August 21 ~ Proverbs 26
13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
Laziness… the Bible has a lot to say against it, and it’s not good! You know the old phrase… “lazy, hazy days of summer.” Surely we have had some hot hazy days that beg us to be lazy. And for a few hot summer days, that’s okay. But there are people who take laziness to unbelievable heights. There are those for whom the biggest challenge is figuring out how they can do even LESS than yesterday!
Somehow, I did not get the laziness gene. I grew up surrounded by workaholics – and while that’s not necessarily good either, I pretty much became a driven person by osmosis. This is not always the case, and sometimes you will see families where everybody in the family works very hard… except for one or two people who make a career out of laziness. In other families, it seems like the whole family is miserably lazy and lets the house go, the dishes pile up, the yard grow tall with weeds, the cars fall apart, and more. They seem perfectly content to let life pass them by while they do the bare minimum to support themselves and function in life.
I have to admit, I am a stickler for neatly pressed clothes. It may say “permanent press” on the label, but it’s probably going to get a little extra help at my house, in the form of a hot iron and some spray starch! I know others who are even more obsessed with ironing than I am, but that’s another story! My husband asked me one day why I was ironing his shirts… why didn’t I just pull them out of the clothes dryer and hang them on a hanger? After all, they were “permanent press!” I told him that may be what it says on the label, but even the best no-iron shirt needs a little pressing in spots, and when he goes out in public in a shirt that has obviously not been pressed, it is a reflection on him AND me. And that’s how it is with God and laziness. When you choose to be lazy, that is a reflection on your relationship with God. After all… if you are lazy about your earthly life, you are probably lazy Spiritually as well.
God didn’t call you to be His lazy child. Remember the words of Luke 12:48… “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” I’m not saying you have to start ironing your underwear, but I am encouraging you to get up and get busy.
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 20 ~ Proverbs 26
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9 As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouths of fools.
10 The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
There is a silly joke that circulates on e-mail that says…” If someone comes to your front door saying they are checking for ticksdue to the warm weather and asks you to take off your clothes and dance around with your arms up, DO NOT DO IT !! THIS IS A SCAM!! They only want to see you naked. I wish I'd gotten this yesterday. I feel so stupid.”
You probably know somebody who is just about this foolish. They either are so gullible and naïve that they believe everything they hear, or they are just immature and silly and desperate for any attention they can garner and will do anything to get it. Either way, people like this should be avoided. The class clown who is always making you laugh while making the teachers mad is probably not someone you need to emulate. That buddy who can’t ever pay his rent and always wants to borrow money and possessions from you and your friends is probably not someone with whom you should associate. The person who smokes or snorts his/her college scholarship away is foolish and someone you should avoid. The co-worker who spends more time trying to look busy than be busy – or who mistreats company property or their job duties or steals company property is not your friend.
The story about checking for ticks is funny, but sadly, there are a lot of foolish people out there, and the Bible is very clear that we are not to have anything to do with them. We can pray for them. We can be kind and polite, but we must not draw them into our circle of close friends and associates.
So don’t feel stupid… don’t be caught off guard. Don’t be foolish, and don’t associate with fools. Seek God’s wisdom and discernment of foolish people and behavior, and stay in His will and worthy of His rewards.
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 19 ~ Proverbs 25
23 The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
27 It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to http://www.biblegateway.com/ and do a passage lookup.)
Self-control… just saying those words may be difficult. A friend of mine has a grandchild who is allergic to peanuts. The child knows he is not to eat peanuts, or anything with peanuts in it, but he loves peanut butter. As a small child with two siblings, he watched for any opportunity to sneak a taste of peanut butter. He knew it would make him sick, and as he grew older, he realized it could have deadly consequences. But oh… how he still wanted to taste that peanut butter!
Aren’t we like that sometimes? We know better. We know not to overeat. We know if we drink a Route 44 drink right before bed we are going to be up many times in the night for trips to the bathroom. We know how to “push buttons” and probably when we are nearing the breaking point for others. And yet we push. We eat too many cookies or the greasy, artery-clogging cheeseburgers and fries. We antagonize others and “pick fights.” We flirt too much with the cute girl/guy when our girlfriend/boyfriend isn’t looking. We wait until the last minute to study for a test and then take some OTC drug to keep us awake so we can. We “push the envelope” – a little lie here, slipping a $10 bill from our dad’s wallet there, and the next thing you know, we’ve graduated to bigger lies and forging our mom’s name to a check or “borrowing” her credit card.
I don’t know what your “peanut butter” is, but I do know that God is brokenhearted when you test Him in this way. And sometimes He is angry, and the consequences are heartbreaking for everyone. So the next time you feel your self-control being tested, think of the peanut butter. Think of the potential for disaster, and ask God to strengthen you and give you the resolve you need.
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 18 ~ Proverbs 25
16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20 As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
When my brother was dying, a pastor and his wife came to my parents’ house to visit. They had not been to visit all through my brother’s rather lengthy illness. They had not inquired about his condition, nor had they visited my father, who was also seriously ill. They had not been involved in my family’s business at all. Yet, here they were, a day or so before my brother died, wanting to visit him. My mother did not let them past her living room. I would have to say their intrusion at that time was somewhat like “vinegar upon nitre.” In other words it was really “rubbing salt in the wound” and insulting. It is a little like the people who attend the funeral visitation of someone whom they barely knew because they want to gawk at the body. This passage warns against such behavior. It does not please God.
Likewise, a behavior that does not please God, but one of which I must admit guilt is that of not always “feeding your enemy.” I’m not saying if the chips were down that I would not help an “enemy” – or someone of whom I’m not especially fond, but I have been guilty of such things as saying, “I wouldn’t walk across the street to spit on So-and-so.” And that is wrong and un-Godly behavior, and I must stop it. See, by showing kindness and God’s love to those who are “unlovely,” we catch them off guard. We surprise them and make them stop in their tracks and go, “Wait a minute! He/she was NICE to me! I know I don’t deserve it, but they were kind anyway!” And in that moment, we have not only done a kindness toward that person, but we have pleased God. And that’s what it’s all about!
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 17 ~ Proverbs 25
9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:
10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
Have you ever had a tube of toothpaste or something else that comes in a tube, and the tip has gotten crusted over, and you squeeze hard to make the product come out, only to get a whole lot more than you wanted or needed? Life is like that. We say things and do things “in the heat of the moment,” and words come gushing out, or we do something dumb, and then it’s too late. There is no “putting it back into the tube!”
The Bible tells us to be very careful. Pay close attention to what we are doing and saying. You know, most of the time, if we paid closer attention, we would see that the tip of whatever tube we are squeezing is clogged, and we could gently correct that issue before squeezing! So it is in life… by paying attention and guarding our hearts – and our tongues – we can gently correct many situations before they become situations! Ask God to guide you and to give you wisdom and patience in this area. Ask Him to help you to unclog the tubes in your life before you squeeze out the contents!
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 16 ~ Proverbs 25
1 These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
7 For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.
8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
Dorothy Duncan, the mother of one of my classmates, was our Girl Scout leader when we were young. She has been a special person in my life ever since I can remember. As our Girl Scout leader and in life in general, she taught me a lot of important lessons about how to take care of a household and a family. I laughingly tell people that “she taught me to cut up a chicken for frying!” Mrs. Duncan (Dot) is a wonderful cook, and I remember her remarking to me once about another lady who said that she never sifted her flour when baking. Dot was appalled… “Why, who ever heard of not sifting your flour?”
Now, I have to admit, I had not sifted my flour when baking for a number of years. It seemed like an unnecessary step to me. But after Dot said this to me, I started thinking about it whenever I would bake… and I began to sift! And you know what? It DOES make a difference! At the bottom of my sifter would be these little particles… chunks of flour and sugar that were too large to go through the mesh screen. So the finished product was free of lumps. It blended better, and the end result was a smoother, tastier dish!
King Solomon tells us in this scripture passage that life is like that. You have to sift out the chunks… the impurities… in order to make a “fine vessel.” He also tells us that things are not always as they seem, so don’t rush to pass judgment. See, I thought that mixing together flour and sugar spices in baking didn’t matter… if you sifted or not, you still got a cake or cookies or whatever. And that’s true. But by sifting out the impurities, the end result was better. And it’s the same for anything else… by sifting through the impurities, and the gossip, and the appearances, and whatever “chunks” are held back, you get to the real heart of the matter. And the result is smoother, finer, softer, and much improved.
So what about you? Do you use a sifter in your life? If not, don’t you think it’s time you did?
©2007 Debbie Robus
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August 15 ~ Proverbs 24
30 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
32 Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.
33 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
34 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.
(Scripture taken from the King James Version, 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States. To read this passage from The Message, go to www.biblegateway.com and do a passage lookup.)
There is a line in a song by Hootie and the Blowfish – Hold My Hand – that says, “I wanna love you the best that, the best that I can.” This should be our motto toward Christ. We should want to love HIM the best that we can. And part of loving Christ means being good stewards of His gifts for us, including our home, our personal belongings, the space around us, and our time.
My cousin is a kindergarten teacher and the mother of a four-year-old. She pretty much travels at “warp speed” most of the time as she tries to get everything done for her family, her job, and her friends. One day she told me that she could not seem to wake up. All she wanted to do that day was sleep. She had slept most of the day, and at one point, she fell asleep while playing with her daughter. It wasn’t for very long, but the little daughter woke up my cousin, and she was upset to think that the child had been playing alone while her mother napped.
The sad part of this is that many, many children are at home alone with a parent who naps much of the time… night and day. And the parents think nothing of it. In fact, they find no problem with letting their house fall down around them, their yard grow up in weeds and “thorns and nettles” and getting public assistance to keep the lights on and their family fed. You may know someone like this, or you may even have grown up in such a situation.
I am not saying that public assistance is bad, or that people are wrong for accepting it. There are legitimate cases where assistance is necessary and justly deserved. And my cousin was suffering from exhaustion. She had “burned the candle from both ends” until it met in the middle, and for one day she needed extra rest! But this scripture passage is talking about those who “rest” all the time. And the Bible tells us that those who are lazy and live like this are destined for a life of poverty. That doesn’t mean just a life with little or no money… it means a life poor in spirit, too, because most lazy people are somewhat downtrodden and depressed – or depressing to be around!
I encourage you to avoid laziness. Pay attention to the lessons of the Proverbs and do what pleases Christ. Take care of your property. Work hard at whatever you do, and use your earnings and your God-given abilities to provide for yourself and your family. Rest when you need to, but only to recharge your batteries. Remember to “Hold Christ’s Hand” and “love Him the best that, the best that you can!”
©2007 Debbie Robus
Hold My Hand – (Bryan, Felber, Rucker, Sonefeld) album: Cracked Rear View – Atlantic Records - ©1994
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