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The grace of mercy…. (devo reflection)

Proverbs 24:17 Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice….
Gloating is easy and incredibly human. If you speed past me on the interstate and then I see you pulled over by police later on, I’m probably going to chuckle, thinking you got what you deserved. Oh but that’s a slippery slope, that idea of rejoicing when someone gets what *I* think they deserve for their actions. It brings to mind my own behaviors and the idea of mercy versus justice.
Proverbs 24:18 …or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them.
When I read this section of scripture today, Luke 23:34 came strongly to mind: Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing….” These soldiers killed the Messiah and cast lots for His clothes. They deserved death, but Jesus gave them mercy. I am called to be like Jesus, which involves putting aside my pride which calls for justice and acting towards others in mercy instead.
Proverbs 24:19 Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the wicked….
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for laying these issues on my heart once again. You know I struggle, Lord. Sometimes I just want folks to get what their rotten behavior deserves, but for myself, I will always want mercy. Help me extend the grace of mercy to others as I wish it extended to me. Amen.
Proverbs 24:20 …for the evildoer has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.
Have a blessed day
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God is working on my heart…. (devo reflection)

Proverbs 23:6 Do not eat the food of a begrudging host, do not crave his delicacies;
My husband is one of the most generous people I know. It is a beautiful gift. But as someone who grew up feeling the worry of scarcity, it took me longer than I care to admit to fully embrace that particular trait. He would give freely, and I would be mentally calculating the cost, worrying over whether we would need that some day ourselves, fretting, etc. It was exhausting.
Proverbs 23:7a …for he is the kind of person who is always thinking about the cost….
Currently, I am in a “get this mess out of my house” phase. It is nowhere near my husband’s altruistic generosity for others, but it has allowed me to step out of my miserly concern and give freely to others things I think they can use or might enjoy, and that has been such a blessing for me. It’s not the same. The motives are very different. But I see how God is working on my heart, remaking me more into His image. Slowly, very slowly.
Proverbs 23:7b …“Eat and drink,” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for my generous husband and his care for others. Thank You for working on my heart, Lord, helping me to move past the fear of scarcity and lack so that I can share with others. Help me to become more like You. Draw me closer. Amen.
Proverbs 23:8 You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments.
Have a blessed day.
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It’s not about me…. (devo reflection)

Proverbs 22:4 Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. (NIV)
Far too many people confuse humility and humiliation. They are vastly different. And the connotation of fear in this context does not mean being afraid, it means showing respect and reverence. Commentary succinctly encapsulates this truth as: “Humility is a proper view of self; fear of the Lord is a proper view of God.”
Proverbs 22:4 The reward of humility [that is, having a realistic view of one’s importance] and the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the LORD Is riches, honor, and life. (AB)
It’s not about me. It’s about God. It’s not about my achievements or my work or my reputation. It’s about my precious Savior. It is about living out the embodiment of Gal 2:20 “…not I, but Christ…” in my daily life, dying to self and living for Christ alone. It is beautiful and painful and liberating, and I’m not sure I’ll ever get it completely right on this side of the veil, but I’ll keep trying.
Proverbs 22:4 The pursuers of humility: the awe of LORD JEHOVAH, wealth, honor and Life. (ABiPE)
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that it’s not about me—never has been, never will be. Help me to check my ego and my pride. Help me to die to self so that I can live solely for You. Draw me closer. Amen.
Proverbs 22:4 Respect and serve the LORD! Your reward will be wealth, a long life, and honor. (CEV)
Have a blessed day.
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Dealing with pride…. (devo reflection)

Proverbs 21:2 A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.
All four of the verses pulled here deal with pride. That’s what God’s been working on my heart about here lately. When I get upset about how I feel I’ve been wronged, that’s my pride and is a signal to me that I need to realign my priorities immediately.
Proverbs 21:3 To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
One thing I know for certain: this life is not about me. For it to have any lasting, eternal meaning, my life must be about God. If I’m upset about being snubbed, not getting the recognition I feel I deserve, etc, I am making life about me and not God, and that must change. (Note: God doesn’t want me in abusive situations or acting as a doormat in life. But He also doesn’t want me to see myself as the center of the universe. That’s His place.)
Proverbs 21:4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for continuing to work with me on my pride. Help me, always, to keep You as my center. Help me to never forget that it’s not about me. It’s about You. Draw me closer and help me to shine Your light for others. Amen.
Proverbs 21:21 Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
Have a blessed day.
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Paying attention…. (devo reflection)

Proverbs 20:12 Ears that hear and eyes that see— the LORD has made them both. (NIV)

This verse struck me because it is so full of nuance. There is a vast difference between looking and actually seeing. For instance, when I am driving, I am concentrating on the road, paying careful attention to where I’m going. But I might miss you waving at me from a passing car, even if I’m looking right at you. I’m looking, I’m seeing, but I’m not fully paying attention.

Proverbs 20:12 The LORD has given us eyes to see with and ears to listen with. (GNT)

The same is true for listening and hearing. I can hear the words coming out of your mouth and miss their true meaning. Ask people how they are and really pay attention to their answers and you’ll see what I mean. The New Testament is full of instances where people who can see and hear are not paying attention. So is daily life.

Proverbs 20:12 Hearing and seeing are gifts from the LORD. (CEV)

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the understanding that we must go beyond the surface to really look and listen so that we can connect with Your people in this suffering world. Thank You for giving me eyes to see and ears to hear. Help me to pay attention, to use them to draw closer to You and to shine Your light for others. Amen.

Proverbs 20:12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them. (ERV)

Have a blessed day.

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Laser-focused…. (devo reflection)

Proverbs 19:3 A person’s own folly leads to their ruin, yet their heart rages against the Lord.

Lord, Thank You for this week and for the knowledge that I am where You need me. Thank You for the reminder of how much I love my job, love working with students. Thank You for the hope I feel for the coming school year.

Proverbs 19:6 Many curry favor with a ruler, and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.

Lord, We both know that there can be a lot of favor-currying in this job. Help me stay laser-focused on You this year. Help me remember, through the daily ins and outs of teaching, that with every breath I want to draw closer to You and to shine Your light for others.

Proverbs 19:8 The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that it’s not about me. It’s about You. Thank You for the students I will be able to work with this year. Help me to be a positive, uplifting influence. Draw me closer. Amen.

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Have a blessed day.

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A bigger lesson…. (devo reflection)

Proverbs 18:2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.

The verses I pulled from Proverbs 18 deal with fools and gossips. Their words are not aimed at edifying but at destroying. When they speak, they spread dissension  and destruction. They hope to uproot, to tear down. The words of fools and gossips don’t just sit on the surface of the soul. They “go down to the inmost parts.” They infect. Clinging to God instead of listening to fools and gossips is, of course, the antidote.

Proverbs 18:4 The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.

But as I read this scripture and type these words, I know God has a bigger lesson for me because He knows my heart. He knows what I’m struggling with right now. He knows what will make the situation worse (gossip) and what will make it better (the fortified tower of the Lord). He is reminding me as I work through this matter to turn to Him as I struggle. My hope is in God alone.

Proverbs 18:8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for knowing my heart and understanding my struggles. Thank You for Your love, protection, and guidance. Thank You for reminding me to turn to You. Always. Draw me closer. Amen.

Proverbs 18:10 The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

Have a blessed day.

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Putting pride aside…. (devo reflection)

Proverbs 17:9 Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. (NIV)

When reading Proverbs 17:9, 1 Peter 4:8 came strongly to mind: “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” I try to embody 1 Peter 4:8, but God has shown His light on some issues on my heart this morning related to Proverbs 17:9 that I know I must deal with. 

Proverbs 17:9 Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends. (NLT)

I have mentioned before that perception is often reality (meaning if I perceive you have slighted me, my reality is that slight. Even if it is a misunderstanding on my part, I feel slighted.) Honestly, that is pride: I am putting myself and my feelings above God. I am called to put my pride aside and to love instead and am suddenly reminded of Jesus praying for the soldiers as they cast lots for His clothes instead of calling down curses on them. 

Proverbs 17:9 He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, But he who repeats or gossips about a matter separates intimate friends. (AB)

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for helping me to understand that I still have a lot of work to do in this area to be less worldly and more like Jesus. Help me to let go of transgressions and to love Your people even when my pride wants me to stay offended and dwell on slights. Help me to love You and shine Your light above all else. Draw me closer. Amen.

Proverbs 17:9 You will keep your friends if you forgive them, but you will lose your friends if you keep talking about what they did wrong. (CEV)

Have a blessed day.

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Laying aside my plans…. (devo reflection)

Proverbs 16:1 To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.

The thing that struck me about this collection of verses is that they all deal with human plans, and if you know me, you know that I am a huge planner. Not only do I plan activities, but also I plan what “should” happen (you can imagine how well that works out), I try to make contingencies for what might happen, I worry about what will probably never happen, etc. 

Proverbs 16:2 All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.

It can be exhausting, and not only that, all that planning, which usually doesn’t go the way I had planned anyway, often leads to discontentment in the moment, to not enjoying what is because it’s not the way I thought it should be. This is an issue God and I have been working on for some time. Slowly, very slowly, I think I’m getting better, but there is still much work to be done.

Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for showing me this issue and working with me to lay aside my plans and find You in my reality. I’m better than I was, but I know I still have a long way to go. Help me, Jesus. Draw me closer. Amen.

Proverbs 16:9 In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.

Have a blessed day.

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Sitting on the cactus…. (devo reflection)

Proverbs 15:13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.

Verses 13-15 caught my eye because they all deal with the heart: a happy heart, a discerning heart, a cheerful heart. I want to be a positive, encouraging person. I want to draw closer to God and shine His light for all to see. These things all begin in the heart.

Proverbs 15:14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

A Facebook memory yesterday reminded me of a quote a friend shared a year ago: Just because you’ve been given a cactus doesn’t mean you have to sit on it. Toxic positivity is not from God. He doesn’t advocate sitting on the cactus. But if I truly believe that He is with me always (and I do), then I will see His light and His Hope in even the darkest situation if I look, and praising Him is always appropriate. Thank You, Jesus.

Proverbs 15:15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the hope that You are with me always and for the God winks and blessings You so liberally shower me with so that the hope of Your presence is fulfilled in my life. Help me to have a positive, encouraging heart, to draw closer to You, and to shine Your light. Amen.

Proverbs 15:23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!

Have a blessed day.