Apply your heart to instruction

Proverbs 23:12-14

“Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge.  Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.  If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol.”

When I was in High School the yearbook had an area for the person who was most likely to succeed; I know you are surprised my name was not on that list.  Now if they had put in the person most likely not to prosper, to achieve little in this life, I would have been high on the list.  But God, He did it all, and it began in many ways in Jr. High.   An Assistant Principal who was having a conversation about my lack of studying with my mother, ask me to go outside, leaving his door open so that I would hear the interview.  This is what I heard as I listened at the door, “Mrs. Rice, Bobby is not a bad kid, and he’s going to make a great garbage man some day.”  That statement got my juices going on that day and I set out to prove Mr. McCloud to be very wrong, not by studying but I learned how to work from my dad and my manager, Bert Thieme at H.E.B. and I resolved that I was going to show him how wrong he was.  What a smart man, it did not make me do all that he hoped, but it did stay with me for many years, and my goal was to succeed at something!

When it came to discipline, my parents told my brother, sister, and myself if we got in trouble at school and got punished to tell them so they could show us what real punishment was at home.  My parents did not have dumb kids, what happened at school, always stayed at school when it came to getting in trouble.

Back in the fifties the teacher could beat your rear end for not doing what they ask, and guess what your parents approved.   The coach took great joy in Jr. High making paddles with holes drilled into them, and nice long handles and all of them had my name on them.

In High School they had other ways of getting the point across, but we did have Snuffy, and he called his paddle Hadacol, and for three licks I got a “C” in his Civics class.  Now that was a great deal, did I say, Snuffy was old and could not hit very hard? 

It is my understanding that some school districts are once again putting corporeal punishment back into the program.  I will believe it when I see it, can you imagine how many moms think their child is perfect, and the teacher cannot teach?

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Adult Beverage

Proverbs 23: 29-35

Who has woe? Who has sorrow?  Who has strife? Who has complaining?
Who has wounds without cause?  Who has redness of eyes?  Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine.   Do not look at wine when it is red when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly.  In the end, it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder.  Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things.  You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast.  “They struck me,” you will say, “but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it.  When shall I awake?  I must have another drink.”

In 2018 it seems as if no one is responsible for his or her actions, the choice they make, in fact, it often said of bad decisions, they have a sickness.  Each day a person who is a follower of Christ chooses to seek after the flesh or the Spirit.  The flesh is listening to Channel One its theme is “I did it My Way,” but it is deceptive, for you are listening to the voice of the evil one.  Sure it should like you that why you buy into it lies of you deserved.  It may be food, eating more than you need, and adding weight with each bite, and soon you are the obese person who has many health issues, and it just not fair.  Or it may be alcohol we call it by many names whiskey, liquor, but the one that seems most used today is an adult beverage.   Many a person I’ve known had no plans to become alcoholic; it destroys families, marriages, and has both physical health and mental health problems.

The Scriptures have many warning about the dangers of adult beverages, and both you and I have known many a person who can have a drink or two without becoming like the person described above.   But we also have seen the guys at work that keeps a bottle in his lower drawer, hit the bar the moment he is off work.

I believe with all of my being that Jesus changed the water into wine at his mother request.  It was not just good it was the very best, and if you drank too much, it would get you very drunk.  I also believe that a glass of wine or a beer will not hurt most people, but for some and no one knows whom it will grab hold of you and destroy your life.  I also know from experience that a Dr. Pepper has always stimulated my taste buds, over an adult beverage, and beer to my taste is just disgusting.

I also know that many who go by the name Christian drink alcohol, and many of you drink too much, and it is because you are making bad choices.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

The adulterous woman

October 9, 2018

Proverbs 23:26-28

“My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways, for an adulterous woman is a deep pit, and a wayward wife is a narrow well.  Like a bandit she lies in wait and multiplies the unfaithful among men.” (NIV)

“My son, give me your heart and let your eyes observe my ways.  For a prostitute is a deep pit; an adulteress is a narrow well.  She lies in wait like a robber and increases the traitors among mankind.” (ESV)

Many a man has fallen into the act of an adulterous woman, and it is because they are listening to Channel One the deceitful one Jesus calls the thief.  Why do we listen to this Channel? First, the voice sounds like ours, and second, it tells us we deserve better than we are getting at this time.  But a wise person understands that Channel Two is the Holy Spirit and it has much less volume, and tells us often what we do not want to hear.  The enemy uses Channel One to plant a seed, and you begin to admire the qualities in someone else wife.  Your good friends, so you tell her in confidence how you wish your wife had those talents, and how you admire her.  It may be innocent and you are hoping she can help your wife.  But you just crossed a line, you did not know about the line, but if she also is unhappy and looking for someone she admires and you fit the bill, you are history.

So young men and not so young shall we explore what Solomon has to share with us on the subject?  “For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end, she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword.”  It is the but’s that get us, it is the best thing you ever experience, then things change, you lost a family, friends, and broke your vow to both God and man.

But one should not quit reading in Proverbs 5, for you will see that an adulterer gives no thought to the path of life, she is all about getting what she desires at that moment.  I’ve learned over the years to pray for the husband of such a woman and the woman, and you cannot lust and pray for a person’s marriage.  I also believe it is wise to share with her husband if he is a follower of Christ the reason you are praying, it makes the enemy go to another plan.  Never forget just as God has a good plan for you, the enemy has a plan to steal, kill and destroy.

Let’s end with this counsel from Proverbs 5:18-20, “Let your fountain be blessed and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe.  Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love.  Why should you be intoxicated, my son, with a forbidden woman and embrace the bosom of an adulteress?”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

What the author of life calls a fool

Proverbs 23:6

“Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the good sense of your words.”

It seems we should look at the word fool’s definition, “a person who acts unwisely or imprudently; a silly person: what a fool I was to do this.”  Maybe we should give more thought to the definition of a fool, and look in the mirror and ask the person we see, do I act like a fool sometimes?  I’ve acted the role of a fool more than I would like to share, at home, at parties, at work, and even in my finances.  But I’m not a fool, and if we look not at the dictionary but the Word of God, we will see what the author of life calls a fool.  God says a fool is in both Psalms 14:1 and 53:1, “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.”

So it’s whose definition you choose the author of life, the Creator or a dictionary. 

As stated by the dictionary definition I sometimes act unwisely; often I am silly, but when God looks at my heart He does not see a fool, He sees a man who knows who God is and has put his trust in God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

No matter where you live if you have the freedom to vote, give thought to what Proverbs 26:1-12, has to say about a fool.  If you live in the U.S.A., you need to ponder on these verses.  “Like snow in summer and rain at harvest, honor is inappropriate for a fool.  Like a flitting sparrow or a fluttering swallow, an undeserved curse goes nowhere.  A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools.  Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness or you’ll be like him yourself.  Answer a fool according to his foolishness, or he’ll become wise in his own eyes.  The one who sends a message by a fool’s hand cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.  A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like lame legs that hang limp.  Giving honor to a fool is like binding a stone in a sling.  A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like a stick with thorns, brandished by the hand of a drunkard.  The one who hires a fool or who hires those passing by is like an archer who wounds everyone.  As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness.  Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

What will a man exchange for his Soul?

Proverbs 23:4-5

“Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist.  When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.”

If one was to read Proverbs 10:4, “A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.”  One must wonder is King Solomon giving one message, the two verses seem counter to the other?  I do not believe, so they are both on wealth, but two different messages.  If we take the whole counsel of the Scriptures, we find many years later we have the apostle Paul penning a letter to a young pastor named Timothy about his conduct and some very wise counsel found in 1 Timothy 6:9-10.   “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”

And we also find in the gospel of Luke 16:13, Jesus telling us the following; “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

When I was in Corpus Christi and was part of a ministry called Christian Business Men, I met a young Harvard graduate while doing a follow-up of a monthly lunch meeting that the young man had attended.  His apartment had little in the way of furnishings, and he was sharing how hard he was working and how little he was bringing home.  My friend Greg who lived by faith and the support of people who believe in his ministry, spoke up and said let’s call him Tony, (not his real name) my wife and I have $50.00 more than we need to pay our bills this month and I want you to have it to buy food or whatever you need.  I was humbled, I had not offered anything, and Greg was giving all he had that month.

But I was in for yet a bigger shock, and Tony ask us this question, can I be a Christian and be rich?  And before we could answer he said for my life goal is to be very rich.  Greg asked Tony, is that more important than having a relationship with Jesus Christ and the young man hung his head and said my goal is to be rich.

For years I kept up with Tony, and even after we moved to the Houston area, I would ask Greg if he knew how Tony was doing, it was always the same answer not well, but he is still in search of his goal to someday be rich.  To Greg’s knowledge, Tony never again had a desire to know Jesus Christ.

Shall we close with this question from Jesus found in Mark 8:36, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

“In a world of created changeable things, Christ and his Word alone remain unshaken.” (Page 30 “The Valley of Vision”)

God made and not self-made

Proverbs 22:29

“Do you see a man skilled in his work?  He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men.”

My career was in sales I became good in that one area.  I always met people who were more skilled than I, men who I looked to and learned from.  I enjoy writing but it’s very clear that I’m not experienced in that area, I also enjoy gardening and woodwork, but it has become clear I am just a learner in all three areas of this life.  I have a passion for pouring my life into the life of a younger man, to share what I understand God has shown me in the Scriptures about living life on planet earth.

Yes, it is a blessed life I’ve enjoyed in my 76 years on planet earth, I appreciate the many relationships the Lord has allowed in my life.  It has had a price tag of many foolish acts on my part, or like my friend Kim Mulvey often said; I’ve had a lot of bought lessons.  And history, our history is a good thing if we learn from it, for Jesus made it very clear in this world we will have tribulation.

We have all observed a person that is very skilled in what they are doing; in fact, often we sit in awe of such people, but should we?  Why do a few people seem to be chosen to be skilled beyond others who have the same skills and desires to be the best they can be at that action?  The answer is found in Exodus 36:1 "Now Bezalel and Oholiab, and every skillful person in whom the LORD has put skill and understanding to know how to perform all the work in the construction of the sanctuary, shall perform in accordance with all that the LORD has commanded." 

But if you are blessed to have a relationship with such a person, and that is your passion you like the workmen they pick and can learn from them.  My pastor has been given many skills and is a gifted speaker, but does not have a doctor title after his name, yet many a man who does should sit at his feet and learn from him.

So what is King Solomon trying to get across to us or what can one learn from his actions before God when he was a young boy king.  When asked by the Lord what shall I give you in a dream, this is the short version of Solomon’s reply.  “Give your servant, therefore, an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”

 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.   And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, ^behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.   I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days.”

So a person with excellent skills at their work should understand they are God made and not self-made.  They should pray like Solomon to use the gift to bless others and to give all glory to God.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Anger is contageous

Proverbs 22:24-25

If you want to see verses 24-25 played out, watch the Kavanaugh hearing, and you will observe anger, hate, and fear coming from the Democrat side of the aisle.  One must wonder why a group of people who have sworn to uphold the Constitution of the United States, and to represent the people that sent them to Washington be of such low class in their actions, why?

It may be helpful to ponder over these verses, and I believe it will become clear that God is telling you and me not to associate with such people so that we do not learn their ways.  “Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.”  Now, this is what troubles me, you who go by the name of Christ vote for such people, and one must believe you approve of their conduct?

I’ve learned over the years to watch out for such conduct, and stay clear of it, to read and listen to all sides, and make sure that I am not buying into an agenda. I believe my sales career and praying for discernment have helped me be a better listener, and I still have a way to go in that area.

But this I know, when a person puts what they call winning over values, they do what Senator Reid did to Mr. Mitt Romney, they lie on the Senate floor telling the press and the American people a lie about him not paying his taxes for the last ten years.  And years later when asked by a reporter if it bothered him that his lie may have cost Mr. Romney the election, his answer was, we won, didn’t we?

I want to answer that question, yes, you won that election, but you lost many of the American people who had no allegiance to Mr. Romney but put a high value on the truth.  One wonders if these people in Congress were managing themselves, and what I mean by that is, were they the kind of people in High School they are accusing the Judge of being?  If so, Jesus tells us to first remove the stone in our eye before getting the speck out of your brother’s eye.

Let me close with this statement; I believe few of the people who are standing in judgment of Judge Kavanaugh can come close to the integrity this man has displayed over his professional career.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Meddling in a Guarrel

Proverbs 26:17-28

“Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.  Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!  For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.  As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.  The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.   Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.  Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred be covered with deception,
his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.  Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.  A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.”

These two morsels have no place in a Follower of Christ's heart, quarrels and deceit, yet we know that those who walk in the flesh and not by the Spirit do such things.  My first boss in the Electrical Markets Division of 3M was from Chicago, and he was Irish and liked to say often, “I was only kidding.”  You never knew when he was telling you the truth, and his saying when a customer caught him telling a lie was, “I’m Irish what did you expect.”

I heard a man of God tell a group he was teaching this; “God does not give grace to a person who takes up another person’s offense.”  His teaching was God would show grace and mercy to the one offended but not to the one that meddles and takes up another’s offense.  Unless you are walking in the Spirit, it easy to become emotional and attack the wrongdoer, when they have not done anything to you.

Often, I find myself getting emotional about the corruption in our Congress, where dishonesty runs amuck, and they do not need truth to destroy a man who has lived a life of integrity.  So I do find great comfort in verses 24-27.  Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.  Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.   I believe we have seen that stone beginning to move.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

“I have done no wrong.”

Proverbs 22:14

“The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit; a man who is under the Lord’s wrath falls into it.”

She had an affair with so and so, it’s not the first time, she is a danger to any man's marriage, said the neighbor to a friend.  At one time when I was younger, it was not the word used; she was engaging in an adulterous relationship with a man.  She may or may not be a married woman, but an affair is best described as a sexual relationship outside of marriage, and to the wife and children of the man, it is a scandalous incident that may destroy their family. 

But from heavens view the man has already fallen into the Lord’s wrath, and it is most often because of his private life of arrogance and pride.  His private life of desires and thoughts are often hidden from man, but not hidden from God.

So if a young man allowed King Solomon to mentor him in this part of their lives, they would learn to look at these pitfalls and counsel.  Let's begin in Proverbs 2: 6-8, for this, is an excellent place to prepare for the King's instruction on keeping from the forbidden woman.  “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.”  If you were to keep reading it refers to the man who chooses to walk in darkness, yes it is a choice.  If you walk in integrity the King states we will be delivered from the forbidden woman.

Now this is what Solomon tells us to watch out for, the forbidden woman in these areas, beginning in Proverbs 5:3-6, “For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end, she is bitter as gall,
sharp as a double-edged sword.  Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave.  She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.” 

The woman on a scale of 10, she may only be a seven but has a way of looking inviting, and she can suck you in with her words.  She gives no thought to the path of life, but many men have been enticed by her charm.

^“Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes. For a prostitute can be had for a loaf of bread, but another man’s wife preys on your very life.”  Many a man has fallen prey to another man’s wife, and good counsel is hanging out with the husband and far from his wife.  In chapter 30:20, Solomon gives this insight; “This is the way of an adulteress: she eats and wipes her mouth and says, “I have done no wrong.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

A Good Name

Proverbs 22:1-6

“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.  The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the Maker of them all.  The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.  The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.  Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked; whoever guards his soul will keep far from them.  Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

What is a “good name,” is it not the character of a person, and how he will be remembered.  Having a degree from a prestigious college such as Harvard or Yale does not mean the person will have integrity or ethics; some of the greatest fools have gone there.  Making millions and owning many homes, might mean you are in the U. S. Congress, but we all have seen the asses they make of themselves, but do they have a “good name,” very few of them?  But a wise man will choose to be a person of ethics, who put God first, the family next, his work and his ministry is a big part of this life each day.  That will be a person of value to those whose life they touch.

When it comes to what class a person falls into we must understand that the ground at the cross is level, there is no class structure in God's eyes.  You may need to read Galatians 3:28.

A sensible person sees danger and takes cover, but often we read about the inexperienced who pay the price of both income and sometimes their lives.

“The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.”

“There are only two kinds of men: the righteous who think they are sinners an the sinners who think they are righteous.”  (Blaise Pascal)  Blaise’s pen that quoted in the 1600s and it was right then and now.

“ Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked; whoever guards his soul will keep far from them.”  Each person has to guard his soul and keep far from the thorns and snares that invite you to fall into the hands of the evil one.  It may be many things, and the question I ask often is will that take me away from the mission God has given me?  If so, do not walk but run from it for it has a plan to steal your heart from God’s best.

And last is one that many a parent believes they dropped the ball for it seems that teenagers are doing everything you taught them not to do.  Yes, verse six;   ^“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”  Often it is said that they do not look at the word old, for often the parents are dead and gone before the results are seen in the training.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

 

Do your Plans include God?

Proverbs 21:30

“There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.”

It has been another morning, at 2:45 the eyes came open and the mind began to be filled with thoughts.  In a roundabout way, it was this verse that was not allowing sleep to come back after visiting the bathroom.  A young man who is my niece’s son just lost all his worldly stuff in a fire that killed one of his friends who was too drunk to know that the place was on fire.  Let me begin by saying I love this young man he is very special to me, but he is 22 and living a lifestyle that is not healthy.  When asked if I could help I prayed and asked the Father, then told my wife we could not support a person with that lifestyle.

Now you may not be a follower of Christ, and yet for some reason you are reading this and you also have an understanding that this fantastic world and solar system had to have a designer.  On that premise, we will call Him God or Lord for it is clear that we must be His creation, and I’m sure you would agree His ways are higher than ours, and so are His thoughts.  So does He want to have fellowship with His Creation, and if so how can the created communicate with our Creator?

We must begin at the beginning, and we find this in Scripture, the book of Genesis 2:7, “Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.”  And Scripture gives this insight that the first Adam broke the only law God had given him when he was enticed by Satan.  And sin entered into man and has been passed down by man since that time.  But God who is all knowing had a plan to redeem man and He sent His one and only Son to pay our price.

On Monday morning I meet with Paul for coffee, prayer, and fellowship, and I was sharing what God had revealed to me earlier that morning.  We talked about how Adam was standing there by Eve as the serpent tempted her and was passive.  Paul is once again reading the book “Wild at Heart,” and he shared that John Eldredge gave this insight; on the day Adam sinned for the first time, his sin was choosing Eve over God.

Now you do recall we said His ways are higher than ours, and so are His thoughts, and it seems clear to me that you and I would have just wiped out man and started over, but the Bible states, God loved us too much to do that.  A very popular Scripture is found in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whosoever believed in him should not perish but have eternal life.”  Many have seen this verse at “In & Out Burgers” or on a sign at a football game, it matters not the popularity of the verse, it is God telling mankind, I love you!  I’ve made a way to enter into fellowship and a relationship with you my creation, my premier design.  Now the ball is in your court, today is the day of Salvation, and this is the question that all must answer; what will I do with Jesus?

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Ignoring the Poor

Proverbs 21:13

“Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.”

We all have had the guy or gal that approached us for money on the street, some have signs I will work for food but most won’t.  We even had the more aggressive one that wants to wash your car windows, but the ones I detest are the ones that beg for their church as if God needs the world to fund His mission.

So what does the Bible say about the poor, a lot of ink is in the Bible about the poor, and a wise person will pay attention to what God is saying to each of us?  Shall we explore the Scriptures and learn how God looks at the poor?  Proverbs 19:17, states; “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.”  Proverbs 22:9, “Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.”  What about Proverbs 14:31, “Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.”

Do you recall Jesus said these words to the righteous; “For I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me drink, I was a stranger, and you welcomed me, I was naked, and you clothed me, I was sick, and you visited me, I was in prison, and you came to me.”  If so I’m sure you recall the righteous reply in Matthew 25:37-39, asking when did we do this for you; and this was Jesus’ reply in verse 40.  “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”

But Jesus said much more about the poor in Luke 14:13-14, “But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

I am blessed to be part of a local church that has a heart for the under-resourced and has many programs to help them.  But Jan and I also give to Samaritan’s Purse that supports and cares for the poor worldwide.  As a follower of Christ, one should take these Scriptures very serious.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

An inheritance gained hastily

September 18, 2018

Proverbs 20:21

“An inheritance gained hastily, in the beginning, will not be blessed in the end.”

King Solomon was so wise, and yet often one goes to all kinds of help books and does not turn to the Proverbs of Solomon for direction.  We have a great example of this in Luke 15:11-13, “Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons.  The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.”  I’m sure you recall how the young man’s acquaintances were gone when his dad’s money ran out.  But in that he was young and foolish he believed them to be his friends, many a young person has to learn this lesson.  It is my belief after living life for 76 years on planet earth, that you will have many acquaintances but few friends at any given time of life.

I also have witnessed what happens to an inheritance gained hastily, it is a sad state of a young man who makes many bad choices.  His dad was a farmer and rancher and had worked hard all of his life to buy up land all around him. At the time of his death, he owned1200 acres of excellent ranch land, debt free.  My father-in-law was his neighbor, and for a few years, we leased about 600 acres to hunt on.  The old man must have loved and trusted his only son to care for his mother, and she had a lovely home, and a big garden and the son was to take care of the land and cattle.  But not being wise and not wanting to work he began to sell off some of the cattle and then a local banker saw an easy target and started to loan him all the money he wanted, and he was living high on the hog as one says in Texas.  But then the banker wanted his money and began to take his land and cattle till mom had to sign off on everything even her home and she and the boy ended up with a 12 X 60’ trailer and one acre of land.

So if you are wise you will listen to Solomon, what does not cost you is always easy to spend, as we witness with our local, state, and federal governments.  Some quotes on inheritance: “I would as soon leave my son a curse as the almighty dollar.” (Andrew Carnegie)  

“If you want to really know what your friends and family think of you die broke, and then see who shows up for the funeral.” (Gregory Nunn)

“This is all the inheritance I give to my dear family. The religion of Christ will give them one which will make them rich indeed.”  (Patrick Henry)

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Vow Breakers

Proverbs 20:25

“It is a trap for anyone to dedicate something rashly and later to reconsider his vows.”

I believe that many Christians are victims of this trap and we must ask why?  Why are Christians duped or prey to dedicate something rashly and only later having to back out on a vow they made to God?

It is not because they are ignorant, is it?   I do believe you have hit it on the head, do you recall Jesus telling the story of the man who begins to build without counting the cost it is found in Luke 14:27-30? “And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.  For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him

saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’.  Yes, Jesus was using the example to explain the cost of being His disciple, but it is true in making a Vow without knowing you can do so.

God has spoken about making vows, and a follower of Christ would be very wise before making a pledge or promise, and they are the same thing, so let us look at a few.  In the book of Numbers 30:2, “If a man vows a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.”  Now in Deuteronomy 23:21-23,  ^“If you make a vow to the Lord your God, do not be slow to pay it, for the Lord your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin.  But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty.  Whatever your lips utter you must be sure to do because you made your vow freely to the Lord your God with your own mouth.”

You may have read that you no longer are under the Old Testament and its laws, but now under Grace, and that is true.  But it would be very foolish to not listen to the whole counsel of Scripture, for it is clear it was written for and to us.  And if you look at the apostle Paul’s teaching and life in Acts18:18 you will see that he took vows very seriously.

If we look at Jesus teaching on oaths in Matthew 5:33-37, He makes it clear not to make pledges for none of us have a guarantee of what is coming tomorrow but to let your answer be Yes or No.

Now here is the danger, your Church or Christian group needs a new building, and the bank wants to make sure they recover the loan with interest. The money guys tell the pastor or building committee we need some pledges to make sure we recoup our investment.  And the last thing a money guy wants the pastor to do is to warn the church about the dangers of making a vow, and not meeting your agreement.  

We can still make vows if we so choose.  But first, pray and make sure we are in the will of God and not just wanting our flesh to feel good.  Can I make good on what I've promised is not the question to ask, but Father am I being a good manager of what you have entrusted me?

We must not be like the culture of 2018, with no plan on following through on our agreements.  Our society is full of people who enter into a contract with no regard of what they have entered and will break any agreement without giving thought to the pledge.  And the church has often bought into that culture, but it has no place in the life of a follower of Christ.

From The Back Porch,

Bob Rice

Being a Witness of Prophecy

Proverbs 21:2-3

“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.  To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.”

What a fantastic time to be living in the last days, to witness so much of prophecy fulfilled.  Never has there been a time where seekers of truth should not be exploring the Scriptures and looking for guidance.  No one needs to tell anyone who is a truth seeker that Satan has been allowed to have greater control on people’s lives, and that the door has been open for a one-world leader to step onto the scene as one with all the answers.

I’ve met a few men in the workplace that do not operate in this manner, “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes” but one must ask is that new?  We find this account back in Judges 17:6, “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”  And once more in Judges 21:25, we see the verse repeated.  “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 21:25)  They had God as their king, but they ignored His authority and later with the many wicked kings over Israel they were still just as ignorant in looking to the LORD for guidance.  One who seeks truth would be wise to ponder on these verses and Proverbs 14:12, give more insight into the subject.  “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”

I do not believe this verse requires a shallow commitment; “To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.”  Religions goal is to “Do” for God, but all followers of Christ understand it’s all been “Done,” and it only requires one to listen and obey the Holy Spirits direction.  I believe that is why Micah 6:6-8 was given to us.  “With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high?  Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?  Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil?  Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”  He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice