, let us drink our fill of love until morning...let us delight ourselves with caresses
The INVITATION is made. At this point...the young man can STILL avoid SUDDEN SLAUGHTER. He has a CHOICE to make.
9. For my husband is NOT AT HOME...He has gone on a long journey...he has taken a bag of money with him...at the full moon he will come home.
She now...reassures him of the safety of NOT BEING CAUGHT by her husband.
10. With her here MANY PERSUASIONS she ENTICES him; with her FLATTERING LIPS she SEDUCES HIM.
Persuasions, enticements, seductions...aka TEMPTATIONS. Remember that temptation is not designed to pull you into something (although that may be part of the process)...as much as it is designed to PULL YOU AWAY FROM WHO YOUR REALLY ARE...DIVERT YOUR ATTENTION AWAY FROM YOUR PURPOSE...YOUR DESTINY.
11. SUDDENLY...he FOLLOWS her...as an ox goes to the SLAUGHTER...or as one in FETTERS to the DISCIPLINE of a fool.
Well...as we have seen...this SLAUGHTER...was not so SUDDEN. It was a progressive letting down of the guard.
12. Until an arrow pierces through his liver...as a bird hastens to the snare...SO he DOES NOT KNOW that it will COST HIM HIS LIFE.
If you do not have your eyes opened by the WORD...and you are not walking in wisdom and understanding...you will not see the destruction coming upon you...before it is to late.
THE COST: Your life.
13. The end of this Pro-Verb...ends like it started..with encouragement to listen to WORDS.
Now therefore, my son...(1) listen to me (2) pay attention to the words of my mouth (3) do not let/allow YOUR heart turn aside to her ways (4) do not stray into her paths
14. CAUSE AND EFFECT
Here is the cause and effect of not listening to the Father's words, commandments, and teachings.
(a) For MANY are the victims she has CAST DOWN (b) and NUMEROUS are all her slain (c) her house is the WAY TO SHEOL (d) descending to the CHAMBERS OF DEATH.
"No TEMPTATION has overtaken you...but such as is COMMON to man...and GOD IS FAITHFUL...who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able...but WITH THE TEMPTATION...will provide THE WAY OF ESCAPE also...so that you will be able to ENDURE IT." (I Corinthians 10:13)
The WAY OF ESCAPE...is found in verse 14..."Therefore, my beloved...FLEE FROM IDOLATRY." (I Corinthians 10:14)
FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY
If the young man had listened to the Father...he would have ran away from the STREET NEAR HER CORNER...instead of progressively getting close and closer. For those thinking it could NEVER happen to them...take this warning from I Corinthians 10:12, "Therefore...let him who thinks he stands...take heed that he does not fall."
Love and Word Treasured Kisses
Rodney "Fleeing" Boyd
"Suddenly...he follows her as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as one in fetters is the discipline of a fool." (Pro-Verbs 7:22)
SUDDENLY...implies...something happened in the twinkle of the eye...BUT...what led up to the SUDDEN SLAUGHTER...was anything but SUDDEN. Notice that the sudden slaughter...is part of DISCIPLINE of a fool. In I Timothy we are called to..."DISCIPLINE yourself...for the PURPOSE OF GODLINESS." (I Timothy 4:7) Better you discipline yourself...(control yourself) versus being left to the discipline of the cause and effect of your sin.
You can see the progression that led up to the SUDDEN moment.
PRO-VERB 7 starts of with instructions on how to KEEP you from the ADULTERESS and from the FOREIGNER who FLATTERS you with her WORD.
Once again..the son is encouraged to (1) keep my words (2) treasure my commandments within you and live (3) keep my teaching as the apple of your eye (4) bind them [words, commandments, teaching] on you fingers (5) Write them [words, commandments, teachings] on the tablet of your heart. With these things you will have wisdom as your sister and understanding as your intimate friend.
NOTE: Your relationship with the WORD...will keep you from SUDDEN SLAUGHTER brought about by the FLATTERING WORDS of the adulteress and foreigner.
The Pro-Verbist is looking our from the window of his house...through the lattice and he saw...a naive...young man...among the youths...who was LACKING SENSE (apparently not doing THE WORD).
THE PROGRESSION TO SUDDEN SLAUGHTER
1. Passing through the street NEAR her corner
He is not WITH her...just NEAR her. Her corner...is like her office. It is where she does her business. It is like getting near the edge of the river bank...just to see how close you can get before you slip into the river.
2. And he takes THE WAY to her house
Another Pro-Verbs speaks of THE WAY..."There is A WAY which seems right to a man...but it's END is the WAY OF DEATH." (Pro-Verbs 14:12; Pro-Verbs 6:25)
So...Close Encounter of the 1st kind is NEAR her corner...close encounter of the 2nd kind is THE WAY to her house. Notice he goes (1) in the twilight (2) in the evening (3) in the middle of the night (4) in the darkness.
3. And BEHOLD...a woman COMES to MEET him
Now...Close Encounter of the 3rd kind. His passing near her corner, on the way to her house... shows her the he is interested...so she COMES to MEET him.
NOTE: She is (1) dressed as a harlot (2) cunning of heart (3) boisterous (4) rebellious (5) her feet do not remain at home. This is what attracts him.
4. She is NOW (1) in the streets (2) now in the squares (3) lurks by every corner.
She is AVAILABLE. It's like going to Amsterdam...and walking through the Red Light District... where the hookers/prostitutes are in windows...advertising their goods...or bads. Find one you like...go in...pay your money...close the curtain...and SUDDEN SLAUGHTER...all legal.
5. So she SEIZES him...and KISSES him
Close Encounter of the 4th kind. He has now gone from being on the street...near her corner to...being SEIZED and KISSED.
6. And with a brazen face, she SAYS TO HIM.
Not only does she have his body grasped...and has his lips...she now has his EARS. She is talking to him. Faith comes by hearing...and so does doubt and unbelief. It all hinges on who you are listening to...THE WORD...or her words.
7. THE ADULTERESS/FOREIGNER'S FLATTERING WORDS
(a) I was due to offer peace offerings (b) Today I have paid my vows NOTE: Hmmmm... she is religious...making offerings and vows. (c) I have come out to meet you to seek your presence earnestly (d) I have found you (e) I have spread my couch with coverings and colored linens of Egypt (f) I have sprinkled my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
NOTE: She is enticing him even more...since he appears to be interested in her...with kisses, flattery, sensuality and with reassurances.
8. Come, let us drink our fill of love until morning...let us delight ourselves with caresses
The INVITATION is made. At this point...the young man can STILL avoid SUDDEN SLAUGHTER. He has a CHOICE to make.
9. For my husband is NOT AT HOME...He has gone on a long journey...he has taken a bag of money with him...at the full moon he will come home.
She now...reassures him of the safety of NOT BEING CAUGHT by her husband.
10. With her here MANY PERSUASIONS she ENTICES him; with her FLATTERING LIPS she SEDUCES HIM.
Persuasions, enticements, seductions...aka TEMPTATIONS. Remember that temptation is not designed to pull you into something (although that may be part of the process)...as much as it is designed to PULL YOU AWAY FROM WHO YOUR REALLY ARE...DIVERT YOUR ATTENTION AWAY FROM YOUR PURPOSE...YOUR DESTINY.
11. SUDDENLY...he FOLLOWS her...as an ox goes to the SLAUGHTER...or as one in FETTERS to the DISCIPLINE of a fool.
Well...as we have seen...this SLAUGHTER...was not so SUDDEN. It was a progressive letting down of the guard.
12. Until an arrow pierces through his liver...as a bird hastens to the snare...SO he DOES NOT KNOW that it will COST HIM HIS LIFE.
If you do not have your eyes opened by the WORD...and you are not walking in wisdom and understanding...you will not see the destruction coming upon you...before it is to late.
THE COST: Your life.
13. The end of this Pro-Verb...ends like it started..with encouragement to listen to WORDS.
Now therefore, my son...(1) listen to me (2) pay attention to the words of my mouth (3) do not let/allow YOUR heart turn aside to her ways (4) do not stray into her paths
14. CAUSE AND EFFECT
Here is the cause and effect of not listening to the Father's words, commandments, and teachings.
(a) For MANY are the victims she has CAST DOWN (b) and NUMEROUS are all her slain (c) her house is the WAY TO SHEOL (d) descending to the CHAMBERS OF DEATH.
"No TEMPTATION has overtaken you...but such as is COMMON to man...and GOD IS FAITHFUL...who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able...but WITH THE TEMPTATION...will provide THE WAY OF ESCAPE also...so that you will be able to ENDURE IT." (I Corinthians 10:13)
The WAY OF ESCAPE...is found in verse 14..."Therefore, my beloved...FLEE FROM IDOLATRY." (I Corinthians 10:14)
FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY
If the young man had listened to the Father...he would have ran away from the STREET NEAR HER CORNER...instead of progressively getting close and closer. For those thinking it could NEVER happen to them...take this warning from I Corinthians 10:12, "Therefore...let him who thinks he stands...take heed that he does not fall."
Love and Word Treasured Kisses
Rodney "Fleeing" Boyd
Monday, June 6, 2011
PRO-VERBS 6:6-11 Ant Theology
Greetings and Salutations O Ye Non-Sluggards,
"Go to the ant O sluggard...observe her ways and be wise...which having no chief, officer or ruler, PREPARES her food in the summer...GATHERS her PROVISION in the HARVEST. How long will you LIE DOWN, O sluggard? When will you ARISE from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest--your POVERTY will come in like a VAGABOND and your need like an ARMED MAN." (Pro-Verbs 5:6-11)
When you are faced with a vagabond with his hand reaching out for your money...or you are faced with an armed man...robbing you of your goods...leaving you impoverished...remember... you invited them in to take your stuff. This curse called poverty...can be avoided in our lives. I am not talking about whether you are rich or poor. You can be rich or poor and be blessed...but there is a big difference in POVERTY coming in and dominating your life. Poverty is a curse and we fall into the curse mentality...and perpertrate the poverty by LAZINESS. We give up... we don't resist...we just accept our lot in life. It becomes a self-fulling prophecy in our lives.
Like Bruce Cockburn says in his song...Lovers In A Dangerous Time..."you gotta kick at the darkness until it bleeds daylight." (Lovers In A Dangerous Time).
The Pro-Verbist Father tells his son...one way to kick at the darkness of poverty..until it bleeds daylight...is to CONSIDER THE ANT.
Arising from sleep, preparation, gathering, harvest and provision are all part of telling the vagabond and armed man to get out of your life. Then when you have your provision..you can provide for others. Laziness...negates...provision. I have never seen a lazy ant...or for that matter...I've never seen an ant taking a break or sleeping (I'm sure they must...just never seen it).
Don't wait around for someone to tell you to get up...arise...prepare...gather...harvest..and become part of the soulution instead a part of the Poverty Problem.
Love and Ants In The Pants Kisses
Rodney "WAKE UP" Boyd
"Go to the ant O sluggard...observe her ways and be wise...which having no chief, officer or ruler, PREPARES her food in the summer...GATHERS her PROVISION in the HARVEST. How long will you LIE DOWN, O sluggard? When will you ARISE from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest--your POVERTY will come in like a VAGABOND and your need like an ARMED MAN." (Pro-Verbs 5:6-11)
When you are faced with a vagabond with his hand reaching out for your money...or you are faced with an armed man...robbing you of your goods...leaving you impoverished...remember... you invited them in to take your stuff. This curse called poverty...can be avoided in our lives. I am not talking about whether you are rich or poor. You can be rich or poor and be blessed...but there is a big difference in POVERTY coming in and dominating your life. Poverty is a curse and we fall into the curse mentality...and perpertrate the poverty by LAZINESS. We give up... we don't resist...we just accept our lot in life. It becomes a self-fulling prophecy in our lives.
Like Bruce Cockburn says in his song...Lovers In A Dangerous Time..."you gotta kick at the darkness until it bleeds daylight." (Lovers In A Dangerous Time).
The Pro-Verbist Father tells his son...one way to kick at the darkness of poverty..until it bleeds daylight...is to CONSIDER THE ANT.
Arising from sleep, preparation, gathering, harvest and provision are all part of telling the vagabond and armed man to get out of your life. Then when you have your provision..you can provide for others. Laziness...negates...provision. I have never seen a lazy ant...or for that matter...I've never seen an ant taking a break or sleeping (I'm sure they must...just never seen it).
Don't wait around for someone to tell you to get up...arise...prepare...gather...harvest..and become part of the soulution instead a part of the Poverty Problem.
Love and Ants In The Pants Kisses
Rodney "WAKE UP" Boyd
Sunday, June 5, 2011
PRO-VERBS 5:15-20 Water Works
Greetings Pro-Verbists...
"Drink water from your OWN cistern, and running water from your OWN well. Should your fountains be dispersed abroad, streams of water in the streets? Let them (cistern, wells, fountains, and streams/channels) be only your OWN. And not for the strangers with you. Let/allow your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with THE WIFE OF YOUR YOUTH. As a loving deer and a graceful doe. Let her breasts satisfy you at all times; and always be intoxicated with her love. For why should you, my son, be intoxicated/enraptured by an IMMORAL WOMAN and be embraced in the arms of a SEDUCTRESS?" (Pro-Verbs 5:15-20)
One of the themes that runs throughout the Pro-Verbs...is the Father's warning to the son about the immoral woman...one who tempts...pulls the son away from who he really is. If you are not on your guard...there are many things in this world...that can distract and entrap you.
Cisterns, wells, fountains, and streams represents the son's personal vitality. It must be contained and not given out to others (immoral and seducing women).
The Rolling Stones lamented..."I can't get no satisfaction." The Pro-verbists points to the satisfaction of the son's ONE wife verses that of an immoral woman or seductress. Of course... the correlation for us is...our relationship with the Lord. Why should we be intoxicated and enraptured by anyone...anything else other than our Lord.
Don't let the waters of your life...out to others and pollute your relationship with the Lord.
Love and WaterWork Kisses
Rodney "Guarded Water" Boyd
"Drink water from your OWN cistern, and running water from your OWN well. Should your fountains be dispersed abroad, streams of water in the streets? Let them (cistern, wells, fountains, and streams/channels) be only your OWN. And not for the strangers with you. Let/allow your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with THE WIFE OF YOUR YOUTH. As a loving deer and a graceful doe. Let her breasts satisfy you at all times; and always be intoxicated with her love. For why should you, my son, be intoxicated/enraptured by an IMMORAL WOMAN and be embraced in the arms of a SEDUCTRESS?" (Pro-Verbs 5:15-20)
One of the themes that runs throughout the Pro-Verbs...is the Father's warning to the son about the immoral woman...one who tempts...pulls the son away from who he really is. If you are not on your guard...there are many things in this world...that can distract and entrap you.
Cisterns, wells, fountains, and streams represents the son's personal vitality. It must be contained and not given out to others (immoral and seducing women).
The Rolling Stones lamented..."I can't get no satisfaction." The Pro-verbists points to the satisfaction of the son's ONE wife verses that of an immoral woman or seductress. Of course... the correlation for us is...our relationship with the Lord. Why should we be intoxicated and enraptured by anyone...anything else other than our Lord.
Don't let the waters of your life...out to others and pollute your relationship with the Lord.
Love and WaterWork Kisses
Rodney "Guarded Water" Boyd
Saturday, June 4, 2011
PROVERBS 4:20-27 The Doctor Is In
Hello friends...
"My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings, do not let them depart from your eyes, keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to all their flesh. keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth and put perverse lips far from you. Let you eyes look straight ahead, and you eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil." (Pro-verbs 4:20-27)
Well...we continue to see the Father give the son some sound...positive advice. Pro-Verbs is full of contrasts and cause and effect. There always seems to be...something for the son to do...or not do.
1. Give attention to my words
Words are expressed thoughts. Our heavenly Father has expressed his thoughts in the written Word...and The Word...aka Jesus. There are a lot of distractions in this world...that tries to get our eyes off of what God thinks about a matter...so we must GIVE the attention that the Word deserves.
2. Incline your ears to my sayings
Since "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17)...the noisy distractions of the devil...again...tries to distract our attention. Inclining the ear reminds me of how you cup your hand around your ear to hear better when there is a lot of noise. Lean in and listen.
3. Do not let them (words and sayings) depart from your eyes
The old saying is "out of sight...out of mind." Reading the Word daily...writing them down on cards...posting the word in prominent place where you will see them really do help keep your focus.
4. Keep them in the midst of your heart
This speaks to me of memorizing scripture...storing God's word in the treasure chest of your heart. Psalm 119:9-11 states..."How can a young man keep his way pure (cleanse his way)...by keeping it according to Your Word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh let me not wander from Your commandments! Thy Word have I HID IN MY HEART...that I might not sin against You." Of course memorization includes, reading, looking, ruminating (muttering and contemplating), writing, etc. The heart...the core...the center...the spirit (little s) plus the renewed mind is invaluable in our Holy Prescription
5. For they (words, sayings) are (1) life to those who find them AND (2) health to all their flesh
Wow...what a connection to the spiritual and the physical. But really it should be no surprise... since Isaiah 53 speaks of what He bore on the cross...for our sin and sickness...and by His stripes we were healed.
6. Keep (value/protect) your heart with all diligence
Once you find this life and health...is not the time to let your Heart Guard dow. Keep your heart...and all the things in their...with all diligence. If you get lazy...the attack will take you by surprise.
7. For out of it (your kept heart) spring the issues of life.
The heart...the core...the center...the spirit (little s/human spirit) is where the rivers of living waters flow from...springs out of...and when you don't keep it...it blocks the flow. Out of the heart...the mouth speaks. What you have stored in their through a Word renewed mind...is what will be revealed when you are shaken.
8. Put away from you a deceitful/devious mouth and put perverse lips far from you.
The responsibility of the putting...is put...on you. We are to put away...and put from. The mouth and the lips...the revealers of the heart...have to be controlled...and as James says...no man can tame them...but...we can do...as we do the Word...with the help of the Holy Spirit.
9. Let/Allow your eyes look straight ahead...and your eyelids look right before you.
In Pro-Verbs 29:18 we see that "without a vision the people perish". "Where there is no vision...revelation...prophetic vision..the people perish...cast off restrained...are unrestrained...but happy is he who keeps the law." (Pro-Verbs 29:18) If we don't let/allow our eyes and eyelids (the Vision Gate) to keep focused and not distracted looking to the left, right, or even behind us (the good old days)...we will be without restraint...just running nilly willy here there and everywhere.
10. Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established.
You ways...the path that you walk...should not just be walked on automatic pilot. There must be an established thought process...based on the road map of the Word..
11.Do not turn to the right or the left...remove your foot from evil.
The cause and effect of Path Pondering...and Way Establishment...is you can see where evil is and avoid it...and once again...the choice to remove you foot...you way...your walk from evil is in your court.
FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY
Wow...that was a long one...but I sure need it. Hopefully you were blessed. If you are reading these...make a comment...let me know if you are out there. You can also go to the Ruminator Website...and check out other stuff at http://www.ruminators.net/
Love and Pondering Kisses
Rodney "Take Two of The Word and Call Me In The Morning" Boyd
"My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings, do not let them depart from your eyes, keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to all their flesh. keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth and put perverse lips far from you. Let you eyes look straight ahead, and you eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil." (Pro-verbs 4:20-27)
Well...we continue to see the Father give the son some sound...positive advice. Pro-Verbs is full of contrasts and cause and effect. There always seems to be...something for the son to do...or not do.
1. Give attention to my words
Words are expressed thoughts. Our heavenly Father has expressed his thoughts in the written Word...and The Word...aka Jesus. There are a lot of distractions in this world...that tries to get our eyes off of what God thinks about a matter...so we must GIVE the attention that the Word deserves.
2. Incline your ears to my sayings
Since "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17)...the noisy distractions of the devil...again...tries to distract our attention. Inclining the ear reminds me of how you cup your hand around your ear to hear better when there is a lot of noise. Lean in and listen.
3. Do not let them (words and sayings) depart from your eyes
The old saying is "out of sight...out of mind." Reading the Word daily...writing them down on cards...posting the word in prominent place where you will see them really do help keep your focus.
4. Keep them in the midst of your heart
This speaks to me of memorizing scripture...storing God's word in the treasure chest of your heart. Psalm 119:9-11 states..."How can a young man keep his way pure (cleanse his way)...by keeping it according to Your Word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh let me not wander from Your commandments! Thy Word have I HID IN MY HEART...that I might not sin against You." Of course memorization includes, reading, looking, ruminating (muttering and contemplating), writing, etc. The heart...the core...the center...the spirit (little s) plus the renewed mind is invaluable in our Holy Prescription
5. For they (words, sayings) are (1) life to those who find them AND (2) health to all their flesh
Wow...what a connection to the spiritual and the physical. But really it should be no surprise... since Isaiah 53 speaks of what He bore on the cross...for our sin and sickness...and by His stripes we were healed.
6. Keep (value/protect) your heart with all diligence
Once you find this life and health...is not the time to let your Heart Guard dow. Keep your heart...and all the things in their...with all diligence. If you get lazy...the attack will take you by surprise.
7. For out of it (your kept heart) spring the issues of life.
The heart...the core...the center...the spirit (little s/human spirit) is where the rivers of living waters flow from...springs out of...and when you don't keep it...it blocks the flow. Out of the heart...the mouth speaks. What you have stored in their through a Word renewed mind...is what will be revealed when you are shaken.
8. Put away from you a deceitful/devious mouth and put perverse lips far from you.
The responsibility of the putting...is put...on you. We are to put away...and put from. The mouth and the lips...the revealers of the heart...have to be controlled...and as James says...no man can tame them...but...we can do...as we do the Word...with the help of the Holy Spirit.
9. Let/Allow your eyes look straight ahead...and your eyelids look right before you.
In Pro-Verbs 29:18 we see that "without a vision the people perish". "Where there is no vision...revelation...prophetic vision..the people perish...cast off restrained...are unrestrained...but happy is he who keeps the law." (Pro-Verbs 29:18) If we don't let/allow our eyes and eyelids (the Vision Gate) to keep focused and not distracted looking to the left, right, or even behind us (the good old days)...we will be without restraint...just running nilly willy here there and everywhere.
10. Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established.
You ways...the path that you walk...should not just be walked on automatic pilot. There must be an established thought process...based on the road map of the Word..
11.Do not turn to the right or the left...remove your foot from evil.
The cause and effect of Path Pondering...and Way Establishment...is you can see where evil is and avoid it...and once again...the choice to remove you foot...you way...your walk from evil is in your court.
FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY
Wow...that was a long one...but I sure need it. Hopefully you were blessed. If you are reading these...make a comment...let me know if you are out there. You can also go to the Ruminator Website...and check out other stuff at http://www.ruminators.net/
Love and Pondering Kisses
Rodney "Take Two of The Word and Call Me In The Morning" Boyd
Friday, June 3, 2011
PRO-VERBS 3:5-8 Healthy Flesh...Strong Bones
Greetings Human Beings...
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart...and lean not on your own understanding...in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct/make smooth or straight your baths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your FLESH...and strength to your BONES. (Pro-Verbs 3:5-8)
We are merely human beings...made up of flesh, blood and bones. In 1958 Elvis Presley made a movie...called King Creole. In the movie...he sang a song called TROUBLE. One line states..."I'm only made out...flesh, blood, and bones...so if you're gonna start a rumble...don't you try it all alone..." Well...we have a spirit (pneuma), soul (psyche), and body (soma) according to I Thessalonians 5:23.
We have a promise of health and strength to our flesh and bones...hinged on our TRUST FACTOR.
NOTE: In Pro-Verbs 4 we will look at God's Medicine Bottle.
1. TRUST in the Lord with all your heart
We are to be confident and sure in the Lord. This heart that we are to trust the Lord with...is the same heart that we are to love the Lord. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all your HEART, soul, mind, strength..." (Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27 ) This heart is more than just a blood pump...it is the core of who you are.
2. And LEAN NOT on your own understanding
Don't support yourself...prop your self up on understanding...because when you don't understand...what you are supporting, propping, and leaning on is not their...you will fall.
3. In all your ways ACKNOWLEDGE HIM
Wherever you go...is your way. Jesus said that He was THE way...THE truth...THE life...no one comes to the Father but by Him. (John 14:6) We give Him the "recognition" He deserves in wherever and whatever we do. It lets Him know that we know that we don't know.
4. And He shall DIRECT your paths
When you are going your WAY...and we don't know which way to go...He will DIRECT...point to the right way. When we are lost on twisted, rough, bumpy ways...he will direct, make smooth, make straight the way.
5. Do not be (1) wise in your own eyes (2) fear/reverence the Lord (3) depart from evil.
If you lean on His wisdom...fear, respect, show reverence to the Lord...you will DEPART from evil. If you lean on your wisdom...you will not have any respect for the Lord...and in your wisdom you will walk down the path to evil. The Lord desires to DIRECT your ways. If you thought your way was crooked and bumpy before...wait until you walk straight into evil.
6. It will be (1) health to your flesh (2) strength to your bones.
The cause and effect of doing verses 6-8 is beneficial to your physical being. It really is true that our physical health...can be affected by our spiritual health. When someone walks by SIGHT and by THINGS REVEALED TO THE SENSES...we will doubt, fear, worry, fret, etc... and that will affect our physical being.
Let's get HEALTHY and STRONG as we TRUST IN THE LORD!!!!
Love and Non-Leaning Kisses
Rodney "Acknowledging Him" Boyd
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart...and lean not on your own understanding...in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct/make smooth or straight your baths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your FLESH...and strength to your BONES. (Pro-Verbs 3:5-8)
We are merely human beings...made up of flesh, blood and bones. In 1958 Elvis Presley made a movie...called King Creole. In the movie...he sang a song called TROUBLE. One line states..."I'm only made out...flesh, blood, and bones...so if you're gonna start a rumble...don't you try it all alone..." Well...we have a spirit (pneuma), soul (psyche), and body (soma) according to I Thessalonians 5:23.
We have a promise of health and strength to our flesh and bones...hinged on our TRUST FACTOR.
NOTE: In Pro-Verbs 4 we will look at God's Medicine Bottle.
1. TRUST in the Lord with all your heart
We are to be confident and sure in the Lord. This heart that we are to trust the Lord with...is the same heart that we are to love the Lord. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all your HEART, soul, mind, strength..." (Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27 ) This heart is more than just a blood pump...it is the core of who you are.
2. And LEAN NOT on your own understanding
Don't support yourself...prop your self up on understanding...because when you don't understand...what you are supporting, propping, and leaning on is not their...you will fall.
3. In all your ways ACKNOWLEDGE HIM
Wherever you go...is your way. Jesus said that He was THE way...THE truth...THE life...no one comes to the Father but by Him. (John 14:6) We give Him the "recognition" He deserves in wherever and whatever we do. It lets Him know that we know that we don't know.
4. And He shall DIRECT your paths
When you are going your WAY...and we don't know which way to go...He will DIRECT...point to the right way. When we are lost on twisted, rough, bumpy ways...he will direct, make smooth, make straight the way.
5. Do not be (1) wise in your own eyes (2) fear/reverence the Lord (3) depart from evil.
If you lean on His wisdom...fear, respect, show reverence to the Lord...you will DEPART from evil. If you lean on your wisdom...you will not have any respect for the Lord...and in your wisdom you will walk down the path to evil. The Lord desires to DIRECT your ways. If you thought your way was crooked and bumpy before...wait until you walk straight into evil.
6. It will be (1) health to your flesh (2) strength to your bones.
The cause and effect of doing verses 6-8 is beneficial to your physical being. It really is true that our physical health...can be affected by our spiritual health. When someone walks by SIGHT and by THINGS REVEALED TO THE SENSES...we will doubt, fear, worry, fret, etc... and that will affect our physical being.
Let's get HEALTHY and STRONG as we TRUST IN THE LORD!!!!
Love and Non-Leaning Kisses
Rodney "Acknowledging Him" Boyd
Thursday, June 2, 2011
PRO-VERBS 2:1-6 From His Mouth...To Your Ear
Greetings O Ye Listeners...
"My son...IF you RECEIVE my words, and TREASURE my commands within you...so that you INCLINE your ear to wisdom...and APPLY your heart to understanding...Yes, IF you CRY OUT FOR DISCERNMENT...and LIFT UP your voice for understanding...IF you SEEK her as silver...and SEARCH for her as hidden treasures...THEN you will UNDERSTAND the fear of the Lord and FIND the knowledge of God...FOR the Lord GIVES wisdom...from His MOUTH comes knowledge and understanding." (Pro-Verbs 2:1-6)
I like this interactive...proactive way that WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE, and UNDERSTANDING comes from the Lord to us. The old saying is..."From your mouth to God's ears." This speaks of blessings or something good said to somebody. The Pro-Verbist is speaking to his son...about how God's heartbeat is for the hearer to receive knowledge and understanding. The new saying...which is really not new..."From God's Mouth...To Your Ears." After all...FAITH comes by HEARING...and HEARING by the WORD OF GOD."
(Romans 10:17)
This wisdom, knowledge and understanding...comes from God's MOUTH. Oh if only this wisdom, knowledge and understanding would just fall upon us...and we would automatically absorb them into our being...BUT...God...for some reason...has factored US into this process.
Notice the action on OUR PART:
1. Receive
2. Treasure
3. Incline
4. Apply
5. Cry out
6. Lift up
7. Seek
8. Search
The word THEN...shows the cause and effect of doing the action words...(1) you will understand the fear of the Lord (2) you will find the knowledge of God.
"From His mouth...to Your Ear."
Love and Pro-Active Kisses
Rodney "Ready, Set, Go" Boyd
"My son...IF you RECEIVE my words, and TREASURE my commands within you...so that you INCLINE your ear to wisdom...and APPLY your heart to understanding...Yes, IF you CRY OUT FOR DISCERNMENT...and LIFT UP your voice for understanding...IF you SEEK her as silver...and SEARCH for her as hidden treasures...THEN you will UNDERSTAND the fear of the Lord and FIND the knowledge of God...FOR the Lord GIVES wisdom...from His MOUTH comes knowledge and understanding." (Pro-Verbs 2:1-6)
I like this interactive...proactive way that WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE, and UNDERSTANDING comes from the Lord to us. The old saying is..."From your mouth to God's ears." This speaks of blessings or something good said to somebody. The Pro-Verbist is speaking to his son...about how God's heartbeat is for the hearer to receive knowledge and understanding. The new saying...which is really not new..."From God's Mouth...To Your Ears." After all...FAITH comes by HEARING...and HEARING by the WORD OF GOD."
(Romans 10:17)
This wisdom, knowledge and understanding...comes from God's MOUTH. Oh if only this wisdom, knowledge and understanding would just fall upon us...and we would automatically absorb them into our being...BUT...God...for some reason...has factored US into this process.
Notice the action on OUR PART:
1. Receive
2. Treasure
3. Incline
4. Apply
5. Cry out
6. Lift up
7. Seek
8. Search
The word THEN...shows the cause and effect of doing the action words...(1) you will understand the fear of the Lord (2) you will find the knowledge of God.
"From His mouth...to Your Ear."
Love and Pro-Active Kisses
Rodney "Ready, Set, Go" Boyd
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
PRO-VERBS 1:10-19 Just Say NO!!!!!!!!
Hello There...
"My son...if sinners ENTICE you...DO NOT CONSENT. If they say, COME WITH US...LET US LIE IN WAIT FOR BLOOD... LET US AMBUSH THE INNOCENT WITHOUT CAUSE.....LET US SWALLOW THEM ALIVE LIKE SHEOL, even whole, as those who shall go down to the pit; we shall find all kinds of precious wealth, we shall fill our houses with spoil; THROW IN YOUR LOT WITH US, we shall have one purse. My son...DO NOT WALK IN THE WAY WITH THEM. KEEP YOUR FEET FROM THEIR PATH...for their feet run to evil and they hasten to shed blood. Indeed, it is useless to spread the baited net in the sight of any bird, but they lie in wait for their own blood. They ambush their own lives. So are the ways of everyone who gains by violence. It takes away the life of its possessors."
(Pro-Verbs 1:10-19)
Well...there is nothing new under the sun (unless you are under the Son...where all things are new...the old things passed away..new thing have come II Corinthians 5:17)
We are all presented with the TEMPTATION to be pulled away from who we really are...and with the side affect...pulled into something.
The problem is ENTICEMENT:
1. Come with us
2. Let us lie in wait
3. Let us ambush
4. Let us swallow them
5. Throw in your lot with us
The father speaking to the son...gives wise advice.
1. Do not consent
2. Do not walk in the way with them
3. Keep your feet from their path.
Although Nancy Reagan was ridiculed for her advice to those who are presented with the opportunity to do drugs...here advice was sound...JUST SAY NO.
The ultimate reason not to consent or walk with them is:
1. They ambush their own lives
2. It takes away the life of its possessors.
This is good advice for any form of temptation by any tempter...whether it be demonic or fleshly temptation...JUST SAY NO. It really does come down to choice. Eve had a choice...Adam had a choice....all saints prior to you had a choice...and now you and me...have a choice to say NO to CURSE and YES to BLESSINGS.
Love and Choice Kisses
Rodney "Not Consenting" Boyd
"My son...if sinners ENTICE you...DO NOT CONSENT. If they say, COME WITH US...LET US LIE IN WAIT FOR BLOOD... LET US AMBUSH THE INNOCENT WITHOUT CAUSE.....LET US SWALLOW THEM ALIVE LIKE SHEOL, even whole, as those who shall go down to the pit; we shall find all kinds of precious wealth, we shall fill our houses with spoil; THROW IN YOUR LOT WITH US, we shall have one purse. My son...DO NOT WALK IN THE WAY WITH THEM. KEEP YOUR FEET FROM THEIR PATH...for their feet run to evil and they hasten to shed blood. Indeed, it is useless to spread the baited net in the sight of any bird, but they lie in wait for their own blood. They ambush their own lives. So are the ways of everyone who gains by violence. It takes away the life of its possessors."
(Pro-Verbs 1:10-19)
Well...there is nothing new under the sun (unless you are under the Son...where all things are new...the old things passed away..new thing have come II Corinthians 5:17)
We are all presented with the TEMPTATION to be pulled away from who we really are...and with the side affect...pulled into something.
The problem is ENTICEMENT:
1. Come with us
2. Let us lie in wait
3. Let us ambush
4. Let us swallow them
5. Throw in your lot with us
The father speaking to the son...gives wise advice.
1. Do not consent
2. Do not walk in the way with them
3. Keep your feet from their path.
Although Nancy Reagan was ridiculed for her advice to those who are presented with the opportunity to do drugs...here advice was sound...JUST SAY NO.
The ultimate reason not to consent or walk with them is:
1. They ambush their own lives
2. It takes away the life of its possessors.
This is good advice for any form of temptation by any tempter...whether it be demonic or fleshly temptation...JUST SAY NO. It really does come down to choice. Eve had a choice...Adam had a choice....all saints prior to you had a choice...and now you and me...have a choice to say NO to CURSE and YES to BLESSINGS.
Love and Choice Kisses
Rodney "Not Consenting" Boyd
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
PRO-VERBS 31:30 Charm and Beauty School
Greetings
"Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain...BUT a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised." (Pro-Verbs 31:30)
The natural way to go for this Pro-Verb would to write about the Pro-Verbs 31 woman...found in Pro-Verbs 31:10-31...but I chose for this time around to focus on one verse...Pro-Verbs 31:30.
CHARM/FAVOR: (1) graciousness (2) kindness (3) favor (4) pleasant (5) precious
DECEITFUL: (1) an untruth (2) a sham (3) without a cause (4) false (5) vain
BEAUTY: (1) to be bright (2) to be beautiful (3) fair
VAIN: (1) emptiness (2) something transitory and unsatisfactory (3) to lead astray
This is the capstone for all that is good about the excellent wife. In a world that is obsessed with beauty...loses sight of the inner beauty. This does not mean that you have to be ugly and charmless to be an excellent wife and woman...BUT...comparatively speaking...it is NOT what is on the outside...it is what is on the inside that counts.
FEARS: (1) morally reverent (2) afraid (3) fearful
LORD: (1) Jehovah (2) self-existent (3) eternal (4) national name of God
The old saying is..."you can't tell a book by it's cover." Charm is DECEITFUL...and beauty is VAIN...BUT ...a woman who FEARS THE LORD...she shall be PRAISED.
Well...there ya go...the root of what makes a Pro-Verbs 31 woman/wife. It is NOT her doing...that is only the outward expression of her true inward quality. Of course...with my wife, Brenda...I am blessed with both...inner and outward beauty and charm.
Love and Charming Kisses
Rodney "Living With A Pro-Verbs 31 Wife" Boyd
"Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain...BUT a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised." (Pro-Verbs 31:30)
The natural way to go for this Pro-Verb would to write about the Pro-Verbs 31 woman...found in Pro-Verbs 31:10-31...but I chose for this time around to focus on one verse...Pro-Verbs 31:30.
CHARM/FAVOR: (1) graciousness (2) kindness (3) favor (4) pleasant (5) precious
DECEITFUL: (1) an untruth (2) a sham (3) without a cause (4) false (5) vain
BEAUTY: (1) to be bright (2) to be beautiful (3) fair
VAIN: (1) emptiness (2) something transitory and unsatisfactory (3) to lead astray
This is the capstone for all that is good about the excellent wife. In a world that is obsessed with beauty...loses sight of the inner beauty. This does not mean that you have to be ugly and charmless to be an excellent wife and woman...BUT...comparatively speaking...it is NOT what is on the outside...it is what is on the inside that counts.
FEARS: (1) morally reverent (2) afraid (3) fearful
LORD: (1) Jehovah (2) self-existent (3) eternal (4) national name of God
The old saying is..."you can't tell a book by it's cover." Charm is DECEITFUL...and beauty is VAIN...BUT ...a woman who FEARS THE LORD...she shall be PRAISED.
Well...there ya go...the root of what makes a Pro-Verbs 31 woman/wife. It is NOT her doing...that is only the outward expression of her true inward quality. Of course...with my wife, Brenda...I am blessed with both...inner and outward beauty and charm.
Love and Charming Kisses
Rodney "Living With A Pro-Verbs 31 Wife" Boyd
Monday, May 30, 2011
Pro-Verbs 30:5 The Tested Word
Greetings Refuge Takers...
"Every word of God is tested...He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him." (Pro-Verbs 30:5)
The word tested means...to fuse (metal), that is, refine; to cast, pure, purged. When you have the Word from God...you can rest assured that it is PURE. When you take refuge in Him...you can be confident...that nothing will penetrate his Word.
In Pro-Verbs 18:10 we see that the NAME of the Lord is a STRONG TOWER...the righteous run into it (the name of the Lord...the Strong Tower)...and is SAFE." Well...there are hundreds of names for the Lord...each one describing his character and nature. Jehovah-Raphe means I AM THE LORD YOU HEALER. So if you are sick...you need to run into the STRONG TOWER by the NAME OF RAPHE. If you need provision...you need to run into the STRONG TOWER by the name of Jehovah-Jireh...the NAME OF PROVIDER. Of course we see In John 1:1-14 that the WORD is JESUS...so if you need salvation...you run into the STRONG TOWER by the NAME OF JESUS...THE WORD OF GOD...who was in the beginning...who was with God...who WAS GOD.
I guess you run to what you trust...but when what you trust has crumbled...because it was NOT tested...you shield of is penetrated. Our shield should be FAITH TOWARDS GOD...and HIS WORD that is TESTED and TRIED.
Love and Refuge Taking Kisses
Rodney "Trusting The Strong Tower" Boyd
"Every word of God is tested...He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him." (Pro-Verbs 30:5)
The word tested means...to fuse (metal), that is, refine; to cast, pure, purged. When you have the Word from God...you can rest assured that it is PURE. When you take refuge in Him...you can be confident...that nothing will penetrate his Word.
In Pro-Verbs 18:10 we see that the NAME of the Lord is a STRONG TOWER...the righteous run into it (the name of the Lord...the Strong Tower)...and is SAFE." Well...there are hundreds of names for the Lord...each one describing his character and nature. Jehovah-Raphe means I AM THE LORD YOU HEALER. So if you are sick...you need to run into the STRONG TOWER by the NAME OF RAPHE. If you need provision...you need to run into the STRONG TOWER by the name of Jehovah-Jireh...the NAME OF PROVIDER. Of course we see In John 1:1-14 that the WORD is JESUS...so if you need salvation...you run into the STRONG TOWER by the NAME OF JESUS...THE WORD OF GOD...who was in the beginning...who was with God...who WAS GOD.
I guess you run to what you trust...but when what you trust has crumbled...because it was NOT tested...you shield of is penetrated. Our shield should be FAITH TOWARDS GOD...and HIS WORD that is TESTED and TRIED.
Love and Refuge Taking Kisses
Rodney "Trusting The Strong Tower" Boyd
Pro-Verbs 29:20
Greetings and Salutations Oh Ye Word Speakers,
"Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him."
(Pro-Verbs 29:20)
Have you ever spoken before you thought about what you were going to say? Have you spouted off with your mouth and while you mouth was spouting you placed your foot in your mouth? Have you fired off the intentions of your heart/mind by shooting off your mouth and hurting/wounding someone? Welcome to my world.
How sobering it is...to know that a fool has more hope than me...when I speak to hastily.
In James we see the prescription for how we should be speaking..."This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be (1) quick to hear (2) SLOW TO SPEAK (3) slow to anger...for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God." (James 1:19)
When we RESTRAIN our thoughts, our Speech will follow suit...which in effect will affect our actions. In our Ruminator Sunday School Class...we always mention..."Unrestrained thoughts (what we think)...produces unrestrained words (what we say) resulting in unrestrained actions (what we do). One of the keys to our HASTY WORDS...begins with what we are thinking about, dwelling on, ruminating over and over in our minds. As we do this...we store the negative deep in our hearts...and when we are shaken...out comes hastily words...and we look like a fool. Remember in our previous readings..."A fool has said in his HEART there is no God." I realize that most of would never think or say that THERE IS NO GOD...but by the very things that we think, the very words that we hastily say and the very actions we do...we ACT as if there is NO GOD.
Start meditating on the Word of God...so that when you do speak...it will be slow and Godly speech.
Love and Non-Hasty Kisses
Rodney "I Am A Fool For Christ" Boyd
"Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him."
(Pro-Verbs 29:20)
Have you ever spoken before you thought about what you were going to say? Have you spouted off with your mouth and while you mouth was spouting you placed your foot in your mouth? Have you fired off the intentions of your heart/mind by shooting off your mouth and hurting/wounding someone? Welcome to my world.
How sobering it is...to know that a fool has more hope than me...when I speak to hastily.
In James we see the prescription for how we should be speaking..."This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be (1) quick to hear (2) SLOW TO SPEAK (3) slow to anger...for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God." (James 1:19)
When we RESTRAIN our thoughts, our Speech will follow suit...which in effect will affect our actions. In our Ruminator Sunday School Class...we always mention..."Unrestrained thoughts (what we think)...produces unrestrained words (what we say) resulting in unrestrained actions (what we do). One of the keys to our HASTY WORDS...begins with what we are thinking about, dwelling on, ruminating over and over in our minds. As we do this...we store the negative deep in our hearts...and when we are shaken...out comes hastily words...and we look like a fool. Remember in our previous readings..."A fool has said in his HEART there is no God." I realize that most of would never think or say that THERE IS NO GOD...but by the very things that we think, the very words that we hastily say and the very actions we do...we ACT as if there is NO GOD.
Start meditating on the Word of God...so that when you do speak...it will be slow and Godly speech.
Love and Non-Hasty Kisses
Rodney "I Am A Fool For Christ" Boyd
Pro-Verbs 28:25-26 The Trust Factor
Greetings Trusting People...the question is...WHOM DO YOU TRUST?
"An arrogant man stirs up strife...but he who TRUSTS IN THE LORD...will prosper. He who TRUSTS IN HIS OWN HEART is a fool...but he who walks wisely will be delivered."
(Pro-Verbs 28:25-26)
We have already seen in the previous Pro-Verbs...that "the fool has said in his own heart, there is no God." So the question for me is...I say there IS a good...but do I TRUST Him?
Whenever I find myself...stirring up strife...by my negative comments, by my resentful attitude, by my downcast countenance (look on my face)....I am manifesting...that I really DON'T trust God. In my selfish arrogance...I am stirring up strife...if not with others...at the least stirring up strife within myself...and I am acting as if I don't believe there is a God...thus acting the fool.
I find that when I don't trust God with (fill in the blank)...I am a fool...and when I trusts in the Lord...I will prosper...beyond what I can do on my own. When I trust in my OWN HEART...I am a fool...but when I walk wisely (trusting in God)...I will be delivered.
So the question remains...WHOM DO I TRUST (a) The Lord (b) my own heart. WHOM DO YOU TRUST?
Love and Trusting Kisses
Rodney "No Strife Stirred" Boyd
"An arrogant man stirs up strife...but he who TRUSTS IN THE LORD...will prosper. He who TRUSTS IN HIS OWN HEART is a fool...but he who walks wisely will be delivered."
(Pro-Verbs 28:25-26)
We have already seen in the previous Pro-Verbs...that "the fool has said in his own heart, there is no God." So the question for me is...I say there IS a good...but do I TRUST Him?
Whenever I find myself...stirring up strife...by my negative comments, by my resentful attitude, by my downcast countenance (look on my face)....I am manifesting...that I really DON'T trust God. In my selfish arrogance...I am stirring up strife...if not with others...at the least stirring up strife within myself...and I am acting as if I don't believe there is a God...thus acting the fool.
I find that when I don't trust God with (fill in the blank)...I am a fool...and when I trusts in the Lord...I will prosper...beyond what I can do on my own. When I trust in my OWN HEART...I am a fool...but when I walk wisely (trusting in God)...I will be delivered.
So the question remains...WHOM DO I TRUST (a) The Lord (b) my own heart. WHOM DO YOU TRUST?
Love and Trusting Kisses
Rodney "No Strife Stirred" Boyd
Pro-Verbs 27:1 Vaporized Plans
Good Morning, Afternoon, Evening...depending on when you are reading this. Are ya ready for tomorrow?
"Do not boast about tomorrow...for you DO NOT KNOW what a day may bring forth."
(Pro-verbs 27:1)
I knew a guy once...who was always bragging about the job that he was going to get..."tomorrow". The only problem is...it seemed like every time I say him a week or two later...he was bragging about "another" job that he was going to get tomorrow. it seemed like tomorrow never came.
Sometimes we try to speak forth "by faith" what will happen tomorrow...and instead of speaking forth "by faith" we speak for "by presumption". There really is a place for "calling things that are not as though they were" (Romans 4:17)...and to "walk by faith and not by sight" (II Corinthians 5:7)...and "believe that what he says is going to happen"...but when we try to put a time table on the invisible becoming visible "by faith"...we will be disappointed when TOMORROW COMES...and the prayer request does not. Our faith is towards an answer and not towards God.
Pro-Verbs 27:1 is underscored many years later in the book of James."Come now, you who SAY today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit. Yet you DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOUR LIFE WILL BE LIKE TOMORROW. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you OUGHT TO SAY...If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.. But as it is you BOAST in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil...THEREFORE...to one who knows the right thing to do...and does not do it...to him it is sin." (James 4:13-17)
It is not wrong to plan...but the bottom line is...the attitude of the heart. The humble heart lays the plans on the altar. The plans also includes the time frame for the answer. The bragging heart just plows ahead and states what they are going to do...what is going to happen and when the results will take place. Once again...the Pro-Verbs...shows Positive Action for our plans.
Love and Submitted Kisses
Rodney "Plans On The Altar" Boyd
"Do not boast about tomorrow...for you DO NOT KNOW what a day may bring forth."
(Pro-verbs 27:1)
I knew a guy once...who was always bragging about the job that he was going to get..."tomorrow". The only problem is...it seemed like every time I say him a week or two later...he was bragging about "another" job that he was going to get tomorrow. it seemed like tomorrow never came.
Sometimes we try to speak forth "by faith" what will happen tomorrow...and instead of speaking forth "by faith" we speak for "by presumption". There really is a place for "calling things that are not as though they were" (Romans 4:17)...and to "walk by faith and not by sight" (II Corinthians 5:7)...and "believe that what he says is going to happen"...but when we try to put a time table on the invisible becoming visible "by faith"...we will be disappointed when TOMORROW COMES...and the prayer request does not. Our faith is towards an answer and not towards God.
Pro-Verbs 27:1 is underscored many years later in the book of James."Come now, you who SAY today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit. Yet you DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOUR LIFE WILL BE LIKE TOMORROW. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you OUGHT TO SAY...If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.. But as it is you BOAST in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil...THEREFORE...to one who knows the right thing to do...and does not do it...to him it is sin." (James 4:13-17)
It is not wrong to plan...but the bottom line is...the attitude of the heart. The humble heart lays the plans on the altar. The plans also includes the time frame for the answer. The bragging heart just plows ahead and states what they are going to do...what is going to happen and when the results will take place. Once again...the Pro-Verbs...shows Positive Action for our plans.
Love and Submitted Kisses
Rodney "Plans On The Altar" Boyd
Pro-Verbs 26:4-5 To Answer Or Not To Answer
Greetings friends and neighbors...
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will also be like him. Answer a fool as his folly deserves...that he not be wise in his own eyes." (Pro-Verbs 26:4-5)
Have you ever got into a debate with a fool? Did you win that debate? The Pro-Verbs speaks a lot about fools...contrasting fools and the wise. In Psalms 14:1 and Psalm 53:1 the fool is identified..."The FOOL has said in his heart...there is no God."
This Pro-Verb almost seem contradictory when is says..."Do not answer a fool..." and then says "Answer a fool...".
It seems to mean that when you "stoop down to the fools level"...then you will be like a fool...SO don't be "acting like a fool"...but there will be times when you answer the fool so the table turns and he will not be wise in his own eyes. Sometimes the will be revealed when faced with his own foolishness.
That has happened to me before...as I was saying something that to me seemed reasonable..until someone turned the mirror on me by imitating what I said...and I saw how foolish what I just stated really sounded.
Well...on the level of someone saying within there own heart that there is NO GOD...you can't argue with that logic...but you can share the love of the One who they say does not exist...but you can't mentally debate the issue with them. Choose you battles...and love the unlovable.
Love and Non-Foolish Kisses
Rodney "Answering and Not Answering" Boyd
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will also be like him. Answer a fool as his folly deserves...that he not be wise in his own eyes." (Pro-Verbs 26:4-5)
Have you ever got into a debate with a fool? Did you win that debate? The Pro-Verbs speaks a lot about fools...contrasting fools and the wise. In Psalms 14:1 and Psalm 53:1 the fool is identified..."The FOOL has said in his heart...there is no God."
This Pro-Verb almost seem contradictory when is says..."Do not answer a fool..." and then says "Answer a fool...".
It seems to mean that when you "stoop down to the fools level"...then you will be like a fool...SO don't be "acting like a fool"...but there will be times when you answer the fool so the table turns and he will not be wise in his own eyes. Sometimes the will be revealed when faced with his own foolishness.
That has happened to me before...as I was saying something that to me seemed reasonable..until someone turned the mirror on me by imitating what I said...and I saw how foolish what I just stated really sounded.
Well...on the level of someone saying within there own heart that there is NO GOD...you can't argue with that logic...but you can share the love of the One who they say does not exist...but you can't mentally debate the issue with them. Choose you battles...and love the unlovable.
Love and Non-Foolish Kisses
Rodney "Answering and Not Answering" Boyd
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
PRO-VERBS 25:6-7 Called Up...Or Put Down
Hello all
"Do NOT exalt yourself in the presence of the king. And do not STAND in the place of the great...forit is better that he say to you...COME UP HERE...than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince...Whom your eyes have seen." (Pro-Verbs 25:6-7)
The natural tendancy is to claw your way to the top...toot your own horn...shamless self promotion...jockey for position...BUT the in the Kingdom...it is upside down to our way of thinking.
In I Peter we see...that we should "be SUBMISSIVE to one another...and be clothed with HUMILITY." (I Peter 5:5) The reason being is quoted from PRO-VERBS 3:34..."God RESISTS the PROUD...but gives GRACE to the humble." (I Peter 5:5; Pro-verbs 3:34)
I Peter 5:6 kicks off with "THEREFORE"...referring back to the previous verses..."Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God...that He may EXALT YOU IN DUE TIME/AT THE PROPER TIME." (I Peter 5:6)
This brings us back to Pro-verbs 25:6-7...we will be be lowered or elevated. If we lower ourselves...UNDER the might hand of God...we will be exalted...CALLED UP at the proper time.
Love and Humbled Kisses
Rodney "He Must Increase...I Must Decrease" Boyd
NOTE: I will be out of pocket for a few days...we will catch up on Sunday night for Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday...(The Ox Is In The Ditch)
"Do NOT exalt yourself in the presence of the king. And do not STAND in the place of the great...forit is better that he say to you...COME UP HERE...than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince...Whom your eyes have seen." (Pro-Verbs 25:6-7)
The natural tendancy is to claw your way to the top...toot your own horn...shamless self promotion...jockey for position...BUT the in the Kingdom...it is upside down to our way of thinking.
In I Peter we see...that we should "be SUBMISSIVE to one another...and be clothed with HUMILITY." (I Peter 5:5) The reason being is quoted from PRO-VERBS 3:34..."God RESISTS the PROUD...but gives GRACE to the humble." (I Peter 5:5; Pro-verbs 3:34)
I Peter 5:6 kicks off with "THEREFORE"...referring back to the previous verses..."Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God...that He may EXALT YOU IN DUE TIME/AT THE PROPER TIME." (I Peter 5:6)
This brings us back to Pro-verbs 25:6-7...we will be be lowered or elevated. If we lower ourselves...UNDER the might hand of God...we will be exalted...CALLED UP at the proper time.
Love and Humbled Kisses
Rodney "He Must Increase...I Must Decrease" Boyd
NOTE: I will be out of pocket for a few days...we will catch up on Sunday night for Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday...(The Ox Is In The Ditch)
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
PRO-VERBS 24:17-18 Fallen Enemies
Greetings Saints...
"Do not rejoice when your enemy falls. And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him...and He turn away his wrath from him."
(Pro-Verbs 24:17-18)
There is just something about those who do you and others wrong...getting what they deserve. Some call it the principle of karma...what goes around comes around, sowing and reaping, right wins out. And when it finally comes around...don't you feel so glad that justice has prevailed.... there is a certain amount of...pointing of the finger and saying..TAKE THAT!
Recently...the perpetrator of the 911 murders...where thousands of Americans lives were snuffed out with two large planes slammed into the Twin Towers back in 2001...was found in 2011...and shot and killed. Rejoicing began to go around the world in like the wave of a tsunami...with dancing in the streets. I joined...in...as "Ding Dong the witch is dead" was being sung.
The balance is found within Pro-Verbs...that Jesus would share in the Gospels...and what Paul would underscore in "The Love Chapter...I Corinthians 13". "Love...does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in truth."
When we see some one fall...sin..make mistakes...stumble...we tend to want to shoot the wounded...but if we control our hearts...we could act accordingly.
"Brethren, if a man is overtaken in ANY trespass...you who are SSPIRITUAL...restore such a one in a SPIRIT OF GENTLENESS...considering yourself lest you also be tempted." (Galatians 6:1)
"Revenge may be sweet...but it can turn bitter quickly...so temper it with forgiveness." This does not mean that we deny...that people sow...people reap...people get what they deserve...but to rejoice and be glad as another soul falls...is not a reflection of Jesus on the cross...as he utters with his closing breaths..."Father...forgive them...for they do not know what they are doing."
Love and Forgiving Kisses
Rodney "Forgive Me Lord As I Have Forgiven Others" Boyd
"Do not rejoice when your enemy falls. And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him...and He turn away his wrath from him."
(Pro-Verbs 24:17-18)
There is just something about those who do you and others wrong...getting what they deserve. Some call it the principle of karma...what goes around comes around, sowing and reaping, right wins out. And when it finally comes around...don't you feel so glad that justice has prevailed.... there is a certain amount of...pointing of the finger and saying..TAKE THAT!
Recently...the perpetrator of the 911 murders...where thousands of Americans lives were snuffed out with two large planes slammed into the Twin Towers back in 2001...was found in 2011...and shot and killed. Rejoicing began to go around the world in like the wave of a tsunami...with dancing in the streets. I joined...in...as "Ding Dong the witch is dead" was being sung.
The balance is found within Pro-Verbs...that Jesus would share in the Gospels...and what Paul would underscore in "The Love Chapter...I Corinthians 13". "Love...does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in truth."
When we see some one fall...sin..make mistakes...stumble...we tend to want to shoot the wounded...but if we control our hearts...we could act accordingly.
"Brethren, if a man is overtaken in ANY trespass...you who are SSPIRITUAL...restore such a one in a SPIRIT OF GENTLENESS...considering yourself lest you also be tempted." (Galatians 6:1)
"Revenge may be sweet...but it can turn bitter quickly...so temper it with forgiveness." This does not mean that we deny...that people sow...people reap...people get what they deserve...but to rejoice and be glad as another soul falls...is not a reflection of Jesus on the cross...as he utters with his closing breaths..."Father...forgive them...for they do not know what they are doing."
Love and Forgiving Kisses
Rodney "Forgive Me Lord As I Have Forgiven Others" Boyd
PRO-VERBS 23:12 Practical Application
Greetings
"Apply your heart to instruction...and your ears to words of knowledge." (Pro-Verbs 23:12)
You can hear how to do something all day long...but if you never apply it..."it" won't get done.
When I give one of my patients some task to do between when I showed them...and when I return for another session...I tell them..."If you don't work "it"..."it" won't work. When I come back and ask them if they had practiced what I showed them...sometimes they say, "no...I haven't had time." Of course...that is just an excuse...because...they don't leave home...they watch television all day long...they sleep...they eat...BUT...they have not had time to practice. As Sensei Bill Taylor (my karate instructor) has stated many times...you can read about karate in books but you must do karate.
So it is with PRO-VERBS...you can hear about them...you can read them...you can even believe in them...but until you LISTEN and APPLY...you will never experience the power of positive words.
Love and Applied Kisses
Rodney "Practice Makes Perfect" Boyd
"Apply your heart to instruction...and your ears to words of knowledge." (Pro-Verbs 23:12)
You can hear how to do something all day long...but if you never apply it..."it" won't get done.
When I give one of my patients some task to do between when I showed them...and when I return for another session...I tell them..."If you don't work "it"..."it" won't work. When I come back and ask them if they had practiced what I showed them...sometimes they say, "no...I haven't had time." Of course...that is just an excuse...because...they don't leave home...they watch television all day long...they sleep...they eat...BUT...they have not had time to practice. As Sensei Bill Taylor (my karate instructor) has stated many times...you can read about karate in books but you must do karate.
So it is with PRO-VERBS...you can hear about them...you can read them...you can even believe in them...but until you LISTEN and APPLY...you will never experience the power of positive words.
Love and Applied Kisses
Rodney "Practice Makes Perfect" Boyd
Sunday, May 22, 2011
PRO-VERBS 22:1 The Name Game
Greetings (fill in the blank with your name)...
"A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." (Pro-Verbs 22:1)
Years ago...I looked up my name in the dictionary, and I mistakenly read that my name meant "bum". I was devastated. I went home...and asked my mom why she named me what she named me. She told me that she liked the sound of the name. Well...I later found out that I was looking in the wrong place...and that my name meant..."famous one".
Wow...what a difference. One meaning made me feel inferior...the other...lifted me up. Well a GOOD NAME really is desirable. Your name...is representative of WHO YOU ARE. When someone hears your name...what do they think? Well...what they think...is usually rooted in your consistent behaviour over a period of time.
The group Dogwood (with Steve and Annie Chapman and Ron Elder)...sang a song off of their first album AFTER THE FLOOD, BEFORE THE FIRE...called..."Remember Whose Child You Are". When my son goes out...I remind him to "act like he's somebody." What he does...how he acts reflects on who he is...and who his mom and dad are. And most important...our name reflects other people's perception of who and what Christians are...followers of Jesus.
A GOOD NAME truly is more desirable than great riches, and to be esteemed is better than silver and gold.
Jesus (God is Salvation)...Immanuel (God with us)...is the NAME above all names. If you are a true believer in the death, burial, resurrection of Jesus the Christ...HIS NAME is above your name. I am not a BUM...or FAMOUS ONE...but my name is superseded by the name of JESUS.
Love and Named Kisses
Rodney "Remembering Whose Child I Am" Boyd
"A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." (Pro-Verbs 22:1)
Years ago...I looked up my name in the dictionary, and I mistakenly read that my name meant "bum". I was devastated. I went home...and asked my mom why she named me what she named me. She told me that she liked the sound of the name. Well...I later found out that I was looking in the wrong place...and that my name meant..."famous one".
Wow...what a difference. One meaning made me feel inferior...the other...lifted me up. Well a GOOD NAME really is desirable. Your name...is representative of WHO YOU ARE. When someone hears your name...what do they think? Well...what they think...is usually rooted in your consistent behaviour over a period of time.
The group Dogwood (with Steve and Annie Chapman and Ron Elder)...sang a song off of their first album AFTER THE FLOOD, BEFORE THE FIRE...called..."Remember Whose Child You Are". When my son goes out...I remind him to "act like he's somebody." What he does...how he acts reflects on who he is...and who his mom and dad are. And most important...our name reflects other people's perception of who and what Christians are...followers of Jesus.
A GOOD NAME truly is more desirable than great riches, and to be esteemed is better than silver and gold.
Jesus (God is Salvation)...Immanuel (God with us)...is the NAME above all names. If you are a true believer in the death, burial, resurrection of Jesus the Christ...HIS NAME is above your name. I am not a BUM...or FAMOUS ONE...but my name is superseded by the name of JESUS.
Love and Named Kisses
Rodney "Remembering Whose Child I Am" Boyd
Saturday, May 21, 2011
PRO-VERBS 21:2-3
Greetings and Salutations Wisdom Seekers
Today...is the 21st of the month of May...thus...we will be ruminating from The Book of Pro-Verbs...chapter...21.
"All a man's ways seem right to him...but the Lord weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord...than sacrifice." (Pro-Verbs 21:2-3)
I know...that in my mind...I am right...you are wrong. It just seems so right for me to act and feel the way that I do. After all..."it's all about ME baby...all about me." As a follower of Jesus... it can't be all about me...it is yielding my will to Him. When I willingly place MY WAY...on the scales of the Lord...there may (usually) needs to be an adjustment on my side of the scales. My heart is leaning heavily to what I want...not what God wants. Frankie and Elvis...did it "THEIR WAY"...and we see how that turned out.
I can do all the "religious stuff" to try to justify why I do what I do...but IF I "do what is right"... the Lord finds this more acceptable...than any sacrifice that I try to bring to the scales.
Lord...I pray that as you weigh my heart...that you will find it leaning heavily towards your will for my life...rather than what I want.
Love and Weighed Heart Kisses
Rodney "It's All About Him Baby...All About Him" Boyd
Today...is the 21st of the month of May...thus...we will be ruminating from The Book of Pro-Verbs...chapter...21.
"All a man's ways seem right to him...but the Lord weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord...than sacrifice." (Pro-Verbs 21:2-3)
I know...that in my mind...I am right...you are wrong. It just seems so right for me to act and feel the way that I do. After all..."it's all about ME baby...all about me." As a follower of Jesus... it can't be all about me...it is yielding my will to Him. When I willingly place MY WAY...on the scales of the Lord...there may (usually) needs to be an adjustment on my side of the scales. My heart is leaning heavily to what I want...not what God wants. Frankie and Elvis...did it "THEIR WAY"...and we see how that turned out.
I can do all the "religious stuff" to try to justify why I do what I do...but IF I "do what is right"... the Lord finds this more acceptable...than any sacrifice that I try to bring to the scales.
Lord...I pray that as you weigh my heart...that you will find it leaning heavily towards your will for my life...rather than what I want.
Love and Weighed Heart Kisses
Rodney "It's All About Him Baby...All About Him" Boyd
The Art Of Positive Action
Welcome to one and all...who are tired of all of the negative talk and the negative action in this world that we live in...on the third rock from the sun...aka planet Earth. We need some guidance towards some Positive Action. Well...that's what this blog is dedicated to...the Handbook on Positive Action...the book of Pro-Verbs.
Pro-Verbs...the 2oth book in the Old Testament...is the ultimate book on Positive-Action.
The word "proverbs" in the Hebrew is "mashal"...pronounced "maw-shawl"...which means superiority in mental action, usually of a metaphorical nature, hence a simile (as an adage, poem, discourse); byword, like, parable, proverb.
There is a saying that we refer to in the Ruminator Sunday School Class..."Unrestrained thoughts (what we think), produces unrestrained words (what we say), resulting in unrestrained actions (what we do). Depending on WHAT we are thinking...will determine our "superiority in mental action"...which will result in either PRO-ACTION...or NEGATIVE-ACTION.
The Book of Pro-Verbs has 31 chapters...and work nicely for daily readings...31 chapters for 31 days in a month. If you add 5 chapters of Psalms...you will have also read 150 Psalms in a month. When you combine Positive-Action with Praise...LOOK OUT!!!
The Book of Pro-Verbs was written primarily by the King of Israel...the son of David...Kind Solomon...a wise man. It was written in the form of a Father's advice to his son....warning his son, encouraging his son, and pointing his son to the Lord. As an earthly dad...I relate and appreciate this format. When Solomon was given the privilege of asking for whatever he wanted the Lord to give him...Solomon asked for a "discerning heart"...wisdom...and the Lord gave that to him.
"The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him... Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I WILL DO WHAT YOU HAVE ASKED. I will give you a WISE and DISCERNING HEART..so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be." (I Kings 3:10-12) This WISE and DISCERNING HEART is truly manifested in The Book Of Pro-Verbs. (Read I Kings 3:1-28 for full details of this interaction).
In Pro-Verbs 1:2-7...Solomon lays out to his son...and us...the BENEFITS of The Book Of
PRO-VERBS.
1. Attaining wisdom
2. Attaining discipline
3. Understanding words of insight
4. Acquiring a disciplined and prudent life
5. Doing what is right and just and fair
6. Giving prudence to the simple
7. Giving knowledge to the young
8. Giving discretion to the young
9. The wise can listen and add to their learning
10. The discerning can get guidance
11. Ability to understand proverbs, parables, sayings, and riddles of the wise.
WOW!!! Think how we could live...if we began to think...speak...and do with all of these things in our minds, mouth and actions.
Well...at the BEGINNING of PRO-VERBS...we find the BEGINNING OF KNOWLEDGE.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge..." (Pro-Verbs 1:7)
We also see who will not accept this wisdom and discipline found in the beginning of knowledge...found in the fear of the Lord.
"...but fools despise wisdom and discipline."
The wise and fools will be spoken to as we read through the Book of Pro-Verbs...the question is...which one will you be?
So...we will begin to post thoughts and ruminations based on the daily reading of The Book Of Pro-Verbs each day. We will choose a thought or theme...and chew on them daily...leaving much more to munch on when the cycle of 31 days is completed...and we can start again, gleaning something new. I hope you will be challenged, encouraged, exhorted and lifted up... to LIVE A LIFE OF POSITIVE-ACTION.
Love and Positive-Action Kisses
Rodney "Lord I Wanna Be Wise" Boyd
Pro-Verbs...the 2oth book in the Old Testament...is the ultimate book on Positive-Action.
The word "proverbs" in the Hebrew is "mashal"...pronounced "maw-shawl"...which means superiority in mental action, usually of a metaphorical nature, hence a simile (as an adage, poem, discourse); byword, like, parable, proverb.
There is a saying that we refer to in the Ruminator Sunday School Class..."Unrestrained thoughts (what we think), produces unrestrained words (what we say), resulting in unrestrained actions (what we do). Depending on WHAT we are thinking...will determine our "superiority in mental action"...which will result in either PRO-ACTION...or NEGATIVE-ACTION.
The Book of Pro-Verbs has 31 chapters...and work nicely for daily readings...31 chapters for 31 days in a month. If you add 5 chapters of Psalms...you will have also read 150 Psalms in a month. When you combine Positive-Action with Praise...LOOK OUT!!!
The Book of Pro-Verbs was written primarily by the King of Israel...the son of David...Kind Solomon...a wise man. It was written in the form of a Father's advice to his son....warning his son, encouraging his son, and pointing his son to the Lord. As an earthly dad...I relate and appreciate this format. When Solomon was given the privilege of asking for whatever he wanted the Lord to give him...Solomon asked for a "discerning heart"...wisdom...and the Lord gave that to him.
"The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him... Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I WILL DO WHAT YOU HAVE ASKED. I will give you a WISE and DISCERNING HEART..so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be." (I Kings 3:10-12) This WISE and DISCERNING HEART is truly manifested in The Book Of Pro-Verbs. (Read I Kings 3:1-28 for full details of this interaction).
In Pro-Verbs 1:2-7...Solomon lays out to his son...and us...the BENEFITS of The Book Of
PRO-VERBS.
1. Attaining wisdom
2. Attaining discipline
3. Understanding words of insight
4. Acquiring a disciplined and prudent life
5. Doing what is right and just and fair
6. Giving prudence to the simple
7. Giving knowledge to the young
8. Giving discretion to the young
9. The wise can listen and add to their learning
10. The discerning can get guidance
11. Ability to understand proverbs, parables, sayings, and riddles of the wise.
WOW!!! Think how we could live...if we began to think...speak...and do with all of these things in our minds, mouth and actions.
Well...at the BEGINNING of PRO-VERBS...we find the BEGINNING OF KNOWLEDGE.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge..." (Pro-Verbs 1:7)
We also see who will not accept this wisdom and discipline found in the beginning of knowledge...found in the fear of the Lord.
"...but fools despise wisdom and discipline."
The wise and fools will be spoken to as we read through the Book of Pro-Verbs...the question is...which one will you be?
So...we will begin to post thoughts and ruminations based on the daily reading of The Book Of Pro-Verbs each day. We will choose a thought or theme...and chew on them daily...leaving much more to munch on when the cycle of 31 days is completed...and we can start again, gleaning something new. I hope you will be challenged, encouraged, exhorted and lifted up... to LIVE A LIFE OF POSITIVE-ACTION.
Love and Positive-Action Kisses
Rodney "Lord I Wanna Be Wise" Boyd
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