Bragging On Jesus

Proverbs in 365 Devotions
 For more go to braggingonjesus.com Proverbs 13:10 By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom. Yes You're Right The Sky Is Aqua Today Robin Aylor 
I remember a discussion with a friend from Europe a while back… about human behavior. He grew up in India from the highest of the upper class. He had the impression that Americans in relation to other countries were much more ashamed to ask others about things they did not know. His opinion was that most Americans would rather stay dumb and appear superior than to admit they were ignorant on a subject.

Were his insights in relation to Americans true? Perhaps... More than other peoples?... I do not know. But I do believe some form of pride is always on the heels of every one of us.

About the insolent person in the text, he is a rude and disrespectful human being. We have all met a few and have have likely been one ourselves from time to time.

It seems to gradually come over me after I am feeling a l

Proverbs in 365 Devotions For more go to braggingonjesus.com Proverbs 13:4 The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied. Slugger Or Sluggard? R Aylor When Solomon refers to the soul of a sluggard he is not talking about Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays… or any other baseball player who is famous for hitting home runs. No a sluggard here is one who is compared to a slug or a snail… someone who is slow to act… a lazy person who takes little responsibility and has hardly any accountability in life with any other person. My sister works with the homeless and we have talked about this deep issue of the soul among many though not all of them. A great number of homeless have no incentive for getting out of bed or going to look for work. That is the reason for some of them being homeless. They have no desire to be involved in serving the community or being a constructive citizen. If there is a flood or tornado or wild fires that have hurt others and their

Proverbs in 365 Devotions
 For more go to braggingonjesus.com Proverbs 13:9 The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked will be put out. Treasure Of The Eye So what is Solomon referring to here? Is he really talking about lanterns? Can the lantern in the house ofd a righteous person jump for joy? And will the lantern in the wicked household damper down and fizz out? In the New Testament I think Jesus sheds his light on this verse. In Matthew 6:22 he says: “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! It seems Jesus words as well os Solomons are not our normal way of talking… They might be a little difficult to understand. They require pondering I think… and that’s good. Pondering means asking the Lord for help and thinking about the parts of this scripture that we do understand and possibly seein

Proverbs in 365 Devotions
 Proverbs 12:9 Better to be lowly and have a servant than to play the great man and lack bread. R Aylor It’s probably easy to read this verse and all of a sudden hone in on how Solomon says it’s better to have a servant… and start making inferences and judgments against Gods word while missing the truth. To have a servant in an acceptable way biblically can be found a number of ways. Heres a few: * A servant who works as an apprentice. (Elisha to Elijah) In this situation the servant would have a desire to show respect to their mentor. * A servant who is working off a debt. * A servant might have been someone who had no land in Israel and was willing to be hired out as a servant to have a place to live and food to eat. * In all these examples the one who has a servant does so because he was gracious to the one who serves him. The text calls him lowly… He is a humble person. * We see this in the first example as a mentor in teaching his apprentice. * The second by let

Proverbs in 365 Devotions For more go to braggingonjesus.com Proverbs 12:8 A man is commended according to his good sense, but one of twisted mind is despised. Twisted Synapse R Aylor Today Solomon is talking about good sense verses bad sense. Good sense leads to praise and compliments but bad sense leads us on a road that twist's our mind and distorts our conscious and we become more and more jaded the longer we travel on that path. Solomon says this person is despised by others. 
In this devotion I will be using some information I pulled from the Internet… so even though it is believable and can be used as an illustration… I just wanted to be up front with that little fact… Ok, lets get to it… Here are some wise words from few children that started out with the possibility to learn some good sense: 
1. “Never trust a dog to watch your food.”
 2. "Wear a hat when feeding seagulls." 
3. “Never tell your mom her diet’s not working.”
 4. "Never spit when on a roller coaster."
 5. “Never hold a dust buster

Proverbs in 365 Devotions
 For more go to braggingonjesus.com Proverbs 12:5 The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. 6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them. 7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand. I Press On R Aylor These verses seem to be an overview of some of the things Solomon has been saying about righteousness and wickedness. Solomon knew that wickedness offers its perks to the world. More money, more power, their personal vengeance's may be satisfied; they even may really enjoy planning and scheming all the way to their own grave.
 So, sure they may sometimes seem successful, the scoreboard may show them having lot’s of points; and we may feel like its the fourth quarter and there is hardly a slim chance to win.

But even the man that God calls righteous is not able to pull off a win on his own because the good that is in him did can not be credited to himsel

Proverbs in 365 Devotions For more go to braggingonjesus.com Proverbs 12:3 No one is established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will never be moved. Never Moved! R Aylor A healthy tree is considered to be established if it has good well nourished and deep roots. Have you ever noticed how the general population can move their views on morals and truth based on what seems to be good for them at the time? We sometimes see the poor support causes which give them less responsibility along with free housing and money. And many of these individuals have said over and over that they believe in accountability and people who can work should work for all their benefits… Their roots moved and so they followed suit. Some of the rich who have worked hard much of their life and say they believe in justice and accountability manipulate those that their money can reach for their own purposes. They take advantage of peoples weaknesses… even the poor… They support and buy stock in global demoralizing compan

Proverbs in 365 Devotions For more go to braggingonjesus.com Proverbs 12:2 A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of evil devices he condemns. Approved R Aylor If this were the only verse we had ever read from God's word one might get the idea that righteousness is obtained by being good. However, this verse rings true in two very specific but related ways. It is 100% true that our righteousness is related to Gods favor; but only if the righteousness of Jesus has been first imputed to us, exchanging our guilt with his innocence. We’ve talked about this before… it’s the Gospel and it should be a part of our everyday life… not just as Salvation… It’s threads make everything work in our life as we walk in the invisible Spiritual Kingdom of God… as it intersects with our physical lives since Jesus came down to this earth as a man and abides in us through the Spirit. Our text says a good man obtains favor from the Lord… Jesus was a man… and only Jesus was a good man. We’ve also talked about how

Hebrews 2:1 Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. Closer Attention c @ robin Aylor 12/22/2013 What does it mean to pay closer attention To this news so inclined in the work of redemption What angels declared and now we have heard Never to drift but observe every word If we neglect, this message so great With delusion, retribution, will be no escape Let Gods word bring our course, into correction With each jot and tittle find detailed direction Salvation so great, insured and attested With treasures of joy and wonders are vested Turn back, don’t drift, focus, align Conform, rejoice, recenter your mind Look out at His story, and all that's occurred Then unpack Salvation, word by word ​

Proverbs in 365 Devotions For more go to braggingonjesus.com Proverbs 11:8 The righteous is delivered from trouble, and the wicked walks into it instead. Delivered R Aylor So far in chapter 11 we have listen to Solomon give us some vastly contrasting truths regarding righteousness and wickedness… If we believe what he says it should not be even a question we should consider concerning which path in life we would walk. He talks about things like: righteousness keeps one on the path while wickedness brings down integrity guides, crookedness destroys Riches do not profit in day of wrath, righteousness delivers hope dies along with the wicked… not so with righteous uprightness brings exaltation wickedness brings overthrown Again our text: Proverbs 11:8 The righteous is delivered from trouble, and the wicked walks into it instead. It doesn’t say the righteous will not see trouble; no, the righteous will see plenty. (2 Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to  live a godly life in Christ Jesus  will be persecut

Proverbs in 365 Devotions For more go to braggingonjesus.com Proverbs 11:10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness. Here’s a poem I’m calling: The Day The Sun Came Out In Gotham City Good deeds send a smile full of endorphins to my mind A surge of energy and confidence shoot through my spine In Gotham City the metropolis rejoices at unselfish deeds Those in hiding without hope take heart and believe Remember in Bagdad when the people sang They pulled down the statue of Saddam Hussain They had lived under tyranny, torture and pain Then the city rejoiced when righteousness reigned In every good story; books, movies, TV When good wins out and captives go free When oppressors are judged by a righteous King The people are happy and we hear the birds sing One day soon, we who are righteous in Christ Made that way by his own sacrifice Will be home in a city without sorrow or vice In bright sunny elation, jubilation and life Praise, love

Proverbs in 365 Devotions For more go to braggingonjesus.com Proverbs 11:7 When the wicked dies, his hope will perish, and the expectation of wealth perishes too. Imperishable Hope R Aylor I don’t know if you’ve ever thought about this… but it seems strange to me how someone who is in the last years of their life… some even at deaths door… can still be obsessed with obtaining more riches or at the least guarding the little they have. We see this attitude every day among so many of the elderly. Maybe its because they have put it first place their whole life. Society has even supported them in this. “Make more money, get more stuff, buy more insurance, the best way to protect yourself from anything that comes your way is with money… get more… get more… get more…” They still value wealth over everything including their closest relationships. In days gone by some would worship idols carved out of wood. They would pray to those idols and sacrifice to them hoping for blessing and fruitful crops. Money too is m

Proverbs in 365 Devotions For more go to brtaggingonjesus.com Proverbs 11:6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust. Righteousness Delivers Robin Aylor The definition of this word treacherous carries with it the ideal of deceit and betrayal… A backstabber… False heartedness… Consider someone like this. How can a person who hides in their deceptive shadows be overpowered? That is the way terrorists operate. They hide in civilian clothes and bunker down among the peoples… even around orphans and the elderly. Is there something that can overpower and subdue someone with such a wickedly way? Their deceptive nature is the strength of their treachery. Could it be that their own sinful passions might eventually humble them to be servants themselves immobilized by the very things they hoped would deliver them? Here's one of many possible timelines of this individual who clothes themselves as an upright citizen where you work or go to church… etc.: They

Proverbs In 365 Devotions For more go to braggingonjesus.com Proverbs 11:5 The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight, but the wicked falls by his own wickedness.  Wicked Irony R Aylor Can you see the irony in this proverb? It is the very sin which promises fulfillment that envelops the wicked. The sin that pledges happiness brings depression; the sins that promise life bring sickness, dread and death. Yes, the wicked person wants life and happiness and pleasure for sure. The only thing is that he wants his own version of what he thinks these things are… and he wants to obtain them by his own plans. Oh the joys of his daily sins that will give him all his hearts desires. They promise pleasure, power and riches… enough riches to buy anything else he desires… even health and long life… He hopes… at least; for these kinds of things down deep in his heart. Our text says the wicked falls by his own wickedness. Sure, it only takes one sin to taint a mans soul… But that one sin is not satisf

Proverbs in 365 Devotions For more go to braggingonjesus.com What Guides Your Sail? What ushers a person throughout their life? A motor? The fuel?… A spark that ignites? Something leads them along and shows them the way. What steers the wheel when there’s a truck in the way? What says “don’t do your chores” “Steal from the department store” “Taunt that wild bore” “Pull into the next liquor store” What makes some delight in God, they kneel and pray They submit to their parents in the Lord and obey Even when the road is dark in the middle of the day Their heart is turned a particular way What guides them is the integrity of the upright There has only been one who has lived that life Where Adam and Eve and we all fail It’s Jesus righteousness in those who believe that guides our sail Proverbs 11:3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.

Proverbs in 365 Devotions For more go to braggingonjesus.com Proverbs 11:4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.  The day of wrath… Well the greatest day of wrath will come when God judges sin and sinners. Even if you could take your riches with you to face that judgment it would not profit you. A person cannot bribe God. He already owns it all. And anyway the streets are made of gold in heaven so what would you offer him that he might keep justice from you? No, God is just and no one can stay his hand. Even here on earth when a sentence of justice is to be read even a most exorbitant amount of money from the guilty party will not be enough to pay off a just judge; and equally just is how that judge will neither sentence an innocent person to death.  The thought of justice can be an uncomfortable thought though because we all fall short of perfection. This underlying force of conscious causes us to check our speedometer and seat belt at the sight of a police o

For more go to braggingonjesus.com With Whom He Is Pleased Robin Aylor When Jesus was born, in Bethlehem shepherds were with their flocks when a multitude of heavenly host praised God and said this: Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Today I want us to look at that little phrase “with whom he is pleased”. What would it take for God to be pleased with any of mankind since we are all sinners? Who was the only one who never sinned? Jesus right? This is true… and God is pleased with his Son. Speaking of Jesus in Isaiah 42:1 pointing to Jesus it says God says: …in whom my soul delights; You can read the context for yourself. God delights in his Son. Again, speaking of Jesus 1st Peter 2:4 says ...a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, Jesus is precious to God. In Matthew 3:17 When Jesus was baptized a voice from heaven said: ...“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” When Jesus wa

Proverbs 9:7 DC / A Poem

Proverbs in 365 Devotions For more go to braggingonjesus.com Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. Disgrace Or Delight Robin Aylor You may have heard how Proverbs 16:18 says: Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. In today's text we see pride’s destruction also tagged with disgrace. Throughout the Bible you can find many examples of both of these outcomes.  Speaking of King Uzziah in 2 Chronicles 26:16 it says: But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction.  With his sin of pride he was struck with leprosy for the remainder of his life. You might want to check out Ezekiel 28 which seems to relate how Lucifer's pride caused him to fall and brought him disgrace. The opposite of pride is of course humility. Admitting our sin which brings us shame and dishonor… in faith we turn away from exalting self toward giving the glory due to Jesus; when we do, he exalts us with his own righteousness. In Luke 14:11 Jesus said: Fo

Proverbs in 365 Devotions For more go to braggingonjesus.com Proverbs 11:1 A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is his delight. Justification For Abomination Robin Aylor There is a symbol of justice which you may have seen before… a statue of a blindfolded woman who makes judgments of right and wrong. She is holding perfectly balanced scales and a sword. Being blindfolded she favors no one person over another. She executes righteous judgment with her sword. A dishonest scale is held by a crook who unjustly favors themselves over the ones they want to deceive for their own gain. It is a false balance, a false witness; and claims a lie as truth. Solomon calls this injustice an abomination to the LORD. An abomination is something we despise so badly… we are utterly disgusted at the thought of it… we loathe it! Have you ever found something that has turned your stomach or caused you to gag and turn away quickly? For me, in my younger years it was spinach. Something about it trig