Reflections from March 12, 2010

For our Friday reading in Hebrews, we have Hebrews 9:14, "how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"

Here we learn how much better off we are to have the blood and life of Jesus as a sacrifice for our sins, rather than the animals that were used in the old covenant through Mosaic law. Nothing is better than the blood of Jesus, and nothing is purer. Our lives have been washed completely with His blood and we can find joy in knowing the total purity of His blood. Especially how Jesus did offered Himself willingly, in obedience to His Father.

From Proverbs 12:8 we have, "A man will be commended according to his wisdom, But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised."

By reviewing the meaning of perverse, this makes sense. Perverse, according to Merriam-Webster means;
1 a : turned away from what is right or good : corrupt b : improper, incorrect c : contrary to the evidence or the direction of the judge on a point of law
2 a : obstinate in opposing what is right, reasonable, or accepted : wrongheaded b : arising from or indicative of stubbornness or obstinacy
So by putting this definition in the Scripture, "...he who is obstinate in opposing what is right, reasonable, or accepted..." gives it clearing context to me. Nobody likes an obstinate person; don't like to be around them, don't want to talk with them, and certainly don't want their advice. But everyone gravitates toward a person that exhibits good judgement and wisdom, and wants to soak in that wisdom as well. We see good things happening to them, and we want that to rub off on us. That's a good thing. By reading Proverbs daily, perhaps the wisdom of Solomon will also rub off on me.

Proverbs 13:4 tells us, "The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing, But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich."

It is often said the difference between success and failure is determined by how badly one wants to succeed. Yet while desire is certainly important in achievement, desire alone will not prevail. Instead, diligence seems to make the difference, both in working harder and working smarter. God helps give us diligence in our daily efforts. When you pray, ask God for diligence towards your daily efforts, to be the best you can be today.

Blessings to all