#lifegivingwords – Leaders and Friends

Reading the nuggets of wisdom called the Proverbs can get a little tiresome. There is a lot of repetition. Read them seeking the hear God’s voice speak into a situation you might be facing. Read them with a heart ready to receive humor. What challenges you? What promises do you read that you need to cling to? What repeating theme do you see? If there is one, go back and note all of the verses that mention that theme – what pattern do you see and what might that mean to you?

May 31

Challenges me: “A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.” (Pr 15:14) What do I spend my time filling my mind with?

Encourages me: The repeating theme of plans:

“Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.” (15:22)

“We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer.” (16:1)

“We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.” (16:9)

When I walk in the path determined by the LORD and commit those plans to Him, then he promises those plans will succeed. (16:3)

These words are especially encouraging as I pray over the ministry I lead.

Warns me: “Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.” (16:18)

Brings a chuckle: “A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate.” (15:17) It makes me smile, but it does make me ask myself who I am choosing to spend time with – the one I might not like as much but who brings “steak” into my life (benefits me more) or the one I truly enjoy but who might not be able to benefit me quite as much?

What captures your attention today?

#lifegivingwords

June 1

Friendship is a recurring theme throughout the Bible and we see it today. Loyalty and selflessness are raised up as characteristics of true friends (17:17, 18:1) We are exhorted not to dwell on faults and arguments as that will separate friends – like a gate locked with bars (17:9, 18:19). We are warned what false friends will be like in times of wealth and poverty (19:4, 7). We are advised not to loan our friends money or secure their debt (17:18).

On more than one occasion we have not followed the wisdom of Pr 17:18. And we have had to pray and work through the hard feelings that have resulted when the money was not repaid as expected, threatening those friendships. If we can afford to loan the money, we can afford to give the money. So now, we prayerfully consider whether or not this is an opportunity the Lord is asking us to be generous in. If it is, we give as a gift and not as a loan.

Consider your friendships both past and present. How have you experienced these truths? Have you had a friendship ruined over money or an offense that was never forgiven? Pray for that friend. Do you have friends you know you can count on? Pray for them, thanking God for that gift of friendship. Are you loyal and selfless toward your friends? If not, admit to the Lord how you have not been and if harm was caused, admit to your friend how you have not been and then seek forgiveness. It’s difficult to win back an offended friend, but not impossible.

List your friends in your journal and pray for each one by name today.

#lifegivingwords