Category: Proverbs - Jethro TOOLS

Faith and Saving

6/29/2025

Proverbs 3:1-12
Returning home, the house was strangely silent. The flick of the light switch produced no result. The steady hum of the old refrigerator was nonexistent. These and more were the symptoms discovered today as we walked in the front door. The power was off. There was no electricity coming into my home to provide the power necessary to operate normal functions within my home. As with electricity, our lives need the connection to God’s power for successful operation. The book of Proverbs provides powerful word pictures that resemble life and give guidance on how to live a life of wisdom that honors God. Proverbs 3:9 tells us to honor God with our wealth. That is accomplished by giving back to God the first and best of what He has given us. This is a gift that reminds us of God’s rightful authority over our life. The very next verse tells us that when we apply this wisdom that honors God first it will lead to His blessing (10). The problem is that we as people want shortcuts to prosperity. We incorrectly think that righteousness leads to prosperity, therefore I will be righteous because I want to be prosperous. In doing so we love ourselves first and God takes a very distant second place. Prosperity should lead us to thankfulness and serving God with what He has given. When we save solely for our purposes we miss the security of God’s blessing. We must love God for who He is not what we want to get. God in His wisdom and grace has given us His best in Jesus. In Christ our perspective on the power of saving is changed. He saved us so we honor Him with the blessings He has given us. God wants His power to flow through our lives and bring honor to Him. Is it time to flip the perspective switch in our life from saving to honoring?

For More See PROVERBS

Ministry Commitment

11/3/2024

1 Timothy 6:11-16
Every garden involves work, water and weeding, and over the years I have had plenty of experience in all three areas. However, the process repeats itself year after year. That process has made me consider what the garden strategically needs to be successful in the coming year. A garden reminds me of what is recorded in 1 Timothy 6 as Paul challenges Timothy to a life of godliness and a ministry that is marked by commitment to Jesus Christ. Paul refers to Timothy as a “man of God” (11) which is the key idea for the following verses. So what does it take to be known as one who is godly? The phrase “man of God” defines Timothy as being set apart from others who hold worldly values; it describes Timothy and his dedication to God; and it directs Timothy on the course he is to continue. If Godliness is something we all should strive for, then how do we become godly? What steps do we take? Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established.” Often we turn that around by seeking to do what we think is right and then asking God’s approval. Proverbs challenges us to display our faith in the LORD through an absolute reliance on Him alone. The first step is a commitment that places and releases our plans into God’s hands. Secondly, through prayer we listen and obediently respond to His answers and watch Him work to make the plans work. Just like a garden will not grow without the sun that God provides, so our lives will not flourish without following God’s direction. We can be committed to growing a garden, but we need God’s work to bring the produce. We need to be personally committed to godly growth, but we also need God’s work to bring His produce in our life.

For More See 1 TIMOTHY

Vision From God's Word

10/30/2022

Proverbs 29:18
Normal vision goes by a measurement of 20/20. As we age and have genetic or other health issues our eyesight will become weaker. We begin to notice this by not being able to see clearly up close or have difficulty seeing far away. We may be able to tolerate this for a bit, but eventually we will need to see an eye doctor who will measure what it will take for our eyes to be corrected back to normal 20/20 vision. The eye doctor will give a prescription, and when we walk out of the doctor’s office with new glasses everything looks brighter because we can see clearly. Proverbs 29:18 talks about vision, but often it is misunderstood and misapplied. Often this verse is used to teach organizational leadership and the development of personal goals and dreams. However, vision in this verse has to do with the communication of God’s message. The prophets would receive a message from God and then they would communicate that to the people. Without God’s word to direct their lives they would lack divine direction. The writer of Proverbs leaves a challenge to his audience that includes us today. We need to practice or keep God’s word in order to experience His blessing. We need to spend time with God in His word enjoying His presence and greatness. As God speaks to us through His word we need to respond and allow His truths to transform our life. By continually placing God’s word to use in our daily life we will experience true joy in walking with Him. God has a vision for our life and our world. His desire is to communicate that to us, transform us by His grace and use us to carry that message of grace, and hope found only through Jesus to our world so they too can see clearly.

For more see PROVERBS or MISAPPLIED SCRIPTURE VERSES

Dispute Resolution

9/21/2020

What do you do if a misunderstanding escalates into a full blown dispute? Something was said or done quite innocently or even unknowingly and it seems like gasoline was just thrown on a fire. There was a huge explosion and now nothing is the same with pieces of a relationship blown up and scattered all over the place. Where do you begin as you try and patch these broken relationship pieces back together? There are a number of helpful tips that we find in the pages of Scripture. The following are offered as tools to use in the midst of a dispute.

First, try using a mediator. Some cultures find this to be very valuable in avoiding the shame of face to face conflict. A mediator is a wise person that is called in an attempt to reconcile two parties who are in the midst of a conflict. Jesus Christ is the mediator between God and sinful humankind (1 Timothy 2:5). We need to model our lives after Christ and be that peace making party. If we are personally involved in an unresolved conflict it is always a good idea to call in a wise elder for counsel and help. They can speak with the wisdom of age and the wisdom of an outside perspective. Ultimately we need to use Christ as our mediator and pray about the situation, our involvement, the other party and ask God to help bring a resolution that would honor Him.

Next, we need to watch out for words of gossip and attitudes that seek to destroy the other person. Gossip is simply uncontrolled conversation that is not true. By using gossip we ultimately seek to tear the other person down and make ourselves look better. Gossip pridefully betrays a confidence (Proverbs 11:3 & 20:19). When we gossip it makes the problem worse (Proverbs 26:20) by spreading it to the larger community and involving others. Gossip in many ways is like a mold that grows on a piece of food. It will continue to destroy what is good unless it is cut off and removed. We need to correct our attitudes of pride that lead to gossip because others and God will see it for the sinful contamination that it truly is.

The third tool is to pray. We often think that prayer is just our conversation with God about us, but God desires that it be so much more. Have you prayed for your enemy, the one you are in conflict with? Romans 12:12 challenges us to be persistent in prayer even for our enemies. Jesus said that we are to love our enemies and pray for them (Matthew 5:44-45). In some ways, this is the easiest solution and yet it is the most difficult. Why? Well, there is part of us that thinks we are better than the enemy and we portray that to God when we pray. We want God to destroy the enemy rather than see them restored. We need God’s perspective and that can be gained through prayer.

Fourth, we need to act righteously toward our enemy. In Romans 12, Paul challenges his audience and even us today with three practical steps. The first thing he says highlights our sense of justice for being wronged. Paul says that we should not try and correct the injustice by turning around and acting unjustly (Romans 12:17). Our attitude and consistent desire should be one that constantly seeks to live in peace with others (Romans 12:18). Finally, Paul emphasizes the value of acting in a way that is contrary to conflict (Romans 12:20). When we can show grace and give to an enemy what is not deserved that is when we have truly understood God’s grace that He has shown to us.

May God give us the courage and the grace to be problem solvers not problem creators.

For more see CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Persistence in Wisdom

5/1/2020

Proverbs 4:20-27
There they sat, three enormous stones that weighed more than I did and they needed to be moved. The problem was that they were so big that I could not move them by my self. After much pondering and the use of levers and poles I was able to move them by myself almost as easily as a shopping kart in a parking lot. Persistence is often a quality that we value. Yet persistence for a long time in the wrong direction will always lead to the wrong location. In Proverbs 4 we see the father, Solomon, exhorting his son to persist in being wise. The father as the passionate teacher, challenges his son to listen to his words and discern God’s values for life. However, he moves beyond the mind and the intellect in the hope that the son will be diligent, implementing Godly practices that will impact his life. The wise teacher realizes that he can’t correct and guide every aspect of his son’s life so he closes the chapter by advising his son to seek God’s direction for all of life and evaluate his life by God’s standard. Like the son, we need to persist in listening to God, continually live for God and make sure we line up with God. Accepting and following God’s wisdom is not only valuable it is essential because life for all eternity depends on it. Accepting and following God's direction in life takes faith. Persistence in God's direction is the life of the truly wise.

Directionally Challenged?

4/24/2020

Proverbs 4:10-19
A compass is an essential survival tool, but many today do know how to use a compass. We have become comfortable with electronic directions or simply asking someone. Have you ever been lost and in need of directions? When we need directions some of us will ask the first person we see while others of us will hold off in hope that we will recognize something just around the next corner. How often do we do the same in our spiritual life? When we practice the wisdom that God gives it is not just a functional ritual, instead it is something that revolutionizes our function. The operation of our life begins deep below the surface of what can be seen through our life. Wisdom begins by accepting all that God offers. God’s wisdom is useful but it is also valuable for all of life. The father in Proverbs 4 challenges his son to guard his heart and the wisdom that God offers. As we see from today’s scripture passage accepting and following God’s wisdom is not only valuable it is essential because life for all eternity depends on it. God provides a compass for our life. All we need to do is respond to His wise and loving direction. Let God’s wisdom revolutionize your function and direction.

Teaching of Wisdom

4/16/2020

Proverbs 4:1-9
What is wisdom and how do you get it? A search of the internet will provide some very interesting ideas. In Proverbs 4 we see that wisdom is passed on from one generation to another. As the father begins his instruction we can hear the passion that he has for his sons as he challenges them to listen to what he has experienced and learned from his father. Today, we need to remember the words of God the father spoken through Jesus with love. Just as in Proverbs, we are challenged to value and embrace the salvation that God offers through Jesus and live it, displaying His work of grace on our behalf.

Following in Wisdom

4/15/2020

Proverbs 3:1-12
Do you remember what your parents taught you? This is more than just when to put on a jacket and always wear socks. What wisdom for life was passed on? Often as parents it is easy to emphasize preferences rather than priorities. Beginning in Proverbs 3 the author highlights that wisdom is found in more than just what a parent desires or the personal drive and accomplishment in life. True wisdom is found in a desire for God and how we are to live in relationship to Him. Our relationship with the LORD is founded on trust, respect, and honor. When we seek other things we can not expect to find God’s wisdom and direction. Let us seek God in order to find His wisdom and direction. Knowing God is the beginning of wisdom. Let us thank God for the wisdom He gives and walk in it.

Treasure of Wisdom

4/13/2020

Proverbs 2
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind” (James 1:5-6). James challenges us to ask God for wisdom and not doubt the knowledge and understanding that God gives in order to act wisely. In Proverbs 2 we see that seeking wisdom takes effort (1-5), but it is God who is the giver of wisdom (6-9). As we practice living a wise godly life we will find stability in all of life. As we listen to God and walk in His wisdom we will find that what He offers is useful in all areas of life. Knowing God is the beginning of wisdom. Let us thank God for the wisdom that He gives and walk in it.

Folly and Wet Boots

4/1/2020

Proverbs 1:20-33
I remember when I was in grade school my brothers and I would have a competition… who could get across the frozen mud puddles without falling in. We would laugh at each other and the threat of getting wet feet. Some of us always went home with wet feet and had to face the wrath of Mom because she always told us to wear boots so our shoes would stay dry. The noise of laughter and a brothers dare caused us to not hear wisdom.

On the occasion that we would wear boots we would head to the same puddles in the spring time. However, this time the rules were different. The goal was to see how far you would dare walk into the water with out the water coming over the top of your boots. Inevitably, the ongoing challenges existed. If one of us seemed to be having success the others would throw large rocks into the puddle to create a splash and cause the water to flow into the others boots. The noise of laughter and a brothers challenge caused us not to hear wisdom.

Listening, it is one of the most difficult lessons that we must learn. We first learn this lesson from our parents, then from teachers in school, and then we turn around and expect our children to listen to us. Listening for life learning is important, but it is more important to be able to listen to God and the wisdom that He provides for life. Our world has always been a place full of distractions, yet God’s wisdom is always available. We just need to seek Him and listen to Him above the noise of our world. In the book of Proverbs the writer describes wisdom using human characteristics to help the reader relate too and understand the actions of wisdom. In God’s wisdom we find peace to guide our path in life. As we know God we know peace (33). Ultimately as we listen to and walk in God’s wisdom (20-21) we find that what He offers is useful in all areas of life (22-28). Wisdom has offered what is truly good but the fool has rejected what is good (29-31). Knowing God is the beginning of wisdom. Let us thank God for the wisdom that He gives and walk in it.

As we walk through this time in our life and our world it might be good to pause and ask ....
How is God calling to us to turn and listen to His voice? God's wisdom is available, just listen. Perhaps God has allowed this time to adjust your schedule to be quiet enough to listen to Him.

How are we responding to God's voice of wisdom? God's wisdom is useful, accept it. God reveals Himself and His truth in His book the Bible. Be wise and ponder what God reveals in the Bible for its usefulness each day.

How are we handling life? God's wisdom brings peace with Him as we walk with Him. When we know God we will know peace. Do you know Him and His peace?