Day 16: Proverbs Road Trip (In Napa, CA)

Proverbs 16:2 "You may think you are doing right, but the Lord will judge your reasons."

We started our vacation road triup yesterday, heading to Napa, CA. Getting six Newell's into a fully loaded car is not an easy task...and it wasn't long until we started hitting a few "bumps" in the process. That's when I "lost it".

Yeah, I know what you're thinking..."What! He's a Pastor. He never loses his cool."

Well, you would be right, I don't lose my cool; I simply blow off steam! :-)

That's were today's verse really hits me. You see, I may assume that I'm doing right, but in reality my selfishness can easily get in the way. And when I do "blow off steam" I can easily justify my actions. But the LORD really knows my reasons. He knows my heart.

That's why as soon as I "blew it" I immediately became convicted of my "blow". Appologies are never easy, but thankfully I have a gracious and forgiving LORD...and family.

Today, I'm going to try to focus on my heart.

Day 15: Proverbs Road Trip

Proverbs 15:19 :...but an honest person’s life is like a smooth highway."

I’ll spend much of today looking down a four lane highway on the way to visit my bother and father. Verse fifteen will be a good reminder during that long stretch: an honest person’s life is like a smooth highway.

When I think of honesty I most often think of not stealing or lying to others, but there is a dishonesty that haunts most of us – it’s an inner dishonesty that keeps us from being honest with ourselves and God. We are quick to lie to ourselves and try to convince us that our motives are pure and our actions are just. However, if we are honest, much of the time our motives and actions are propelled forward by our own selfishness.

When we think or act selfishly we start hitting the potholes in the road of life, but when we think and act honestly – admitting to ourselves when we are heading the wrong direction – the road ahead begins to smooth. When we live honestly with ourselves and God we can make the needed corrections.

Day 14: Proverbs Road Trip

Proverbs 14:1 "A wise woman strengthens her family."

I've been waiting for this one! Today I get to focus on how much of a blessing Terrie is in my life. I have yet to find another woman who has the strength and wisdom of the woman with whom God has blessed me and allowed me to spend my life.

It's almost Father's Day and if you are a single guy reading this - please, I beg you - WAIT FOR GOD'S BEST. Don't be in a hurry to either give yourself away or pursue a woman. Simply wait on God to bring the right woman into your life. Be the kind of man that the right kind of woman will want for a husband.

Like I said, I was blessed; God mercifully gave me much better than I deserved! So for Thursday, June 14th, I'm going to thank God for a wise woman who had brought incredible strength to my family!

I love you, Terrie!
Thank You, God!

Day 13: Proverbs Road Trip

Proverbs 13:20 "Spend time with the wise and you will become wise"

Such a short and powerful thought. "Spend time with the wise..."

That hits me. I'm trying to figure out how much time I spend with the "unwise" (TV, radio, etc.).

I'm not trying to bash everyone here, just look honestly at who I spend my time with, especially when I compare it to how much time I actually spend listening to God's voice or reading God's Word or lilstening to Godly people.

I keep finding that I think like those I listen to.

Day Twelve: Proverbs Road Trip

Proverbs 12:25 "Worry is a heavy load..."

It's not much, it's just a little worry, a little anxiety, a little care. It's not much, not something to concern God with. After all, He is the God and creator of the universe, why should I bother him with the small stuff?

Why you ask? Well...

(1) Because even the smalled worry is too heavy to carry on your own.

(2) Because worry clouds your vision. Worry keeps you from seeing God's promises.

(3) Because God loves it when we give Him our worries. He loves it when we talk to Him about even the smallest of concerns.

1 Peter 5:7 commands us: "Give all your worries to him, because he cares for you."

When we take our worries (even the smallest) to God in conversation with Him (prayer), God get's to calm our concerns. He gets to remind us that he cares for us. He gets to tell us again that He has promised to never leave us, never forsake us.

Worry is too heavy of a load for me or you to carry - God wants to carry our concerns for us.

Day Twelve: Proverbs Road Trip

Proverbs 12:25 "Worry is a heavy load..."

It's not much, it's just a little worry, a little anxiety, a little care. It's not much, not something to concern God with. After all, He is the God and creator of the universe, why should I bother him with the small stuff?

Why you ask? Well...

(1) Because even the smalled worry is too heavy to carry on your own.

(2) Because worry clouds your vision. Worry keeps you from seeing God's promises.

(3) Because God loves it when we give Him our worries. He loves it when we talk to Him about even the smallest of concerns.

1 Peter 5:7 commands us: "Give all your worries to him, because he cares for you."

When we take our worries (even the smallest) to God in conversation with Him (prayer), God get's to calm our concerns. He gets to remind us that he cares for us. He gets to tell us again that He has promised to never leave us, never forsake us.

Worry is too heavy of a load for me or you to carry - God wants to carry our concerns for us.

Day Eleven: Proverbs Road Trip

Proverbs 11:27, “Whoever looks for good will find kindness, but whoever looks for evil will find trouble.”

What am I looking for?

Normally, I’m a pretty positive kind of guy when it comes to people. I like to see the good in people. However, there are times when, frankly, I think the world stinks!

During those smelly times I have a hard time seeing the good in anything and anyone.

The funny thing is, I usually find what I’m looking for. When I look for the worst in people – I usually find it. When I look for the good in people I’m always blessed.

By the way, Proverbs eleven talks a lot about “good people”. We all need to realize that not everyone is “good”. Honestly admitting that some people are “bad” will keep us from a great deal of hurt. We can love everyone, but that doesn’t me that we have to keep company with those who are not good.

Have a great Monday!