JMD Devotional 134 Proverbs 14:9 Good Infection

Fools make a mock of sin and sin mocks the fools [who are its victims; a sin offering made by them only mocks them, bringing them disappointment and disfavor], but among the upright there is the favor of God.

I used to have a sadistic supervisor who mocked my faith nearly every day. He made a game out of trying very hard to locate and push my buttons; to barbecue my sacred cows; he would pick and pick and pick at Christianity Vs all the other world religions. He loved to upset me. To him it was mental sparring; to me it was an unpleasant torment. His basic premise was that I was a fool for letting my beliefs restrain my libido from enjoying itself as he tried to do. His brother was saved at a Promise Keeper's rally and this was his way to 'avoid infection.' (C.S. Lewis called Christianity 'good infection.') That was eight years ago; and in the course of time I grew stronger as I learned to live in the face of criticism and to defend my beliefs; what he meant for evil helped me become a better Christian (Romans 8:28). He, on the other hand, has gone so far down the road to perdition, stretching the envelope of depravity, his behavior being abhorrent to even the very worldly so much so that none of his old friends will have anything to do with him. His life is a mess. He did it to himself.

Dear God,
I praise You and thank You for rescuing me from myself! How You managed to get through my utter depravity and the gross hostility of my unregenerate mind is beyond human understanding; but I am so grateful for your election. You are Sovereign God; even Satan is a dog on a leash which you hold; your will is carried out by saints and sinners alike, knowingly or unknowingly. Your Word is true from the beginning; may I live according to your good admonitions and Lordship. Please help me to walk in the center of your good graces for your praise and glory.
Amen

All (but*) quotes are from The Amplified Bible, published by
the Lockman Foundation. (AMP)
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
*New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
**Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. (Eugene Peterson's easy-to-read, contemporary Scripture translation)

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JMD Devotional 133 Proverbs 14:2,3,6 Self-inflicted Blindness

He who walks in uprightness reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, but he who is contrary and devious in his ways despises Him. In the fool's own mouth is a rod [to shame] his pride, but the wise men's lips preserve them. A scoffer seeks Wisdom in vain [for his very attitude blinds and deafens him to it], but knowledge is easy to him who [being teachable] understands.

A scoffer is blinded by his own attitude! How true it is. "But as many as received Him (Jesus) God gave the power to become the sons of God"--John 1:12; but a receptive attitude is beyond an arrogant soul. Men have been blinded by trying to make their own moonshine out of printer's ink or paint thinner; an extreme folly with horrible consequences. I find it ironic that it is reported that the little blue pill, Viagra, may cause blindness; men who put sex on a pedestal above their spouses' other needs: relationship, emotional connection, security, affirmation--already have diminished spiritual vision. Let's get our priorities right! God will generously give wisdom; but we must approach Him in faith and humility.

Dear God,
Give your people eye-salve, correct our vision, heal our spiritual eyes. Help us to see life from your perspective. May we approach this day with reverence because You are truly in it; it is the day You have made for our benefit. May we honor You in it in meekness and fear.
Amen

All (but*) quotes are from The Amplified Bible, published by
the Lockman Foundation. (AMP)
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
*New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
**Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. (Eugene Peterson's easy-to-read, contemporary Scripture translation)

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JMD Devotional 132 John 9:34-39 Outcast into Good Company

When Jesus healed a man born blind; the Pharisees grilled him, then his parents, and refusing to believe his testimony, grilled him again. Apparently the Holy Spirit inspired him, because he challenged the court with the evidence of God's favor on Jesus, how no one has ever cured a man BORN BLIND before, and that God doesn't listen to 'sinners'; and only God could have performed this miracle. This enraged the Pharisees!

John 9:34-39 (AMP) They retorted, You were wholly born in sin [from head to foot]; and do you [presume to] teach us? So they cast him out [threw him clear outside the synagogue]. Jesus heard that they had put him out, and meeting him He said, Do you believe in and adhere to the Son of Man (or the Son of God) ? He answered, Who is He, Sir? Tell me, that I may believe in and adhere to Him. Jesus said to him, You have seen Him; [in fact] He is talking to you right now. He called out, Lord, I believe! [I rely on, I trust, I cleave to You!] And he worshiped Him. Then Jesus said, I came into this world for judgment [as a Separator, in order that there may be separation between those who believe on Me and those who reject Me], to make the sightless see and to make those who see become blind.

Many things tend to divide people: age, sex, national identity, wealth; but from God's perspective these distinctions that seem so great to us pale with insignificance compared to our relationship with His Son. Jesus is offensive to the duplicity of mankind. He won't let you sit on the fence. He will shake your branches looking for signs of fruit that agree with repentance and a changed life. He meddles in the middle of your personal matters; His terms are 100% access to and Lordship over your life! He has purposely not left any middle ground open; you are either for Him or against Him; you are either helping Him gather or are scattering; hot or cold. It is all about Jesus, and He is your only hope.

Dear God,
I had to sit on this meditation for 24 hours; because I've been accused of fanaticism, of 'foaming at the mouth' on certain subjects. I could have said a lot more about those trying to straddle the fence; I could have blasted the liberal mind-set with both barrels; but I will leave conviction to your Holy Spirit. I don't want to misrepresent you, I don't want to undo your work in my zeal. Every trial you bring me through validates my heart-held conviction that it is all about You; you are Lord alone; the ultimate cause behind everything; God Almighty. I can and have done a lot of things to qualify for being an outcast; help me to not be one for shameful reasons but for my allegiance to and association with You. Give me a winsome countenance so that the only thing driving people away is the unadulterated truth and righteousness of God in me.
Amen

All (but*) quotes are from The Amplified Bible, published by
the Lockman Foundation. (AMP)
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
*New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
**Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. (Eugene Peterson's easy-to-read, contemporary Scripture translation)

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JMD Devotional 131 Proverbs Fail Safe System

Any cult can take a verse out of context and build a whole doctrine around it; but wise counsel suggests the 'law of three'; which states that any major principle should be presented in the scriptures at least three times before Christians should be dogmatic about it. Like getting a memo with a word underlined three times indicates "I REALLY MEAN IT!"

What do these Proverbs say about human discernment?

12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who listens to counsel is wise.

3: 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn [entirely] away from evil.

9:9 Give instruction to a wise man and he will be yet wiser; teach a righteous man (one upright and in right standing with God) and he will increase in learning.

21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs and tries the hearts.

I believe the implication is that our judgment is fallible and we are prone to be blind to our own folly. The safety net for this handicap is to have accountability, a second set of eyes, objective people to serve as sounding boards. The more important an issue is; the more thoroughly we should check ourselves on it.

11:14 Where no wise guidance is, the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

The greatest folly is for a Christian to think that they don't need the Church. Any person can be deceived; but Satan is limited and cannot defeat the overall work of the Church; we have the counsel of all who have gone before us; and multitudes of those currently with us; if only our pride will permit us to receive it.

Dear God,
When dealing with people is difficult the last thing I want to do is deal with more people; it is like I already know what they are going to say about most situations; but that is my dysfunction speaking. People are not obstacles for me to avoid; they are the crown of your creation! People are souls to be cherished and nurtured; they have experience and wisdom to be treasured. Please help me untwist my attitude, and overcome my reluctance to be connected and vulnerable; help me to yield to your wisdom in matters clearly commanded that sometimes don't make sense close-up. May I love the Church Jesus Christ suffered to establish, and be active in it.
Amen

All (but*) quotes are from The Amplified Bible, published by
the Lockman Foundation. (AMP)
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
*New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
**Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. (Eugene Peterson's easy-to-read, contemporary Scripture translation)

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JMD Daily Devotional 130 Proverbs 11:1,2,3 True and False

1 A FALSE balance and unrighteous dealings are extremely offensive and shamefully sinful to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight.

2 When swelling and pride come, then emptiness and shame come also, but with the humble (those who are lowly, who have been pruned or chiseled by trial, and renounce self) are skillful and godly Wisdom and soundness.

3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the willful contrariness and crookedness of the treacherous shall destroy them.

Are these just three disconnected pithy sayings; or do you see a theme?

A ‘just weight’ is not more nor less than what it claims to be; a 1oz weight is not in competition with a 10oz one; it just needs to maintain its integrity.

Leaven, or yeast swells up the dough; and in the Hebrew mind this was a kind of evil that deceived a person to believe that there was more substance in a loaf than was truly there, hence the sacredness of unleavened bread: honest, simplicity, what you see is what you get; no air pockets. Maybe we are so protective of our ego because the part we show is just so much hot air?

Being upright implies being straight forward, authentic, genuine and true. I think most of us grew up feeling we were nothing special, maybe even fearing we were bland; so we reacted to the pressures of our adolescent years by adopting false personas, exaggerated interests, and contrived mystiques; some of which quickly flopped, and others that stuck. But who are we really? Is that unique person lost behind the mask and makeup even now? Are we willing to trust that God didn’t make any ‘bland’ people; that just being one’s self is the very best possible thing to be?

Dear God,
People are so inscrutable and I am no exception! Sometimes I’m really afraid to just be me; I have practiced for other people’s approval and acceptance so much I am not even sure who I am anymore. How can I represent the Truth (Jesus) when I am less than true to myself and others? Set me free of that which binds my soul into a distorted caricature. May your healing continue; may the real inner man surface to please my audience of one, the Master who created me to enjoy His presence forever; may your perfect love drive out even this fear.
Amen

All (but*) quotes are from The Amplified Bible, published by
the Lockman Foundation. (AMP)
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
*New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
**Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. (Eugene Peterson's easy-to-read, contemporary Scripture translation)

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JMD Daily Devotional 129 Proverbs 10:17 None of us Live in a Vacuum

He who heeds instruction and correction is [not only himself] in the way of life [but also] is a way of life for others. And he who neglects or refuses reproof [not only himself] goes astray [but also] causes to err and is a path toward ruin for others.

Our behavior has ramifications beyond our own soul. How would you interpret a road sign that said "Do as I say and not as I do?" We are a book that people read every day; the faith we identify with is judged on every level and by all of the signals we broadcast. We can't get out from under the responsibility of 'being our brother's keeper'; we are helping or hurting others see Jesus by how we live. It has been said that there are only six degrees of separation for every person on earth; the effect of our attitudes, words and choices can be far-reaching indeed!

Dear God,
What a sobering responsibility it is to contemplate my connection to every other human being who crosses my path! Lord, I don't want to be a drain, a discourager, Mr. Negative. I really don't want to add to my shame going forward; to confuse or deceive; to turn people away from You because my nature turns them off. Please continue to transform my mind; perfume my spirit; make my countenance to be glad again for what I have in Christ Jesus: make me 'good advertising' for your kingdom by your presence shining forth in me. It is that or completely isolate me where I can do no more harm (but I am certain that is not your way!) Keep me securely in your way.
Amen

All (but*) quotes are from The Amplified Bible, published by
the Lockman Foundation. (AMP)
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
*New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
**Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. (Eugene Peterson's easy-to-read, contemporary Scripture translation)

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JMD Devotional 128 John 2:23-25 Taxonomy of Man

Taxonomy is the science of classification and identification. My wife and I utilize this as we pursue our hobby of wild flower and other plant identification along the trails of coastal Florida. It is fun detective work to compare leaf shapes, their placement (are the leaves in opposite pairs or do they alternate down the stem), and other characteristics with data in field guides. The plant is identified by these elements; but most of all by its flowers and its fruit or seeds. An unknown plant is hardest to identify when it is not in bloom, most of the other features are so common misidentification is likely. When the elements of what we observe do not exactly match anything in our books, we might argue taxonomy, but in the end the identity is revealed by making subsequent visits until the plant does blossom.

John 2:23-25 (AMP) But when He was in Jerusalem during the Passover Feast, many believed in His name [identified themselves with His party] after seeing His signs (wonders, miracles) which He was doing. But Jesus [for His part] did not trust Himself to them, because He knew all [men]; And He did not need anyone to bear witness concerning man [needed no evidence from anyone about men], for He Himself knew what was in human nature. [He could read men's hearts.]

If we missed it; here it is again in another translation:

John 2:24, 25 (NIV) But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man.

This is a sad verse to me, it bruises the ego. Jesus clearly saw the fruit of hypocrisy, that even many who outwardly responded to His message had wrong motives, selfish agendas, and worldly allegiance. The church has always had a fifth rank; unregenerate members who subtly oppose the work of God, who wear out pastors and block kingdom progress in obstinate politics, 'false sheep'. God has a warehouse of millstones for such individuals who are downright poison ivy in His garden; but there is also an element of duplicity in true followers concerning their old and new natures of which we must be ever vigilant.

James 3:10-12 Out of the same mouth come forth blessing and cursing. These things, my brethren, ought not to be so. Does a fountain send forth [simultaneously] from the same opening fresh water and bitter? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine figs? Neither can a salt spring furnish fresh water.

Dear God,
Forgive me for not living up to the potential you planted in me; for not contributing whole-heartedly to your garden and for producing little fruit. I confess I sometimes behave like a weed; more concerned about the condition of my (inedible) leaves and stalks than fruit; more focused on getting my nutrients than the needs of the garden and the ultimate harvest. True spiritual life comes only through death of the carnal; and maturity through grieving my own fleshly appetites in favor of your will. Help me to be committed, consistent and productive for your pleasure, praise and worship. May I sacrifice my comfort, standing and security for building up your kingdom.
Amen

All (but*) quotes are from The Amplified Bible, published by
the Lockman Foundation. (AMP)
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
*New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
**Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. (Eugene Peterson's easy-to-read, contemporary Scripture translation)

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