Bragging On Jesus

2nd Corinthians overview. Theme and exposition is keep looking to Jesus in faith. Just as in our initial salvation we are to live by grace through faith. We are to count on Gods grace every second with every heartbeat as we walk in faith on our new mission in Christ

Proverbs 13:25 The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the belly of the wicked suffers want. I have like most people appetites mostly related to food. How many times a day do I replace whatever I was doing or thinking about with thoughts of a meal, a snack, that leftover dessert, drink, or just something sweet or salty. Our appetite for food is a powerful basic need that is never completely satisfied. Like our need for food, we have other appetites including: comfort, safety, power, control, security, relationship, rest, adventure, fun, and love. I find that those appetites are never completely satisfying either. My comfortable chair seems too high or too low. That adventure I really want to do may cause physical injury, wanting more power or control may come at a high price of sacrifice, and loss of control may lead to feelings of insecurity or desperation. Maybe the goal is to live somewhere in the middle of each of these appetites? But even that seems like we might be missing

This is a devotion about Jesus in the Old Testament and specifically Proverbs chapter 8. Also a poem about Proverbs chapter 8 by robin aylor. Proverbs 8:25 Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth, 26 before he had made the earth with its fields, or the first of the dust of the world. 27 When he established the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep, 28 when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep, 29 when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, 30 then I was beside him, like a master workman, and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always, 31 rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the children of man. 32 “And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways. 33 Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. 34 Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates,

Proverbs 26:6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence. 7 Like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools. 8 Like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool. 9 Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools. 10 Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard. 11 Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly. 12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. I like the extreme metaphors he uses in these verses... and just when you think the passage is all about being a fool and maybe the readers are saying... yeah thats right!... and they start thinking of people like those Solomon has referenced... then like a clever hunter he springs the trap that lets us see our own selves and should bring us to our knees... Ok... 6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cu

Missions to the moon, 1 - 1st Manned Mission: Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image,... 28 ...And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it,... 2 - Man made his own mission sharing the image of his own brokenness: Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— 3 - 1st God-Man Mission: *He lived the perfect life Adam and we did not. *He was paid the wages of sin we deserve with his own death. *He was raised from the dead. *Believers receive his righteousness & resurrection power over sin in life and death. *Only believers share this testimony in baptism and then with our life. 2nd Corinthians 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 4 - Re-commission - Great Commission, sharing Gods glory in the world. Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name

The 1st manned mission to Earth, the Moon, an Asteroid, Mars... also the first God-man mission, We take a look at Adam and Eve, Neil Armstrong, NASA, Jesus, you and I as well as how Gods first mission for Adam and Eve is the same mission for all believers. Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image,... 28 ...And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it,... For more go to braggingonjesus.com

Proverbs 27:23 Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds, 24 for riches do not last forever; and does a crown endure to all generations? 25 When the grass is gone and the new growth appears and the vegetation of the mountains is gathered, 26 the lambs will provide your clothing, and the goats the price of a field. 27 There will be enough goats’ milk for your food, for the food of your household and maintenance for your girls. Today's passasge finishes up chapter 27. These few verses have been quite interesting to me for a long time. But before we focus lets think about the placement. Throughout the chapter Solomon speak of vairied matters of the heart of mankind. How the hearts of man can sharpen one another in good discourse... He speaks of how the eyes of man are never satisfied which surly references the state of his heart. He talks of how a mans heart reflects who he is like water reflects his face and Solomon speaks of how praise can purify the hearts of some while crush o

Proverbs 25:1 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out. 3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable. 4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel; 5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness. 6 Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence or stand in the place of the great, 7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble…

Rewards of the Heart Proverbs 27:18-20 18 Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who guards his master will be honored. 19 As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man. 20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and never satisfied are the eyes of man. So, right away when looking at this passage, I find myself asking “What on earth is a fig tree anyways?” Which led me down a rabbit hole of Googling pictures of fig trees that eventually led to threads on how to care for them. As it turns out, fig trees are pretty temperamental. In fact, they need tons of sunlight in order to produce healthy fruit. But why is this verse coupled with something that has to do with protecting one’s master? And then it skips on to talk about water and then these random places that are “never satisfied”. In order to properly how this passage can apply to us, I think it would be best to digest each verse on its own, and then weave them together to help illustrate how these verses can help us bes

Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.” Proverbs 13:24 “Son I’m doing this because I love you”,The father says as he slips off his belt and draws it back as he prepares to swat his child’s rear end. Yeah right the son thinks as his body tenses up and he gets himself ready for the impact. In the next few moments that child is going to feel lots of things. A bit of anger and frustration, a little bit of sadness and sorrow and a whole lot of pain on his backside. But he is not expecting to feel loved in that moment. Was his father lying? Did we just find a typo in the Bible? Maybe his father and the Bible are wrong. Not at all, Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, realizes that discipline done right is motivated by love. When a father sees something ugly, destructive, or damaging coming out of his son he knows that the most loving thing he can do is address it. He must take action. And when the thing is ugly enough and serious enough that action may even n

Proverbs 27:21 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is tested by his praise. 22 Crush a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, yet his folly will not depart from him. This passage is compelling to me… Of course a crucible is a hopper that metals are placed into and then heated until they melt and then pour into molds in order to form them into useful tools. Alright, what might we gain from these words of Solomon? Well, when the heat is on… impurities are separated from precious metals which makes them worth something when they were of no use before. I think this is the parallel that applies spiritually in our life. Troubles and trials have the potential to make us more pure and holy and in tune with the Lord. We saw this on a National scale with the 911 terrorist attack. The US found itself in a kind of crucible… people were scared and many turned to God… Many churches were packed with people. So brokenness points us to the Lord… Now, as he often does, Solo

Proverbs 25:7 …What your eyes have seen 8 do not hastily bring into court, for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame? 9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another’s secret, 10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end.

Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. 12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear. 13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters. 14 Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. 15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone. In todays text Solomon uses some great metaphors like red apples in a silver setting… this one makes me think of a painting… one that seems fitting and balanced and fits the occasion; I don’t know maybe like lights and a tree and children in their pajamas at Christmas or fall decorations at Thanksgiving with turkey and dressing and 3-4 families trying to scoot up to one table for dinner… Its a picture that is just… right! Let’s see… he says that someone who listens to wise reproof is like a ring or ornament of gold. It’s the perfect accent right! We may

For more go to braggingonjesus.com Proverbs 25:21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, 22 for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you. 23 The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks. Alright… you know, some may thing that here in verse 21 Solomon is saying that if you’ve always wanted to burn your enemies or get back at them… well, this is the best way to do it without sinning. Hold on to your horses partner... The Apostle Paul gives us some help on this and actually mentions this verse in Romans 12. Romans 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.h Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live pea

Solomon closes out Proverbs 25 with various relationship verses.

Broken World Series Luke 13:20 And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? 21 It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.” Matthew 16: ...12 Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Galatians 5:9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump.

Joy in the Life of David as he lived in a broken world

4 mini messages from HPOC Homeless Shelter Woodward Oklahoma. Elevated sound may be distracting with passing trains and heater. Christmas Theme

How did David persevere through this broken world with purpose and joy and victory?... and how do we?

Countdown to Christmas began before the ages. Galatians 4:4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.