Today in our Humble, Seek, Pray, Turn prayer effort, I encourage you to pray specifically for pastors/ministers in the church of Jesus Christ. Pray that the Holy Spirit would empower them to preach the gospel of Christ BOLDLY and completely without watering it down.
Two more quotes from Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas:
“Theological work and real pastoral fellowship can only grow in a life which is governed by gathering round the Word morning and evening and by fixed times of prayer.”
“Christianity preaches the infinite worth of that which is seemingly worthless and the infinite worthlessness of that which is seemingly so valued.”
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We only have one more week in our Get Wisdom series. I hope you have gotten a double portion of wisdom as we have journeyed through the book of Proverbs. Today we look at two verses that will likely convict each of us. I know I have made the mistake that Proverbs 26: 18-19 talks about. Let’s take a look:
Someone who tricks someone elseand then claims that he was only jokingis like a crazy person playing with a deadly weapon. (GNT)Like a madman who throws firebrands,arrows, and death, Is the man whodeceives his neighbor, and says, “I was only joking!” (NKJV)People who shrug off deliberate deceptions, saying,“I didn’t mean it, I was only joking,”are worse than careless camperswho walk away from smoldering campfires.(The Message)
Have you ever had someone deliberately say something deceptive or hurtful and then immediately turn around and say, “I was only joking.”? You knew good and well they were not joking, but they were not willing to be honest about their attitude or words. Worse yet, have you ever done this to another person? I’ve heard children do this to one another. I’ve heard adults do this to one another.
This is one of those rare times when I am without (many) words. What more can I add to this proverb? It is plain. Hurting someone through deception is wrong and covering up deception by trying to make a joke out of it is really wrong. Period.
Let’s Get Wise and make sure we don’t do this.
MEDITATION MOMENT: Hey ya’ll, I can guarantee this Get Wisdom post is one that you will be able to refer back to in the days ahead. This particular problem is pervasive among children and adults. Memorize the address for this proverb and when you hear someone doing this, you will have something from God’s own Word to use to show them the error in what they are doing.
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