The Simple Life Of Integrity.

Proverbs 19

“Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and a fool.” – Proverbs 19:1 NLT

What does a person of integrity look like? In our modern culture, we have diluted integrity down into the one-dimensional idea of honesty. If you tell the truth or keep your word, you're referred to as a man of integrity. But the biblical view of integrity is so much deeper, fuller and all-inclusive. And the Proverbs help us see what the life of a person of integrity looks like. Using comparisons and contrasts, it paints simple word pictures of what the person of integrity does and doesn't do. The biblical concept of integrity is wholeness. It carries the idea of soundness and completeness and illustrates a life that is non-compartmentalized. It is a life lived entirely for God with no parts held back. It is giving God of my life, not just the convenient parts, and it is allowing God to transform every area of my life, including my speech, attitudes, and actions. Solomon tells us over and over again that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. God is the source of all we need to live a godly, whole and complete life. The person who refuses to acknowledge this reality is designated as a fool in the Proverbs, and a fool is simply one who actively spurns the ways and overtures of God. The fool says there is no God or lives his life as if there were no God in spite of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. And the fool is one who hears God's call but refuses to listen. As a result his or her life is incomplete, lacking in wholeness, and spiritually unhealthy.

Integrity is righteousness lived out. It is visible to the eye. It is when the wisdom, knowledge and understanding we receive from God begins to influence our behavior and speech so that others can see it and be influenced by it. Integrity makes us willing to do the right thing and suffer loss rather than lie in order to get ahead (Proverbs 19:1). Without integrity, we tend to rush headlong into decisions, letting our enthusiasm drive our choices rather than wisdom (Proverbs 19:2). People of integrity still make mistakes, but when they do they refuse to blame God for the consequences (Proverbs 19:3). They don't practice "fake" friendships, pursuing relationships purely for what they can get out of them (Proverbs 19:4, 6, 7). Instead, they view others through God's eyes, loving the helpless and hopeless the same way He does (Proverbs 19:17). The integral life is marked by honesty and truth-telling at all times and at any cost (Proverbs 19:5, 9). The life of integrity is the only acceptable form of self-love because it ends up rewarding those who practice it with great benefits (Proverbs 19:8). A person of integrity lives their entire life for God, so they are less likely to get angry when offended or when things don't go their way. They have a greater capacity to overlook a wrong committed because they understand the fallen nature of man. This God-given patience provides them with respect and protects them from harm (Proverbs 19:11, 12, 19). Integrity understands that ultimately God is in control, and His will will be done (Proverbs 19:14, 21). The integral life is marked by obedience to God, hard work, the constant pursuit of wisdom, and a fear of the Lord (Proverbs 19:15, 16, 20, 23, 24). Integrity encourages parents to create an atmosphere in their home where instruction is God-centered, and discipline is practiced in order to raise children who are God-fearing (Proverbs 19:18, 25, 26, 27, 29.

In the very first chapter of this book, Solomon gives us the reason he is writing them down. "Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just and fair" (Proverbs 1:2-3 NLT). But then he adds, "Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge" (Proverbs 19:7 NLT). It all starts with God. We must understand that only He can provide us the wisdom, insight, understanding, and discipline we need to live lives of integrity. We can't manufacture these things on our own. But when we put Him first and allow Him to change us from the inside-out, others will see the change in our lives – in every area of our lives. Our integrity will be visible all those around us.

Father, make us a people of integrity. Change us completely, wholly and make us holy. May our lives reflect that we belong to you and that You are transforming every area of our lives. Let the world see our holiness through our actions and speech. Amen.

Ken Miller

Grow Pastor & Minister to Men kenm@christchapelbc.org

In A Word.

Proverbs 18

“Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction.” – Proverbs 18:20 NLT

Let's face it, the tongue is the most powerful muscle in the human body. It's relatively small and unseen most of the time, but it can really pack a punch when it comes to influence. Sometimes the human tongue seem to have a mind of its own. From it can come words that offend others and shock the one from whose mouth the words came. James, the half brother of Jesus, put had some disturbing insights into the tongue: "People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!" (James 3:7-10 NLT).

Of course, James is simply using the tongue as a symbol of our words or speech. And speech, like our conduct or behavior, is directly linked to our hearts. What comes out of our mouths is tied to the condition of our hearts. And the heart is simply another metaphor for the inner man or the soul. Jesus put it this way: "But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. These are what defile you" (Matthew 15:18-20 NLT). On another occasion, Jesus stated the relationship between the tongue and the heart this way: "A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart" (Luke 6:45 NLT). It all starts within. What's inside has to come out, and it shows up in our actions, attitudes, and words. Solomon knew this all too well. In Proverbs 18, he seems to group a whole series of statements about words and speech together. He juxtaposes the difference between the words of a fool and those of a wise person. One simply wants to air their own opinion, regardless of its worth. The other speaks words that are profound and a source of satisfaction to others. The words of fools lead them into conflict and get them into trouble. They gossip and complain, more often than not, speaking before they have all the facts about a person or a matter. They offend friends and enemies alike. But the words of the wise satisfy like a good meal, the right words spoken at the right time bring satisfaction.

Our words are powerful. Our tongues are highly influential. As James said, with them we can praise God and then turn around and curse those made in the image of God. I love the advice Solomon gave in an earlier Proverb: "Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut" (Proverbs 10:19 NLT). It would profitable for us to think before we speak. It would pay for us to consider the condition of our hearts before we open our mouths. And if we speak, we need to listen to what we say and examine the content. It will be a great barometer of the condition of our soul.

Father, the tongue can be hard to control. But while it can seem to have a mind of its own, it doesn't. It simply reflects what is going on inside of us. It reveals the condition of our spiritual lives. It makes the inward man visible to the outside world. And in the course of doing so, it can do either tremendous good or a lot of damage. Continue to change my heart so that my words may be honoring to You and a blessing to those around me. May my words be wise and not worthless. Amen.

Ken Miller

Grow Pastor & Minister to Men kenm@christchapelbc.org

It Starts In the Heart.

Proverbs 17

“Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart.” – Proverbs 17:3 NLT

At first glance, the Proverbs seem to be all about good behavior versus bad behavior. It contrasts the life of a wise person against that of the foolish person, and it would appear that we are to choose one over the other. We must make the decision as to which behaviors will characterize our lives. But there is an underlying assumption that Solomon goes back to time and time again. There is a important ingredient required, without which none of us will ever be able to enjoy a life marked by consistently good behavior. He hints at it in verse 3: "Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart." The source for ALL behavior, good or bad, is the heart. In the Hebrew mind, the heart referred to the inner man. It was the seat of his mind, will, desires, and emotions. The heart is what drives us. Our behavior is a direct reflection of our heart. But here's the problem. “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve” (Jeremiah 17:9-10 NLT). Our hearts are wicked. Our desires are naturally skewed toward evil, all as a result of the fall. Good behavior is achievable, but it is impossible to maintain long-term. It is not natural for us to do what is good because our hearts are bad. So any good behavior we attempt is short-lived because it is manufactured in the flesh. Yes, we may fool one another with our acts of compassion and deeds of apparent righteousness, but God knows our hearts. God warned Samuel the prophet,  “The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7 NLT). We may even be able to fool ourselves into thinking we are good, because of all the "good things" we do. But Solomon gives us the bad news: "People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart. The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices" (Proverbs 21:2-3 NLT).

Good behavior is only possible when our hearts are good. And none of us can produce a good heart apart from the intervention of God in our lives. He must change our hearts before we can see a change in our behavior. Jesus Himself said, "A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart" (Matthew 12:35 NLT). A good heart is the work of God, not man. It is not a case of behavior modification, but heart transformation, which only God can accomplish. So when Solomon describes wrong-doers, liars, mockers, fools, the wicked, the unjust, quarrelers, crooked and deceivers, he is simply listing characteristics that naturally flow from a heart that remains unchanged. Wisdom, love, common sense, understanding, friendship – these are all the characteristics of a heart committed to and under the control of God. Paul described it this way: "So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit" (Ephesians 5:15-18 NLT). He told the Galatian Christians, "So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires" (Galatians 5:16-17 NLT). And then he described what the fruit of a life lived under God's control looks like: "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23 NLT). It all starts in the heart. It all flows from the heart. And only God can transform the heart. Reading the book of Proverbs should remind us that the behavior God desires from us is unnatural and impossible for us. We can't do it without Him. And because of what Christ accomplished on the cross, we can live new lives because we have new hearts that are being transformed daily by the power of the Holy Spirit.  The Word of God reveals our need for God. "For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires" (Hebrews 4:12 NLT). If you find your life more characterized by the negative characteristics outlined in the Proverbs, thank God for showing you the true condition of your heart and ask Him to renew His work of transformation. Confess that you can't change your behavior without His help. Submit to His Spirit's control. Let Him produce in you what you can't produce on your own.

Father, I can't change my heart and because I can't change my heart, I find it impossible to change my behavior. I need You. Continue to keep me in Your Word and under the control of Your Spirit. Keep revealing to me my weaknesses so that I might turn to You for help. Amen.

Ken Miller

Grow Pastor & Minister to Men kenm@christchapelbc.org

Word and Deed.

Proverbs 16

“We make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” – Proverbs 16:9 NLT

While this Proverb appears to be a collection of disjointed one-liners that cover a variety of topics; on closer examination, there are two themes that seem to run throughout the entire Proverb. One has to do with "the path" of our life and the plans we make to get where we think we're supposed to go. The other theme has to do with our speech or the words that come out of our mouths, and their impact on our lives and the lives of those around us. The direction of our lives has a huge impact on our speech and conduct. Throughout the Proverbs, life is pictures as a journey. It has a beginning and an end. There is a destination to life. And we are always thinking about where we're going, how we're going to get there, and why are journey is not turning out quite like we expected. We make plans for our lives and those plans are ALWAYS influenced by something going on in the inside as well as outside of ourselves. Jealousy, pride, self-centeredness, and the longing for power, possessions, and prominence can lead us down the wrong path. And life lived on that path will have a huge impact on the way we live and the words we say. It will influence our words and deeds. This Proverb talks about wise speech, kind words, gossip, destructive words, righteous lips and honest speech. The content of our speech is directly related to the conduct of our lives. Where we go will influence what we say. Foolish living will result in foolish words. Following the wise path will result in wise words.

So who gets to decide the path for our lives? According to Solomon, we spend a lot of time trying to make arrangements and plans for the direction of our lives, but at the end of the day, God is the one who determines our steps. "A man may make designs for his way, but the Lord is the guide of his steps" (Proverbs 16:9 BBE). We may think we know what's best for our lives, but only God truly knows how to get where we really need to go. In verse one, we read, "The intentions of the heartbelong to a man,but the answer of the tonguecomes fromthe Lord." This verse reminds us that we may arrange the contents of our mind and plan out all our thoughts, it is God who gives us the capacity to put our thoughts into words. Plans become deeds. Thoughts become words. And both are related to the path we have chosen for our lives. We can choose to live our way or we can decide to live God's way, to follow His path for our lives. "Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed" (Proverbs 16:3 NLT). Give God the direction of your life. Allow Him to direct your path and you will discover it always leads in the right direction. Following His path not only leads to the right destination, it produces a life marked by godliness, wisdom, and righteousness. When it comes to choosing the right path for our lives, most of us have a lousy sense of direction. "There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death" (Proverbs 16:25 NLT). We need a GPS system. We need direction. And only God can provide it. Our way may seem right, but it will always turn out wrong. God's way is the best way. "The highway of the upright is to turnaway from evil; the one who guardshis way safeguards his life" (Proverbs 16:17 NET).

Father, keep me on the right path. Don't let me stray or follow my own sense of direction. I have no idea what is best for me and stopping to ask for directions from this world can be a dangerous thing to do. It will never get me where I truly need to go. Your way is the best way. Following Your will for my life will result in wise words and righteous deeds.

Ken Miller

Grow Pastor & Minister to Men kenm@christchapelbc.org

The Rewards of Godliness.

Proverbs 13

“Godliness guards the path of the blameless, but the evil are misled by sin.” – Proverbs 13:6 NLT

As we saw in Proverbs 12, godliness is the byproduct of a vibrant and intimate relationship with God. The more time we spend with Him, the more often we obey Him, the more dependent we become on Him, the more like Him we will become. Because of what Christ accomplished on the cross, and due to the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, we have the capacity to live godly lives – lives that are pleasing to and honoring of God. And the godly life not only has evidence that others can see, it comes with rewards. Godliness acts as a guard on our lives, providing us with wisdom for making good decisions, giving us the right words to say at the right time, and the insight when to say nothing at all. Godliness gives us a hatred for lies and deception, a love for justice and truth, and a life filled with light and joy. Godliness gives us the insight to know that we are nothing without God, making us less prone to pride and more willing to seek advice and accept correction. The godly have a strong work ethic, not living with some sense of entitlement, expecting everything to be handed to them on a silver platter. And their hard work not only satisfies their hunger, it fulfills their dreams. The godly have the innate ability to think before they act, protecting them from foolish acts, harmful words, and dangerous decisions. And while their life will not be free from trouble and strife, those things well be less likely the result of their own stupidity, rashness and foolhardiness. Godliness brings wisdom and wisdom is both protective and attractive. The wise live lives according to God’s ways and, a as a result, they attract the attention of others who long to have what they have.

Godliness isn’t some kind of unrealistic objective designed to make our lives miserable because it is unachievable. Godliness is attainable, enjoyable, laudable, and highly possible, not because of anything we do, but because of what Christ has already done. His death on the cross makes the life of godliness possible for all who place their faith in Him and Him alone. And not only do we get eternal life in return, complete with an irrevocable guarantee of a place in heaven some day; we get the promise of the rewards that come with a life of godliness lived out here in this earth.

Father, sometimes we think the life of godliness is some kind of penance or punishment until we get to be with You in heaven. But nothing could be farther from the truth. As we live according to Your terms, supplied by Your strength, we get to enjoy the rewards of Your grace, goodness and mercy. We receive wisdom, understanding, common sense, and all the benefits of a life lived with You. Thank You

Ken Miller

Grow Pastor & Minister to Men kenm@christchapelbc.org

The Evidence of Godliness.

Proverbs 12

“The way of the godly leads to life; that path does not lead to death.” ­– Proverbs 12:28 NLT

What does a godly person look like? What are the characteristics that mark the life of someone who claims to love God? Proverbs 12 gives us a good idea of what to look for and while most of these qualities are visible to the eye, they emanate from the heart. They are the fruit of godliness. They are the byproduct of a life lived in close dependence upon and in love with God. The danger is that we attempt to make them the end instead of the means. We too often try to make the fruit our goal, rather than pursue the only one who can make the fruit possible in our lives. Take a look at Solomon’s list and consider whether these attributes or character traits are evident in your life. If so, are they the result of your own hard work and determination? Have you become adept at manufacturing these things in your life so that others are impressed with your efforts? Or have they been produced in your life over time as a result of your pursuit of an intimate relationship with God?

The godly…

… love to learn and realize that discipline is one of their primary instructors.

… seek the approval of God in their lives, not the approval of men.

… do good whenever they have the opportunity, not evil.

… enjoy a sense of stability in their lives regardless of the circumstances.

… positively influence the lives of those around them.

… make plans that are right, just and fair, and safe for others to follow.

… speak words that build up, not tear down; and bring hope, not harm.

… leave a spiritual legacy through the next generation. … win people over with their simple sensibility.

… don’t need to be the center of attention.

… are good stewards of all that God has put under their care.

… are hard workers and not lazy dreamers.

… are content with what they have.

… don’t get trapped by their own words.

… experience the benefits that come from speaking wisely and working diligently.

… seek the advice of others and don’t assume their way is always right.

… stay calm even when insulted.

… tell the truth when called upon.

… use their words to heal, not hurt.

… tell the truth and never have to worry about being caught in a lie.

… are filled with joy because they don’t plot evil against others.

… experience peace even in the midst of trouble, knowing they weren’t the cause of it.

… tell the truth for God’s sake, not their own.

… don’t flaunt what they know or live to impress others with their godliness.

… are natural leaders because of their diligence.

… encourage others with their words.

… give good advice that doesn’t lead others astray.

… are diligent and resourceful.

… pursue God’s way, which leads to life.

That’s quite a list. But don’t lose sight of the fact that the list is not the point. Don’t make the list your goal. We have to realize that NONE of us can do any of the things on that list in our own strength – at least not well, and not for long. We can fake them for a time, but ultimately, we will fail. Each of these things are the result of a relationship with God. He produces them in our life. They are the natural outflow of a life lived with Him. Godliness is only possible with a vibrant walk with God. Seek Him and these things will become evident in your life – over time. Seek these things and the only thing that will become evident is your inability to experience them. If you sense they are missing in your life, don’t try to manufacture them so you look more godly. Simply seek God.

Father, I waste far too much time trying to appear godly rather than seeking You so that You can make me godly. I tend to pursue the wrong thing. I want these characteristics in my life, but thank You for reminding me that they only come from a growing dependence upon You. Show me how to pursue You, not the fruit. Don’t let me fall in love with the idea of godliness more than I love You.

Ken Miller Grow Pastor & Minister to Men kenm@christchapelbc.org

No Comparison.

Proverbs 11

"The righteousness of the good man will make his way straight, but the sin of the evil-doer will be the cause of his fall." – Proverbs 11:5 BBE

Like many of the Proverbs, this one is a lesson in contrasts or comparisons. Pride versus humility. Honesty versus dishonesty. Wickedness versus godliness. The fool versus the sensible person. Lovers of money versus lovers of God. The entire Proverb is a series of couplets contrasting one way of life with another. And any conclusion reached from this exercise is intended to be a no-brainer. The life of godliness or righteousness is meant to be the obvious winner, and verse 5 sums it up well. "The righteousness of the good man will make his way straight, but the sin of the evil-doer will be the cause of his fall" (Proverbs 11:5 BBE). As New Testament believers, we know that our righteousness is a gift provided to us by God through the death of His Son Jesus Christ. We have been made righteous because of His death on the cross where He took on our sin and, in exchange, we received His righteousness. And it is that righteousness that allows us to live a life that pleases God. This Proverb is not about human effort and our ability to keep a set of rules or standards. It portrays the life of the individual who has made God their highest priority and are willing to allow Him to transform them from the inside-out. The result is a life marked by honesty, integrity, knowledge, joy, wisdom, trustworthiness, generosity, discretion, and the love of God.

To be godly is to be God-dependent. It is an awareness that our righteousness comes from Him, not ourselves. It is an understanding that, left to ourselves, we are nothing more than fools, prideful, arrogant, lovers of money, cruel, ruthless, stingy, lacking in discretion, and incapable of changing our behavior or our hearts. This is not just a list of lifestyle choices. It is a description of two ways of life. One is our natural tendency as fallen human beings. The other is the life of the individual who has discovered God and fallen in love with His grace, mercy, goodness, faithfulness, and holiness. Righteousness is not a goal we strive towards. It is a gift made available to us through a relationship with God. Because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross, we can have a right relationship with God, and the fruit of that is a life of righteousness. God changes our heart and, as a result, our behavior. Our godly lives are proof of our relationship with God Himself. Wisdom, generosity, discretion, honesty and integrity are not the result of our own effort, but the fruit of a loving relationship with God. God Himself shows us the kind of life that honors Him, then gives us the capacity to live it through the power of His Spirit. He produces in us what we could never pull of on our own. So why would we ever choose any other way to live our lives? There's no comparison.

Father, Your way is best. The life of righteousness is the only way that makes sense. Godliness is a no-brainer. But yet we choose the other way each and every day. We allow our flesh or sin nature to take over and lead us down a path that is nothing more than a dead-end. Thank You for this reminder that there is no comparison between the life You make available to us and the one the world offers up as an alternative. Your way is the best way. The only way. Amen

Ken Miller Grow Pastor & Minister to Men kenm@christchapelbc.org

Fool's Gold.

Proverbs 10

"When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation." – Proverbs 10:25 NLT

To the untrained eye, iron and copper pyrite has all the characteristics of real gold. For an amateur prospector, it could fool the eye and convince the mind that the dream of untold riches was right around the corner. But no matter how real it may appear, fool's gold would prove to be nothing more than a phantom or a very convincing mirage. The same could be said of the life of the fool. A fool is not some imbecile who lacks intelligence and is doomed to a life of stupid decisions. In the Bible a fool is the description of any individual who chooses to live his life on his own terms instead of God's. All of us are born fools and the only thing that change that unhappy state is a growing knowledge of God and a healthy fear of Him. Without God we are doomed to live the life of a fool. And as these Proverbs remind us, "a foolish child brings grief to a mother (Proverbs 10:1 NLT), "babbling fools fall flat on their faces" (Proverbs 10:8 NLT), "those lacking sense will be beaten with a rod" (Proverbs 13 NLT), "slandering others makes you a fool" (Proverbs 10:18 NLT), "the heart of a fool is worthless" (Proverbs 10:20 NLT), and "fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense" (Proverbs 10:21 NLT).

The Proverbs tend to combine the characteristics of foolishness with wickedness and evil. They are all one and the same. They represent the ungodly, those who live as if there is no God. When a child is born, he or she has no concept of God, so they become their own god. The world revolves around them. They naturally exhibit selfishness and self-centeredness. They demand their own way. They don't know any better. But by the time a child becomes an adult, they should know better. But sadly, many adults exhibit the same characteristics they displayed as children. They remain the god of their life and the universe revolves around them. They lack discernment and common sense. Yes, they may have an education and multiple degrees. They may have all the trappings of success and enjoy a lifestyle of comfort and ease, but it is all fool's gold. They lack true wisdom and knowledge. Their life is but a mirage, a phantom of what God offers. Because "the godly are showered with blessing" (Proverbs 10:6 NLT), "the earnings of the godly enhance their lives, but evil people squander their money on sin" (Proverbs 10:16 NLT), and "doing wrong is fun for a fool, but living wisely brings pleasure to the sensible" (Proverbs 10:23 NLT).

A life without God may appear attractive, but it is not what it seems. The world does all it can to offer a convincing replica of what God has offered. It's pleasures look real. It's happiness appears lasting. Following its ways would seem to offer a life of fulfillment. But it's all fool's gold. A cheap substitute for the real thing. The way of the Lord is the only way that works. It alone satisfies, lasts, brings peace, provides joy, and results in a life marked by integrity, wisdom, common sense, and stability. "The hopes of the godly result in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing" (Proverbs 10:28 NLT). Only God's way is the right way. Don't be fooled by anything else.

Father, open my eyes and help me spot the counterfeit life offered by this world. It is so convincing, but so disappointing. It can't deliver what it promises. It's fool's gold. But Your way is the right way and offers everything I need to live a life of fulfillment and purpose. Don't ever let me settle for the fake when I can have the real thing. Amen

Ken Miller Grow Pastor & Minister to Men kenm@christchapelbc.org

Two Invitations. Two Choices.

Proverbs 9

"Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live; learn to use good judgment." – Proverbs 9:6 NLT

In this Proverbs, Solomon portrays wisdom and folly as two women. One is industrious, a planner, and highly hospitable. She offers those who are "simple" the chance to dine at her table and gain good judgment and wisdom. She offers them a chance to leave their simple ways behind and really begin to live. Wisdom offers long life, the capacity to fear God and know Him intimately and deeply. The other woman, Folly, also calls out and offers an invitation, but it is an invitation of another sort. Folly is portrayed as a prostitute. She is brash, ignorant and doesn't even know it. She too calls out to the simple and those lacking in judgment. "'Come in with me,' she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says, 'Stolen water is refreshing; food eaten in secret tastes the best!'" (Proverbs 9:16-17 NLT).

Two women. Two invitations. But depending on which invitation you accept, two diametrically opposed outcomes. One ends in life, the other in death. One offers wisdom and good judgment in place of foolishness and simplicity. The other can only offer sensual pleasures and immediate gratification of the senses, but really delivers disappointment and, ultimately, death. The picture Solomon paints portrays life on this planet for each and every man and woman. Every day we are faced with two basic options: the way of wisdom as offered by God, or the way of folly or foolishness, so tantalizingly and temptingly offered by the world. And every day, we are faced with a choice to choose one or the other. The things of this world are so appealing. The ways of this world seem so logical and sensible. They appeal to our sin nature and are aimed at our senses. They have little to do with wisdom, understanding, common sense, or good judgment. And we're not talking about intelligence, because even men with high IQs can be guilty of foolishness and live the life of the simpleminded. The Hebrew word used by Solomon for the "simple" person refers to one who is easily persuaded and enticed. They are naive. Satan and this world thrives on these kind of people. And every person who walks on this planet IS that kind of person if they don't have a relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ the Son. They may be smart, successful, well-to-do, and even powerful, but they will still be simpleminded. They will be dominated by their flesh and driven by their desires. They will be susceptible to temptation and prone to live like fools. Why? Because they lack good judgment, common sense, wisdom, understanding and the fear of God.

The key seems to be found in Wisdom's invitation. "Leave your simple ways behind." There has to be a point in time when you decide to acknowledge your propensity to be easily persuaded and enticed. Then you have to be willing to abandon that lifestyle for another. We have to choose to accept God's invitation to sit at His table and feast on His wisdom. We must trade in our desire to satisfy our senses for God's offer of understanding. We need to understand the times in which we live, the dangers that surround us, our own tendencies to live like fools. We need to understand and comprehend our incapacity to survive in this world without God. Without Him we are easy targets for the enemy. God offers us wisdom. The world offers us folly. And every day we have a choice to make.

Father, give me the capacity to see life clearly – from Your perspective. Without You, I am a man who is prone to foolishness. I can easily fall prey to the temptations of the enemy and the allures of this world. But Your Spirit and Your Word give me the wisdom and insight I need to see this world for what it really is – my enemy. This world hated Christ and it hates me. Don't let me listen to its lies and take its lures. Open my eyes and help me really live, based on Your wisdom and according to Your way. Amen

Ken Miller Grow Pastor & Minister to Men kenm@christchapelbc.org

Practical Piety.

Proverbs 6

"When you walk, their counsel will lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up, they will advise you.For their command is a lamp and their instruction a light; their corrective discipline is the way to life.." – Proverbs 6:22-23 NLT

The life of godliness or Christlikeness was never meant to be impossible or impractical. It is impossible only if we attempt to live it in our own strength or on our own terms. It is impractical is we fail to apply its lessons to our daily lives. We can become so heavenly minded that we're no earthly good. Righteousness is highly practical. It is to be visible to those around us. It is to impact every area of our lives, changing the way we live, altering the way we think, and influencing our decisions. Righteous living is wise living. It is living according to God's standards, and God is a highly practical God. Solomon took what he knew about God and applied it to everyday life. He warned his son against the dangers of co-signing on a loan for a friend. He is really warning against presumption, taking a risk based on a hope that all will turn out well. We don't know the future. Only God does. So why risk the well-being of your family by putting your finances at risk. This could be applied to all kinds of investments, get-rich-quick schemes, business ventures, etc. And Solomon knows that pride plays a huge factor in so many of our decisions, so he warns, "Now swallow your pride; go and beg to have your name erased. Don't put it off; do it now! Don't rest until you do!" (Proverbs 6:3-4 NLT). Fear of man keeps us from living according to God's terms. We make decisions out of pride and out of a fear of being rejected, judged, ridiculed, or thought less of by others.

Solomon also warns against laziness or the lack of discipline in our lives. Righteous people are hard-working, diligent people. They are good stewards of their time, talents and resources, including the hours given to them in each and every day by God. So they don't waste and squander them. Laziness seems so innocent at first. What harm could there be in a few extra hours of sleep? But the life of laziness leads no where good. The godly are diligent, hard-working, and faithful to perform their daily responsibilities well.

Solomon goes on to give his son (and us) seven things the Lord hates. Once again, these are highly practical, everyday life things. He warns against pride, lying, murder, the intent to do harm and the desire to do wrong, false witnesses, and trouble making. Every one of these is a real life issue that each of us struggles with at some level. Even murder, or killing of the innocent, is something each of us is capable of. Solomon's point seems to be that we need to know what God hates and learn to hate those things as well. We need to avoid them like the plague. We need to listen to wise counsel, from parents, peers, friends, and from the Word of God. Piety that is not practical is useless. It becomes hypocrisy. Our beliefs must impact our behavior. Our righteousness must result in right living. The way we live should reflect the God in whom we believe.

Father, You have called us to live different lives. We have been set apart and given a different agenda for our lives. We are Your children and are to reflect Your character to the world around us. Help us make our religion real and our beliefs practical. Don't allow us to make them purely academic. Your Son died so that we might have life and life more abundantly. May our relationship with You radically alter the way we live on this earth. Amen

Ken Miller Grow Pastor & Minister to Men kenm@christchapelbc.org

Femme Fatale.

Proverbs 5

"For the lips of the immoral woman are as sweet as honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil. But in the end she is as bitter as poison, as dangerous as a double-edged sword." – Proverbs 5:3-4 NLT

Sin is so tempting, and it's allure is real, making it a constant problem for men and women alike. And while Solomon wrote his proverbs a long time ago, some things never change. We still need to hear his words of wisdom and warning. He spends an entire Proverb warning his sons against the dangers of the immoral woman or prostitute. It was a problem then and it remains a problem today. Promiscuity is alive and well, and it may be even more acceptable today than ever before. The increase in casual sex and a growing comfortableness and complacency with sex outside the confines of marriage make this message particularly timely for our sex-saturated society. Solomon's warning to his sons was necessary in his day and it is needed in ours as well. But it sounds so antiquated and puritanical! At least that's what many in our society would say. But it is a warning against the lies of all temptations. Satan is the father of lies and the great deceiver. He loves to package his product in such a way that it hides the dangers within. He is the master of manipulation and deception, creating the allusion of pleasure, but all the while hiding the true consequences. The prostitute is a perfect illustration of his methodologies. She is attractive, flattering, enticing, and appeals to man's basic instincts. She knows man's weakness and aims right for it. The apostle John warned us, "For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions" (1 John 2:16 NLT). That is Satan's strategy. Everything he offers is designed to appeal to what we crave and desire, to fulfill our insatiable need for pleasure, and to satisfy our hunger for significance. A prostitute goes out of her way to make her "client" feel wanted, important, and significant. She offers to provide him with physical and emotional pleasure and to satisfy all his needs. But in the end, "her feet go down to death." Like all sin, the consequences are dangerous and deadly. It never delivers as promised. It is the ultimate in false advertising, yet we fall prey to it each and every day in so many ways. We take the bait and suffer the consequences of broken marriages, unfulfilled expectations, destroyed reputations, and shattered lives.

So what's the solution? Wisdom, wise counsel, and discernment. Solomon warns his sons in graphic detail of the dangers facing them. He doesn't sugarcoat it and he doesn't ignore it. He paints a vivid and compelling picture of the dangers of sin. He talks openly about the consequences and even seems to speak from experience. "You will say, 'How I hated discipline! If only I had not ignored all the warnings! Oh, why didn't I listen to my teachers? Why didn't I pay attention to my instructors? I have come to the brink of utter ruin, and now I must face public disgrace" (Proverbs 5:12-14 NLT). Our children need to know the truth. Our congregations need to hear the truth. The enemy is filling their minds with lies day after day, and he has more resources available than ever before. The media provides him with a constant venue for propagating his lies and distributing his message of falsehood. We need to speak truth. We need to share the wisdom of God's Word. We need to promote the non-negotiable requirement of living according to God's way – unapologetically and boldly. The dangers are real. The consequences are devastating. Wisdom, wise counsel and discernment are needed more than ever before.

Father, give us the boldness to speak truth in the midst of a society that has become mesmerized by the lies of Satan. Help us to warn our children and to promote Your way over the world's way. Don't let us sit back and complacently watch as the lies of the enemy destroy our young people, marriages, homes and churches. Give us a desire to declare the wisdom or Your Word and share wise counsel with all who will listen. Amen

Ken Miller Grow Pastor & Minister to Men kenm@christchapelbc.org

Wiseheart.

Proverbs 4

"Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." – Proverbs 4:23 NLT

All this talk of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding could easily leave the impression that Solomon is obsessed with intelligence. It sounds like he is simply trying to encourage his son to get a good education, learn all that he can learn, and apply all that knowledge to living a good life. But Solomon is wise enough to know that there is more to this picture than mere intelligence or IQ. He is talking about a way of life that is based on much more than just book learning. All throughout the Proverbs Solomon contrasts two ways of life, to lifestyles. One is marked by wickedness and foolishness. The other is marked by wisdom and righteousness. But the difference isn't just about one person knowing more than the other. It is the fact that one knows God better than the other. At the end of the day, this is a heart issue. When Solomon pleads his son, and all young people, to "get wisdom" and "don't turn your back on wisdom," he is really telling them to pursue God, because He is the source of all wisdom.

In this Proverb, Solomon refers to "the way" multiple times. He describes life as a journey and we have choices regarding which path we will take as we live our lives. He says, "Don't do as the wicked do, and don't follow the path of evildoers. Don't even think about it; don't go that way. Turn away and keep moving" (Proverbs 4:14-15 NLT). He compares the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked. One ends in light, the other in darkness. But then Solomon provides us with the key. He says, "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life" (Proverbs 14:23 NLT). It is our heart that will determine whether we go the way of the righteous or the way of the wicked. It is our heart that will determine whether we seek God's way or the world's. So we need wise hearts, not brave hearts. We need heart knowledge, not head knowledge. God wants to renew our hearts and change the way we think, act, speak, and live. Without heart change, all efforts to live wisely will be short-lived and end up in nothing more than behavior modification. When Solomon says, "Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech" (Proverbs 4:24 NLT), he knows he is asking the impossible unless our hearts are changed by God. We will gravitate toward perverse talk and corrupt speech without wise hearts. And only God can give us wise hearts. Only God gives us the ability to make wise choices. Solomon closes his Proverb with these words: "Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don't get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil" (Proverbs 4:25-27 NLT). Without a wise heart, that is impossible. God gives us the capacity to know right from wrong, good from evil. He equips us with not only the knowledge to make good choices, but the ability to do so. He changes our hearts. Head knowledge is not enough. Heart knowledge is what we need. Wise hearts and brave souls – men and women living life according to God's terms and in the power of God's Spirit.

Father, give us wise hearts. Change us from the inside out. Don't let us be satisfied with head knowledge. I don't want to just know about You, I want to really know You so that I might live in a way that pleases You. Amen

Ken Miller Grow Pastor & Minister to Men kenm@christchapelbc.org

A Different Path.

Proverbs 3

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." – Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT

The Proverbs are full of comparisons, juxtapositions, and contrasts. There is wisdom and foolishness, wickedness and righteousness, and the God-follower and the self-worshiper. These sayings of Solomon paint a vivid picture that contrasts the life of the man who seeks after God and the man who turns his back on God, setting himself up as the master of his own fate and the captain of his soul. Solomon writes from the perspective of a father appealing to his child, begging his son to make attaining wisdom and understanding his highest priority. But in doing so, Solomon is not suggesting that his son pursue academic knowledge. He is not encouraging the pursuit of human reason or head-knowledge. He is spurring on his son to pursue God – the sole source of all wisdom, knowledge, reason, and common sense. Getting to know God is the goal, not gaining wisdom for wisdom's sake. Solomon tells his son, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5 NLT). How easy it is for each of us to trust in anything and everything, but God. Rather than trust God, we turn to our own limited understanding and attempt to explain the complexities of life and solve the difficulties that come with living life on this planet. If we lack joy, we attempt to find it through means made possible through this world. If we feel unloved, we seek satisfaction and significance through such avenues as the pursuit of pleasure or promiscuity. We seek – but we tend to seek in the wrong places.

But Solomon told his son, "Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take" (Proverbs 3:6 NLT). He reminds his son that wisdom brings joy, is profitable, valuable, precious, and is the key to long life. But it only comes from one source – God. Wisdom, true wisdom, flows from God. It is available nowhere else but from God. Our ability to live life on this planet well is dependent upon the wisdom and understanding that God alone provides. But it comes from a relationship, not just a book. I learn wisdom from watching and coming to know God, not just by reading about Him. Wisdom is part of who God is. It is His very character. Wisdom, understanding and knowledge do not exist apart from God. What the world offers is a cheap substitute. At their core, wisdom and understanding are spiritual resources, not academic or cerebral. They flow from a right relationship with God. Solomon tells us, "Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline" (Proverbs 1:7 NLT). The fool wants nothing to do with God. He desires wisdom and understanding, but doesn't want the relationship with God necessary to have them. He does not want the loving discipline that also comes from God that are required to truly learn wisdom and understanding. But those who long to have a relationship with God will find that wisdom, understanding, and knowledge are the byproducts of their pursuit of God.

Father, don't let me make wisdom and understanding the focus of my pursuit. Help me keep You as my sole desire. Those things will come as I grow in my knowledge of and love for You. Amen

Ken Miller Grow Pastor & Minister to Men kenm@christchapelbc.org

Living Life In 4D.

Proverbs 2

"Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go." – Proverbs 2:5 NLT

Life can be hard. Decisions have to be made. Difficulties must be dealt with. Sometimes it is hard to know what to do or how to respond. We are bombarded by bad advice and the well-meaning counsel of friends who are just as confused as we are. So what are we to do? Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, encourages us to "cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures" (Proverbs 2:4 NLT). It would appear that Solomon expected us to put in a fair amount of effort into the process. He seems to believe that we must want insight and understanding bad enough that we would expend some energy in order to get them. Cry out! Ask! Search! Seek! How badly do we want these things? How hard are we willing to pursue them until we find them?

As we go through life we encounter our desperate need for insight, understanding, wisdom, and knowledge.This world can be a confusing place. We don't always know what to do. So the first step seems to be a recognition of our deficiencies. We have to come to an understanding of our lack of understanding. We are not the brightest bulbs in the box. But the sad truth seems to be that we don't usually reach this point of awareness until something difficult happens in our lives that leaves us at a loss. It is in those times of desperation that we tend to turn to God, and that is the key – we have to turn to the source. Solomon makes it clear that insight and understanding are only available from one source and that is God. When we cry out, ask, search and seek from Him, we are told that we will "understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God" (Proverbs 2:5 NLT). It is God who grants wisdom, knowledge and understanding. He alone can equip us with much-needed common sense, integrity, and the ability to understand what is just, right and fair. In other words, God gives us discernment, direction, discipline and discretion. He provides us with all we need to live life on this planet wisely, safely, and righteously. Rather than live according to the standards of this world. we learn to live God's way. We learn to think like He thinks, love what He loves, hate what He hates, and view life from His perspective. This life can be hard, but God has given us everything we need to not only survive, but thrive. We can live wise lives, marked by discernment, direction, discipline and discretion. He will keep us on the right path. He will help us make wise decisions. He will protect us from the temptation of this world. He will give us the ability to see life from His perspective. But first we must come to the realization that we need what He has. We must desire Hisunderstanding, knowledge, insight and wisdom more than anything else in the world. Then we must seek after it diligently, eagerly, and regularly.

Father, there is no reason we should struggle in this world with a lack of discernment, direction, discipline and discretion. You provide all four and have made them readily available to us through Your Word, Your Spirit and Your Body. Give us a growing desire to know what You know, to understand life as You understand it, and to live according to Your wise standards. Amen

Ken Miller Grow Pastor & Minister to Men kenm@christchapelbc.org

I Can't Stop Talking About God. (Based on Psalm 145)

Psalm 145 – Day 2

I will hold You in high esteem, my God and my King, And I will bow in reverence to Your reputation forever! I will bend my knees in praise to you every day, I will boast of Your reputation forever and ever. You are great, O Lord, and extremely praiseworthy. The true extent of Your greatness is beyond our comprehension. One generation will praise Your works to the next, And tell them of Your strength. I will speak of the incredible splendor of Your majesty, And of Your extraordinary works. They will tell of Your fear-inducing, awe-inspiring acts, And I will recount Your greatness. They'll overflow with memories of Your great goodness, And be overcome by Your righteousness. You are gracious and compassionate, Slow to get angry and overflowing with mercy. You show Your goodness to everyone and extend mercy to Your entire creation. Everything You've made will end up praising You, O Lord, And those who are faithful to You will bow down before You. They will talk about the glory of Your reign over them and of Your great power. They will make known to the next generation Your might acts, And the glory of living under Your righteous rule. Yours is a kingdom that will never end, and Your rule outlasts the generations. You support all who fall and lift up all who are bent down and burdened. Everyone looks to You and You provide what they need at just the right time. You open Your hand and satisfy the needs of every living creature. You are right in everything that You do, and always holy. You are never far from those who call on You, who call on You in faithfulness. You will satisfy those who fear You, hearing their cry and rescuing them. All those who love You, You will keep safe, but those who hate You will be destroyed. I will declare publicly my thanksgiving to You, So that all mankind might bless Your holy name forever.

Sharing What We Know About God.

Psalm 145 – Day 1

"Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power." – Psalm 145:4 NLT

Six months ago, we started this journey through the Psalms of David. Our goal was to discover the character of God through the pen of David. We wanted to see what David understood about his God and how it impacted the way he lived his life. And Psalm 145 seems like a perfect way to wrap up this series. In it, David praises the greatness of God. He says, "I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever. Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness" (Psalm 145:2-3 NLT). David is blown away by the greatness of God and wants everyone to know. He is not content to internalize his thoughts about God and he expects everyone to "share the story of your wonderful goodness" (Psalms 145:7 NLT). David's praise of God was not merely academic or rote. What he knew about God, he knew from experience. He had seen these attributes or characteristics of God lived out in his own life, day after day. He had seen God's power, experienced His mercy and grace, felt His compassion, witnesses His mighty acts with his own eyes, and learned that God is always right in everything he does. David knew what the Scriptures had to say about God, but his awareness of God's unfailing love, truthfulness, faithfulness, righteousness, compassion, mercy and grace came from his own personal interactions with God in daily life.

When David wrote, "Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power" (Psalm 145:4 NLT), he wasn't suggesting that they simply recount and retell the stories they had heard from their parent's experiences in the wilderness. Many of us can tell stories from the Bible that illustrate God's greatness, but how many of us can share personal encounters with God that speak of His goodness, greatness, love, and power? There is a huge difference between knowing about someone and getting to really know someone. I may know a lot about Abraham Lincoln, but it all comes from books and from the perspective of others. But I know my wife. I know here because I spend time with her and our lives are deeply interactive and entwined. We spend time together talking, sharing, interfacing, and impacting the lives of one another. The same should be true of my relationship with God. Praise for God should be personal and intimate. It should come from experience. David had come to know God because he had spent time with God. He had watched God work in and around his life, caring for him, providing for him, protecting him, correcting him, and revealing Himself to him. David had a lot to praise God for. When he spoke of God's wonderful goodness, mighty acts, awe-inspiring deeds, unfailing love, and greatness, he was speaking from experience. He knew what he was talking about. And nobody could argue with him. So what will we have to tell the next generation concerning the mighty acts and power of God? What stories will we tell to illustrate our understanding of His greatness and goodness? Our lack of stories are not a reflection on God or an indication of His absence in our lives, but are simply an indication of our lack of dependence on Him. We have little to praise Him for because we have given Him few opportunities to work in our lives. We have become self-sufficient and have attempted to run our own lives according to our own plans. But David reminds us, "The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them. The Lord protects all those who love him" (Psalm 145:18-20 NLT).

Father, may we truly have something great to share with the next generation. May we have stories to tell of your greatness and goodness because we have learned to wait on and rely on You. Amen

Ken Miller Grow Pastor & Minister to Men kenm@christchapelbc.org

It's Good To Know God. (Based on Psalm 144)

Psalm 144 – Day 2

I get down on my knees in celebration of the Lord, my rock, He personally trains me for battle, equipping me to do battle. He is who I turn to for mercy, protection, refuge, deliverance from trouble, He is my shield in battle, and I confidently trust Him to subdue my enemies in battle. Lord, what is man, that You bother to even acknowledge his existence? Or the nations, that You give them any consideration? Man is like a wisp of wind to You, his days are like a shadow that vanishes before Your eyes. Lower heaven and come down, touch the mountains and make them erupt! Send lightning, scattering the bolts around like arrows of destruction. Reach down from on high, deliver me from the deep water, from the hands of pagan nations. Whose words are full of lies and whose actions are always deceitful. I will make up a brand new song celebrating You, O God! I will sing praises to You using my favorite instrument. I will sing of the salvation You bring to kings, How You delivered me, David, Your servant, from the sword. Separate me and deliver me from these foreign nations, From all their lies and deception. That our sons may grow to full height, like a plant, That our daughters may be like corner stones in a beautiful palace. That our storehouses may be full, that our sheep may multiply, filling our pastures. That our oxen will be strong to do labor, our walls will keep us safe, and our people will stay content. People who find themselves in those circumstances will be happy, But their happiness will be because God is their Lord!

Who Are We Compared To You?

Psalm 144 – Day 1

"O Lord, what are human beings that you should notice them, mere mortals that you should think about them?" – Psalm 144:3 NLT

Perspective can be an illusive thing. It is so easy to have a one-dimensional view of life and the circumstances surrounding it. We can end up seeing things from our point of view alone, and lose sight of reality. We can easily view ourselves as somehow special, our talents as truly unique, and our inherent value as greater than it really is. God provides perspective to life. He is to be the focal point to all of life and all meaning. He is the creator and sustainer of life. The world exists for Him, not the other way around. He is one who came up with the idea of mankind and then made it happen. David was blown away that this all-powerful God would even bother to waste a single second dealing with the likes of men. The Message paraphrases verse three quite clearly and frankly: "I wonder why you care, GOD – why do you bother with us at all?"

David had a healthy perspective of life because he had an accurate view of God. He understood the greatness of God was and the pitifully powerless condition of man. David lived dependent on God – gladly and willingly. He viewed God as his rock – his source of stability and strength. He saw God as his personal trainer and reliable ally. When David ran into trouble, God was who David ran to for help, hope and healing. He didn't get too full of himself or allow his position, possessions or power to warp his perspective on life. He knew he needed God – at all times and in every way. All his strength came from God. All his victories were due to God. His rescue from trouble was totally up to God. His success or failure was in God's hands. His present prosperity and future posterity were up to God. Which is why he could say, "Yes, joyful are those who live like this! Joyful indeed are those whose God is the Lord" (Psalm 144:15 NLT). Living with a clear perspective of God and life is essential to experiencing joy. When we understand just who God is, we will gladly place all ourhope on Him, and refuse to see ourselves as more than what we are – mere mortals. A God-focused perspective can bring peace even in the midst of difficulty, hope in the face of heartache, confidence even when surrounded by confusion and chaos. A healthy perspective of God gives us a healthy view of life.

Father, it is amazing that You, the God of the universe, would take time to even think about me, a mere man. But You do. You created me, care for me, sent Your Son to die for me and You have a plan that includes me. You are great, powerful, holy, sinless, righteous, and yet You choose to care for me. Thank You! Amen

Ken Miller Grow Pastor & Minister to Men kenm@christchapelbc.org

A Prayer For Direction, Not Just Deliverance. (Based on Psalm 143)

Psalm 143 – Day 2

Hear my prayer, O Lord, Listen attentively to my cries for help! Answer because of Your faithfulness and righteousness. Whatever You do, don't pass judgment on me, Because there's not a man alive who could pass that test. I am calling to You because my enemies constantly pursue me, The grind my life into the ground, forcing me to live in the dark like a dead man. As a result, my spirit is weak within me, my heart is barren and lonely. But I can recall the past, and I think about all those things You have done; I reflect on all the things You have done with Your hands. So I reach out to You, my soul thirsts for You, like dry land longs for rain. Please answer me quickly, O Lord, because my spirit is fading fast, Don't turn Your back on me or I am as good as dead. Let me tell others about Your unfailing love when I wake up in the morning, Because I trust in You. Show me the way in which You want me to live my life, Because I am bearing my soul to You. Rescue me from my enemies O Lord, I run to You for protection. Teach me to do what pleases You, because You are my God; By Your good Spirit, lead me to a place marked by righteousness. For the sake of Your reputation, revive me! For the sake of Your righteousness, deliver my soul out of trouble. And for the sake of Your unfailing love, destroy my enemies, Put an end to all those who harass my soul, Because I am Your servant.

Show Me Where To Walk.

Psalm 143 – Day 1

"Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you." – Psalm 143:8 NLT

Prayer is an interesting activity. When we pray, we are oftentimes expressing to God what we want done. We are sharing our solutions to our own problems. In many cases, we treat God as some kind of cosmic Genie in the sky, except this Genie doesn't limit our wishes to just three. We can go to Him on a constant basis with requests of all kinds. Or so it would seem. But the reality is that prayer requires an understanding of who God is and what His character is like. To ask God to do something that is not in His nature or that goes against His will would be ridiculous. But we do it all the same. God wants us to express our needs to Him, but I am not so sure that God needs help with the solution. Our prayers should be an expression of our trust and dependence on God. We got to Him because we know that He is the only one who can help. And He will help, but on His own terms and according to His own timing.

I find it interesting that David prayed quite openly and honestly with God in this Psalm. He shared that he was surrounded by enemies. He told God about his struggle with depression and his being paralyzed by fear. He asks God for rescue. He asks Him to preserve his life and bring him out of his distress. He even asked God to silence his enemies and to destroy all his foes. But the more enlightening thing was that David seemed to keep His requests consistent with what he knew about God. He appealed to God's mercy. He asked God to answer because he knew God to be faithful and righteous. He knew that nothing he was asking of God was too great for Him, because he had heard about all the great things God had done in the past. He knew that his God was loving and would listen to him when he called to Him. Along with prayer for his problems, David asks God to "let me hear of your unfailing love each morning for I am trusting in you" (Psalm 143:8 NLT). What an interesting choice of words. He seems to be asking God to preserve him through the night and cause him to wake up to a renewed recognition of God's unfailing love and mercy. He will "hear" of God's love each morning. Others will be talking about it because God's intervention in David's life will be visible for all to see. It will be clear to all that this was a "God-thing." Because David is trusting in God. Then David asks God to show him where to walk. He isn't asking for literal directions, but is asking God to show him the manner in which he should live his daily life. He wants to know how to be a good king, a righteous father, a godly husband. He goes on to ask God to "teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing" (Psalm 143:10 NLT). He is asking God to train him to obey. David wasn't just asking God to do thing for him, but he was passionate about learning to do what pleases God. He wanted to live a life in obedience to and dependence on God. Is that what we want? Is that what we pray and long for. David wanted rescue so that he could serve God. He wanted relief from trials and troubles, so he could spend more time worshiping and less time worrying. But he also knew that God would use those very same trials and troubles to reveal Himself to David through the display of His power, presence, love, mercy, and faithfulness. David trusted God. Do we?

Father, it is so easy for me to just come to You with my requests, but fail to want to get to know You. I want to hear of your unfailing love every morning. I want to wake up to a renewed realization of Your mercy and grace each day. I want You to teach me to do Your will, not mine. I want You to show me how to live my life in increasing obedience and dependence on You. You could give me all I ask for, but if I miss out on knowing You, I lose. Amen

Ken Miller Grow Pastor & Minister to Men kenm@christchapelbc.org