KINDNESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS

Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. (Proverb 21:21, 23 ESV)

You may have heard it said that “a little kindness goes a long way.” It does. Have you ever had someone show you an unexpected kindness? If so, I suspect you have experienced what a difference it can make in your outlook. Perhaps it was a kind word that brightened your day. Maybe it was some kind gesture that lifted your spirits. Or, maybe it was a visit or a hug when you needed it most. Such things tend to elevate your view of the person who did them, don’t they?  At very least, you appreciate them more.

It’s the same when you see someone do what’s right and good. So many times, people are given a choice to do what’s easy or what’s right. And, what’s “right” is often harder to do. Yet, when that choice is made, it makes everyone stand a little taller. It also builds respect. 

Put these together in the life of a Christian, and you will find life, and a taste of life as it was meant to be. The pursuit of righteousness and kindness promote flourishing in the lives of believers and the people around them. That’s what we all want, isn’t it?

On the other hand, a harsh word always wreaks havoc. All it takes is one careless word or angry expression to ruin a day (or, sometimes, a life). When someone goes on an angry tirade, they produce the opposite of verse 21, and instead find the trouble of verse 23. Instead of honor, they lose the respect of many. And, such a tirade or careless word is almost never righteous. Instead, it’s usually self-centered and self-willed. Instead of peace, it brings pain.

Brother or sister in Christ, pay attention to these verses from the book of Proverbs. They will guide you well. Imitate God’s character—pursue righteousness and kindness. Guard your tongue—think before you speak. Don’t respond out of emotion. Choose the path that builds your witness, not destroys it! 

In His grip,  

Pastor Decker

FATHER’S DAY

            

I don’t know what the difference is this year, but I have found myself thinking about my dad this week leading up to Father’s Day more than in most years since his passing (in 2000). Perhaps watching a video of a man trying to find the words to thank his father played a part in that. I suspect that most men who have lost their dad still have questions they wished they could ask or wish they could just talk to him one more time. Though I wish I could have spent more time with my dad, I am thankful for the time we had. I am certainly thankful that he trusted Christ as his Savior and, one day, I will see him again. And, I am thankful that I was brought into a Christian home with parents that brought me to church. 

For those of us whose father has passed away, we can still thank God for the blessings we received and for the love of our Heavenly Father.

To those whose father is still living, I encourage you to take the time to talk to him today. For some, it may be awkward or uncomfortable, but I’m sure it will be meaningful. 

For those whose relationship with your father was strained or just plain bad, I encourage you to do what you can to mend that relationship while there is still time. Why not start today?

For those whose relationship with their father was non-existent or is more painful than you think you can bear, please remember that you have a Heavenly Father who loves you very much, and is still watching over you. 

Finally, to all the father’s reading this, my encouragement is to step up and be the loving head of your home that God intended for your to be. Fatherhood is an awesome privilege and responsibility, and your influence continues on long after your kids leave the house. If your relationship with your children is strained, do your part to make amends today—both you and they need it. If your relationship is good, praise God for that … it truly is a gift of great worth. 

In His grip,  

Pastor Decker

A POWERFUL PROVERB

 

Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the LORD leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm. (ESV)

             While we may wish that this verse promised that we would never have hard times, I think we all know better. Jesus never promised an easy life. Instead, He said, “... In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33 ESV) So, what do we make of the last part of this verse? Here I think that Romans 8 is most instructive:

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39 ESV)

First, no trial or tribulation can ultimately overtake us, but rather, we are overcomers and conquerors through Jesus Christ. Secondly, if we are children of God, no harm or evil can separate us from God’s love or pluck us out of His hand (John 10:28-29).

But, all of this depends on the first part of Proverbs 19:23, “The fear of the LORD leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied…” First and foremost, acknowledging Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is what gives us the hope of eternal life. Then, it is in acknowledging God for Who He is and trusting in His sovereignty that we are able to find abundant life and “rest satisfied” that no matter what trials come, God will carry us through.  So, today, my encouragement is to remember  the hope of Proverbs 19:23, and supplement that with Jeremiah 29:11-13:

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.  You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. (ESV)

   

In His grip,  

Pastor Decker

GETTING THE MAIL

 As I was pondering what to write this week, an obscure thought popped into my head … there’s something special about getting the mail.  For all intents and purposes, it should be a pretty mundane task. We do it day in and day out, and it’s usually pretty uneventful.  Once in a while, something unique may arrive, but it’s usually bills,  promotional pieces, and periodicals. Still, there’s often a sense of anticipation … what will be in the mailbox today? Even the boys like getting the mail and seeing if there’s anything for them.  Maybe we’re alone in this, but I doubt it.  There was even a movie made with the title “You’ve Got Mail.” Granted, that was in reference to e-mail, but the idea holds.

 

Now for the other part of that obscure thought I mentioned … what a difference it would make if we approached God’s Word with that same anticipation! I’m currently using a “Book-at-a-Time Bible Reading Plan” from www.discipleshipjournal.com, and today’s passages were Judges 16-18 and Proverbs 19:1-14. Sure, I could approach it reading about Samson and Delilah, the problems of Israel, and a bunch of proverbial statements, and I might have gotten something out of it. But, what if I approached it with anticipation, wondering what “mail” or message God had for me today? That perspective can make a big impact, as it moves devotions from something that could be mundane to something with unlimited potential.

 

For example, I could take Proverbs 19:14 “House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD” and gloss over it. Or, I could consider that it is a reminder from God that Janette is a gift from God, thanking Him for her prudence and honoring Janette though something so simple as a Facebook post and this message you are reading.

 

So, today, I encourage you to approach God’s Word with anticipation and curiosity. Before you begin to read, ask yourself, what message, or “mail,” does God have for me today?

In His grip,
Pastor Decker