Parents, Pray for your children!

Posted on June 3, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

Listen to your father who gave you life, and don’t despise your mother when she is old. Buy the truth, and don’t sell it. Get wisdom, discipline, and understanding. The father of the righteous has great joy. Whoever fathers a wise child delights in him. Let your father and your mother be glad! Let her who bore you rejoice! Proverbs 23:22-25 (WEB)

My parents are with Jesus now.   My two oldest children have children of their own.  My youngest son is also with Jesus.  I have been meditating on ‘new seasons’ in my life and part of any new season for me comes with the knowledge that I am past the point of middle age (since I doubt that God plans for me to live to be 100!).  I am … older.  No, I don’t think of myself as old – at least not in the negative sense of being decrepit!  But, I am older and so I look at these Scripture a bit differently now than I did when I first read them 10 years ago.

I know now that my father did have words of wisdom based on his years of experience.  He had been through difficult family relations and financial hardships and uncertainty.  He showed me that perseverance will prevail because all of those times are just temporary.  Dad was a wise man that did not come by the wisdom through an educational system but instead he sought wisdom through books and papers he read and through the few people that he trusted and called ‘friend’.

My mother was a very different personality from me.  That often brought us into conflict and major mis-communication!  Having now lived through motherhood, I find myself much more forgiving for what I perceived as my mothers ‘mistakes’.  Did she have them?  Oh, yes.  But then – I have had many, many more!  I pray my children will learn from my mistakes … and make new ones of their own!  I can already see that they are a much better parent than I was.  They are more balanced. I they see the need for partnership between them and the Lord.  I praise God for that!

The ‘truth’ – it is worth any price if it is God’s Truth.  His wisdom and discipline and understanding are nuggets of gold.  This world offers its truth but it is a ‘quick truth’ – like instant potatoes vs. the real thing!  The world’s truth usually involves a quick fix and relies on me or self for answers.  I admit that I like a 3-step plan for any problem and I would like it to all come together in 3 days!  Real truth involves more effort, more time, and less of me!  It means laying me down and listening to that Holy Spirit voice speak the truth that lines up with all of God’s truths.

I do rejoice over all of my children.  I have children of my heart and children of my blood and heart.  All of them know they are children of God.  Are they perfect?  Not likely!  But they are held in the hand of a gracious God who is quick to forgive and swift to lead in the path to a ‘right relationship’ (righteousness) with Him.

My sons and daughters, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad, even mine: yes, my heart will rejoice, when your lips speak what is right. Proverbs 23:15-16 (emphasis mine)

What more could this ‘older’ mother pray?!!

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Dr. Jesus – Looking for a Place to Prescribe His Healing

Posted on June 2, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath day. Behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and she was bent over, and could in no way straighten herself up. When Jesus saw her, he called her, and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your infirmity.” He laid his hands on her, and immediately she stood up straight, and glorified God.

The ruler of the synagogue, being indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the multitude, “There are six days in which men ought to work. Therefore come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day!”

Therefore the Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each one of you free his ox or his donkey from the stall on the Sabbath, and lead him away to water? Ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan had bound eighteen long years, be freed from this bondage on the Sabbath day?”

As he said these things, all his adversaries were disappointed, and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him. Luke 13:10-17 (WEB)

I do not think it is any coincidence that Luke the physician records so many healings in his gospel account.  I do not know if in the “original Greek” there was the same amount of sarcasm or ‘tongue in cheek’ that I am personally hearing – but I do tend to alternately chuckle and give a cheer to rival any college football game when I am reading through these stories!

Here is a woman whose infirmity has a rather obvious manifestation.  She had suffered for eighteen years in a bent over position!  The gospel account tells us that the source of the problem was spiritual.  That makes me wonder if she had been humiliated or beaten down in some way all those years ago and convinced that she deserved to only ‘grovel’ her way through the rest of her life.  I know some people like that although they are not physically frozen in that position; inside they are bent over with guilt and shame.

Jesus uses many ways to extend His healing power to someone in need.  He has put mud on eyes and had others put their arm inside their sleeve and withdraw it to show the miracle.  Others He speaks just a simple word or phrase.  Here Jesus puts his hands on the woman.  Touching a ‘less than perfect’ individual just was not done – they could be unclean!!!

Eighteen years of suffering is wiped away in a moment!  And what does the Church leadership decide to say in response?  “WOW!  Look what God has done!”?  No!  Instead they tell the people (just in case there’s another needy, sick person hanging around!) “Get your healing done on some other day than the Sabbath!!!”  “Observance of the Sabbath is more important than any healing!”  No wonder the leadership was mad and the people were glad!

Sabbath is a time for God and His people to commune together.  We offer Him praise and worship and thanksgiving.  God brings us wisdom, understanding, and refreshing so that we may serve Him another day!  And, yes, — He desires to bring healing!

When the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

When Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do. But you go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Matthew 9:11-13 (WEB)

Do we operate the Church as a hospital, taking in the sick and suffering any time they come?  Do we ‘triage’ these people as a top priority?  Jesus did. Do we pay attention to the needs of those who come to our fellowship?  Do we pay attention to the many people who are ‘bent over’ under that weight of their sin and guilt?  Or are we more concerned with getting all the ritual pieces done ‘correctly’? When was the last time that the order of worship was suspended in order to pray for someone in need? Is there time for prayer requests? Is there time for praises and thanksgiving? Are we too afraid of something taking too much time or getting ‘out of hand’?

Forgive me, Father. May my heart be more about repentance and obedience. With the strength of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Posted in Luke, Matthew | Comments Off on Dr. Jesus – Looking for a Place to Prescribe His Healing

“I Am the LORD’s Servant!”

Posted on June 1, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

26Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee named Nazareth, 27to a virgin who was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28And when he had arrived he said, “Greetings, favored woman! God is with you!” 29At this word she was troubled and wondered about this sort of greeting. 30And the angel said to her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary. For you have found favor with God. 31Now look! You will become pregnant and will give birth to a son, and will call his name Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father. 33And he will reign over the house of Jacob forever and his kingdom won’t have an end.” 34But Mary said to the angel, “How will this happen, since I have never had sexual relations with a man?” 35And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the highest will overshadow you. That’s why the son to whom you will give birth will be called Son of God. 36And Elizabeth your kinswoman, who was called barren, is also six months pregnant with a boy in her old age, 37because nothing is impossible for God.” 38Then Mary said, “Alright! I’m the Lord’s servant! Let what you have said happen to me.” And the angel left her.     Luke 1:26-38 (HN)

– Henry Neufeld

Now what one usually expects a Christian writer to do at this point is to talk about the virgin birth and what that means in Christian doctrine. But what I want to do instead is talk about people and how they react to new revelations of God’s will and his word. Let’s just think about the process here.

1.    An angel comes with a revelation. Matthew doesn’t mention an angel’s name, nor a specific appearance to Mary. I believe that Luke does so to try to emphasize the importance of the message and the shock that Mary must have felt at his appearance. Sometimes we can get a much better idea of what a gospel author is trying to emphasize by comparing details like this between the stories in each gospel.
2.    Mary is surprised when she is greeted as an important person. This is a common reaction to a divine messenger in the Bible. Mary can’t imagine that she is that important. This is a good thing to consider as you face the day and your work. You may not receive your work from an angel. You may not receive it from somebody important. But you may see a challenge that requires your response. Will the challenge trouble you, or will you be ready to face it?

3.    The angel tells Mary not to be afraid. No matter what the challenge or where it comes from, fear isn’t going to help. Fear isn’t going to do anything for you. The first thing to do is to overcome your fear. “Fear not!” is a good message for life.

4.    Mary is told that she is more important than she thinks. You too, may be more important than you think. No, I’m not talking to the arrogant folks and those with big heads. I’m talking to the people who are slogging through their days doing the things that are set before you. You’re more important than you think. There are no unimportant jobs; there are just people who insist on doing them as though they are unimportant.

5.    Mary finds out that she is not really going to be the central character. Sometimes we think that the only way we can be important is to be front and center, to be the person that everyone is talking about. But Mary finds out that she will be important because of her son. Sometimes our important work is simply to make it possible for someone else to do something. Perhaps others will get most of the credit. But just because you’re not in public getting the praise doesn’t mean that you’re not an important person.

6.    Mary wonders how it’s all possible. The answer to this is simple. God’s power is going to come over her. Now we often think of God’s power as earthshaking or always miraculous. But God’s power is at work in your body and in your mind as long as you can breathe and you can think. It’s all possible because the power of God is on you–not in causing daily virgin births, but in making it possible for you to fulfill your calls and tasks.

7.    Mary comes to acceptance. Let it happen! When you have realized who you are, when you have heard the task, when you realize what a wonderful creation you are and that God’s power works in you, you can say, “Bring it on! I’m ready for the call!”

How about facing this week with the words of Mary: “Alright! I’m the Lord’s servant! Let what you have said happen to me.”

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Worship: My Life

Posted on May 28, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

Let love be without hypocrisy.

Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good.

In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate one to another; in honor preferring one another;

not lagging in diligence; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer;

contributing to the needs of the saints; given to hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don’t curse.

Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep.

Be of the same mind one toward another. Don’t set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Don’t be wise in your own conceits.

Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men.

If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men.

Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.” Therefore

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Romans 12:9-20 (WEB)


Paul began this part of his letter to the Romans by reminding me that my life and how I live it is my act of worship. Worship is not just what I sing or pray inside a sanctuary but, in fact, how I live my life after I leave that building. Now Paul continues with some specific instructions for living my life. Simple instructions…not easy instructions.

Love is to be truthful. No ‘faking it’. That connects with manipulation with me. When my relationship with someone has ‘an agenda’ and my love has many, many ‘hidden’ strings, then I am hypocritical.

Most of us know ‘right’ from ‘wrong’ in our lives. Some have suggested, rightly so, that a good ‘test’ is to ask the question: Would Jesus sit and watch that TV show with me? Would Jesus enjoy the conversation around our table? Would Jesus want to join us on our date? The ‘other guy’, the evil one, hangs out where Jesus does not!

Part of the gift of encouragement is the ability to give affection in the encouragement. I think without true affection the encouragement would be hollow. I’ve said before that for every prophet we need 6 encouragers. Paul speaks in such a joyous way about what the Fellowship of Believers is all about. It is taking what we have learned about building a relationship with Jesus from Jesus and applying it to each other. It is choosing to be with each other and treating each other with respect and honor. It is being there in good times and also in times that are long and difficult. It was a personal lesson to me when my son died a few people (counted on one hand) were there to pray and listen and be there in numerous ways. God used them powerfully in healing and encouraging me to continue on. There were many people who were absent. Was I disappointed? Yes. But more, I was sad that they missed the blessings that God was giving so extravagantly. They missed Him.

Paul was aware that within the Fellowship there would be those who would be all that God was making them to be. There would also be those who would be destructive. The judgment of who was who was only His. God takes care of that. Knowing that is so ‘freeing’. I can just let God be God and for my part, I just ask Him to bless the person in whatever need they have. God knows. As I grow up, I learn from Jesus how to give to those who have produced pain or destruction. To offer a blessing to someone who would be seen as an ‘enemy’, is an opportunity straight from the Father’s heart.

How will I worship my LORD today?

Please pray for our men and women in the armed services that are around the world and our local men and women who protect and serve. See you back here on Tuesday.

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In Humble Service

Posted on May 27, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith.

For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don’t have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, if prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith; or service, let us give ourselves to service; or he who teaches, to his teaching; or he who exhorts, to his exhorting: he who gives, let him do it with liberality; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Romans 12:3-8 (WEB)

The passage in Romans that I ended with yesterday is just the beginning of what God has to say. He wants to teach me about being a servant. And that starts with humility.

The Cross and the empty grave are pictures that are in my heart that remind me of the indescribable gift of life with my Father that I have been given. Jesus with a towel around His waist washing feet is the picture that is in my heart to drive me through every day of my life. He who always was and always will be is the Servant. I am humbled. That is where Paul says that I should life my life.

Who gets the credit when a Christmas cantata is good? I was a choir director (for a very short time) and I was uncomfortable with applause. Believe me, if anything sounded good it was because of God. If you fellowship does an outreach event and you are the chairperson of the steering group, do you come to the first meeting with a full outline and then delegate out for others to make your plan come together; micromanaging each step to make sure they do it your way?

My husband and I own a publishing company. It is growing each week because we finally listened to God’s Spirit and are letting go of control. It is so exciting – and scary! – to see how God is bringing those whom He has chosen and gifted to do what He has planned. It’s like being on God’s payroll. He gets all the credit and He pays out all the blessings! I am so humbled yet again! I do not have all the gifts needed. Henry does not have all the gifts needed. God didn’t intend that we would! He wanted to bring more people, building flavors and layers of gifts that will make His company better and bigger that we could have imagined in His Kingdom! It’s about what happens in the Kingdom not how it looks to the world.

“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.” John 14:13 (NIV)

Jesus will answer our prayer in what we do when it brings the Father all the praise. It’s not about my financial blessings or how well-known I become. It is how well-known God becomes!

Posted in John, Romans | Comments Off on In Humble Service

Get ‘OUT’ and Get to Work!

Posted on May 26, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

As he went out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, see what kind of stones and what kind of buildings!”

Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone on another, which will not be thrown down.” Mark 13:1-2 (WEB)

Jesus’ prophetic words were fulfilled around 70 A.D. when Rome tore down the temple to its foundation leaving not a stone on top of another.  Do Jesus’ words still speak for me today?

I live in a part of the United States that is generally known as the Bible belt.  If only that meant that those of us who lived here were reading and living God’s Word in our hearts! One of our (Energion Publications) authors, Dr. David A. Black, says we should be known as “the Religious Belt” because we don’t really know the Bible – we just have a lot of ‘religion’! What it really means is that there are more churches per capita in this part of the country than in any other part!  We have hundreds of churches in every city.  Even towns with no stop lights have churches. (and usually not just one!)

Most churches are not growing churches.  They do not show an increase in membership in a given year.  Then there is the ‘working members’ factor – of new members, how many are growing in discipleship and how many joined so that they can check that off their social check list?

Jesus told the Samaritan woman (John 4) that there would come a time when we would worship God not in just a place but we would truly worship Him in Spirit and Truth.  Jesus seems to be trying to get us to put our focus not on buildings but on being His disciple outside of a building!  If you take away church buildings, what does being a disciple of Jesus Christ look like?

I have been working many hours on a book this week that has convicted me so much that my toes may be permanently deformed from being mashed! Soup Kitchen for the Soul was written by Renee Crosby who tells how she learned by serving in a soup kitchen. Don’t read it if you think you have ‘arrived’ as a disciple of Jesus!

I have learned through Renee’s testimony and Biblical teaching that if we are doing what Jesus taught we will be outside the church building. Jesus was outside the synagogue more than He was in it!  Jesus met the people in their comfort zone.  Jesus taught with parables, bringing the Father’s love to the people in their daily lives.   It was not church membership that made a person a disciple.  It was their life…lived out in humble obedience to God and characterized by unselfish service to others.

Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.     Romans 12:1-2 (WEB)

Posted in Mark, Romans | Comments Off on Get ‘OUT’ and Get to Work!

Seasons

Posted on May 25, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

Everything on earth has its own time and its own season.

There is a time for birth and death, planting and reaping,
for killing and healing, destroying and building,
for crying and laughing, weeping and dancing,
for throwing stones and gathering stones, embracing and parting.
There is a time for finding and losing, keeping and giving,
for tearing and sewing, listening and speaking.

There is also a time for love and hate, for war and peace.    Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (CEV)

I am starting a new ‘season’ in my life. I have had some seasons that were very harsh. There have been deserts when I have felt very alone. There have been sand storms and hurricanes when I felt battered and beaten up. I have also had seasons in deep woods or steep mountains when the path seemed hard to find and difficult to follow. And, thank You, Lord, I have seasons of sweet relief and restoration!

God is so very faithful to show us and confirm to us the path through various seasons of our lives.  Here is where we can really see the work of the Good Shepherd who leads in His paths to teach and show us what we need to know and learn along the way.  When I might think that what I am currently doing is a waste of my time and talent, God is faithful to remind me that time is His to use and my gifts are His to use and that nothing will be wasted!

God is also faithful to use people in each season.  They could be there to teach us.  They could be there to impart or sow some lessons, wisdom, in our life.   Maybe I am to learn about myself and people during this season.  Maybe I am to learn more about God through others during this time.

And let us not forget that even in a desert season there is something to be learned.  For me, the times in a desert are admittedly frustrating but also the time when I have been closest to God because there is an alone-ness and quiet that allows me to do little but listen for that “still, small voice.  Jesus frequently would go out into the desert or up on a mountain to pray and spend time with the Father.  So if you are in a isolated, quiet season…listen up!  God is ready to speak if we will be quiet enough to listen!

Some of the seasons listed in Ecclesiastes are not seasons where we want to spend time.   I wish I could tell you a formula to avoid!  I can’t.  I believe all of the seasons can be experienced with God.  Are we willing to take trigonometry and literature?  Am I willing to experience the love of God in plenty as well as times of tearing down?  Am I stuck in peace when war is needed to ‘clean the house’?  Am I babbling through what God meant for a listening time??

Oh, Lord, check my heart and, in the power of Jesus and under the direction of your Holy Spirit, guide and direct all of my days so that the seasons of my life are pleasing to you.  May I use the time wisely and not be distracted by good things that are not God things!  Show me Your way, Lord, that I may walk with You through all the seasons of my life.  Amen.

Posted in Ecclesiastes | Comments Off on Seasons

Pentecost Monday

Posted on May 24, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

As the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he was the Christ, John answered them all, “I indeed baptize you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the latchet of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire, whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Then with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people,… Luke 3:15-18 (WEB)

Yesterday was Pentecost Sunday.  I hope you heard a Pentecost message as part of your Sabbath worship.  Was it in the music, the Scripture, and the sermon and the invitation to receive Jesus and more of what the Holy Spirit has for you every day?

John tells me in this passage that the big difference that set him apart from Jesus was that Jesus came with the perfect baptism that would be more than sacramental water.  Jesus’ baptism would be more than an outward sign of the inward change.  When I receive Jesus – I am totally and completely changed!  It is not just a ‘flash-in-the-pan’ experience!  So what’s does it mean when someone says, “I have received the ‘baptism of the Holy Spirit’?

Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all with one accord in one place. Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. Tongues like fire appeared and were distributed to them, and one sat on each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak.                Acts 2:1-4 (WEB)

Jesus gave me all that I need to be reconciled to God on the night that I said, “Yes, You are my Lord and Savior, Jesus.”  And so I began my journey as a child of God.  God’s Spirit began to communicate with my spirit.  Some people have always walked with the Lord.  They do not remember a time when they did not know that Jesus was their Savior.  There are others like me that made a ‘conscious’ decision maybe as a young teen to reject the existence of God and so I made a ‘conscious’ decision to accept Him and know that I needed Him.  I also made a decision to be a disciple, a follower of Jesus; to live my life serving Him and seek to be like Him.  I have experienced some ‘tiny’ Pentecost moments when the Holy Spirit was tangibly real and I marked some times when I received supernatural ‘jumps’ in my spiritual walk.  My faith took a leap forward and an area of my relationship with God became more clear.  As I sit here typing this, tears come to my eyes as I recall the goodness and extravagant gifts that God has given me.  But it’s not all about me.

1 Corinthians 12 speaks a lot about the Holy Spirit and the gifts that He gives.  But it is in 1Corinthians 13 that I am reminded to focus on the most important ‘gift’ – the gift of love.  It is in love that I will accomplish the tasks given me as Jesus did.  Jesus accomplished His mission of atonement through sacrificial love, not through speaking in tongues or casting out demons.  The ‘testing’ of my spiritual life is measured in the fruit that is produced for God’s kingdom.  It is in how much others see Jesus and worship Him and remember Him that shows how the Holy Spirit is working in me.

Take a few minutes today and read 1 Corinthians 12 and 13. And Listen.

Posted in Acts, Luke | Comments Off on Pentecost Monday

Proverbs 21

Posted on May 21, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the hearts. v. 2 (WEB)

One of the things that I have learned this week from this study in Proverbs is that to gain Wisdom I must be willing to look at myself in the mirror and hear as well as see God’s Truth about myself. God knows the real Jody. He knows my heart. He knows every piece of me and loves me unconditionally. Whatever He says to me is to help me grow as a disciple into who He made me to be.

To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice. v. 3 (WEB)

My friend, Greg, writes a blog every day that is guaranteed to, at a minimum, make me think, and usually makes my toes hurt – from being stepped on! He said share one day that he had found it much easier to give money to help someone than to actually get out there and do something. Ouch. Jesus set the example of sacrifice. How am I doing following that example? Time for me to look in the mirror again!

It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than to share a house with a contentious woman.

It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman. vv. 9, 19 (WEB)

Though it seems that Solomon is taking some pointed shots at woman, he does speak the truth! I was blessed to grow up in a home that the few times that I knew my parents were – disagreeing – they usually did it behind closed doors and it never involved broken dishes or days of not speaking to each other. It was in the area of my personal behavior that I saw the biggest change when I accepted Jesus as my savior. I seriously felt saturated with God’s grace. I had more patience. I stopped slamming doors! I’m sure my children could list many more changes. I liked myself more. I suspect that is because I saw less of me and more of Jesus. I’ll have to check that mirror again if I find Henry sleeping on the deck or taking long trips to the desert.

Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard. v. 13 (WEB)

Warning! God is very clear that the poor (those in need) are His priority. That makes them my priority. There are so many opportunities (so many people in need) to serve. Ask God. Listen to God. Obey God.

There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Yahweh. v. 30 (WEB)

Some would say that to believe and trust in God is to give up everything that is me. How can I, the created one, do anything but agree with the wisdom, the truths, and counsel of my Creator? That process isn’t a ‘bad thing’ to me. It is the ‘right thing’. It brings me into ‘right relationship’ with Him. He is everything. All things have been created by God.

The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but victory is with Yahweh. v. 31 (WEB)

I am prepared as God has been sowing seeds in me, teaching me, speaking to me. Like Esther, He has a plan and purpose for each one of us. Take time to read the story of Esther. Yes, she was a queen (but had little power) but as you read, notice all the ‘little people’ around her. They may have been insignificant in themselves but together they were a part of bringing about God’s plan for His people. In God’s eyes, an obedient child is never insignificant. To be prepared is to be part of God’s plan. His is the victory. To Him is all the glory!

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere;

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Psalm 84:10-11 (NIV)

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Proverbs 20

Posted on May 20, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

Wine is a mocker, and beer is a brawler. Whoever is led astray by them is not wise. v. 1 (WEB)

I’ve known all my life that alcohol was a slippery slope where I had seen many a person fall. There were a few years in my life when I drank … more than I should. Why? I could give reasons like “I like it” and “I was being social” and “It was there” but the reality is…I drank alcohol because I hung around people who did drink and I cared what they thought of me. And I was sad and hurting and thought it made me hurt less. This verse is correct. I wasn’t being wise.

It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; but every fool will be quarreling. v. 3 (WEB)

Do you know people who like to fight? Sometimes I say they like ‘drama’. It’s hard for me to wrap my brain around the concept of throwing china and worse. However, before I get too ‘righteous’ I have been guilty of creating ‘tension’. I used to be really good at slamming doors. Now that is also strife! And I was definitely a fool!

Many men claim to be men of unfailing love, but who can find a faithful man? v. 6 (WEB)

‘Unfailing’, ‘unconditional’ love. Whether we know it or not, we look for it from the moment we are born. We look to our parents, our friends, our spouse, our pastor, our church fellowship to give us unconditional love. Should each of these give unconditional love? Absolutely! But we fail. Remember that song about ‘looking for love in all the wrong places’? Look to Jesus. He is the only One we can count on.

A righteous man walks in integrity. Blessed are his children after him. v. 7 (WEB)

This is a true legacy. ‘Integrity’ or living a life of God’s values that a child ‘soaks’ throughout their life. Does that mean that every child exposed to that life will choose to accept them for himself? Oh, we pray that it would be so! Remember Joshua’s words: Choose you this day whom you will serve…! (Joshua 24:15).

Who can say, “I have made my heart pure. I am clean and without sin?” v. 9 (WEB)

John Wesley is credited with the concept of ‘Christian Perfection’. If you want to read one of his sermons about this, check out the link. Christian perfection is what I keep as my goal. I do not believe I will achieve this goal – this side of heaven. My opinion and I do encourage you to take time to read Wesley’s sermon and consider your own life.

Even a child makes himself known by his doings, whether his work is pure, and whether it is right. v. 11 (WEB)

Even a child learns right and wrong and should be taught that there are always consequences for his/her choices. Easier to teach consequences at four than at 14.

Don’t love sleep, lest you come to poverty. Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread. v. 13 (WEB)

Paul must have been thinking of this Scripture when he wrote to the Thessalonians (2 Thessalonians 3:10). A good word that is worth repeating!

Plans are established by advice; by wise guidance you wage war! v. 18 (WEB)

I wonder if the President, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and National Security Council would consider putting this on a plaque on their wall or read it aloud before each meeting.

He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; therefore don’t keep company with him who opens wide his lips. v. 19 (WEB)

Gossips are listed by Paul in the same breath with murderers and sexual deviants. That speaks to me about the destructiveness of gossiping.

Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness. v. 20 (WEB)

Most of us had less than perfect parents and most of us are less than perfect parents. As children, we still are to ask God for His grace to forgive and bless our parents and ask the same from our own children.

Don’t say, “I will pay back evil.” Wait for Yahweh, and he will save you. v. 22 (WEB)

Paul brought this verse forward in his letter to the Romans, Chapter 12, verses 17-19. Do not seek revenge when someone exacts evil on you. God is the Judge.

It is a snare to a man to make a rash dedication, then later to consider his vows. v. 25 (WEB)

Marriage. Only to be considered after a consultation with God.

The glory of young men is their strength. The splendor of old men is their gray hair. v. 29 (WEB)

Some Proverbs are difficult to receive as a blessing when you are my age. (Yes, I am chuckling.)


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