A Misleading Father Son Chat?
Some advertisers and book sellers cross the line when they promise you more than their product can deliver. "Buy this new book and it will revolutionize your marriage!" Wow, the Bible doesn't even promise that! Yet today's chapter in Proverbs might seem like it's overselling the benefits of wisdom. As you read through Proverbs 3, note some of the amazing "promises" Solomon attaches to living a life of wisdom. However, we've said before that Proverbs is not a book of promises, but pithy sayings. Also remember that such wisdom literature does all that it can to extol the exceeding value of a life of wisdom. So please don't claim these amazing "promises" as promises. Why? They aren't. Want evidence? There are very godly Christians who are persecuted, who are broken in health and who are struggling in poverty. Want greater evidence? The NT promises persecution not prosperity. But prosperity preachers love to claim "promises" in Proverbs are theirs and yours, if you just have enough faith. Yet even Paul's great faith didn't bring him into such prosperity. Instead he said, "To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless." 1 Cor.4:11. Prosperity preachers skip such verses.
So how should we approach Proverbs in our day? Read through it looking for the life principles to live out, without claiming any supposed "promise" attached to it. For example, Prov.3:9-10 says, "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing and your vats with brim over with new wine."
This verse is often used to appeal to blessings tithing will bring. I've been tithing and then some for over 30 years, but my barns or income has not overflowed. My wife even went back to work to help with needed income. (Oh the joys of kids going off to college:) Then why should we give if our income is not going to overflow for doing so? I give to honor the Lord with my "wealth" without claiming a "promise" that my barns or income will overflow. The poor widow honored the Lord in her dire poverty, giving her last two copper coins. Jesus was so impressed by that. So let's give to please the One who gave His all for us. He is worthy. God does bless, but often our reward is stored up in heaven for us. That's what the NT does teach. Are you okay with that? I am.
So as you read through Proverbs, be thinking of NT cross references. What does the NT say about such? Remember this BIG Bible Interpretation Guideline- the best interpreter of Scripture is Scripture. Also the progress of revelation reminds us that the old covenant is superseded by the new covenant. Things have thankfully changed from the OT days. So what does the NT say about an OT verse you're pondering? That's always a good question.
Need help in finding cross references? Then if you've joined us within the last couple months, then please watch the following video on Biblehub.com. (Please bookmark Biblehub.com as a favorite. You'll want to use it again and again.)
1.-So what's one verse or phrase that grabbed your attention in your reading of Proverbs 3? Include a NT cross reference if you are able to find one.
2.-Write that verse or phrase from Proverbs or from the cross reference you found on your MP3 card.
Announcements
I'm happy to honor to the following men who were unstoppable last week- and almost all of you were- Alex, Andre, Armando, Chuy, Daniel, Dave H, Eddie, George D, George R, Guillermo, Ismael, Israel, Jack, James, John, Mike, Oscar, Phil, Ricardo, Robert, Roger, Sam, and Vince. So proud of you for being unstoppable!
I also want to commend the top scorers from last week, scoring over 50 points- Eddie, Ismael, Jack, Phil, Robert and Sam! Thanks for all the sharing and encouraging!
And thanks for helping to make it a great M3 meeting yesterday. How wonderful to be able to honor the following Pros who were unstoppable in God's word for all of April- Alex, Armando, James, Phil, Ricardo and George D. Way to go and grow!
As you go to put your points on the board, you'll want to click on the May tab. Also check out the new M3 Family Tree tab. Who are you seeking to enrich and enlist into M3? Have you pointed them to the M3 stories? bit.ly/m3-stories And when they've ready to sign up, have them read through over our website- bit.ly/m3-gst and fill out the application.
For those of you who are new to computer shortcuts, here's a helpful one. Say you want to find a brother on the blog, but wish there was a quick way to find him. Click at the same time the key labeled Ctrl and the key F. It will open up a search screen in the upper right corner. Type in the guy's name and click one of the arrows. It will take you right to him. (No charge!:)
I'd like to introduce to you a brand new member to the team. It's Nic Palhegyi. I've known Nic since he was leading Bible studies in his high school over 15 years ago. Then he attended and graduated from Moody Bible Institute. He and his family now attend New Life Oak Lawn. Welcome Nic!
1. Prov. 3:5-6: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. "
ReplyDeleteI believe these verses are great principles by which we can live a life that is honoring to Christ. By trusting in the Lord instead of ourselves we will have best opportunity to continue to grow closer to Him.
Another translation says submit to Him and he will make your paths straight. Just thinking of yesterday's sermon the end was about this continuous act of surrender and full devotion to the Lord to keep the fire alive.
DeleteBrother Roger, "these verses are great principles by which we can live a life that is honoring to Christ." Yes, He will never fail us. "This is what the Lord says:
Delete“Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
who draws strength from mere flesh
and whose heart turns away from the Lord. Jeremiah 17:5
Again Roger your choice of verse's are great principal for us to live by.
DeleteI agree Roger! Proverbs exalts God's wisdom and understanding, not our own.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete1. Proverbs 3:27 ESV Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Always be good to one another no matter how much you dislike them. Galatians 6:10 ESV So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Especially if they are a brother or sister in Christ. Learn to treat one another with respect and love. Even if you dislike someone.
ReplyDeleteLifting you up today James.
DeleteBrother James, great job! God bless :-)
DeleteSo this verse stuck out to me more than anything.
ReplyDeleteProverbs 3:11-14
My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,and do not resent his rebuke,
because the Lord disciplines those he loves,as a father the son he delights in.
Blessed are those who find wisdom,those who gain understanding,
for she is more profitable than silverand yields better returns than gold.
And this is my cross reference
DeleteHebrews 12:5
And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
Hebrews 12:6
because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son."
Job 5:17
"Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.
Psalm 94:12
Blessed is the one you discipline, LORD, the one you teach from your law;
Good work finding the references Guillermo.
DeleteBrother Guillermo, excellent! Lord please forgive us when we cry out in agony or disagreement when your divine hand of discipline comes upon us. For who are we to darken your counsel with words without reason?! Shape us, prune us and mold us as You see fit, amen!
DeleteThanks Eddie and amen Robert
Delete3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
ReplyDeletebind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Cross Reference Bible Hub :Deuteronomy 11:18
"You shall therefore impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontals on your forehead.
Make these things a part of you. Reminds me of the MP3 cards. Carrying God's word with us wherever we go.
Yes brother Eddie. Lord may your Words never depart from us, may you write them on the tablets of our hearts, amen!
Deletelol, look at P. Dave being literal. Amen brother, Amen.
DeleteGod's ways of seeing things are much different than ours, his ways are much higher than ours. This is one of my favorite verses.
ReplyDeleteTrust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
A parallel verse in trusting the Lord.
Psalm 91:2
I will say of the Lord , “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Amen. It is definitely hard at times to understand but that's where faith comes in. It is not knowing the future, but knowing who holds the future and trusting in that!
DeleteBrother George, yes they are infinitely higher! "“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9
DeleteWell hello there brother George! That verse is also one of my faves. Like Eddie said, it is hard for me to lean on my own understanding, and that's why i pray for Gods will to be done and for Him to increase my trust and faith.
DeleteProverbs 3:21 (NIV)
ReplyDeleteMy son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion;
cross reference
Hebrews 2:1 (NIV)
2 We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
I pray that we continue to seek God's wisdom. I pray that we will persevere (no matter what) in our relationship with Him. God bless you all.
Brother Sam, I come into agreement with your prayer! God bless you :-)
DeleteThanks for the prayers brother! It was astronomical to finally meet you yesterday! ;)
Delete1. "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;" Proverbs 3:9
ReplyDelete“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21
God DOES NOT need our money, possessions nor treasures. He owns it all, it belongs to Him! Giving from our time, resources and/or talents back to God is a reflection of our hearts. It is said that the last thing we Christians tend to surrender to God, is our wallets.
Amen brother. All we have we have been given and are responsible to use our gifts in a way that honors the attributes of our generous giver.
DeleteWell then my brother Robert, you must have a huge loving heart and a small wallet ;-)
DeleteBrother Nic, welcome to M3. Dave G speaks very highly of you. I look forward to reading your postings. God bless you and your loved ones :-)
ReplyDelete1) Proverbs 3:19 The LORD founded the earth by wisdom
ReplyDeleteand established the heavens by understanding. John 1:3 All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. Here we see Christ using the attribute of wisdom and the release of it's potential. Wisdom and understanding bring about great potential, but they also need opportunity and resources in order to bring that theoretical possibility into actual existence. One last but very important element that wisdom needs is action, wisdom without execution simply produces an educated fool as Solomon and many of us find ourselves being an example of. May the Lord grant us wisdom and the courage to apply it.
Wow! I just gained some wisdom from reading that! Thanks Antonio
DeleteBrother Tony, yes "One last but very important element that wisdom needs is action" James 2:17 "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
DeleteProverbs 3:7-8 really hit home. Turning away from evil isn't losing something or being deprived of getting my need met by that evil. You don't simply turn away and our left empty handed but v8 speaks of healing of the body and refreshment of bones. Turning away from sin brings spiritual, mental, and emotional health. Giving in to sin makes me turn inward and ultimately leads to slavery. Slavery leads to death and host of other mental and physical problems. Freedom is found in surrendering to God and turning away. I'm preaching this to myself today because sin can be so appealing. good reminder!
ReplyDeleteGood stuff Nic! Welcome to the team brother! I am very grateful that you decided to join us ;)
DeleteWelcome Nic, yes good thoughts sin does n can hold you captive!
DeleteBrother Nic, absolutely. If sin were not pleasurable for a season, none of us would give in to it or be doing it. Glad to have you on-board :-)
Deletewelcome Nick. It is a sickening amazement that we crave what harms us.
DeleteWelcome Nic! Told you that you'd be welcomed by a great group of encouraging men!
DeleteWelcome Nic/k! Looking forward on advancing the kingdom of God with you.
DeleteProverbs 3:5-7 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all ways submit to him, and He will make your paths straight.
ReplyDeleteCross Reference- Proverbs 28: 26 Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.
I had a great first M3 meeting with you guys yesterday! It was nice to finally put faces to the names of you men that have been encouraging me. I am thankful for my unstoppable pin! I also enjoyed gathering with my fire team and praying with them.
BTW... just so everyone knows, yesterday the New Life Midway Aviators softball team beat New Life Oak Lawn!!!! ;-)
Welcome brother Nic!
Brother Phil, it's fills me with joy to know you're my brother, co-laborer and bond-servant in Christ :-)
DeleteYea we did my brother. Great teamwork!!!
DeleteThis verses I can relate to. Proverbs 3:12 "because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in." God loves us, and through this love for us, He will discipline us, and will make us pay the consequences if we are not abiding by his life principles. His discipline is the other side of his grace, God disciplines only those he loves. NT cross reference: Hebrews 12:10 "they discipline us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in His Holiness."
ReplyDeleteHey brother Armando! It was great meeting you yesterday and i look forward fellowshipping with you in the future.
DeleteBrother Armando, yes, "spare the rod spoil the child" (Author unknown to me) Proverbs 13:24 "Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them."
DeleteProverbs 3:7 Be not wise in your own eyes; " fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. I like
ReplyDeletethat verse because I see some brothers who think because they read the bible they know more than you and can tell you are not doing enough reading of your bible to learn what
you need to grow. So I try to not be wise in my own eyes but in the word of God Amen!
John great advice, to put our eyes on the word of God and not on ourselves.
Deletein all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:6 NIV)
ReplyDeleteIf any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (James 1:5 NIV)
9 Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;
ReplyDelete10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. - Proverbs 3:9-10
I love this because I take away that you give what you have made and God will give you more of it. Give knowledge, time, and money then be patient and see it all come back multiplied
Thanks Andre! Our financial giving may not come back to us in multiplied finances, but God has ways here and in the hereafter of rewarding us. Also it was so good to meet and chat with you yesterday. What a great future awaits you as you continue to serve and follow the King!
Delete1. " For the Lord detests the perverse, but takes the uprite into his confidence." proverbs 3:32
ReplyDeleteCross reference:
John 7:17 " Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own."
God is faithful to those who completely believe in their hearts and follow him, as they have given up themselves to follow his will. They pray and listen to his voice and follow his word to know his will and not their own.
2. Did it
Great cross ref. Jack! Thanks for inviting Ged yesterday also.
DeleteProverbs 3:3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
ReplyDeleteCross Ref: 2 Corinthians 3:3
You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
This verse caught my eye. I like the idea of continue being faithful and loving. The cross reference verse makes me think not just having it but to like embed it in your hearts. Proverbs 3 is a great chapter that has verses that many believers use in their daily lives.
Nic Palhegyi Great to have you on our team my brother.
God bless
I especially like Proverbs 3:31-Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways. 32-For the Lord detests the perverse
ReplyDeletebut takes the upright into his confidence. I learned a lot from this in my life time. People in my career and people I had to deal with in the streets.The people who have received a promotion through out my career, most times did not deserve it, but God is in control. That's what kept me going through out my career. The people on he streets that were on welfare a lot of the times had better vehicles and furniture then me. My treasures is not to be stored up here on earth. It's to be stored up in heaven. That's why these verses appeal to me. Do not envy the unworthy because they will store up treasures on earth and not care about the here after.
Mike, those are great examples you've shared that refute those who think Proverbs is a book of earthly promises. Life now is often not fair. But there is a day of reckoning coming.
DeleteFor some reason the score sheet only goes up to Mar 27 2015. I don't know if it's me or the program. Needless to say it's late and I will update it tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI'll help you out tomorrow. You may just need to click the new "May" tab.
Delete1.-So what's one verse or phrase that grabbed your attention in your reading of Proverbs 3? Include a NT cross reference if you are able to find one.
ReplyDeleteProverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
Cross Reference Psalm 37:5 Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.
Good George! So glad to see you at the meeting yesterday. I believe you will have a great spiritual family tree.
Delete
ReplyDeleteMy son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. (Proverbs 3:11-12 NIV)
And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” (Hebrews 12:5-6 NIV)
Hey Daniel! I hope your son is feeling better. Glad you're a loving dad!
DeleteProverbs3 :7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
ReplyDeleteI like this verse because it humbles us so that we do not forgot that we are not smarter than God. The truth is in the Bible, we should not misinterpret it for self gain.
I agree with you completely, Chuy. Too often we rely on our earthly wisdom and knowledge of the world to guide the choices we make. How quickly also we cry out to God when our best laid plans blow up in our face. "What have I done to offend you, Lord?" "Where did I go wrong?" Had we, instead, turned to the wisdom of the Father in the first place, we'd instead proclaim, "How great and true is your wisdom, Lord, for it leads me to wise choices and reminds me of my need for you in my life." Thank you for sharing these verses.
DeleteHello, everyone. It is a blessing to be in such good compnay. The verse from Proverbs 3 that resonated with me is Proverbs 3:1 "My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments;" During one of my past low points, when I had distanced myself from the Lord and His wisdom, I opened my Bible to Proverbs and read these words, not in the context of Solomon speaking to his son, but God the Father speaking to me, personally, reminding me, "Do not forget my teaching. Keep my commandments." I lost my father at an early age, and at the time I lamented not having him around to impart his wisdom and keep me on the right path. How foolish of me to yearn for my earthly father's wisdom when my heavenly Father's wisdom had always been within my reach, available 24/7. As all Scripture is divinely inspired, these words from a king to his son are God's wisdom for all his children: Look not to earthly wisdom (which we are bombarded with daily in the media) but seek first God's wisdom. To love wisdom is to love God, for he is the source, and to love God is to obey his commandments, foremost. The NT cross-reference I found was John 14:21 "Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them." Wisdom flows from the Father and the Son when we keep His commandments. What greater wisdom can we rely on than to live according to what God's commandments?
ReplyDeleteExcellent Osiris! Not only do you write well, but you have a deep well of insight already. You will be an enriching addition to the team.
DeleteThank you Osiris. I have been deeply enriched by your insights in this post. Also welcome to M3 brother. I 'm so glad you joined with us.
DeleteThank you, Dave, and thank you David. Thank you both for the encouragement.
Delete1) Proverbs 3:13 Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding.
ReplyDeleteWisdom cannot be found or obtained in one large lump all at once. It is received in parcels and segments and it takes a life time of pursuit to master. “The Author of Life” is exceedingly generous in bestowing to all who seek and pursue wisdom from Him. I think that there are two general areas of wisdom which when learned and applied, will have the greatest impact on eternity because they relate to those who are eternal.
The most important area of wisdom to seek from God is the wisdom of knowing Him and being in relationship with Him. That's were transformation of our lives begins and continues. That's were we lay down wasting our lives on ourselves and go on mission to accomplish God's will and purpose for us in His power and strength.
The next most important area of wisdom from God to seek would be the wisdom of how to be godly in living out all our relationships with others who are our mission. (spouses, children, parents, extended family, other Christians, friends, acquaintances, strangers, the needy, unbelievers, and enemies to name many.)
We will always be a need for more wisdom in both of these areas. And we will continue to be blessed as God abundantly provides the wisdom we need and as we apply it with insight and understanding through His Holy Spirit.
2) Did It.
On wisdom and knowledge. .
ReplyDeleteProverbs 3:22 NIV
they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.
Cross reference. .
Proverbs 1:9
Indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head And ornaments about your neck.
Did it
1. Proverbs 3:27 "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act."
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorite proverbs.
2. Did it.
1
ReplyDeleteI chose so speak on verse 27
“Do not withhold good from those whom it is due,”
Romans says 13:7 says:
Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
This verse spoke to me because we all can be diligent in giving
We can also confess to God as well as our families what needs to be confessed. Giving to each man what is owed and settling our debts is modeling Peace as Christ is prince of peace. Also moving away from needless conflict and strife this is the way that we pray; for give us our debts as we have forgiven out debtors.
2
Verse 25 reminded me of Joshua 1 and we are being told directly to not be afraid
Did it
1. Proverbs 3:7, "Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil." - Great wisdom there :)
ReplyDeleteCross reference: Job 28:28 "And he said to the human race, "The fear of the Lord--that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding."
Another cross reference that describes the godly man, Job: Job 1:1 says "In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil."
2. did it
1. -Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
ReplyDeletethis proverbs has been my key verse for many years. it has help me put my trust in the Lord in times of doubt and trouble. Specially when I had no clue what I was doing at work or in my school studies. God guided me all the way through and for his glory I have a job where I can use my gifts to advise young people in their academic careers. I also took wrong turns and God set my path straight. These verses gave me hope in time of despair.
2. Did it.