Lost In Translation

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Linda Bailey in Proverbs 1 Comment

Proverbs 31

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Proverbs 31:10 (NIV Bible)

Lost In Translation

Submitted by Ps Linda Bailey

Observation: From verse 10 onwards this final chapter of Proverbs is actually written as an acrostic where each verse begins with a successive letter from the Hebrew alphabet. We don’t pick that up when it is translated into English but the original was written in this poetic way. While translations have helped people of many nations to know more of the wisdom and majesty of our God, we can miss some of the beauty and play-on-words that were written in to the original text.

Application: I think it is great that a passage written about the ideal wife is constructed in such a complex but creative way. It’s like the very structure of the writing also resembles the character of a wife. Women span the whole spectrum of diversity but we are all made to bring honour to God.
The whole book of Proverbs teaches us how to live wisely and fully. It sets ideals that we know are good but that could overwhelm us as they seem difficult to fulfill everyday. Don’t let this high standard make you give up, but as you live each day may Proverbs give you the guidance and instruction to honour God in all you do.

Prayer: Lord, we can always find someone else that is better than us. Help us not to focus on them but just to strive to honour You. Amen.

Do you find you are striving to live up to someone else’s expectations? Who is it that God is calling you to be?

Ps Linda writes a Daily Devotional everyday. Check it out!

God’s Amazing World

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Linda Bailey in Proverbs Leave a comment

Proverbs 30

“There are three things that are too amazing for me,
four that I do not understand:
the way of an eagle in the sky,
the way of a snake on a rock,
the way of a ship on the high seas,
and the way of a man with a maiden.
Proverbs 30:18-19 (NIV Bible)

God’s Amazing World

Submitted by Ps Linda Bailey

Observation: I am regularly amazed at the world I live in. I think it is absolutely fasinating that I can call my parents, who live 300 kilometers from me, on the phone and they can hear me clearly and instantly. I think it’s remarkable that if I flick an ant off my desk on to the floor it will just walk away unharmed even though it has fallen from a height that is thousands of times it’s size. I find it hard to understand that there are some people you just seem to click with instantly, a profound chemistry between two people that leads to something deeper and yet had begun with just a feeling.’

Application: Our world is an amazing place. And it represents just a fraction of the brilliance of God. He put all that we see, feel, hear, taste, smell, and know in to being. No one can fully understand how imaginative and detailed God is. I know that I stand in awe of things that He probably thought of in an instant. As we walk throughout our day it is so easy to just glide past the intricacy and depth to our world around us. But may we not forget how amazing our world is, and how brilliant God, who created all things, is still today.

Prayer: Lord, everything we touch and know came from You. While we can never understand You completely we do thank You for all You have given to us. Amen.

Look around you. What is something that amazes you and shows you God’s brilliance?

Ps Linda writes a Daily Devotional everyday. Check it out!

Inflatable Ball Challenge

Posted on January 29, 2012 by Linda Bailey in Proverbs Leave a comment

Proverbs 29

A fool gives vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control. Proverbs 29:11 (NIV Bible)

Inflatable Ball Challenge

Submitted by Ps Linda Bailey

Observation: Holding in your anger is like holding inflatable balls under the water. If you force an inflatable ball under the water it will try to push it’s way back up to the top. While holding one ball under the water creates a bit of a struggle, it is possible. However, bring another ball in to the scenario and you have your work cut out for you. With both balls vying to come to the surface you need to use your whole body to keep them down. Add yet another ball into the challenge and it becomes almost impossible. In fact, when you try to hold multiple inflatable balls under the water you will find that when you lose control all the balls will fly up and past the water’s surface.

Application: This is often true when we hold our emotions in as well. If we don’t deal with our hurt, pain and anger then it will only take one small additional obstacle for all the emotion to rise to the top. I would often witness this in children that were going through a very difficult time in their homes. They would be able to hold it all together until they were at school when someone would do something as simple as bumping their chair and then all their emotions would come tumbling out. Not because they were worried about their chair but because it only took one small additional incident to bring all the balls flying through the surface. If we are not wise at dealing with our emotions when they occur then we will not be able to control them in the end. We can keep pushing them below the water but it wont take long before we can no longer keep them down.

Prayer: Lord, it is a challenge for women and men alike to deal with honest emotions. Help us to be wise and in control so that we deal with issues when they arise. Amen.

What emotions are you holding in at the moment? Is there something you need to deal with today?

Ps Linda writes a Daily Devotional everyday. Check it out!

What Could I Possibly Do?

Posted on January 28, 2012 by Linda Bailey in Proverbs Leave a comment

Proverbs 28

He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses. Proverbs 28:27 (NIV Bible)

What Could I Possibly Do?

Submitted by Ps Linda Bailey

Observation: When you stand in the middle of a slum you can’t hide from the stench of decay that fills your nostrils, you can’t shake off the dust that shades everything into a dreary grey, and you can’t mistake the suffocating wave of hopelessness as a whole community struggles to make it to the end of another day.
Whether we see it on the TV, hear about it on the radio or read of it in the newspaper we are well aware that parts of our world live in poverty. However, when the need is so overwhelming we are often left asking, “What could I possibly do?”
While making a personal contribution does help to alleviate the pain of those in developing countries, our impact can be multiplied when we work together as a whole church.

Application: Over the last five years I have led a number of church mission teams to the Philippines through International Needs . On these mission trips different churches have witnessed first hand the plight of those struggling to survive in poverty stricken areas. But because this was experienced within a faith community there have been new plans put in place for longer-term, sustainable changes. Feeding programs have been maintained; new child sponsorship programs have been created; international church partnerships have been established; and church worship instruments have been purchased. There is nothing greater than seeing lives changed to fulfil the purpose they were meant to have. And yet, none of this would have happened if we had have worked on a solo mission. We’re not created to do these things on our own.
Through working as a team, each group was able to bring their first-hand experience back home to encourage their own faith community to help those in need in tangible and practical ways. Every member of the church did not have to fly half way across the world to contribute to the need of others. Through a small group experiencing life in a developing country, they were able to come home and facilitate the whole church to live out the call of Jesus and care for those in need.
When you play a part in transforming someone else’s life you cannot help but have your own life transformed too.

Prayer: Lord, help us to work as a unified body to bring peace and wholeness to all people. Amen.

Is there an extra way you can help support someone in need? Is there a church or organization that you can add your gifts and resources to?

Ps Linda writes a Daily Devotional everyday. Check it out!

Rubbing Off On Others

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Linda Bailey in Proverbs 2 Comments

Proverbs 27

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 (NIV Bible)

Rubbing Off On Others

Submitted by Ps Linda Bailey

Observation: Before I got married I lived in a house with a few other girls. Although we called it ‘The Cubby’ it was actually a huge house in the outer suburbs. It was the first time, since leaving home, that I had lived with Christians and each of us played a different role in our respective churches. One had the gift of creativity and teaching, another had the gift of music and encouragement, and still another had the gift of hospitality and compassion. As I look back on those three years I lived with these fabulous females I realise that their gifts and diligence in serving God rubbed off on me. Every time I start something new I wonder how Penny would have creatively communicated it. Every time I gather a group of people together I wonder how Gaylene would have made them feel welcome. Every time someone is in need I wonder how Fiona would have cared for them. Each of my housemates rubbed off on me in a different way and helped to make me a better person.

Application: The people we surround ourselves with makes a big difference in how we learn, grow and develop. I did not move in with my old housemates to strategically learn from them. In the beginning they were just a group of friendly, hilarious girls who needed an extra person to help cover rent. However, the longer I lived there the more I realised how supportive and nurturing they were. Sometimes you may find yourself in a similar place to me, where you are surrounded by good quality people. It’s in those times that you learn all you can and become open to growing more. However, sometimes you may find yourself surrounded by people who only tear you down and place a great burden upon you. It’s in those times that you need to find a strong support network and place yourself in other spheres that encourage you and build you up. When we associate ourselves with others it’s not just about the time we spend with them in person, but the impact they have on us long term. The people we are surrounded by will rub off on us, it’s up to us to discern whether that is a positive thing or not.

Prayer: Lord, it is important for us to help those in need. However we also know that we need to have the support and encouragement to continue on the work for You. Open our eyes to those places of restoration. Amen.

Who are the people that are rubbing off on you? Are you in a good place or do you need to find some more positive people to be around?

Ps Linda writes a Daily Devotional everyday. Check it out!

I Pity Da Fool

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Linda Bailey in Proverbs Leave a comment

Proverbs 26

Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. Proverbs 26:9 (NIV Bible)

I Pity Da Fool

Submitted by Ps Linda Bailey

Observation: Mr T is an American actor who plays a tough guy with a big heart. To those who grew up in the 80s, they’ll know Mr T from his roles in the ‘A-Team’ and ‘Rocky III’. For those who grew up in the ’00s, they’ll know him as the tough guy in the Snickers advertisements. While Mr T’s roles have changed slightly his character and sayings have stayed the same: “I pity da fool!” Mr T can not stand people who are foolish. He even hosted an instructional video instilling positive values in to children so they would not grow up to be a fool.

Application: While Mr T is quite a strong character I never realised how Biblical he was!! As I read through the book of Proverbs, and particularly the 26th chapter, it seems like Godly wisdom also pities the fool. It is pretty blunt about how useless a fool can be. Thousands of years ago they said it like this: ‘Like a lame man’s legs that hang limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool’ (verse 7). However today we would say, “As useful as a screen door on a submarine.” (There are a few other similar sayings, but I thought I would stick with this one!) If we desire to live a life worthy of God’s calling then we need to veer away from foolish behaviour. It’s not just Mr T who despises foolishness but the Bible warns as clearly away from it too.

Prayer: Lord, you give us life, talents, resources and guidance. So often we make foolish decisions and waste what you have given to us. May we hear your wisdom and apply it to our lives. Amen.

Where have foolish thoughts and ideas crept in to your life? Who can you talk to about rectifying foolish behaviours?

Ps Linda writes a Daily Devotional everyday. Check it out!

Nothing Compares to Him

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Linda Bailey in Proverbs Leave a comment

Proverbs 25

As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable. Proverbs 25:3 (NIV Bible)

Nothing Compares to Him

Submitted by Ps Linda Bailey

Observation: We can never fully understand God. Louie Giglio in his DVD Indescribable outlines how incredibly vast the creation is when you start to look in to it all. While we feel so significant and the earth seems so big we are humbled when we here how larger stars and galaxies are beyond ours. And yet God, who put all of these enormous, wonderous and mind-boggling galaxies in to place is keen to know you and me. It’s hard to fully comprehend.

Application: When I first read this verse in Proverbs I thought that it must have been translated incorrectly and that the heart of the King is unsearchable. And yet then I remembered that God is the King of Kings. If a king’s heart is unsearchable that gives us a small glimpse into the immensity of God’s heart. We could never contain God in a blog or a song. He is more wonderous than our eye’s will ever see or our mind will ever know. He is the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. And this Almighty Creator desires to know you and me. There is nothing that compares to Him.

Prayer: Lord, You are wonderous and mighty. We are humbled that you would desire to have a relationship with us. Thank you, oh glorious Saviour and Friend. Amen.

When have you noticed the immensity of God?

Ps Linda writes a Daily Devotional everyday. Check it out!

Be Delighted in Your Enemy’s Failures

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Linda Bailey in Proverbs Leave a comment

Proverbs 24

Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice. Proverbs 24:17 (NIV Bible)

Be Delighted in Your Enemy’s Failures

Submitted by Ps Linda Bailey

Observation: I often amaze myself at how petty I can get when I am hurt. There was someone I used to attend church with who hurt me by totally breaking my trust in them. From then on, just within my heart, I always wished bad for them. It’s not like I wanted them to get hit by a bus or anything but I did feel great delight everytime their favourite football team lost. Every little bit of pain they experienced I felt was justified because they had hurt me.

Application: When Jesus was instructing his disciples it will come to no surprise to you to know that He did not say, “Be delighted in your enemy’s failures”. In fact he said that we were to love our enemies. I guess that rules out rejoicing when their footy team loses! Often when we are hurt we easily slip into petty behaviours. The wisdom given to us from the Old Testament and the New Testament instructs us not to do so. It explains that God is to be the judge, not us. While that does not stop us from feeling hurt, it does hold us accountable for our behaviour as we respond to that hurt.

Prayer: Lord, when you walked this earth you were rejected by everyone. You understand what it is to be hurt. May we look to You as we strive to act in a Godly way towards those who hurt us. Amen.

Are you rejoicing over someone else’s failure?

Ps Linda writes a Daily Devotional everyday. Check it out!

Memorable Meals

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Linda Bailey in Proverbs Leave a comment

Proverbs 23

Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive. Proverbs 23:3 (NIV Bible)

Memorable Meals

Submitted by Ps Linda Bailey

Observation: Our family never do meals by halves. When it is time to celebrate there is no expense spared for great food and enjoyable wine. If my mother knows someone enjoys something, she will have it prepped and ready for intake. With my parents gifts of hospitality and generosity, it always makes for a memorable meal. However, if you were to drop by unexpected at a meal time you would see my parents consuming a simple meal of chops and vegetables. While the food is different their attitude is not. They would still invite you to stay and Mum would just pop another couple of potatoes in the pot to help the meal go around. While the food is fantastic during times of celebration I can now see that my parents attitudes of hospitality and generosity can make any meal special.

Application: So often we can fixate on what we can see and taste rather than the attitude behind the meal. Someone can try to impress you by the type of restaurant they take you to, however their true intentions will always come out in the end. We must not just look at the meal but the emotions behind the gift. The meal may be divine and yet their intentions may be to deceive. Whereas another meal may be very basic but the intention is to share life. Don’t just look at the tangible but the intention behind each gift. Then you will see the real person behind the food.

Prayer: Lord, may we share meals with others with an attitude of love and thanksgiving. Amen.

Who do you know is a generous giver? How do you see through the gift and look to the intention?

Ps Linda writes a Daily Devotional everyday. Check it out!

Common People

Posted on January 22, 2012 by Linda Bailey in Proverbs Leave a comment

Proverbs 22

Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all. Proverbs 22:2 (NIV)

Common People

Submitted by Ps Linda Bailey

Observation: When I was at university I went along to a friend’s party. At one point during the night the host came up to me with another friend and said, “Linda, this is Donna. Donna, this is Linda. You two have something in common. By the time I come back I want to see if you have worked it out.” And with that our ‘friend’ turned around and disappeared in to another room. After some awkward conversation we started going through the things that we may have in common. It was clear from our outward appearance that we were both female, but we figured there was something more to our similarities. We were both studying but different courses at different universities. Neither of us liked seafood but we didn’t think our friend even knew that about us. I grew up in the country whereas Donna grew up in the city. So, I finally bit the bullet and asked the question that I suspected would reveal our similarity, “Do you go to church?” “Yes,” said Donna, “and you?” “Yes,” I said. “And I suspect that is the reason that our ‘friend’ has brought us together. Let’s get all the Christians in the one corner, shall we?!” We had a bit of a chuckle, asked a few general questions about our churches and then headed back to our respective friendship circles. Donna was nice but I think we were both keen to just hang out with our friends, the people we connect with best. Just because we were both Christians was not going to make us instant BFFs!

Application: While it is often nice to meet someone who has a similar view about faith it does not mean that we are going to be better friends with them than with our non believing friends. Sometimes we think that our faith makes us so much better than other people, and sometimes other people are inclined to group us “religious” people together. However, when we do believe in God we realise that God has created us all as equals. We are all God’s children, He made us all and we all fall short of His glory. We may connect better with some people or have more in common with others, but God has created us all equally. When we come in contact with the shop assistant, our boss, the neighbourhood children or a politician, it’s important for us to remember: The Lord is the Maker of us all.

Prayer: Lord, help us to see all people as equal and to treat them all with the love that You have for us. Amen.

When have you not been treated equally? How did that make you feel? Is there someone that you do not treat as an equal?

Ps Linda writes a Daily Devotional everyday. Check it out!

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