Lessons from Proverbs

Last weekend I attended a conference called Building Tomorrow's Church....or as it's regular attendees lovingly tag it "BTC."  The topic of the weekend was "Wisdom from Proverbs" and what gleaming jewels were there for the taking.  Below are my takeaways from the four topics: Purity, Speech, Work, and Money.

Session 1 - Introduction (Prov 9:10)

• Definition of a Proverb: A succinct statement designed to impart wisdom--but not an absolute promise. They are intended not to make us "do-gooders" but to reveal us as "no-gooders."  They point to the ultimate Wisdom--Christ!
• Proverbs tend to reveal the theme of the heart: pride or thanksgiving.
• Is there a pulse to your spiritual state?  What is your spiritual vitality?

Session 2 - Purity (Prov 5:1-20)

• Proverbs has two kinds of "enjoying" (a) in moderation, or (b) in excess.
• Sexuality has a spiritual dimension that sets it apart from the other areas of purity - and therefore it has a stronger, more intense focus.
• When it comes to sexuality, there is NO moderation commandment.....there are only two options: 
• (a) complete abstention where it is illegitimate, and
• (b) complete enjoyment where it is legitimate
• God creates the desire for "oneness."  The desire for marriage and sex is natural (meaning, designed by God to be an integral part of humans), but Satan twists and distorts it.
• See the holy beauty and rightness of purity the way God designed it

Session 3 - Speech

• Words are not neutral: they give life, or they bring death (Proverbs 18:21)
• The tongue reveals the heart...the things that come out of your mouth reveal what you are longing to be satisfied with.

"If I were to sit and listen to your spoken words for the past month, whose kingdom would those words serve?"
~ Nick Kennicott

• Do I put as high a premium on my words as God does?

Four Points of Speech

1. God has a holy standard for how we are to speak and listen
2. This side of heaven, we will never fully measure up to God's standard for our speech
3. Jesus fulfilled what we failed to do: He spoke perfect words.
4. Our day-by-day failure to use our words as we ought is a rejection of Jesus Christ--the Word.

"If you remember nothing else, remember this: Word problems are heart problems."
~ Nick Kennicott

Session 4 - Work (Prov 6:6-11)

• Work: Any task that accomplishes a purpose.
• Work is dignified because God created it and called it good.
• Implied necessity of work (see the 4th and 8th commandments)....there is a command to work--not just to rest....and we must work for what we have/want.
• A sluggard = a fool: one who lacks wisdom to work in the way he/she was designed.
• Laziness: Not filling the role that God created you to fill.
• Laziness is a moral and spiritual issue (a matter of the heart)

Session 5 - Money (Prov 30:8-9)

• God gives us what we have
• God knows what is best for individuals
• The was man knows the dangers of poverty and riches

I have been gifted with so much to think about.  Praise God for His severe mercy in revealing sin and providing the means of healing.

"It is Finished!"

The thing that's stood out to me to most this Easter season, is Jesus's words from John 19:30:

"It is finished."

Because "it is finished" I am made right with God.

Because "it is finished" I am no longer bound by sin.

Because "it is finished" God sees me as pure, holy, and perfect.

Because "it is finished" He sees His Son when he looks at me.

Because "it is finished" I am free to glory in Him and find joy in His presence.

Praise God "It is Finished!"

It Was Finished on the Cross

By Kristie Braselton & Regi Stone

Once we all stood as captive slaves

The bonds of sin and death our chains

But he with blood our freedom bought

It was finished on the cross

It was finished on the cross

The weight of sin, the sting of death

Were swallowed up by righteousness

Vanquished by the Son of God

It was finished on the cross

It was finished on the cross

Chorus

And we rejoice in victory

We lift our eyes to Calvary

Before the battle has begun

By Jesus’ blood it has been won

It was finished on the cross

And while our hearts have turned from sin

This flesh is waging war within

Though sin remains, our guilt is gone

It was finished on the cross

It was finished on the cross

His gift of grace our heart betrays

With urge to merit or repay

We need not live to pay the cost

For it was finished on the cross

It was finished on the cross

Trust

"Close your eyes."

"What??!!!!"  Yet again I faltered and broke the smooth pattern of a rock-step by charging forward into a triple.

"Close your eyes."

"Why?  I'm having a hard time guessing where you're going as it is."

"That's what's tripping you up.  Close your eyes and just feel my leading throught the pressure on your back and the movement of my hand."

I closed my eyes and felt complete helplessness engulf me.  Here I was, in the middle of a dance floor with few other dancers and many more observers.  I was already self-consious about my lack of dance knowledge, and fearful of looking like a complete idiot.

"Now just relax and listen to my leading."

Relax.  Right . . . he makes it sound so simple.  Then it hit me: Anne, he knows what he's doing, he knows how to lead.  You can trust him.

Off we went.  Triple-step rock-step.  Triple-step rock-step.  Then a throw-out and spin.  I suddenly found myself alone on the dance floor . . . no pressure on my back, no hand holding mine.

"Shane, I don't know where you are."  What was I supposed to be doing?  Uncertainty gripped my again and I was about to open my eyes. . .

"I won't throw you out and leave you there.  I'll always bring you back in."

He caught my hand.  Another underarm spin and we were back in closed position.  Triple-step rock-step.  Triple-step rock-step.  I fully relaxed and just let my feet go wherever my body was guided . . . my eyes closed the entire time.

It felt natural.  We were moving together - in unison.  Our footwork was different but complementary--we had different rolls to fill.  The moment I tried to guess what he was doing or where he was going . . . it threw our dancing out of joint.  Only when I closed my eyes, stopped guessing, and completely relaxed into Shane's guiding arms did we move fluidly as a single unit.

How much more with our God?  He is the lead dance partner. . . . we are to follow.  He knows the steps of our lives and how He wants to guide us there.  How many times have I said: "Oh, I know where you're leading me. . . "?  It's not that I don't trust Him, it's that I think I know based off past experience, and I start moving that way.

In swing dancing, there are certain moves that precede a transition to a different step.  However, the same signal can be used for any number of different steps.  A rock-step (for example) could lead to another triple-step set, or to the triple-step stomp-stomp of an eight-step set.  It all depends on the man's intentions.   The woman needs not to question or guess where the man is going.  She simply allows him to guide her body into the position he wants.  Is she an active participant in the dance?  Absolutely.  The woman's active role is one of trust.  She trusts that her partner will not place her in a position where they will collide.  Her's is not the place to question: why? where? how?  She is to trust and rest.

It is no different than our role with God.  Are we to be blind, dumb sheep that go wherever?  No.  We are called to seek Him and know Him so that we will recognize His will and calling.  We are to know His character so we can discern His voice amidst the calls of the world and our own sinful flesh.  But many times we need to close our eyes and simply rest and trust--not guess.  Only then can we move fluidly in His will . . . knowing that He will never "throw us out" and leave us out there.

He is growing and developing our dependence on Him in order to bring glory to His name.  Just as a well executed dance is beautiful to watch, so is the life of one joyfully resting in humble reliance on Him.

As the song ended and Shane and I left the dance floor, several observers remarked: "Wow!  You two looked great out there!"  I didn't know what I was doing, and I never saw any of it, but as long as my partner could lead knowing he had my complete trust . . . that's all that was necessary.