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Thursday, February 7, 2008

Some thoughts from Proverbs

I'm reading through Proverbs right now in my personal bible reading. I feel like I could just do that the rest of my life. It's so rich with wisdom I can hardly get through a chapter a day. I copied some thoughts from my personal journal I keep. I'd love to hear your comments. I sure don't have it all figured out.

February 7, 2008
Prov 16:1 - We can gather our thoughts, but the LORD gives the right answer.
  • I need to hear this. I recoil too much at the the cliché of “I'll pray about it” to the point where I don't pray about things enough.
Prov 16:4 - The LORD has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for punishment.
  • Help Lord! I just don't get it. Where does our free will as humans play into this?
Prov 16:21 - The wise are known for their understanding, and instruction is appreciated if it's well presented.
  • This is so right and illustrates the burden I have as a leader; to operate with wisdom and understanding as I train and correct young leaders.
Prov 16:31 - Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life.
  • Yea, my “crown” is coming in nicely!
Prov 16:33 - We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall.
  • I've heard it said that this scripture could possibly be some evidence that God condones gambling. I don't know if that's true or not. I do think, however, that Christians get way too hung up on specific issues. Gambling, drinking, watching “R” rated movies, whatever your particular issue . . . these seem to be personal choices that ought to be made with many different factors influencing us. To say “I don't gamble because I'm a Christian” is as mindless as “I always vote Republican because I'm a Christian”. God wants our brains engaged in our decisions. Why else would He have given us free will and the ability to think and reason?
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2 comments:

  1. ShawnaFebruary 8, 2008 at 8:50 AM

    that verse from proverbs sixteen has bugged me for months! i also took time to read through proverbs carefully during the month of november and that one dang verse just stuck in the back of my mind. i even asked sven about it, who is probably the most insightful person in all of sweden, and even he couldn't give a sufficient answer.

    but here is my best effort at drawing sense from it..

    at first, i read it like this:
    the lord controls everything for his own good;
    he even controls the wicked so he can judge them.

    and i wanted to puke. then i read it like this (after looking up the verse in literally fifteen different translations):
    the lord is always working toward his good outcome,
    and even evil is always working, toward his evil outcome.

    no clue if that's even remotely close, but it's all i got. let me know if you came up with something else.

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  2. AnnetteFebruary 9, 2008 at 1:12 AM

    Proverbs 16:4 - The New Century Version of the Everyday Bible -
    The Lord makes everything go as He pleases. He has even prepared a day of disaster for evil people.
    and The Contemporary English Version:
    The Lord has a reason for everything He does, and He lets evil people live only to be punished.

    I take it that He wants everything to please Him; however, the evil people just won't do His will, so they will be punished. So we still do have a free will; but the wrong choice will not give a good result.

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