Proverbs 2:1-22

Proverbs 2:1-22

No one begins their life by saying, “I'm going to ruin my life and wreck my future.” But we see ruined lives everywhere. From the homeless addict to the highly successful miserable executive, people don't set as a goal a “living death,” but there they are. This chapter provides a road map or an outline to get to a wholesome good life. But it will not happen by accident. The process is specific and must be followed. 

Step 1: you must want it. Verses 1-15 show us that there must be a passionate search for the way of wisdom. People are good at collecting things. We have seen hoarders or collectors of action figures, comic books, cookbooks—you name it. People are capable of being collectors. We must be passionate about storing up wisdom. This is no casual dabbling but rather a driven effort, the way a prospector looks for precious metals. When we have that kind of passion, we will find wisdom.

Step 2: We find wisdom only in the Lord, verses 6-8. Search all you want; you will never find silver and a chicken house or gold in a sewer. You must look in the right place. Wisdom is only found in the Creator. That is the wisdom that keeps us from being really stupid and protects us from false choices.

Step 3: We will experience an internal change. In verses 9-11 we see a change of desires. As we seek godly wisdom, we will learn that as we find some and collect wisdom, then we want more. Verse 10 is a critical turning point in our maturity. We begin to internalize wisdom, see how wonderful it is, and realize, from the inside out, the delight of wisdom.

Step 4 wisdom protects us from two categories of dangers. First evil men see 1:10-15. There is a danger of trying to get ahead by crooked paths or deals. You can never have a good deal with a bad man. It also protects from the danger of immoral women. If evil men draw us into immoral possessions, evil women can draw us into immoral pleasures. The allure of no-obligation sexual experience is the gateway to death. 

The fifth and final step is the good life, verses 20-22. This is what we want but is rarely found because it requires effort, and we tend to take the path of least resistance. 

“Lord, keep me on the path of wisdom, regardless of how long or difficult it may be.  AMEN

Proverbs 1:1-33

 Proverbs 1:1-33

It is impossible to adequately study this book or this passage in the context of daily devotions, but certain themes provide a lesson through which we can see the bigger picture. This is never more true than in verse 7. This is the theme of the book and ought to be the theme of life. But what is “the fear of God”? Fear in the biblical sense is deeper than a shallow dread; it is a word with a very deep meaning. As we perceive something fearful, if we study it deeper, we grow in awe of it. For example, a 250 ft cliff is terrifying, but as you approach the cliff's edge, you get to see the grand vista, but you also fear more. Respect for the danger and the awe of the beauty are closely related. You won't have a fear response looking at a small picture on your screen, but you will miss the spectacular experience. The deeper and more intimate knowledge of God we have, the more in awe of Him we will be. God is generous to freely give us wisdom, but that only comes by knowing Him. We can't have wisdom without knowledge of God.

“Lord, help me to know you and hold you in awe, respect, and fear. AMEN.”

Psalm 150

 Psalm 150

There is in this concluding Psalm a curious absence. For 149 Psalms, the heart of worship has been pouring out in every possible emotion and in every possible circumstance. This Psalm is a fitting crescendo to the book, calling for God's people to praise Him everywhere, for His every action, and by every means possible. But there is something missing, and its absence is important and a needed lesson for us. 

Nowhere in the Psalm is there even a vague reference to the first person  as the theme of praise. While not explicitly sinful, most of what we call praise music is an expression of our emotions, opinions, or experiences. We elevate our feelings and our emotional rush to be the center of what we think is worship. Occasionally in a moment of humble bragging, there is a reference to how amazed we are that God loves us. This is not specifically wrong, but the apex of worship is the objective reality of who God is. This Psalm, and every Psalm, ought to elicit a strong reaction in our hearts. But let that happen after we focus on the objective greatness of God.

“Lord God, You are great, and may I always keep you at the center of my worship. AMEN.”

Psalm 149

Psalm 149

We do not know the historical background for the Psalm, but it is supposed to have been composed after some battlefield victory. As Disciples of Christ, we will not be meeting the enemy on a battlefield, so how does this apply to us? Actually there are a couple of principles that suit us well.

The first is a celebration after victory. How often do the people of God make a big deal over a sinner coming to Christ? For the most part it is a little more than an announcement. But here the victory is celebrated with a festival. Can we find ways to celebrate the conversion of the lost in a way that focuses on what God has done? We clearly undercelebrate the lost coming to Christ. Second, what for us would be the application of verse 6? “Praise in our mouth or literally throat and a sword in hand. Was this what Paul had in mind in Ephesians 6:17? Our sword is no mere piece of steel but the word of God. With this in mind, this psalm fits us well.

“Lord, help me celebrate with passion, Your victories. AMEN.”

Psalm 148

Psalm 148

This is one of the most beautiful and sublime of all the Psalms. It might be called “an invitation to consider the greatness behind the great." Most of us have had the moment of being overwhelmed by something marvelous or wonderful. The pounding of the surf, the vista of a mountaintop, the tender kindness of a child or mother. Some experiences are bigger than the moment. This Psalm compels us to consider the greatness of the One who is beyond, behind, and the cause of the great moment. It is tragic if we look at any aspect of creation and are awestruck but never come to consider the One who caused it. The enemy of our soul deeply desires that we remain as shallow as possible. If he is able, he will drive us to the silly, banal, and superficial. That enemy is delighted if we replace a challenging conversation with social media, creation with a video game, and a godly courtship or marriage with pornography. All creation calls us to marvel at the Creator.

“Help me, Lord, to never lose sight of Your greatness behind all great things. AMEN.”

Psalm 147

Psalm 147

There is so much wonder and beauty in this Psalm one hardly knows where to begin. Verses 3-10 will be our focus. What is a person to do who has suffered deeply? Not just a bad day or a couple of weeks of stress but, say, 70 years of misery. Certainly those of us who have suffered lesser hardships can learn from this master course of pain. The answer is to practice the discipline and pattern of praise and giving glory to God. In that praise we find that God heals hearts that have been shattered into splinters, verse 3. Those that fear God, that is, revere Him, receive His favor. Those who are waiting and hoping for His mercy have the advantage.

In the midst of hardship, we tend to focus on ourselves and our suffering rather than on the agents of our pain. That is understandable, but the shift to focus on God's greatness is essential. Verses 4-10 are a beautiful example of that kind of praise. Notice how this is very unlike much of our praise music. Here the focus is not on our feelings or experiences but only on God's greatness. Nothing is significant when it is compared to the greatness of God.

“In my suffering, Lord, help me to turn my focus on you. AMEN."

Piglets are available

 Available Saturday Sept 12.

If you are interested in a pig for food, breeding or to just have on the farm, I have three piglets for you.   Margret dropped her litter the night of July 16-17.  Yum-Yum is due any time, and Pee Wee in a couple of days.   I will begin selling these piglets Saturday, Sept 12, at 8:00 AM at my place in Ariton, AL, near the intersection of US 231 and AL 51.  From Hwy 231 turn east toward Ariton and look for the sign “Pigs For Sale”. I have just over 100 names of people who say they are interested in a pig. (But I know talk is cheap.) However, there may be more demand than supply.  

Moms and Daddy

Dad is a cross between a Hampshire and an American Yorkshire.  Mom is a full-blooded (not registered) Meishan.  Breed details listed below.

Their parents have been pasture-fed with supplemental high-quality, local, mill feed.  The moms are very sweet and could be made a pet; however, a 300-pound lap pig might not be a great idea. Dad, Moe is over 400 pounds.  Both parents are docile and friendly. 

The Piglets

These are not meant to be pets.  They are meant to be butcher stock. By Sept 12th they will have been wormed and the males castrated.  

Prices are Firm

Discounts are available if you take multiple pigs.  

One or two pigs: $75.00 each

Three to nine pigs: $65.00 each

Ten or more pigs: $50.00 each

For information or to order, text "I want a pig" to 334-249-5600.  I generally do not answer phone calls from unsaved numbers. I will reply to you by text as I am able.

First Come First Served

I cannot predict how many of the 100 or so people who have inquired will actually show up.  I will sell the pigs to those who arrive first.  I will not hold pigs even with payment, so bring transportation, cash (exact if possible) and the ability to handle wiggly, squirming piglets. 

Breed Information

Moe is the father of these pigs: *Hampshires are known for large loin eyes, hardiness, and strong mothering abilities in sows and are a popular choice for both meat production and breeding. They are vigorous, efficient foragers and good-tempered, contributing lean muscle and growth traits to crossbred offspring.  American Yorkshires are famous as the "mother breed" for their excellent maternal traits and producing large litters and are known for their large frame, long body, white color, erect ears, and high proportion of lean meat. They are hardy, perform well in confinement, and are highly valued for adding length and leanness in crossbreeding programs. 

Margaret, Yum-Yum, and Pee Wee are the mothers. Meishan pigs are known for their hyperprolificacy (huge litters), docile temperament, and exceptionally marbled, flavorful red meat, often called the “Kobe beef” of pork, with superior lard quality. They are also recognized for their distinctive wrinkled faces, large udders, and ability to thrive on rougher diets, making them popular heritage homestead pigs.