Author Archives: sneuhofer

• Motives… good or not so good?

  Posted at 7:00 am by sneuhofer, on January 16, 2018

  Proverbs 16: 2, 3 (NCV) “You may believe you are doing right, but the Lord will judge your reasons. Depend on the Lord in whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”

  When reading through Proverbs 16 this morning, I decided to use it as a type of “check-up” guide to examine the motives behind the things I do and the way I live my daily life. Verse 2 says

  “You may believe you are doing right but the Lord will judge your reasons.” (Proverbs 16:2)

  The Lord sees EVERYTHING. There is not ONE thing I can hide from Him.  I find that truth in Psalm 139:2 “You know my thoughts before I even think them.”

  This means that when I depend on the Lord in whatever I do (v3) my plans will succeed. (see also 2 Corinthians 9:8, Proverbs 3:6) When I live in such a manner that is pleasing to the Lord, even my enemies will make peace with me (Proverbs 16:7). I know the thought of this can be a stretch, but that’s what God’s word says. “If we listen to what is taught we will succeed” and if I trust in the Lord (in all things at all times) I will be happy (Proverbs 16:20).

  WOW! Just think, even in the deepest darkest valley of my life I can be “happy”. The same is true for you. We can all be full of peace and joy because Jesus gives us peace that surpasses all understanding (John 14: 27).

  What are the motivations behind things you do and say? Would they bring honor and glory God? If not, this is an area to grow in. Remember the Lord knows and sees all.

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• Proverbs 15 – Challenging Questions

  Posted at 7:00 am by sneuhofer, on January 15, 2018

  Proverbs 15: 2 – 3 (HCSB) The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive, but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness. The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, observing the wicked and the good.

  In Proverbs 15, Solomon shows us what happens when we choose to live and speak wisely. In verse 2 he says “the tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive , but the mouth of fools blurt out foolishness.” Where does knowledge come from anyway? As I thought about this, I turned back just a few pages to Proverbs 1:7 (NCV) and began to read “Knowledge begins with respect for (or fear of) the Lord.”

  When I begin to know Christ more through careful study of His word and choose to live a fully devoted Christ centered life, my respect for (or fear of) the Lord grows. I understand His word and can be confident in the truth that His ways are so much higher than mine. It is through His word that He gives us everything we need to grow in wisdom and knowledge. In this truth, I begin to find comfort.

  Truth: I will draw closer to God by  staying connected to His word.

  In verse 3, I also see that the Lord’s eyes see everything. [verse 3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch upon the evil and the good. AMP] As I reread verse 3, my mind went back to the parable of the ten bridesmaids (Matthew 25:1 – 13). This parable talks practically about what will happen when Jesus returns. Some people will be ready and watching, while others will be off doing their own thing. Proverbs 15:3 reiterated a truth about this parable and brought me to the question “If Jesus were to come back right now would I be involved with something or engaged in an activity that brings honor and glory to His name?” I would sincerely hope that in whatever I do or say, I would bring honor and glory to God.

  As I continued reading through Proverbs 15, I began to read it as though I were asking myself a series of questions.

  • Do I produce good fruit? Am I living a fruitful life?
  • Am I lifting people up with healing words or do my words bring a crushing blow to their spirit?
  • Do I use my words to spread the knowledge of the saving grace of Jesus Christ?
  • Are my thoughts being taken captive and made obedient to Christ? Do I respect the Lord and follow His commands?
  • Am I controlling my temper? (yikes!)
  • Do I seek Godly counsel when making decisions? Do I listen to correction and accept it by applying to my life?
  • Am I humble?

  As you read through Proverbs 15 today, I encourage you to ask yourself the questions this chapter raises. Open your heart to the Holy Spirit. Listen for His quiet voice to reveal changes that need to be made in your life.

  Related scripture: Proverbs 10:20, 31; Proverbs 12:18; Proverbs 18:21; Matthew 7:17; Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 1:31; 2 Corinthians 10:5; Hebrews 4:12; James 4:6

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• Reckless words: A reflection of the contents of our heart

  Posted at 7:00 am by sneuhofer, on January 12, 2018

  James 3:6 (NCV) And the tongue is like a fire. It is a whole world of evil among the parts of our bodies. The tongue spreads its evil through the whole body. The tongue is set on fire by hell, and it starts a fire that influences all of life.

  Words hurt. Have you ever been there? Someone chooses to use reckless words in the heat of an argument and you instantly feel the crushing blow to every fiber of your being. You feel so insignificant, so small, so cut down by the words someone else has spoken.

  The words of James chapter 3 reminded me that the tongue, even though a small part of the body, can make a huge impact. Have you ever said something to someone and once the words were out, you wished you could take back? I sure have. I have carelessly used my words to hurt. I guess in the heat of an argument it’s easy to do.  But just because it’s the “heat of the moment” doesn’t make it that less damaging. God’s word says “People speak the things that are in their hearts.” (Luke 6:45 NCV) YIKES!

  When I let my words carelessly “run rampant” it’s a display of those things that are in my heart. DOUBLE YIKES! What words have you said lately that are not a reflection of the love of Jesus in your heart? Have your words been full of anger, jealousy, bitterness, rudeness, and gossip or have they encouraged those around you and brought glory to our Father in heaven.

  I know I have set those people that are closest to me “on fire” with the words I have hastily spewed out of my mouth…and that makes me sad. The last thing I want to do is bring a paralyzing blow with my words. I want my words to be full of love and life. When people hear me speak, I want them to hear the goodness and kindness of Jesus.

  Hiding God’s word in my heart and consistent prayer are two things I can do to change the contents of my heart. If I work toward replacing my thoughtless words with God’s word, I am disciplining myself to speak words of grace, truth and life.

  Father, help me to hide your word in my heart so that when I speak, the words that flow will be full of love and grace. Forgive me for careless words I have spoken to others. Help me to replace “words of death” with “words of life.” Amen

  Additional scripture:
  Luke 6:45 (NIV)  A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

  Proverbs 12:18 (NIV) The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

  Proverbs 15:4 (NIV) The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

  

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  Posted in hurtful words, impact of our words, reckless words | 1 Comment

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