Honest Reflections

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 42:1-43:27, James 5:1-20, Psalm 119:1-16, Proverbs 28:6-7

Daily Verse: “Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.” Prov. 28:6

Honest poverty.

Wealthy people who acquire their riches from dishonest means can’t compete with honest poverty. Money, although necessary for life, doesn’t define it. And doesn’t mean happiness.

When I think of some of the happiest people I’ve met, I always think of El Salvador. Living in abject poverty, with no doors on the mud homes, no glass panes on the window, trash piled everywhere, and a bacteria-filled water cistern sitting beside their tiny abode, they lived an abundant life in Christ. 

After hosting us for lunch, they ushered us into their church, an empty room with old plastic chairs and chickens. Singing in off-key voices, accompanied by a lone guitar, their joyous faces praised the Lord amidst honest poverty.

In contrast to money-obsessed people with no integrity, willing to do anything for more, their faces don’t emulate joy.

Focusing on Christ and finding things to praise Him over will bring peace, no matter your circumstances. Honest poverty brings more joy than dishonest wealth.

Lord, thank You for providing all our needs. Forgive us for any lack of integrity we have done. Help us find joy in our circumstances as we focus on Jesus, praising Him for the work He does in our lives. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 40:28-41:26, James 4:1-17, Psalm 118:19-29, Proverbs 28:3-5

Daily Verse: “Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.” Prov. 28:5

Perceiving justice.

Character defines how you look at justice. People with evil intent have a different outlook than those who pursue God. Justice, in this context, refers to the legal rights of people. However, some individuals don’t think that way. Instead, justice must benefit them, or it’s not justice.

Strong character applies God’s justice to life’s circumstances, whether it benefits them or not. Christ’s followers understand that life centers around the Lord, not them. And sometimes, God uses the consequences we receive for our actions to grow and mature us further.

In my younger days, I thought winning more important than anything else. Following the Lord and applying His principles to my life teaches me resolution means more than winning. Justice doesn’t always mean it benefits me. Glorifying God means more.

The Lord defines justice and dolls it out. Following Him will help us understand and follow God’s commands. Centering our lives around the Creator will give us clear direction, keeping us on the straight and narrow to living life to its fullest.

Lord, thank You for giving us laws to live by and the faith to follow them. Please help us glorify You in all we do. Develop our character as we live by Your justice and the legal rights of people. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 39:1-40:27, James 2:18-3:18, Psalm 118:1-18, Proverbs 28:2

Daily Verse: “When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge its stability will long continue.” Prov. 28:2

Nation’s stability.

Whoever rules a country determines its stability. Many people will vie for power during difficult times, causing instability and angst. We see power struggles in countries all around the world, including our own.

According to the New York Times, the world has only known peace for 268 years of the past 3400, 8 percent of recorded history. Wars over power happen constantly.

The current conflict in Israel over land canceled the mission trip to Egypt I had planned. Terrorists vying for power killed innocent civilians from all over the world in their ploy to take over. Instability in the Middle East affects everyone.

People vying for power never end. Stability comes with a knowledgeable and discerning leader. Unfortunately, power struggles cause continuous change and instability. 

As Americans, we have the right to vote, and we should exercise it. 

Lord, I pray for peace in our world. Please give us discernment and wisdom when exercising our right to vote. Help us see the truth and vote for discerning and knowledgeable leaders. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 37:1-38:23, James 1:19-2:17, Psalm 117:1-, Proverbs 28:1

Daily Verse: “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.” Prov. 28:1

Righteous confidence.

Wicked people flee, even when no one pursues them. Guilty consciences prompt them to become fearful and suspicious of everyone. On the other hand, people of integrity don’t worry about people following them because they have a clear conscience.

“Catch Me If You Can,” the 2002 movie based on the life of Frank Abagnale Jr., who claimed to pose as a Pan American World Airways pilot, Georgia doctor, and Louisiana parish prosecutor, all before the age of 19. Leonardo DiCaprio, who played Frank, spent the entire movie looking over his shoulder, evading the FBI. 

Tom Hanks portrayed the FBI agent who eventually captured Frank didn’t spend time looking over his shoulder. Because Carl Hanratty, Hank’s character, had a clear conscience, he didn’t worry about what lay behind him, only what he could see in front. Chasing Frank kept the officer plenty busy.

Guilty conscience causes paranoia and suspicion. But people with clear minds can keep their eyes focused on the moment without worrying about someone pursuing them.

Lord, forgive us for our wicked ways. Please help us maintain clear consciences to enjoy the life You’ve given us. Let us continue to pursue You with all our heart, mind, body, and soul. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 35:1-36:38, James 1:1-18, Psalm 116:1-19, Proverbs 27:23-27

Daily Verse: “Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds,” Prov. 27:23

Preserve income.

To manage wealth, you must know what you have. Money comes and goes quickly, but knowing the condition of your flocks allows you to manage it.

When Solomon wrote this passage, flocks represented money to people. Whether you had one sheep or a dozen, they represented assets you could barter or sell for provision. As with cash, the better you managed your flocks, the more wealth you had.

We use Mint to manage our money. Opening the free app instantly gives us a financial picture of what we have. With one glance, we can look at all assets and take account of our flocks. Each month, we tithe, save, and live on the rest. 

Tithing puts God first in our lives and finances. As a step of faith, we trust the Lord’s provision, knowing He can do more with 90% than I can 100%. Learning and applying God’s financial plan will give you healthy flocks.

Human labor and divine provision combine to create healthy flocks.

Lord, forgive us for not taking good care of our flocks. Please help us know the condition of our finances and apply Your teachings to what You give us. Provide the faith we need to put You first in all things. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 33:1-34:31, Hebrews 13:1-25, Psalm 115:1-18, Proverbs 27:21-22

Daily Verse: “The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is tested by his praise.” Prov. 27:21

Public opinion.

How a person receives praise tells a lot about their character. Receiving public accolades tests people. When David returned after killing Goliath, the conquering hero, the women danced in the street, singing:

“Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousand.” 1 Sam. 18:7

Jealousy consumed Saul, and David received more praise than him. As a result, the bitter dispute between the two began, and David had to flee for his life from Saul. One man handled the praise; the other didn’t.

How a person handles public opinion, whether bad or good, tells a lot about their qualities. Basing your self-worth on what others think of you doesn’t work. People’s opinions change constantly, but God’s doesn’t, know what He feels about you. Base your value on how the Lord thinks of you instead of people.

Opinions change. What people praise others for one day, they curse them for another. Trust God’s opinion and let the rest go.

Lord, forgive us prideful moments when we don’t receive praise well. Please help us stay centered on You, not allowing public opinion to sway us from our path. Let us become more like Jesus each day. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 31:1-32:32, Hebrews 12:14-29, Psalm 113:1-114:8, Proverbs 27:18-20

Daily Verse: “As in water, face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.” Prov. 27:19

True self-awareness.

Like clear water acts as a mirror, showing our reflection, our hearts reflect the nature of man. 

“But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.” Matthew 15:18

Jesus, speaking to His disciples, explains that our words and actions come from the heart, exposing our true nature. What we put into our minds comes out through the mouth. Our actions will reflect our thoughts if we constantly fill our heads with evil, malicious things.

Maintaining pure thoughts and a loving nature requires work. Spending time in the scriptures and getting to know Jesus and how He responds will help us give loving answers that help, not hurt. What comes from the heart exposes our true personality.

Spend time with Jesus. Develop a routine of reading the Bible and letting its contents take root in your soul. Become more like Christ as you follow God’s word.

Lord, forgive us for our evil thoughts and actions. Please help us become more like Christ as we seek and follow Him.  Guide and direct us in all our ways, and help us become the person You intended. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 29:1-30:26, Heb. 11:32-12:13, Psalm 112:1-10, Proverbs 27:17

Daily Verse: “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” Prov. 27:17

Helpful criticism.

Constructive criticism from a trusted source develops character and personality. True friends help each other grow by showing each other their blind spots. Accepting and applying helpful criticism to one’s life will cause them to become a better version of themselves.

Exposing the tip of the iceberg unintentionally causes me trouble. In conversations, I often don’t realize I’ve crossed a line until too late. Stepping on landmines I didn’t see hurts the other person and forces issues to the surface that they didn’t want to discuss. 

“You have a knack,” Ron says after one such incident. He helps me become better at not committing the offense again because my husband helps me understand where I went wrong. Knowing what I did, I can stop myself from doing it again. At this point, I’m much better, but I still have work to do.

Without Ron’s sharpening, I wouldn’t learn.

Helpful criticism helps everyone. People grow from words of truth spoken into their lives with love. 

Lord, forgive us for not accepting helpful criticism. Please place people in our lives that will help us grow and become more like Jesus. Let iron sharpen iron in our relationships. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 27:1-28:26, Hebrews 11:17-31, Psalm 111:1-10, Proverbs 27:15-16

Daily Verse: “A continual dripping on a rainy day and a quarrelsome wife are alike; to restrain her is to restrain the wind or to grasp oil in one’s right hand.” Prov. 27:15-16

Quarrelsome wife.

“How bad am I to be married to?” I asked Ron this morning as we headed to the neighborhood yard sale. A bi-annual event, I find lots of treasure for my business. However, my honey must put up with small furniture throughout our house, and God knows what else I find.

“You’re not that bad,” Ron replied. 

Thank God. Quarrelsome wives make life miserable. Nagging drives anyone crazy. Even if husbands give wives reasons to complain, we must remember that they must live with us, too. And only one perfect person walked the earth, Jesus.

As a wife, work on not nagging. Try not complaining for a day and see if you struggle to keep quiet. Practice an attitude of gratitude, looking for ways to thank your spouse for the things he does.

After Ron took me around the yard sale, I took him to breakfast to say thanks. One little act of appreciation goes a long way in a marriage.

Lord, forgive us for nagging our spouses. Please help us have attitudes of gratitude towards our mates. Help us easily find things to thank them for daily, appreciating all they do for us. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 24:1-26:21, Hebrews 11:1-16, Psalm 110:1-7, Proverbs 27:14

Daily Verse: “Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, will be counted as cursing.” Prov. 27:14

Inappropriate greeting.

How, when, and why we say something matters. Choosing the right time and place with the proper intent makes listeners receive our words better. Knowing people well helps determine the best circumstances to talk to them.

One of my best friends starts her workday at 3:30 every morning. Whenever I wake up, whether 5:00 a.m. or 7:00, I know I can text her. However, not on her days off. I will never forget the morning I texted her on a Saturday and received this back:

“No texts before 8:00 a.m. on my days off.”

Now, I know the right time to contact her and try to respect her boundaries to the best of my ability.

To become a good communicator, ask people for the best times to reach out to them. Knowing people’s routines helps you understand the appropriate time to talk to them.

Bless people with your words by waiting for the right moment to share them.

Lord, forgive us for speaking at the wrong time. Please help us learn to wait for the right moment to share the news we have. Let us become better communicators as we think more about our listeners than our message. IJNIP. Amen