Day 20: Your Workplace.

Today we are reading Proverbs 20 and Psalm chapters 96-100. Before starting, ask God to help you apply his word to an area of your life that might need it.

-Read Scripture-

One of the reasons I love Proverbs is because they are general rules of wisdom that can be applied in all aspects of your life. It doesn't matter how old you are, or where you are in your life's journey, they are applicable to everyone.

Today I would like to look at Proverbs 20 through the lens of the workplace. Wether you are a business owner, boss, or employee, most of these proverbs can help you. They can not only help guide you to being a better Christ-follower in the workplace, but can actually help you succeed at your job and at what you do.

1. Proverbs 20:3 We have already addressed picking fights in an earlier study, but now think of it in terms of your workplace. (Side note: there is a difference of avoiding fights and avoiding confrontation; there is a need to address certain tensions, just in a constructive and healthy way.)

2. Proverbs 20:4 Don't procrastinate. (Another one of my personal struggles.) The key I want you to notice in this verse is that there are always consequences for procrastination. Lazy planting, no harvest.

3. Proverbs 20:6 True loyalty is rare, so if you are loyal, you will be valued. Loyalty breads loyalty. If you are loyal to someone, most times they can't help but reciprocate. This makes for a safe and healthy workplace. (I have seen this play out in both scenarios.)

4. Proverbs 20:10 & 23 This is huge because God comes right out and tells us how he feels about this, twice. We are not to take advantage or steal from people, whether they are our boss, employees, or out customers. Always be fair and up front.

5. Proverbs 20:13 This one is dangerous because it feeds into other issues, such as laziness and procrastination. The most important thing here to me is the attitude towards sleep. "Fall in love with sleep," or "be fond of sleep". I used to struggle with this principle big time. I used to love nothing more than sleeping in. We have to use sleep for what it is meant for, recharging your body to function as it is supposed to. Don't rely on it or make it something that it is not.

6. Proverbs 20:14 Don't take advantage of people. This goes along with number 4. Always be fair and up front. It's okay to get good deals and bargains, but let it be on the sellers terms, don't lie or cheat your way to one.

7. Proverbs 20:16 Be careful/wise who you lend to. Other verses in Proverbs encourages you to "give" to those in trouble or in need rather than "loan." I think that is a great principle when it comes to helping a friend or family member out of financial troubles.

8. Proverbs 20:18 Self explanatory and completely necessary. Always seek counsel before making any large decision and always counsel with people you trust and admire.

9. Proverbs 20:24 Rely on God for your path. I do not look at myself as a business owner, I look at myself as a business steward. No matter what work you are in, you can filter your decision making and actions through this verse. We should filter our entire lives through this verse.

Today, ask God to help you implement one or more of these proverbs principles into your job or workplace. And as you go about your day, keep your eyes open to see where these principles are applicable. I know that this is a lot of material, but I truly believe that how we handle our workplaces and how we conduct ourself in our jobs are one of the largest opportunities we have to show Jesus. And proverbs sets us up to win, so let's start applying!

Day 17: I pity da fool!

Today we are reading Proverbs 17 and Psalm chapters 81-85. Before you read today, ask God to speak to you. Claim Psalm 81:5, "I hear this most gentle whisper from One, I never guessed would speak to me." The Message version.

-Read Scripture-

I don't know about you, but when I read the Proverbs, I tend to pay special attention to the characteristics of the wise. After all, that is the goal right? We are striving to be and learn to be wise. But the truth is, we can learn a lot from the characteristics of the fool. It can be an indication or a red flag that we are on a wrong path. Those proverbs show us our weaknesses and exactly what we need to work on, so we shouldn't glide past them with out taking some time to address them. It's easy to just strive to be wise, we will always be doing that. It's much harder to face your foolishness. And unless we do that, we will not make it very far down wisdom's road.

So I think it's time we face our foolishness and ask ourselves some VERY hard questions. Because once we recognize when and where we tend to be foolish, we can begin to change and replace those tendencies with wisdom.

(I know it's a funny pic, and I couldn't help myself. But, I'd go ahead and get all your laughing out of the way because we's about to get serious!)

Proverbs Top Seven List: 

You might be a fool if...

1. You perk up when you hear gossip. (Proverbs 17:4) Are you ever in a conversation, half paying attention and then your friend mentions your mutual friend who is going through a rough time and you jump back in the conversation full force? Do you "itch" to know what's going on with a situation even though you are not involved? Confession: This is one of my big fool indicators :(

2. You make fun of or tease the less fortunate. (Proverbs 17:5) Do you make fun of your friend's beater car behind their back? Have you ever quit hanging out with someone because you started making more money than them? Do you secretly feel that people who have less are worth less or are inferior?

3. You celebrate another's misfortune. (Proverbs 17:5) This is the one that no one wants to admit, but look within. Do you secretly celebrate when a friend fails? Are you relieved when once, he didn't get that promotion? Or have you ever hoped someone wouldn't be able to achieve something because you couldn't? I am, ashamedly, guilty of this.

4. You repeatedly recall other's past mistakes. (Proverbs 17:9) Do you have trouble letting things go? Even if you don't bring it to that person's attention, do you keep recalling those mistakes in your heart and mind? Do you keep using those past failures to keep your friend/sibling/spouse in check?

5. You pick fights, or enjoy fighting with others. (Proverbs 17:9) This one is harder to see in yourself. Only because when you are fighting with someone, you are right and the other person is wrong! We want to blame the other person for the fight because, after all, they are the wrong one. But if you tend to get in fights often with your family and friends, chances are YOU are the common denominator.

6. You accept bribes or ignore injustice. (Proverbs 17:23) This doesn't have to be the traditional "money under the table" bribe. It could be as simple as looking the other way when you knew something bad was going down. Do you ignore injustices and wrong doing to maintain your status?

7. The glass is always half empty. (Proverbs 17:22) Do you always fear the worst? Do you always see the negative of the situation? Do you bring joy into an environment or do you drain it? Most people wouldn't associate this characteristic with being a fool, but robbing yourself and those around you of joy is most definitely a foolish way to live!

These are some hard questions. If we are honest with ourselves and take a hard look in the mirror, we see where we are a fool. You are foolish, and I am most certainly foolish. But the good news is that once we see it, it becomes easier to recognize and easier to eliminate those tendencies. Once a flaw is exposed, it is hard to ignore!

I've grown a lot this year by learning and recognizing some pretty deep flaws of my own. And I pray that God continues to reveal my weaknesses so I can begin to work on them and grow. So that slowly, I can become more like my master, Jesus.

I pray this for you as well. That we not be content to sit on our flaws and foolish tendencies or accept them as just "the way we are" or "the way we were made." Bull honky. Jesus has called you to be more than that. He has called us to be like him, and that will take us a lifetime. Let's start today by answering these hard questions and taking a hard look in the mirror. Ask God to expose all the foolishness. Then, together, let's ask him to begin to change us!

Day 10: Vow of Silence.

Today we are reading Proverbs chapter 10 and Psalm chapters 46-50. Before you read today, ask God to speak to you through his word, and to open your eyes and ears to see and hear it!

-Read Scripture-

One day several years ago, my friend Tara and I decided to spend a day at a monastery in central Georgia. We wanted to attend the 7am mass, so we woke up at 5am to drive down there. I'll never forget that day. The sound of the monk's singing echoing through the cathedral, the sweet smile a nun gave me when she noticed my pink hair, eating with the monks in silence, sitting outside under the giant oak tree while reading the bible all afternoon. It was so quiet. It was a day full of quiet reverence. (And for those of you who know both Tara and myself, you know that quiet doesn't come naturally to us!) It was a struggle for us to keep quiet and silent, at first. Then it became easier. Then it became enjoyable. It was a beautiful day that I'll remember for a very very long time. But the biggest thing that I learned about myself is that I found relief in the quiet.

(If you want to learn more about the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers, visit here http://www.trappist.net/)

Now I've read Proverbs many times at this point, and if someone asked me to boil wisdom down into the most practical steps I could, I would tell them to live a disciplined life and to measure their words. Today, we are going to be focusing on measuring our words. Why this one? Quite frankly, because I struggle with this more than anything, and if it's a huge part of being wise, then I need to figure it out!

Our key verse for today is Proverbs 10:19, and I'm going to include all of the different versions I read through so as to include everyone! Plus, I love the way they are all worded.

"In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise." NKJ

"Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues." TNIV

"When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips are prudent." ESV

"The more talk, the less truth; the wise measure their words." The Message

"The more you talk, the more likely you will cross the line and say the wrong thing; but if you are wise, you'll speak less and with restraint." The Voice

There is absolutely nothing I can add to those verses. So I'll measure my words. ;) Words are powerful and they can build or destroy. They should be measured and handled with care. This is where my prayer for a selfless mouth comes into play. And I'm telling you, I struggle with this SO much. I can't tell you how many times I've wished I'd just shut my mouth, how many times I have regretted my words. I know the less I "chatter" the less likely I hurt someone's feelings, or gossip, or lie, or simply miss an opportunity to hear someone else. The less I speak the more I can hear you, the more I can listen to the needs of those around me.

Most of all, the less I speak, the easier it is to hear God. I love Psalm 50 because God speaks to us directly. If the author hadn't taken the time to listen we wouldn't have been able to read those words. We would have missed it.

When we pray to God, WE are talking. Praying is only half the equation. You've got to allow the silence to hear what God has to say. Next time you pray, allow the silence, allow yourself to hear him. Don't just fill the air with "chatter", allow God to fill it, if he so chooses to.

Abba, give us selfless mouths. Quick to listen, slow to speak and only speaking truth in love. Give us clear minds to remember and recall this very important truth in those times we find our mouths out of control. Help us to forgive those who have hurt us with words, help us realize that this is something we ALL struggle with. Thank you for the Holy Spirit who leads, guides, and directs us. May we honor and glorify you in all we say and do today and the rest of the week.

Amen

Day 7: Asking for directions...

Today we are reading Proverbs 7 and Psalm chapters 31-35. Ask God to prepare your heart to receive his truth today; because today, he definitely has a truth he wants to share with you. :)

-Read Scriptures-

Before I even opened the bibles and notebooks this morning to begin writing, God gave me a word during my personal journaling time. I pray a ton for my business. I pray for God's favor, wisdom, direction, and guidance.  I want my decisions with COLORS to glorify God and his will, so he gave me some encouragement. It wasn't until I opened my notebooks to write today's study, that I realized it was for you as well!

I love in Proverbs 7 how Solomon gives us a clear picture of how temptation works. Seducing and deceiving. The young man, "had no clue his life was at stake; everything was about to change." Proverbs 7:23 The Voice.  He had no clue. Isn't that the way it usually works. Temptation never announces itself, and that it's intention is to destroy us. There is no warning is there? But there is, and we just got it.

I tend to look at life as a journey, and through this journey we have opportunities to take different roads or paths. When I pray or read the bible, this principle is constantly used. "...and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:6 "...narrow the road that leads to life." Matthew 7:14 I could go on and on and translation after translation uses these words to describe life and our decision making.
Therefore when I pray, I tend to use this vernacular: lead, guide, and direct me.

So here is the encouragement that I received this particular morning, and I believe that it's extremely relevant to our study.

"IF YOU KEEP SEEKING AFTER ME, WHOLE-HEARTILY, YOU WILL STAY ON MY COURSE. YOU CAN'T STRAY TOO FAR OFF A PATH IF YOU'RE CHECKING YOUR LOCATION EVERYDAY.  EVERY TIME WE SPEND TIME TOGETHER, IT'S A HEART CHECK, IT'S A CHARACTER CHECK. IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO GET LOST IF YOU STOP.  IT'S THE PEOPLE WHO KEEP GOING, EVEN WHEN THEY ARE UNSURE, WHO GET LOST. IF UNSURE, STOP AND ASK FOR GUIDANCE. YOU'LL NEVER REGRET THAT. I PROMISE. I AM HERE FOR YOU ALWAYS." ABBA

He is SO right. I have never regretted stopping and asking for directions. You either realize you are heading the wrong way, or you get confirmation that you were heading in the right direction! And in life, I have never regretted pausing and having a heart check.

What if the young man in Proverbs had stopped and asked someone? If he had more information, would he have made a different decision? Imagine how many less bad decisions we would make if we were checking the status of our heart and character every single day? THAT is why this is so important. God promises us, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you." Psalm 32:8 TNIV 

We have all we need to succeed in this life.  Let us not be clueless, like the young man in Proverbs.

Todays application: Simply stop and ask God for directions and see what he reveals to you.

Day 4: The cost of Freedom

Today we are reading Proverbs chapter 4 and Psalm chapters 16-20. Before beginning, ask God to open your eyes and ears to the scriptures we are reading today, ask him to give you fresh perpective and application from his word.

-Read Scriptures-

On the heals of yesterday's study, we are continuing today with our nature to rebel and the importance of fighting that human urge. Our parents teach us everything from how to tie our shoes, to our moral foundation. They have the responsibility to put us on the right path, the path of wisdom. Why is it in our nature to rebel against them?

Proverbs chapter 4 approaches us as a parent would approach their hard-headed child, with wisdom and a warning. I personally feel that every teenager should be required to read and memorize chapter 4 when they turn 13! I think if kids (and adults alike), took these scriptures to heart, it would be instrumental in avoiding much regret and heartache.

Just like our parents do their best to, God actually gives us the opportunity for the most amazing life full of joy and contentment. an inheritance beyond anything we can fathom.

"Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. " Psalm 16:5-6  (TNIV)

The problem is that it requires submission to receive this inheritance, and submission is NOT popular in our society. Adolescents and adults alike rebel against God's authority under the banners of progressivism, liberalism, science, and freedom. (All of these things are good, but many use them as reasons NOT to submit to God's authority.) The truth is, the ONLY freedom that is actually FREE is that given by God. The world's freedom costs; it costs money, morals, and lives. True freedom, freedom from all confines of this world, comes from submitting and living under God's authority.

Freedom to live out our inheritance. Freedom to live free of worry and fear; pain and oppression, unattainable standards and measures of success. Freedom to know that when we fail, we are NOT a failure. Freedom from this world's definition of us.

I will do whatever it takes to obtain THAT freedom, THAT inheritance. Especially if all it takes is starting each an every day with my face on the floor in submission to my God and his desire for me.

What about you? Do you crave that freedom? Do you already have it and need to help others around you to find it? Ask God what he has in mind for you today...