The other day I got home and there was a stain on the countertop. I wondered first why it was not cleaned up. The kiddos said they tried. The next day I got up and as I wandered out to get my coffee started I noticed a glass with the same bright red liquid as the stain. I thought, “Wow! That preaches!”

Think about the red liquid as sin. If you let it sit around there is going to be a stain left behind. It is going to spill. So if there is a spill you can’t just cover it up. You can’t just wipe it up a little. You have to scrub it. It is work. Same with sin. You have to have the work of the Spirit and repentance. You have to remove the opportunity to sin. That means change. Change what you listen to, who you are around, where you go, what tv station you turn to, what magazine you pick up what web site you go to. That glass of sin can’t just stay on the counter waiting to be spilled again. Really think about that. Is there a sin you need to deal with?

Proverbs 27:25-26 When the grass is gone and the new growth appears and the vegetation of the mountains is gathered, the lambs will provide your clothing, and the goats the price of a field.
God has a perfect timing and season for all things, God is the one that provides. It is a great thing to rest in the LORD and wait for His timing and His provision. As Americans we can be far too impatient and try to force God’s hand. That is never a good thing. That is wanting what I want and I want it now which leads to superimposing our will over that of God. So let me ask you, when is the last time you waited on the LORD and what was the blessing that came out of waiting?

Proverbs 27:27 There will be enough goats’ milk for your food, for the food of your household and maintenance for your girls.So many great verses in Proverbs! This one echoes with strength and clarity that God will provide and provide enough. Will enough be enough for you or do you need more? Just think about that a minute and let it sink in.

Proverbs 28:1 The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion. What will you run from? This is a defining question? Will you run from sin? Will you run from the LORD? Will you run into sin? Is your first instinct to protect yourself? Are you known for boldness in speaking the truth or lies? We should be bold for Christ and proclaiming His message.

Proverbs 28:2 When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, its stability will long continue. We look around the United States and it is scary how we have wandered away from the LORD. We used to value life. We used to respect authority. We used to respect those older than us. We used to praying in school. Remember when you could say Merry Christmas? We used to call out sin and call to repent. Now most are sermons and churches are soft on sin and mute on repentance. No wonder crime and sin have increased and our news is filled with destruction of life.

Proverbs 28:3-4 A poor man who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food. Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them. How often do you provide for the poor and needy around you? Do you see the poor and the needy or are you blind to them? Are you willing to ring a bell? Serve a meal? Hold an AIDS baby? Provide a bed and/or meal for the needy? Those are some real and practical things that could be done.

Proverbs 28:5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely. Is so interesting to listen to people. When they get caught do they shift the blame? Do they ignore the question? Do they see it was a broken rule? Do they place it in the crowd of “everyone is doing it”? It is pretty sad. What is God looking for when a sin has occurred? He is looking for confession and repentance. Can you see the stark difference in the view of justice?

Have a great day racin’ in the SONshine,
Todd

Do you see what is going on around you? I often see someone in the pits not paying any attention and having close calls or getting hit by a car. Guys can’t really see very well as they go through the pits. It is important to know what is going on around us not only at the track but at work, at school, at home.

This weekend we had the blessing of being with Cindy’s brother who works in a Christian camp out in CA. It was great to see him and hear some of the things going on at camp. But it was really sad to hear the news once we got back in town and hear about the church shooting in TX and the officers killed in Rockford. Those things happen and it is easy to ask, “What is going on?”. We know what is happening, it is evil, it is sin and selfish desires. We have to be a light. We need to bring the love of Jesus to those around us.

Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
GREAT verse! This verse is one of the ones often pointed to in the area of mentorship, discipleship and accountability. If we want to stand up for the LORD, it is vital that we have those relationships. Every person that I have known or heard that fell lacked in those relationships. Do you see how important and clear this is? Howard Hendricks wrote a very good book on this. I recommend reading it and following the steps he lays out in it.

Proverbs 27:18 Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who guards his master will be honored.
Do you honor and defend those that go before you, those that have trained you in life and ministry? We should. Jesus echoes this and so does Paul. We are to honor and guard the teachers among us. Those that teach and share the Bible are under attack in a way most do not understand. If you think the enemy attacks you, just check out what happens to pastors, missionaries, and teachers of the Word. Those that are faithfully serving will be accused often with lies and we need to have their backs and we need to encourage them.

Proverbs 27:19 As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.
What is seen when you are looked upon? I mean a deep look. One that goes deep inside, past the skin, past the mind, past the feelings and emotions, to the heart. What is found there? God knows!

Proverbs 27:20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and never satisfied are the eyes of man.
We are back to that word “satisfied”. That is a tough one today here in America but know this, it was a tough anytime and anyplace. Man just wants. Man wants more than they should have. Man want pleasure and to feed flesh. If you really examine self, what do you find?

Proverbs 27:21-22 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is tested by his praise. Crush a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, yet his folly will not depart from him.
As we think about the prior verse we roll into this verse with the crucible. The web-dictionary says, “a container of metal or refractory material employed for heating substances to high temperatures used in testing or trials”. If our faith is checked for impurities what would be found? God sees and knows our inner most being, who we really are.

Proverbs 27:23-24 Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds, for riches do not last forever; and does a crown endure to all generations?
Are you paying attention to the people and things around you? What is your level of stewardship towards the LORD. Do you really live knowing God owns everything and we are just managers, stewards? Do you really think and pray before you spend? Do you see the need of those around you? Can you tell the difference from eternal things and worldly things? This is really important for us to catch and to live out.

Have a great day racin’ in the SONshine,
Todd