March 15, 2008

Today's Reading - Proverbs 15
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Following Scripture Verses

1. A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
2. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
3. The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
4. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
5. A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
6. In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
7. The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
8. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9. The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
10. Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
11. Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
12. A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
13. A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14. The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
15. All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
16. Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
17. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
18. A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
19. The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.
20. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
21. Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
22. Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
23. A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
24. The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
25. The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
26. The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
27. He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
28. The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
29. The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
30. The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.
31. The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
32. He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
33. The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

Today's Pathway:
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"The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD..." - Proverbs 15:8

Solomon points out an important truth in today's passage. Some people seem to think that they can live like they want throughout the week, but as long as they go through their religious rituals on Sunday then God is pleased with them. This is nonsense. Solomon writes that when wicked men make sacrifices, those offerings are an abomination to God. Now remember that God commanded His people to present sacrifices to Him, so the act of bringing an offering was a religious act. However, when it was done from a heart that was in rebellion against God, He found it not only unacceptable, but vile.

Here is the application. As a pastor, I want people to be obedient to God in their church attendance and their giving. I want them to be involved and faithful to their areas of ministry. But we all need to understand that our Sunday Christianity does not absolve us from the guilt of our "every other day" carnality. Haggai 2:10-14 deals with this principle. There the prophet uses the Old Testament law to prove that when something sanctified touches something defiled, it is the holy thing that is made unclean, not the defiled item that becomes clean. Israel's problem was that they thought that they could ignore the Lord, and then make a sacrifice to solve all their problems. God said the sacrifice had been defiled by their actions. This is the point that Solomon is making as well.

Don't play religious games with God. Don't make an outward show of worship towards Him when you heart and life are in rebellion against Him. Choose to worship Him "in spirit and in truth", and then your "sacrifices" will be acceptable to Him.

Pastor Mark J Montgomery