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Proverbs 14:1-16:33<\/strong><\/span> Today in Proverbs chapter 14 verse 2 we read \u2013 \u201cHe whose walk is upright fears the LORD.\u201d<\/em> What does it mean to you to fear the Lord? Is it possible that for us to have some fear of the Lord is healthy? Why would fear of the Lord be healthy? Don\u2019t get me wrong \u2013 I\u2019m not suggesting we live our lives in abject fear of God all of the time. But \u2013 this Proverb is in the Bible \u2013 and it says that someone whose walk is upright fears the Lord. So, I do humbly suggest that there is a healthy fear of God that each of us should recognize. (along with a raging LOVE of God as well of course)<\/span><\/p>\n I once heard a pastor say a few words about Proverbs chapter 14 verse 4: \u201cAn empty stable stays clean, but no income comes from an empty stable.\u201d <\/em>Basically this pastor was talking about how things were a little bit hectic around the church \u2013 due to church growth and related growing pains.\u00a0 And he brought up this verse, with the point being that it is a blessing that the church is not \u201cclean\u201d \u2013 in the spic & span sense \u2013 because this means a lot of things are happening.\u00a0 There is \u201cincome\u201d.\u00a0 There are people getting to know God and Jesus.\u00a0 \u00a0And yes, there are some messes.\u00a0 But it\u2019s better than a spic & span clean stable \/ church where nothing is happen.\u00a0 I like that analogy.\u00a0 I also once heard this same pastor refer to church as a \u201cmajestic mess.\u201d\u00a0 I like that too!\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42\u00a0 Church is not a spic & span clean place all the time.\u00a0 There are messes.\u00a0 There are humans on staff with the church \u2013 and humans coming to the church.\u00a0 We are not spic & span clean people all the time.\u00a0 And that\u2019s okay.\u00a0 Church is indeed a majestic mess, in the best sense of the word!\u00a0 Speaking of empty clean stables \u2013 let us not forget that our Lord Himself came to this world in a full & messy stable!<\/span><\/p>\n Proverbs chapter 14 verse 8 is great wisdom \u2013 \u201cThe wise look ahead to see what is coming, but fools deceive themselves.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em>Jesus taught that we should live our lives not worrying about tomorrow.\u00a0 However \u2013 this Proverb does show there is wisdom in looking ahead to see what is coming.\u00a0 Don\u2019t worry about it \u2013 but pay attention to it!\u00a0 For example, we shouldn\u2019t deceive ourselves into thinking that we can be reckless with our health today \u2013 we should know what this will do to us tomorrow.\u00a0 We should see what is coming.<\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video:<\/strong> Today\u2019s Proverbs remind me of Third Day\u2019s song \u201cYou Are Mine:\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \n
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