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1 January 2008
Word on the Web
Proverbs 1: 7-9
Knowledge begins with respect for the LORD, but fools hate wisdom and self-control.
My child, listen to your father's teaching and do not forget your mother's advice.
Their teaching will be like flowers in your hair or a necklace around your neck.
Happy New Year!
Wham! God's caught you with a right hook, and round one has hardly started.
Rule Number One - RESPECT THE LORD
Nothing conventional like "Be nice to people" or "Be honest". Important though those are, they are secondary. If you don't start off by putting yourself under authority, then these things don't have anything to measure up to. What does "nice" mean when it's inconvenient?
If you don't like it, you're a fool! No beating about the bush here. You may have the brains of a space scientist, but that doesn't stop you being a fool. Every time I read of geniuses who spend their lives trying to disprove God, to ridicule anything that doesn't fit their mathematical straitjacket, who refuse to see what is staring them in the face, I think, "You fool!"
The Lord is the source of wisdom and knowledge, but when you are a child, your parents act on his behalf - teaching and advice, giving you the building blocks on which to structure your life. How sad that many today reject the obvious benefit to children of growing up under the guidance of a mother and a father.
The role of the parents is sacred. But woe to those who cause little ones to sin - Jesus said it would be better for them to drown in the deepest oceans (Matthew 18:6).
I have a friend whose father led him into a life of crime. He got in with the wrong crowd, and was overwhelmed by anger - violence was how he won respect. But in prison, he met with the risen Christ, and he is learning a different Father's ways. When he met a childhood mate recently, his friend could see the difference - "Your eyes are softer." It was a compliment.
If you haven't got a New Year's resolution, how about "Respect the Lord"?
Lord, I live in a society which thinks it knows better than you do. Help me this year to respect you in all that I think or do and not to lean on my own understanding. Amen
Written by James Archer
Word on the Web
Proverbs 1: 7-9
Knowledge begins with respect for the LORD, but fools hate wisdom and self-control.
My child, listen to your father's teaching and do not forget your mother's advice.
Their teaching will be like flowers in your hair or a necklace around your neck.
Happy New Year!
Wham! God's caught you with a right hook, and round one has hardly started.
Rule Number One - RESPECT THE LORD
Nothing conventional like "Be nice to people" or "Be honest". Important though those are, they are secondary. If you don't start off by putting yourself under authority, then these things don't have anything to measure up to. What does "nice" mean when it's inconvenient?
If you don't like it, you're a fool! No beating about the bush here. You may have the brains of a space scientist, but that doesn't stop you being a fool. Every time I read of geniuses who spend their lives trying to disprove God, to ridicule anything that doesn't fit their mathematical straitjacket, who refuse to see what is staring them in the face, I think, "You fool!"
The Lord is the source of wisdom and knowledge, but when you are a child, your parents act on his behalf - teaching and advice, giving you the building blocks on which to structure your life. How sad that many today reject the obvious benefit to children of growing up under the guidance of a mother and a father.
The role of the parents is sacred. But woe to those who cause little ones to sin - Jesus said it would be better for them to drown in the deepest oceans (Matthew 18:6).
I have a friend whose father led him into a life of crime. He got in with the wrong crowd, and was overwhelmed by anger - violence was how he won respect. But in prison, he met with the risen Christ, and he is learning a different Father's ways. When he met a childhood mate recently, his friend could see the difference - "Your eyes are softer." It was a compliment.
If you haven't got a New Year's resolution, how about "Respect the Lord"?
Lord, I live in a society which thinks it knows better than you do. Help me this year to respect you in all that I think or do and not to lean on my own understanding. Amen
Written by James Archer
