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Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find? The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him. Proverbs 20:6-7 (Proverbs 20-24)

These Proverbs address things specific to our intimate relationships, that is, what goes on behind the front door. A nagging woman subtracts from the quality of life, a loose tongue hurts those closest to you, a good name is greater treasure than all the riches on earth, wise people plan and prepare to take care of others and social climbing is a waist of time. Treat your neighbors fairly and with compassion.

Our culture has made careless handling of relationships acceptable. It is not. The entitlement to just be ourselves is misguided. We are called to be righteous. 

The most important people you will encounter today will not be your coworkers, boss, a possible client, prospective investor or a stranger on the street, (although these people are important). Honor those who reside under your roof. You are their first encounter of the day, so make it a good one!

Have a Great Day!

Gretchen

The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. Proverbs 15:3 (Proverbs 15-20)

God created the natural world with words. Man molds, inspires or destroys their social world in the same manner. Adversity and strife demand a response. Solomon outlines appropriate and correct actions in contrast to reactions that halt blessing. A gentle tongue or soft answer is a tree of life, prayers of the righteous delight God, but a fool’s mouth brings destruction and death.

Solomon’s wisdom speaks to man’s correct reply to human need. A gift to the poor is a gift to God, to cheat one another is a great offense to the One that loves us most. Proverbs places tremendous stress on the power of words and speech, so master them and don’t allow them to betray the integrity of who you are.

At life’s most difficult time, don’t give up and never waiver. Good deeds are seen by the only One that matters and wrongs WILL be dealt with in perfect place and time.

Love,

Gretchen

The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and He adds no trouble to it. Proverbs 10:22 (Proverbs 10-14)

When good comes my way, I hold my breath and wait for the other foot to fall. I am suspicious of good. God and I know I am a sinner saved by grace and He can forget my sins, but I struggle and know I don’t deserve all that I have. Yet, here is the wisest man that ever walked earth’s paths reminding us that God gives with no hidden agenda, no trickery. His gifts fulfill and make possible our life’s purpose.

Solomon addresses every aspect of life. The proverbs organized in chapters 10-14 are a series of stark contrasts, wise/foolish, diligent/lazy, rich/poor, righteous/wicked, tranquility/anger.  This is all summed up by life, death and the choices we each make. God is the giver of good things, but through man’s actions and self autonomy, we bind ourselves to the things of this world that turn to dust and miss eternal life.

God is good in all things and all ways.

Love,

Gretchen

For a man’s ways are in full view of the LORD, and He examines his paths. Proverbs 5:21. (Proverbs 5-9)

Solomon had many wives and concubines. They were his downfall. Wisdom should have spared him, but he failed to employ it. These prose are a picture of, “Do as I say, not as I do.”  He did not recommend that others follow the path he trod. It did not lead to a happily ever after.  Femme fatale is not a fairy tale.

Proverbs makes parallel connections to sin and an adulterous relationship, and righteousness and fidelity. Solomon warns to steer away from people and places that bring temptation. Choose  to be loyal and honor the relationships you first made.

Perseverance and determination are not just traits one needs to survive times of persecution. It is necessary to set a path of faithful behavior in every daily duty. There will be feasts along the way. Some will bring life, others, certain death. The choice is yours. God sees all we do and allows no excuses. Do the right thing!

Have a great Monday,

Gretchen

My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them. Proverbs 1:10 (Proverbs 1-4)

Solomon wrote over 3000 short, intellectual proverbs focused on morality, chastity, diligence, compassion, personal finances, family life, the list goes on. His starting point was to put God in His proper place. He is the center of all things and you are not.

Proverbs is not a book of theology. Its purpose is to instill virtues taught throughout the Biblical discourse. God has a design for man’s peace and prosperity but man must embrace the life style God desires.

Don’t let satan, or his friendly neighborhood sinners, convince you that absolute diligence to love and good is a waste of time. Jesus’ commitment and perseverance is the supreme example that it is not. Stay so busy doing good that you don’t have time for bad.

Happy Weekend,

Gretchen

So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the LORD; he did not follow the LORD completely, as David his father had done.  I Kings 11:6 (I Kings 9-11, II Chronicles 7-9)

This was Israel’s golden age. David built the kingdom, Solomon built the Temple and Israel was the most powerful nation on earth. Outside of Israel, Homer wrote the Iliad and the Odyssey, Greek history begins. Egypt, Assyria and Babylon were weak. Everything was headed in the right direction. God appeared to Solomon twice and in addition, there was The Law. God is always very clear about right and wrong. The gray areas we struggle with are not a vagary of God.

The demand was simple: Have NO OTHER god’s before Me! Solomon could argue they weren’t his, but those of his wives, but they became his by association. No amount of wisdom can exonerate sin, only humble confession on man’s part and grace and mercy on God’s part can do that. David repented, Solomon did not. An end of peace and prosperity was the result.

There is no manipulation of sin and grace. You can’t outsmart your Creator, nor can you find redemption in any act of man. Yes, God did an amazing thing when He created you, but you have a free will that can destroy. The Throne of The One True God is where the action is. In feast or famine, all your needs will be met because He’s THAT God………The God!

Love,

Gretchen

Since the day I brought My people Israel out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city in any tribe of Israel to have a temple built for My Name to be there, but I have chosen David to rule My people Israel.” I Kings 8:16 (I Kings 8)

The splendor of Solomon’s Jerusalem had to be seen to be believed. As a matter of fact, people of station and wealth did travel from miles away, just to satisfy their curiosity about this wise and prosperous ruler.  Jerusalem became the center of the world!  Still today, the three largest religions on earth, Christianity, Judaism and Islam, call Jerusalem their birthplace. A closer look at the history of this ‘City on a Hill’ reveals that God calls people, not places. David, the warrior king, chose Jerusalem for its strategic, military benefit, not a divine religious purpose. David dreamed of a Temple. Solomon saw that the Ark of the Covenant had a secure place to rest and God was honored with a permanent dwelling place.

God’s presence filled His Temple. He was pleased, but it wasn’t the location, gold or even the prestige that kept Him in residence. God remained because man daily chose to grow and maintain a relationship of faith and obedience with Him, their Creator, Protector and Provider.

Do you ever question your time and place in history, or imagine that a change of geography would make a tremendous difference in your ability to serve God?  It is the nature of man’s imagination to question the validity of one’s existence, but never let it be an excuse to minimize God’s purpose and love!  God’s residence IS about location, location, location, and your soul is His prime real-estate!  In return, we receive His vision, and OH MY, WHAT A VIEW!

Have a Great Day,

Gretchen

The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore; they ate, they drank and they were happy. I Kings 4:20 (I Kings 4-7 and II Chronicles 2-6)

Solomon was an incredible leader.  He ran vast enterprises and administrated a massive bureaucracy, wrote 3000 proverbs, 1005 songs, he was a scientist, botanist and responsible for three books of the Bible, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon. Peace and prosperity were his legacy.

Israel began their existence as God’s chosen people with only a tent as their place of worship and evidence of God’s dwelling. This was the custom for over 400 years. God ordained this structure, David designed it and Solomon built the lavish, marvel of ancient history! However, its glory was short-lived. Within five years of Solomon’s death it was plundered and then completely destroyed.

This temple, of incredible pomp and grandeur, honored God only as far as man’s heart reflected the same awe and glory. The gold embossed wood and stone came tumbling down when Israel’s heart turned to other god’s and their earthly comforts and pleasures took precedence over God’s law. Nothing of material or earthly origin compares to God’s concern with the soul of man.

Love,

Gretchen

“So give Your servant a discerning heart to govern Your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” I Kings 3:9 (I Kings 1-3 and II Chronicles 1)

As King David lived out his last days, his son Adonijah, the heir apparent, sets himself up as king. The prophet Nathan intervenes and David has Solomon anointed before he dies. Shortly afterward, God appears to Solomon in a dream, directing the young leader to make a request for anything he desires. Solomon’s answer, verses 6-9, was a humble and noble request for wisdom.

The fear of the LORD  is the beginning of all wisdom. Solomon asked for much more than just academic prowess and a clever mind. He wanted to know right from wrong and longed to lead as God designed. God was pleased and through this gift Solomon gained power, wealth and fame.

Through this simple request for supreme insight, Solomon served his people justly and the kingdom prospered. If there is anything I personally feel unworthy of asking for, it is wisdom. My logical brain says I must study, research and work hard to achieve this reward, but God’s pleasure signifies otherwise. Every breath taken and every blood cell pumped through the body is a function of the human brain. Your brain is your life! And it must be given to God if you are to truly live.

Love,

Gretchen

Teach me Your way, O LORD, and I will walk in Your truth, give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name. Psalm 86:11 (Psalms 37, 86, 138)

The direction of David’s life was very often propelled by the wickedness of others. Was he constantly in survival mode, paralyzed by circumstances beyond his control? A lot of ‘no’ with a little bit of ‘yes.’  He did have to deal daily with sin, sometimes his, certainly that of those who wished him ill for the gain of their own selfish agenda.  David adopted habits that focused correct perspective and allowed good to prevail in the midst of evil.

Psalm 37 is a series of proverbial sayings pointing to the dominance of good over bad. No matter how bleak things seem, sin will be punished.  There were many times David had to confidently stand on the side of right and then wait patiently for the LORD to move. God was always faithful.

David’s philosophy for living in the world of grief and wrong doing was: Do good, rely totally on God and trust in His infinite love and faithfulness. It has proven victorious.

Happy Monday!

Gretchen