Monday, March 30 - Proverbs 19-21; Hebrews 1

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Proverbs 19-21; Hebrews 1

A few random thoughts on today's passages:

I have Proverbs 19:20 above the door in my classroom in the NLT version:

Get all the advice and instruction you can,
    so you will be wise the rest of your life.

How appropriate for my Grade 1 friends as they learn the basic skills in reading, writing, and math that they will use as building blocks for the rest of their academic careers. How true also for all of us to get ALL the advice and instruction we can from friends, acquaintances, teachers, pastors, co-workers, bosses, etc. so that we can be wise. We may not always take every piece of advice that we get but how much wiser we are when we are able to see multiple sides of a situation.

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
    but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

Since my Word of the Year for 2015 is 'stand', this verse caught my attention. When I think about my daily life, my schedule is often overwhelmed with plans. Plans that keep my busy, plans that keep my kids busy, plans that make me a better teacher, plans that make me a better parent, plans that keep my from being better, plans that never come to fruition. This gives me comfort that throughout all my plans, God's purpose will prevail.

Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,
    and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

Our oldest child just turned 18 last Friday. Unlike many of her peers, Kiandra did not choose to spend her birthday getting drunk. Kiandra has shown me facebook posts and instagram posts where acquaintances have been sloshed out of their minds and done really dumb stuff. At a party, there was an incident where someone jumped on a table and broke the home's chandelier. The same party had many guests going topless. Many people at this party declared it to be "the best party ever!" even though some probably couldn't remember it the next day. Not only will the decisions made during this party affect the party-goers current reputation, it may also cause permanent damage to their future choices because the stuff online never really goes away. A police officer that recently came to our son's school told students that so many of the recent applicants to the force have been rejected because of activity that they found online. It is wise not to be under the influence of something that could lead to poor decision making and unnecessary long term consequences.

¹¹ Proverbs 20:11 Even a child makes himself known by his acts,
    by whether his conduct is pure and upright.

We are known by what we do. As a grade 1 teacher, I have been able to (unfortunately) witness first hand that even children as young as 6 can tell remarkable lies, hurt other children mercilessly, and not have a care in the world about respect and conscience. It's actually scary sometimes...and I teach at a "good" school. When a child is known by what they do it makes their reputation precede him or her in a negative way. As parents, it is our job to raise our children to make a positive reputation so that is what precedes them.

²³ Proverbs 21:23 Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue
    keeps himself out of trouble.

How many times do we wish there was an "undo" button when we say something we shouldn't or when something comes out in a different way than what we meant. How wise it is to be quiet instead of saying the wrong things.

Hebrews 1:10-12“You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning,

    and the heavens are the work of your hands;

 they will perish, but you remain;

    they will all wear out like a garment,

like a robe you will roll them up,

    like a garment they will be changed.^[a]

But you are the same,

    and your years will have no end.”

What a hope we have in the Creator of the entire world. As we begin to dig out our Spring and Summer clothing after a long Winter, we might be discarding the old worn pieces, the pieces that don't quite fit right anymore, and pieces that aren't trendy anymore. We need to replace things that need to be replaced. Each season, especially with young children, means that a shopping trip is needed because the things worn last year are not suitable for this year. How awesome to think that our Lord is the same day after day and season after season. He never goes out of style, He never wears out, He never is the wrong size, He never needs replacing. There is a real comfort in the unchanging nature of Christ.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Proverbs 22-24; Hebrews 2