July 4 - Evening
"Those who work their land will have abundant food,
but those who chase fantasies have no sense...
...Diligent hands will rule,
but laziness ends in forced labor...
...The lazy do not roast any (their) game,
but the diligent man prizes his possessions. "
- Proverbs 12:11, 24, 27
but those who chase fantasies have no sense...
...Diligent hands will rule,
but laziness ends in forced labor...
...The lazy do not roast any (their) game,
but the diligent man prizes his possessions. "
- Proverbs 12:11, 24, 27
Contrasting the Diligent Life with the Fantasy Life
Prosperity is the result of hard work, while chasing fantasies and attempting get-rich-quick schemes are the antithesis of prosperity. (Proverbs 12:11)
The diligent man will rule and become the leader in contrast to the man who continually avoids work and neglects preparation. The lazy man will only survive in a forced labor situation (slavery, indebtedness, etc.). (Proverbs 12:24)
A good indication of separation between the diligent who prosper and rule with the fantasizing sluggard is seen in how they care for their earthly possessions. The lazy man doesn’t even put forth effort in preparing his daily meal. The lazy man’s lack of preparation for his day to day needs is contrasted with the diligent man abundantly providing for himself while even caring for his temporal possessions. (Proverbs 12:27)
Once again, this wisdom is often contrary to the view of religions! Here, in the divine proverbs, the champion man of wisdom is diligent in labor, abundant with food, presiding in leadership and vigilant with his earthly possessions. Wisdom says a man of God can manage himself in this world while also being prepared for eternity. Religion often destroys both, leaving a man’s life on earth empty and his soul ill-prepared for eternity. Wisdom is calling in the streets, not necessarily in religious institutions (Proverbs 1:20-33).
Euchomai (Gr) – to affirm (Eng) – the Greek word euchomai can refer to vows, promises, wishes or prayers. The simple meaning is to “affirm out loud.” In Homer’s (700 BC) writing euchomai means to make your boast or make yourself known. Euchomai in pagan religious setting meant to make a vow in order to receive a blessing or to pray. By Hellenistic times (200 BC) euchomai appears on inscriptions offering thanksgiving to the gods. In the papyri (100 AD) euchomai appears at the beginning of letters when the writer of the correspondence prays for the reader in simple sentences like, “I pray that you are well.” In these later cases euchomai is used in the papyri to basically mean, “I hope…I wish…I pray…you are well”
Euchomai occurs only 6x in the NT, but none in the Gospels.
Euchomai occurs only 6x in the NT, but none in the Gospels.
- 3 John 2 where euchomai is used similar to its contemporary use in the papyri:
"Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul."
- Acts 26:29 where Paul wishes Agrippa would become a believer
- Acts 27:29 where sailors make their wish known during a storm
- Romans 9:3 where Paul wishes he could be anathema in order to save Israel.
- 2 Corinthians 13:7 and 13:9 where euchomai means “prayer”
Do I spend my life dreaming?
Am I waiting for my “lucky break” that will sweep me into my fantasy life?
I will find a productive use of my time, work diligently, manage my resources and care for the things that have been entrusted to me.
I will find a productive use of my time, work diligently, manage my resources and care for the things that have been entrusted to me.
Bible Reading Descriptions Here
Personal
Confess sin
Church
Opportunities to share the gospel in church and in community
Nation
Illegal Aliens
World
India
Someone to Quote
"What I have seen in the past 10 years of traveling- performing at a church one day and a casino the next- is that a lot of people in the church want to be entertained, and people in casinos want to be ministered to. That's hard to understand, but I see a hunger in the world that I don't see in the church."
- Ricky Skaggs (article)
- Ricky Skaggs (article)
Something to Ponder
1517 – While Johann Tetzel was using the best fundraising gimmick of the Middle Ages, the selling of documents for the forgiveness of sin called indulgences, Martin Luther was attacking the corruption of the church. Luther, a monk serving as a priest and professor in Wittenberg, Germany, wrote 95 points of contention that he had with the church. He publicly posted these 95 theses in 1517 hoping for a debate with the church leaders. He was debated by Tetzel and Johann Eck who charged Luther with heresy. The pope followed in 1520 with a decree condemning Luther. Luther’s books were burned and he was excommunicated. But, Luther responded by publicly burning the official papal decree that the pope issued to him.
Here’s a Fact
Proverb
"For they cannot sleep till
they do evil;
they are robbed of slumber till they make someone fall."
- Proverbs 4:16
they do evil;
they are robbed of slumber till they make someone fall."
- Proverbs 4:16
Coach’s Corner
The greatest miracle is salvation. The godliest spiritual manifestation is the transformed soul.
Jeremiah 22:20-30
New International Version (NIV)
20
“Go up to Lebanon and cry out, let your voice be heard in Bashan, cry out from Abarim, for all your allies are crushed.
21
I warned you when you felt secure, but you said, ‘I will not listen!’ This has been your way from your youth; you have not obeyed me.
22
The wind will drive all your shepherds away, and your allies will go into exile. Then you will be ashamed and disgraced because of all your wickedness.
23
You who live in ‘Lebanon,’ who are nestled in cedar buildings, how you will groan when pangs come upon you, pain like that of a woman in labor!
24 “As surely as I live,” declares the Lord, “even if you, Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, were a signet ring on my right hand, I would still pull you off. 25 I will deliver you into the hands of those who want to kill you, those you fear—Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and the Babylonians. 26 I will hurl you and the mother who gave you birth into another country, where neither of you was born, and there you both will die. 27 You will never come back to the land you long to return to.”
28
Is this man Jehoiachin a despised, broken pot, an object no one wants? Why will he and his children be hurled out, cast into a land they do not know?
29
O land, land, land, hear the word of the Lord!
30
This is what the Lord says: “Record this man as if childless, a man who will not prosper in his lifetime, for none of his offspring will prosper, none will sit on the throne of David or rule anymore in Judah.”
New International Version (NIV)
20
“Go up to Lebanon and cry out, let your voice be heard in Bashan, cry out from Abarim, for all your allies are crushed.
21
I warned you when you felt secure, but you said, ‘I will not listen!’ This has been your way from your youth; you have not obeyed me.
22
The wind will drive all your shepherds away, and your allies will go into exile. Then you will be ashamed and disgraced because of all your wickedness.
23
You who live in ‘Lebanon,’ who are nestled in cedar buildings, how you will groan when pangs come upon you, pain like that of a woman in labor!
24 “As surely as I live,” declares the Lord, “even if you, Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, were a signet ring on my right hand, I would still pull you off. 25 I will deliver you into the hands of those who want to kill you, those you fear—Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and the Babylonians. 26 I will hurl you and the mother who gave you birth into another country, where neither of you was born, and there you both will die. 27 You will never come back to the land you long to return to.”
28
Is this man Jehoiachin a despised, broken pot, an object no one wants? Why will he and his children be hurled out, cast into a land they do not know?
29
O land, land, land, hear the word of the Lord!
30
This is what the Lord says: “Record this man as if childless, a man who will not prosper in his lifetime, for none of his offspring will prosper, none will sit on the throne of David or rule anymore in Judah.”
2 Kings 11
New International Version (NIV)
Athaliah and Joash
11 When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family. 2 But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram and sister of Ahaziah, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes, who were about to be murdered. She put him and his nurse in a bedroom to hide him from Athaliah; so he was not killed. 3 He remained hidden with his nurse at the temple of the Lord for six years while Athaliah ruled the land.
4 In the seventh year Jehoiada sent for the commanders of units of a hundred, the Carites and the guards and had them brought to him at the temple of the Lord. He made a covenant with them and put them under oath at the temple of the Lord. Then he showed them the king’s son. 5 He commanded them, saying, “This is what you are to do: You who are in the three companies that are going on duty on the Sabbath—a third of you guarding the royal palace, 6 a third at the Sur Gate, and a third at the gate behind the guard, who take turns guarding the temple— 7 and you who are in the other two companies that normally go off Sabbath duty are all to guard the temple for the king. 8 Station yourselves around the king, each of you with weapon in hand. Anyone who approaches your ranks is to be put to death. Stay close to the king wherever he goes.”
9 The commanders of units of a hundred did just as Jehoiada the priest ordered. Each one took his men—those who were going on duty on the Sabbath and those who were going off duty—and came to Jehoiada the priest. 10 Then he gave the commanders the spears and shields that had belonged to King David and that were in the temple of the Lord. 11 The guards, each with weapon in hand, stationed themselves around the king—near the altar and the temple, from the south side to the north side of the temple.
12 Jehoiada brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him; he presented him with a copy of the covenant and proclaimed him king. They anointed him, and the people clapped their hands and shouted, “Long live the king!”
13 When Athaliah heard the noise made by the guards and the people, she went to the people at the temple of the Lord. 14 She looked and there was the king, standing by the pillar, as the custom was. The officers and the trumpeters were beside the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her robes and called out, “Treason! Treason!”
15 Jehoiada the priest ordered the commanders of units of a hundred, who were in charge of the troops: “Bring her out between the ranks and put to the sword anyone who follows her.” For the priest had said, “She must not be put to death in the temple of the Lord.” 16 So they seized her as she reached the place where the horses enter the palace grounds, and there she was put to death.
17 Jehoiada then made a covenant between the Lord and the king and people that they would be the Lord’s people. He also made a covenant between the king and the people. 18 All the people of the land went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed the altars and idols to pieces and killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars.
Then Jehoiada the priest posted guards at the temple of the Lord. 19 He took with him the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, the guards and all the people of the land, and together they brought the king down from the temple of the Lord and went into the palace, entering by way of the gate of the guards. The king then took his place on the royal throne. 20 All the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was calm, because Athaliah had been slain with the sword at the palace.
21 Joash was seven years old when he began to reign.
New International Version (NIV)
Athaliah and Joash
11 When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family. 2 But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram and sister of Ahaziah, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes, who were about to be murdered. She put him and his nurse in a bedroom to hide him from Athaliah; so he was not killed. 3 He remained hidden with his nurse at the temple of the Lord for six years while Athaliah ruled the land.
4 In the seventh year Jehoiada sent for the commanders of units of a hundred, the Carites and the guards and had them brought to him at the temple of the Lord. He made a covenant with them and put them under oath at the temple of the Lord. Then he showed them the king’s son. 5 He commanded them, saying, “This is what you are to do: You who are in the three companies that are going on duty on the Sabbath—a third of you guarding the royal palace, 6 a third at the Sur Gate, and a third at the gate behind the guard, who take turns guarding the temple— 7 and you who are in the other two companies that normally go off Sabbath duty are all to guard the temple for the king. 8 Station yourselves around the king, each of you with weapon in hand. Anyone who approaches your ranks is to be put to death. Stay close to the king wherever he goes.”
9 The commanders of units of a hundred did just as Jehoiada the priest ordered. Each one took his men—those who were going on duty on the Sabbath and those who were going off duty—and came to Jehoiada the priest. 10 Then he gave the commanders the spears and shields that had belonged to King David and that were in the temple of the Lord. 11 The guards, each with weapon in hand, stationed themselves around the king—near the altar and the temple, from the south side to the north side of the temple.
12 Jehoiada brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him; he presented him with a copy of the covenant and proclaimed him king. They anointed him, and the people clapped their hands and shouted, “Long live the king!”
13 When Athaliah heard the noise made by the guards and the people, she went to the people at the temple of the Lord. 14 She looked and there was the king, standing by the pillar, as the custom was. The officers and the trumpeters were beside the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her robes and called out, “Treason! Treason!”
15 Jehoiada the priest ordered the commanders of units of a hundred, who were in charge of the troops: “Bring her out between the ranks and put to the sword anyone who follows her.” For the priest had said, “She must not be put to death in the temple of the Lord.” 16 So they seized her as she reached the place where the horses enter the palace grounds, and there she was put to death.
17 Jehoiada then made a covenant between the Lord and the king and people that they would be the Lord’s people. He also made a covenant between the king and the people. 18 All the people of the land went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed the altars and idols to pieces and killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars.
Then Jehoiada the priest posted guards at the temple of the Lord. 19 He took with him the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, the guards and all the people of the land, and together they brought the king down from the temple of the Lord and went into the palace, entering by way of the gate of the guards. The king then took his place on the royal throne. 20 All the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was calm, because Athaliah had been slain with the sword at the palace.
21 Joash was seven years old when he began to reign.