WORDS AND WORKS

Proverbs 12:1-14 / Keywords 12:14

From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him.

 

12:1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,

    but whoever hates correction is stupid.

2 Good people obtain favor from the Lord,

    but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes.

3 No one can be established through wickedness,

    but the righteous cannot be uprooted.

4 A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown,

    but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.

5 The plans of the righteous are just,

    but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.

6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,

    but the speech of the upright rescues them.

7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more,

    but the house of the righteous stands firm.

8 A person is praised according to their prudence,

    and one with a warped mind is despised.

9 Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant

    than pretend to be somebody and have no food.

10 The righteous care for the needs of their animals,

    but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.

11 Those who work their land will have abundant food,

    but those who chase fantasies have no sense.

12 The wicked desire the stronghold of evildoers,

    but the root of the righteous endures.

13 Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk,

    and so the innocent escape trouble.

14 From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things,

    and the work of their hands brings them reward.

1. We are filled not just by what goes into our mouths but what comes out of our mouths and into our ears and dwells in our hearts. What we say can destroy or build up others, so we must be careful to use our words thoughtfully and meaningfully. A kind and encouraging word can refresh a weary or anxious soul. A wise word can help someone learn and grow in wisdom. Brutal honesty is sometimes just brutal and not helpful, but words of love, sprinkled with humility, can build up others.

 

2. Sometimes, we long for an easy reward, such as working less and getting paid more. But no reward comes from idle hands. As God is constantly working (Jn 5:17), we must work to build a rewarding and blessed life, family, and community. We need to rest but avoid being idle and complacent. The kingdom of God advances when we are the hands and feet of Christ to the world. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few (Mat 9:37). What work is God calling me to do today?

 

Prayer Lord, you fill us with good things. May we use our words and hands to build others up rather than tearing down.

One Word Speak and work for good

GENEROSITY

Proverbs 11:16-31 / Keywords 11:25

A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

 

11:16 A kindhearted woman gains honor,

    but ruthless men gain only wealth.

17 Those who are kind benefit themselves,

    but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.

18 A wicked person earns deceptive wages,

    but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.

19 Truly the righteous attain life,

    but whoever pursues evil finds death.

20 The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse,

    but he delights in those whose ways are blameless.

21 Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished,

    but those who are righteous will go free.

22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout

    is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.

23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good,

    but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.

24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more;

    another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

25 A generous person will prosper;

    whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

26 People curse the one who hoards grain,

    but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.

27 Whoever seeks good finds favor,

    but evil comes to one who searches for it.

28 Those who trust in their riches will fall,

    but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.

29 Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind,

    and the fool will be servant to the wise.

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,

    and the one who is wise saves lives.

31 If the righteous receive their due on earth,

    how much more the ungodly and the sinner!

1. Have you ever felt offended by another's careless words or actions and one thing led to another and a lot more damage occurred than ever imagined? You are not alone. We all make mistakes and have hurt others and have been hurt.

 

2. What if we believed that the offender was actually trying their very best, made an honest mistake, or were misunderstood? Trust is made stronger when we are generous rather than quick to condemn and point out faults. Being generous doesn't mean being a pushover, but it is being curious before accusing. It is responding with care rather than reacting. Even if people did wrong, a little generosity can leave open the possibility for restoration and reconciliation.

 

3. Jesus generously healed ten lepers, even though only one came back to thank him. Jesus fed, healed, and taught many regardless of whether they chose to follow him. Jesus invested in 12 disciples even though they would all abandon him in his most vulnerable moment. God gives generously and indiscriminately to all who seek him.

 

Prayer Lord, help me to be generous in my relationship with others. Help me not to be quick to judge or condemn.

One Word Be generous

HUMILITY

Proverbs 11:1-15 / Keywords 11:2

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

 

11:1 The Lord detests dishonest scales,

    but accurate weights find favor with him.

2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace,

    but with humility comes wisdom.

3 The integrity of the upright guides them,

    but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.

4 Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath,

    but righteousness delivers from death.

5 The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight,

    but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.

6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them,

    but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.

7 Hopes placed in mortals die with them;

    all the promise of[a] their power comes to nothing.

8 The righteous person is rescued from trouble,

    and it falls on the wicked instead.

9 With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors,

    but through knowledge the righteous escape.

10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;

    when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.

11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,

    but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.

12 Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,

    but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.

13 A gossip betrays a confidence,

    but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.

14 For lack of guidance a nation falls,

    but victory is won through many advisers.

15 Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer,

    but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.

Footnotes

a. Proverbs 11:7 Two Hebrew manuscripts; most Hebrew manuscripts, Vulgate, Syriac and Targum When the wicked die, their hope perishes; / all they expected from

1. Wisdom is vast and varied. We may be wise about one thing but fail miserably at others. Pride is universal and is present in even the brightest of people. Although King Solomon brought great prosperity and peace during his lifetime, he left the kingdom of Israel in great disarray after his death (1 Kings 11). On the other hand, Jesus did not seek power and glory in his time on earth. Instead, he died on the cross and became the resurrected Lord of God's kingdom which has endured and expanded beyond the rise and fall of many empires. Jesus is God who came to earth born as a helpless baby in a manger. He came to love the most needy and wretched people, approachable and welcoming to all.

 

2. Pride and arrogance have been the downfall of many powerful people and have hurt many more in their pathway. A little humility goes a long way in creating a community of love and respect that endures for many generations. It takes humility to love and accept all kinds of people, to repent and ask for help, and to recover from failures with dignity and new hope.

 

Prayer Lord, help me to be even a little less arrogant today than I was yesterday. Help me to practice the humility of Christ, who did not seek to be served, but to give himself for others.

One Word Practice humility

JOY

Proverbs 10:19-32 / Keywords 10:28

The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.

 

10:19 Sin is not ended by multiplying words,

    but the prudent hold their tongues.

20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,

    but the heart of the wicked is of little value.

21 The lips of the righteous nourish many,

    but fools die for lack of sense.

22 The blessing of the Lord brings wealth,

    without painful toil for it.

23 A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes,

    but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.

24 What the wicked dread will overtake them;

    what the righteous desire will be granted.

25 When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone,

    but the righteous stand firm forever.

26 As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,

    so are sluggards to those who send them.

27 The fear of the Lord adds length to life,

    but the years of the wicked are cut short.

28 The prospect of the righteous is joy,

    but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.

29 The way of the Lord is a refuge for the blameless,

    but it is the ruin of those who do evil.

30 The righteous will never be uprooted,

    but the wicked will not remain in the land.

31 From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom,

    but a perverse tongue will be silenced.

32 The lips of the righteous know what finds favor,

    but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.

1. There are many "blessings" that we seek out in the world. It’s easy for us to think: If only we have enough money, are healthy enough, beautiful enough, or holy enough, we will be satisfied. But these are never enough and end up amounting to disappointment in the end. Beauty fades, the body weakens, our holier than thou theology makes us self-righteous and divisive, and money can only go so far.

 

2. "The prospect of the righteous is joy." Joy is deeper than fleeting pleasures. Jesus' coming was heralded as good news of great joy to all people (Lk 2:10). In the Bible, joy is often expressed in relation to what one receives from God and also in relation to others' well-being. There is joy when we realize that God's love is greater than all our sins and shortcomings. God has come to help us in our sufferings and failures. He gives us new life and hope. God's joy is when one lost child is found, and we share his joy when we care for and help others in their need. Joy is multiplied when shared with others.

 

Prayer Lord, give us the joy of your salvation. You came to love us in our lost ness. May our joy increase as we share in your love for others.

One Word Be joyful

LOVE COVERS OVER ALL WRONGS

Proverbs 10:1-18 / Keywords 10:12

Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over Thanks all wrongs.

 

Proverbs of Solomon

10:1 The proverbs of Solomon:

A wise son brings joy to his father,

    but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.

2 Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value,

    but righteousness delivers from death.

3 The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,

    but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.

4 Lazy hands make for poverty,

    but diligent hands bring wealth.

5 He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son,

    but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.

6 Blessings crown the head of the righteous,

    but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.[a]

7 The name of the righteous is used in blessings,[b]

    but the name of the wicked will rot.

8 The wise in heart accept commands,

    but a chattering fool comes to ruin.

9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,

    but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.

10 Whoever winks maliciously causes grief,

    and a chattering fool comes to ruin.

11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,

    but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

12 Hatred stirs up conflict,

    but love covers over all wrongs.

13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,

    but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.

14 The wise store up knowledge,

    but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.

15 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city,

    but poverty is the ruin of the poor.

16 The wages of the righteous is life,

    but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death.

17 Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life,

    but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.

18 Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips

    and spreads slander is a fool.

Footnotes

a. Proverbs 10:6 Or righteous, / but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence

b. Proverbs 10:7 See Gen. 48:20.

1. Jesus is wisdom in the flesh. One of the most, if not the most, notable attributes of Jesus and God is love. Jesus did not come to judge but to love and forgive a sinful and lost humanity. Jesus sought out the outcasts and sinners including tax collectors and prostitutes. In love, he turned their failures into fertile soil where God's love took root and blossomed into new and beautiful life.

 

2. Having wisdom is not about being superior to others, but it is growing to love and embrace all people, including those who are deemed wicked. In love, we reconcile with others and help others be reconciled to God. We should not create legalistic divisions but have mercy and compassion on others. Doing this is not easy, but nothing meaningful comes easy. We should not be lazy to work towards loving others enough that covers over all their wrongs. We can do this by knowing God's love for us.

 

Prayer Lord, your greatest wisdom is love that covers, forgives, and heals all our wrongs. May we also do so to others.

One Word Love one another

IN HIS NAME TO ALL NATIONS

Luke 24:36-53 / Keywords 24:47

and repentance and forgiveness of Thanks sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

24:36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.

44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

The Ascension of Jesus

50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

1. The Risen Jesus visited the apostles and conferred on them real peace. But they were frightened and thought they saw a ghost. Jesus showed his nail-pierced hands and feet then let them touch him. When they still couldn’t believe because of joy and amazement, Jesus ate a piece of broiled fish before them. Jesus gave them many convincing proofs to plant in them resurrection faith. Jesus labored to help them to have resurrection faith so that they may live as witnesses of his resurrection. The gospel of Jesus’ death and resurrection is the fulfillment of God’s promises in the Old Testament. God wants to save all his children through the gospel of Jesus. The good news must be spread to all nations. Jesus wanted his disciples to be his witnesses in the whole world so that repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached in his name to the ends of the earth. He promised to send the Holy Spirit to empower them but they had to stay in Jerusalem and wait.

 

2. After giving them the world mission command, he was taken up into heaven. They worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.

 

Prayer Lord, you died and rose again and became my Lord and Savior. Help me live as your witness and share the good news of my Lord Jesus Christ.

One Word The forgiveness of sins in His name

JESUS EXPLAINED THE SCRIPTURES

Luke 24:13-35 / Keywords 24:27

And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

 

On the Road to Emmaus

24:13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.

17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

19 “What things?” he asked.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”

25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

Footnotes

a. Luke 24:13 Or about 11 kilometers

1. Two disciples were on the road to Emmaus, talking and discussing everything about Jesus’ life and death. Along the way Jesus joined them, but they couldn’t recognize him. As Jesus joined their conversation, they talked about Jesus’ powerful words and deeds, how they put their hope in him to redeem Israel, how the religious leaders handed him over to be crucified, and about the empty tomb as well as the women’s testimony about the angels’ message. Then Jesus rebuked their slowness to believe what the prophets had written in light of all that had happened. Jesus began to teach them the Bible all over again beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, explaining what was said in the Scriptures concerning himself. But still, they didn’t recognize him because of unbelief and despair in their hearts.

 

2. When they were at the table later, Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and recognized the Risen Christ. They returned at once to Jerusalem. It was not the time for them to go back to their old lives, but to share with others the good news of the kingdom of God through Jesus’ death and resurrection.

 

Prayer Lord, open my heart to your word and reveal yourself to me until my heart is burning with your love and share it with others.

One Word Open my heart to see Christ