Today’s Blog: The Lamp and Light
TODAY’S PROVERB: For the mitzvah is a lamp, Torah a light, and corrective discipline the way of life, keeping you from the immoral woman, from a wayward wife’s smooth tongue. Proverbs 6:23-24, TLV
Powerful emotions can drive change — for good or evil. Today’s proverb addresses the emotion of desire. Desire for what they cannot have. Sin. Feelings that go unchecked can mask truth and reality. One of those feelings is anger.
These days there is a lot of anger — and fear. Without exacerbating the situation, let’s just say that the brutality of Mr. Floyd’s death was inexcusable. To be clear, it was wrong. Then add to that, this man of God’s work was cut short*.
The Aftermath . . .
People are angry. People are frightened. My friend’s son, who is a pastor in Washington state, is concerned for his four sons. This father must have the talk no parent wants to give — how to stay alive should they be detained by a police officer. Because the color of their skin, they must be extraordinarily compliant — even when they are innocent.
Most law enforcement officials are compassionate, hardworking individuals. But, then there are those who have allowed emotions to cloud their sense of right and wrong.
Most people are hardworking and protective of their families and friends. But, then there are those who have allowed emotions to cloud their sense of right and wrong.
Both of those small segments of people end up in the same place . . . Sin.
Open the truth . . .
Our Heavenly Father has given us commandments and the Law to teach us how to avoid allowing emotions that drive us to sin. As this pastor said, we have every right to be angry, we have no right to sin.
This anger is so great, how can we do anything to fight against it? I have a feeling we all know what our Father says. But, do we believe it? Will we stand on His truth?
I leave you with a few of those truths. Please share what He has shown you.
They went on stoning Stephen as he was calling out, “Lord Yeshua, receive my spirit!” Then he fell on his knees and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” After he said this, he died.
LUKE, ACTS 7: 59-60, TLV [EMPHASIS MINE]
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly but powerful through God for the tearing down of strongholds. We are tearing down false arguments and every high-minded thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. We are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Messiah— ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.”
PAUL, 2 CORINTHIANS 10:3-6, TLV [EMPHASIS MINE]
There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and the one who fears has not been made perfect in love.
JOHN, 1 JOHN 4:18, TLV
May the lamp and light of GOD’s word lead us, my friends.
Proverbs 6:23-24 Tree of Life Version – TLV, #tlvbible, #tlvproverbs
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE TRAGIC EVENTS? WHAT HAS OUR FATHER SHOWN YOU TO DO?
AS I WRITE THIS BLOG I KEEP THINKING ABOUT THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF MR. FLOYD. I PRAY FOR THEIR PEACE AND FOR WISDOM AND THAT THEY WOULD BE LED BY OUR FATHER’S LAMP AND LIGHT. IRONICALLY, THEY ARE DOING THE SAME FOR ALL OF US. I THINK OF MY FRIEND’S SON AND GRANDSONS WHO MUST NOW TAKE SPECIAL CARE THAT THIS TRAGEDY DOESN’T BEFALL THEM. IT BREAKS MY HEART. BUT I CAN’T REMAIN THERE, MY SORROW MUST DRIVE OBEDIENCE TO WHATEVER OUR FATHER SHOWS ME I’M RESPONSIBLE FOR. THANK YOU FOR READING THIS BLOG. IF YOU FEEL SO LED, PLEASE SHARE. GOD BLESS YOU.
*George Floyd Left a Gospel Legacy in Houston, Kate Shellnutt, May 28, 2020, CHRISTIANITY TODAY https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2020/may/george-floyd-ministry-houston-third-ward-church.html?visit_source=twitter&fbclid=IwAR2H7AkSF3tv7smDsEF_7FqQmQ-90QRTVwVyWafzZCFhrW9LI9d9h8i30QE
