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“Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool bent on folly.” (Proverbs 17:12 NIV)

A fool bent on folly is not good company.  You’re better off hanging out with a bear who has lost her cubs.  If you want to know what the term Mama Bear means, watch this video.  A Mama bear takes on a tiger to protect her cub, she wins.  You would rather meet a mamma bear than a fool bent on folly. But what is a fool bent on folly?

A fool bent on folly is not good company.

Fools only think of themselves:

“Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.” (Proverbs 18:2 NIV)

All of us can fall into this trap.  We get so caught up in our own opinions, we don’t try to understand anyone else’s.  When we’re busy telling others what we think, we can’t listen to what they say.  Hard truth: no one knows everything.  Not even you.  If we want to grow, we have to make an effort to understand others’ opinions.

Fools make bad choices:

“The hearts of wise people lead them on the right path. But the hearts of foolish people take them down the wrong path.” (Ecclesiastes 10:2 NLT)

We all make bad choices.  We all face consequences to those choices.  A wise person learns from their mistake.  A fool makes the same bad decision again.  I’m a fool when the conversation is about food.  I know my worst time for indulging is at night.  I try every day to come up with a new plan to conquer my night time snacking.  The only plan that works is not having snacks in the house.  If I continue to buy tortilla chips, I will continue to eat tortilla chips.  If I don’t change my ways, you would call me a fool.

Fools don’t believe in God:

“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good.” (Psalm 53:1 NIV)

Not everyone believes in God.  The reasons are plenty why people don’t believe.  But according to David, someone who truly does not believe in God is a fool. Personally, when someone tells me they don’t believe in God, I don’t try to change their mind.  I pray for them.  I pray God will make His presence real in their lives and one day they will believe.  I was a fool once too who didn’t believe in God.  Thankfully, people prayed for me and now I do.

You’re not a fool if you believe in God.  You are wise.  You can tap into His word, His people and His power to guide your life.  Pray for the fools you know that they too will know God.

Question of the Day:

Are you a fool bent on folly?

Further Reading: 1 Kings 18:1-46 NIV, Acts 11:1-30 NIV, Psalm 135:1-21 NIV, Proverbs 17:12-13 NIV

“May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who is the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 134:3 NIV)

God is our creator.  He made the heavens and the earth.  He knew you before you were born.  He planned a purpose for you no one else has.  Today’s happenings do not surprise God.  He understands our need to express ourselves, He created us.  He knows who our families are, He planted us in them. He knows everything about our lives. Who is the maker of heaven and earth? God.

God is our creator.

I was born in Kittanning, PA.   I spent the first 12 years of my life in what is still one of my favorite places on earth, Tidal, PA.   When I think of this beloved place, I think of heaven on earth.  My first best friend is still one of my best friends.  The people I met there are still a part of my life.  I met God there. I learned of His unfathomable love there.  

In Tidal, the sky is clear.  When you gaze at the stars, they shine brightly.  Thanks to COVID, our skies are much clearer where I live now, but nothing like Tidal.  I would gaze up at the stars in wonder.  God placed them all in the sky.  He named them.  And He named me.  I remember feeling insignificant yet significant at the same time.  How could God do all of this?  How could He create such beauty?

The mystery of creation is one that is never solved:

“This is what God the Lord says—the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it:” (Isaiah 42:5 NIV)

God created us.  God wants to bless us:

“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV)

Our world has shattered.  People are hurting and broken.  Loss of life is a reality.  Riots occurred.  People are searching for answers.  The fear which has encapsulated our world for the past few months is getting the best of people.  Daily, I have to focus my eyes on Jesus to maintain my sanity.  Nothing seems to make sense.  I have more questions than I have answers.  Yet, Isaiah gives me the hope I need:

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.”  (Isaiah 55:8 NIV)

God never designed us to know all the answers.  He designed us to have faith that He does. God is our creator.  He will sustain us in these troubled times.  Our job is to trust Him.

Question of the Day:

How has God’s creation amazed you?

Further Reading:1 Kings 15:25-17:24 NIV, Acts 10:24-48 NIV, Psalm 134:1-3 NIV, Proverbs 17:9-11 NIV

“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1 NIV)

Unity means peace.  No matter where you live in the world, you live in some kind of community.  No one can survive alone.  We need people in our lives.  We need people different from us in our lives.   Imagine if every single person in the world was exactly the same. 

God help us if everyone was like me.  I’m impulsive and rash.  I have a one track mind which is hard to derail.  I need other people in my life to balance me out.  My husband, my friends, they help me see the whole truth, not just my truth.  We all need that kind of help.  God created each differently.  We each have a different purpose.  When we live in unity, we’re allowing those around us to live the lives God intended them too.  

But we don’t allow people to live their lives.  We think we know better than God what they should do.  We all have opinions.  We all think we’re right.  Living in unity isn’t about right or wrong.  Living in unity is about resolution.  Learning to agree to disagree and still love one another.  Unity isn’t easy, it requires work.  The reward far outweighs the toil.

Unity means peace.

Our world needs peace.  COVID has affected our thinking.  I’ve questioned my sanity at times with things that occurred.  People have pent up emotions that need release.  Riots are happening.  Tragedies are occurring.  I pray more about the violence in today’s world than COVID.  We aren’t accepting others who are different from us.  We’re not loving everyone like they are our neighbor.  If we were, unnecessary deaths wouldn’t happen.  Racial disputes wouldn’t exist.  We would live in unity and at peace.

Everyone God created has a part to play in this world:

“There is one body, but it has many parts. But all its many parts make up one body. It is the same with Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12:12 NIV)

As Christ followers, we all have the same commandment to follow:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31 NIV)

Loving God, loving others.  When they asked Jesus which commandment was the greatest, His answer was simple.  If we, as Christ followers were following His words better, unity in this world would exist.  People would know us for our love.  Hatred would not exist. Value people, they’ll know they’re valuable.  Love is a verb that requires work.  But the payoff is unity.  Love God, love others.

Question of the Day:

How can you love God, love others today?

Further Reading: 1 Kings 14:1-15:24 NIV, Acts 10:1-23 NIV, Psalm 133:1-3 NIV, Proverbs 17:7-8 NIV

“Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.” (Proverbs 17:6 NIV)

Today is the 34th anniversary of my father’s death.  I was 16 years old.  His passing affected my life dramatically.  I have lived twice as long without a father as I did with one.  My mother never remarried.  His influence on my life is irrefutable.  My brothers and I share his mannerisms.  We say his mantras.  We vividly remember his impact on our lives at different moments. 

When my mother passed 6 years ago, it devastated our lives.  She was the center of our family.  She helped us survive Dad’s death, but now we were left on our own to survive hers.  I’m proud of my parents, not because of their perfections, but their imperfections. 

My parents gave me life.  As Madea said in “Madea Goes to Jail”, your parents gave you life, they didn’t have to do that.  But they did:

“Everyone has got a life.  What you do with that life is up to you.”  Madea

Your parents chose life, they chose you.

If you’ve watched any movie or sitcom about expecting parents, you realize quickly the daunting task of raising children.  I never had children, my niece and nephews are the closest I have come.  I do know, parenting isn’t easy.  I heard this phrase long ago, I think it represents parenting well:

“Making the decision to have a child – it is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. ”

― Elizabeth Stone

Having issues with our parents is a part of life.  No one on this earth has a perfect parent.  My Dad had an explosive temper.  My mother could hold a grudge.  But they tried. They provided a home for us.  They ran the roads taking us to school activities or sporting events.  Only now, as I look back over my life can I truly see how hard they worked at parenting.  Only now does some of the advice they imparted years ago make sense to me.  Seeds of wisdom planted decades ago are taking root.

I realize, not everyone had parents who tried.  Some parents don’t have the capability to raise children, so they give them away.  Some parents’ own issues from their past impact their children’s lives negatively.  Sometimes, the only thing parents do for their child is give them life.  Even if your earthly parents failed you, your Heavenly Father won’t.  His unconditional love can fill the void earthly parents didn’t.  Trusting Him is difficult, especially when you’re coming from a place of deep hurt.  You don’t have to do it all once.  Take baby steps towards Him.  Give Him a little piece of your heart, see what happens.  He’ll do the rest.

Question of the Day:

How can you honor your parents today?

Further Reading: 1 Kings 12:20-13:34 NIV, Acts 9:26-43 NIV, Psalm 132:1-18 NIV, Proverbs 17:6 NIV

“But I have calmed and quieted myself,  I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.” (Psalm 131:2 NIV)

Calm and quiet come with maturity.  Learning to control our emotions is a work in progress.  As children, we threw fits.  I know I was guilty of having a tantrum if I didn’t get what I wanted.  But my mother quickly taught me, tantrums don’t work.  She did not back down when she made a decision.  The more of a fit I threw, the more she stood her ground.  I learned over time, not to waste my energy on tantrums.  My mother taught me how to control my emotions by not giving in to bad behavior.

Learning to control emotions is a lifelong process.  If we were capable of controlling our emotions at all times, we would have no conflict.  People wouldn’t say things they didn’t mean to say.  We wouldn’t do things we didn’t mean to do.  I broke my foot once kicking a chair because I was mad at my brother.  I was in highschool.  I hobbled on crutches for weeks because of one moment of over reacting. When our emotions control us, we lose common sense.  We are unable to view whatever the situation is realistically.  As a result, we cause more harm than good.

Calm and quiet come with maturity.

In order to control our emotions, we have to analyze our reactions.  I ask myself these sort of questions:

• Why did I overreact?  
• What emotion was I feeling?
• What would I do differently if I had a do-over?

And I seek God.  I look into His word for solutions.  I talk to Him about my reaction in prayer.  Recently, I’ve begun asking Him to help me define the emotion.  My typical first response is anger.  But now I’ve learned there are many more emotions than just anger.  I feel disappointment, sadness, rejection and so many other things.  What is tipping off that particular emotion in me?  Once I identify the emotion, I can determine ways to control it.

Solomon gives us this advice:

“He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty.  And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.” (Proverbs 16:32 NIV)

I ask God to change me.  I pray for His spirit to rule my life.  Instead of responding in anger, I ask God to let me respond in grace and mercy.  I am His work in progress.  I have a very long way to go, but I’m not where I was.

Calm and quiet come when we learn to control our emotions.  God wants our lives ruled with His spirit, not our emotions.  When we do, we’ll have His peace.

Question of the Day:

Have you asked yourself: “Why did I react that way?”

Further Reading: 1 Kings 11:1-12:19 NIV, Acts 9:1-25 NIV, Psalm 131:1-3 NIV, Proverbs 17:4-5 NIV

“When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relationship to the Lord, she came to test Solomon with hard questions.” (1 Kings 10:1 NIV)

Solomon had a reputation.  People saw God’s presence in his life.  People wanted to know what Solomon knew.  The only way to find out what someone else knows is to ask them questions.  As Christ followers, people will question our faith.  Just like God’s presence drew Queen Sheba to Solomon, people will draw to you.  You don’t have to know all the answers.  Nor do you have to act like you do.  All you need to truly know is where to direct them for the answers they are seeking.  Hard questions require honest answers.

Hard questions require honest answers.

Admitting you don’t know everything is humbling for some people.  They feel like they have to have all of the answers.  But the truth is, no one has all of the answers.  No one except Jesus.  I don’t know why a 22 year old bride, a week before her wedding died in a car accident.  I don’t know why a friend’s daughter died of cancer at 10 years old.  I don’t know why COVID is plaguing our society.  I don’t know why.  But I do know Jesus does.  And I trust Him.

Recently I posted a short devotional on prayer.  I received a well thought out comment disputing the power of prayer.  The person pointed out how prayer had done nothing to stop the death and heartache in this world over the centuries.  He listed compelling statistics, including the fact a National Day of Prayer was held for our country, yet we’ve still had over 100,000 deaths from COVID.  My heart ached for the pain and suffering he was referring too. But God never promised us a life without pain and suffering:

“I have told you this, so that you might have peace in your hearts because of me. While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have defeated the world.” (John 16:33 NIV)

I don’t have the answers to the hard questions.  Faith is believing what we cannot see (Hebrews 11:1).  In today’s world, anyone can research a topic easily on the internet.  Messages from pastors on every topic imaginable are on YouTube.  Inevitably, one hard truth becomes reality: some questions we’ll never know the answers too until we get to heaven.

Don’t let the hard questions scare you.  Understand, some questions don’t have answers.  Hard questions require honest answers.  “I don’t know” is ok to say.  God loves you, even if you don’t know all the answers.

Question of the Day:

Are you comfortable saying, “I don’t know?”

Further Reading: 1 Kings 9:1-10:29 NIV, Acts 8:14-40 NIV, Psalm 130:1-8 NIV, Proverbs 17:2-3 NIV

“Plowmen have plowed my back and made their furrows long. But the Lord is righteous; he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.” (Psalm 129:3-4 NIV)

Jesus cuts wicked cords.  Plowmen, in today’s verse, are the masters.  The long furrows are a metaphor for harsh treatment.  I think of Jesus’ whipped back before the crucifixion (cf. Matt 20:19; 27:26; Mark 15:15; John 19:1).  “The Passion of the Christ” exemplified  Jesus’ beating in a way I will never forget.  The sight of His bloody back is not easily forgotten.  Knowing He endured the torture for me is beyond humbling.  But the Lord cuts us free from the cords.  Jesus endured so we wouldn’t.  He took the beating we deserved.  And when He cried out, “It is finished!”, He finished it for all of us (John 29:30 NIV).  

Jesus cuts wicked cords.

Cords hold us captive.  When they are whipping our backs, we can’t move.  To cut free from them, we must first understand what the cords are.  Beloved author Beth Moore describes what holds Christ followers captive:

“A Christian is held captive by anything that hinders the abundant and effective Spirit-filled life God planned for him or her.”

― Beth Moore, Breaking Free: Discover the Victory of Total Surrender

Our cords are what keep us from enjoying our lives.  Those things that control us instead of us controlling them.  Reese’s Peanut butter cups have the ability to control me.  If I have a bag of them in the pantry, it doesn’t last long.  Once I start eating them, I keep eating them until they are all gone.  Thus, I have cut the cord by no longer buying bags of them.

The term, “cut the cord,” originates from the phrase, “Cut the umbilical cord.”  The umbilical cord is what connects a mother and child before birth.  The first thing that happens at birth, someone cuts the cord.  In some regards, Jesus cut the umbilical cord of sin in our lives.  He gave us a way out we desperately needed.

Just like a newborn baby can’t cut the cord, Jesus knows we can’t either.  We need His help to resist the temptations in our life.  Without His wisdom and truth in my life, I wouldn’t admit I eat all the Reese’s cups.  But if I don’t admit I eat them, I can’t gain control over them.  I have to do the hard work to understand why I can’t have just one. Jesus helps me find the answers. But only if I accept His truth.

In order for Jesus to cut the cords, we have to submit to Him.  We have to admit we are powerless over the sin in our lives.  Only through Him can we find complete victory.  Jesus cuts the wicked cords.

Question of the Day:

What cords do you need Jesus to cut for you?

Further Reading: 1 Kings 8:1-66 NIV, Acts 7:51-8:13 NIV, Psalm 129:1-8 NIV, Proverbs 17:1 NIV

“It took Solomon thirteen years, however, to complete the construction of his palace.” (1 Kings 7:1 NIV) 

Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived.  He gained his wisdom from God.  Because of his wisdom, he had more wealth than anyone else.  His tasks; building God’s temple and his own palace.  By the time he finished God’s temple, 7 years passed.  The work on his own personal temple took 13 years.  Solomon spent almost twice the time building his palace.  He spent more time on himself than God.

Because of Jesus, our body is God’s temple:

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;” (1 Corinthians 6:19 NIV)

Taking care of our bodies takes care of God’s temple.  We are God’s representative on earth.  When we spend time working on ourselves, we’re working on God’s temple.  However, we have to check our motives.  Are we really going to the gym to tone God’s temple, or are we doing it for ourselves?  Am I volunteering all my time at church to make myself look better, or am I truly serving God?  Am I walking the walk or just talking the talk?  Our heart’s motives determine the temple we’re building.

Our heart’s motives determine the temple we’re building.

When we’re building God’s temple, we’re not exhausted:

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  (Matthew 11:29-30 NIV)

God’s leading in our lives creates balance.  When we seek God before making a commitment, we say yes to what He wants, no to what we want.  We don’t overschedule ourselves with “good” activities. We understand our limitations.  We realize, we’re not the Savior of the world, Jesus is.

I’m an empath.  I feel others pain deeply.  When a friend tells me she’s hurting, I hurt.  But I had to learn, I can’t fix their issues.  I listen to them, I pray for them.  I seek God’s guidance on what I’m to do, or not do.  And I try, to the best of my ability, to leave them in God’s hands.  I understand, He loves them more than I ever can.  He knows what’s best for them more than I ever will.  He sees the whole picture, I only see in part.  When I try to move without Him, I do more harm than good.  But we all have a common struggle when following Jesus:

“Our problem following Jesus is we’re trying to be a better version of us instead of a better reflection of Him.”  Bob Goff

In other words, we’re spending more time on our temple than God’s.

Question of the Day:

What temple are you spending the most time on?

Further Reading: 1 Kings 7:1-50 NIV, Acts 7:30-50 NIV, Psalm 128:1-6 NIV, Proverbs 16:31-33 NIV

“A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.” (Proverbs 16:28 NIV)

Perverse people cause conflict.  Gossip is a tool they use.  Someone who gossips: One who runs from house to house, tattling and telling news; an idle tattler.  I think of Gladys Kravitz as a gossip.  She was the nosy neighbor of Darrin and Samantha Stevens on the 1960’s hit show Bewitched.  Her character kept a close eye on what was going on in the neighborhood.  She loved to talk about what she knew with others.  As soon as she received a juicy tidbit, she was on the phone sharing it with whoever would listen.  As a result, she was not the most popular person on the block.  Neither is a perverse person who creates conflict.

Perverse people cause conflict.

Sometimes, we’re the gossip.  The song, “Take Me to Church” by Hozier is one that saddens my heart.  The chorus contains these words:

“Take me to church

I’ll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies

I’ll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife.”

I’m saddened by the words because of their truth.  I’ve sat in prayer meetings where people shared personal and private requests.  They have opened their hearts to vulnerability.  Only for someone to share their request outside of the group.  Deep, deep hurt occurred.  I’ve witnessed this heart ache more than once.  The song isn’t necessarily referring to situations like this, but it is what I think of when I hear the song.

Why are we so quick to share someone else’s misery?  I’ve been guilty of gossip.  Just this past weekend, there was a conversation lull when we were with friends.  I thought of something I had learned juicy. Temptation tried to get me to speak.  Thank God for the Holy Spirit, I felt a check from it.  I knew I wasn’t to talk about the situation.  I didn’t.  But only because of God’s presence in my life.  Without Him, I may have not been quiet.

Words truly hurt others.  When we share things we shouldn’t, we’re perverse.  We’re a gossip.  We separate friendships and kill relationships.  But with God’s presence in our lives, we can learn to let our words honor Him:

“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 NIV)

When we put God first in our speech, we won’t gossip.  We will build people up with our words.  We’ll help them become who God created them to be.  We won’t tear apart, we’ll unify.  Perversity will not survive.  Only uplifting and encouraging words will come from our mouth.  But first we have to let God control our tongue.  With Him, all things are possible.

Question of the Day:

How are your words affecting your friendships?

Further Reading: 1 Kings 5:1-6:38 NIV, Acts 7:1-29 NIV, Psalm 127:1-5 NIV, Proverbs 16:28-30 NIV

“Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.”  (Psalm 126:6 NIV)

When our hearts are broken and we still turn to God, we’re weeping while we sow.  We’re trusting He can take the shattered pieces and put them back together again. 

When you sow with tears, you reap joy.

Memorial Day weekend was difficult for me.  The heaviness of the pandemic weighed on my heart.  Friends who are dealing with difficult issues burdened me.  I felt helpless in easing their pain.  I turned to God in my valley.  I asked Him to remove the sadness from me.  I gave Him the anxiety I was feeling.  I lifted up my depression.  With tears, I cried out to Him for renewal and restoration.  Nothing happened.

On the third morning, as I once again felt the sadness sit on my shoulders, tears slipped down my face.  My husband and I had camped at the beach.  We packed up early to head home for work.  The tears fell as we pulled out of our camping spot.  This time, my husband prayed with me.  As I held his hand, I lifted up my depression to God.  Nothing happened.

When we arrived home three hours later, I went to my prayer closet.  I knew the verses I was going to pray:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)

I wrote the above words in my journal.  I went through each instruction and asked God for help.  I gave Him my anxiety.  I thanked Him for His presence. I asked Him to take away my sadness and depression.  I asked for His peace.  Once I finished writing, I fell to my knees.

For some reason, I felt the need to speak to God.  Not quietly in my mind, but audibly through my mouth.  I spoke to Him and said what I had written.  I used the power of Jesus’ name to rid myself of the demons attacking me.  And then I asked for God’s peace, once again.  Something happened.

I felt the weight lifted from me.  I felt God’s peace enter into me.  I sowed with tears, but I reaped a harvest of joy.  God did what He always does.  He rescued me.  He comforted me.  He strengthened me.  He breathed life back into me.  He restored my hope.

You can do the same.  You can take your troubles and doubts to God.  You may have to do it more than once.  Don’t give up.  Keep trying, no matter how long it takes.  God will sustain you in your valley.  He’ll give you joy for your tears.

Question of the Day:

Are you sowing while you weep?

Further Reading: 1 Kings 3:3-4:34 NIV, Acts 6:1-15 NIV, Psalm 126:1-6 NIV, Proverbs 16:26-27 NIV