Dan’s Bible Fellowship Class

I love the end of the month because I always get to the last few books of Proverbs.  I especially love Proverbs 31 and am thankful that I have been given a Proverbs 31 woman.  Of course Proverbs is a book of wisdom.  I’ve been reading in my quiet time for over 6 years.  This morning as I read Proverbs 27 several verses just jumped off the page.

 Proverbs 27:1  “Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.”  I couldn’t even count the number of times I’ve repeated this verse over my life.   It’s a reminder that I am to live the very best day that I can TODAY.  I usually repeat the verse to myself or to others when something really bad happens.  I repeat it as a reminder that I am not guaranteed tomorrow.  I’m a big dreamer and goal setter.  Today I was again reminded that there is only one who knows tomorrow; and it’s not me!  So does this mean I should never plan for tomorrow, next week or next year?  Heavens no!  Scripture is clear that I am to make preparations for the future.  This verse just cautions me to not be boasting about what I will do for my circumstances could change in an instant.  Today’s economic climate and the struggles many businesses are experiencing create a perfect illustration of the point.

 Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.”  This verse came to my attention at the very first Promise Keepers event I attended.  I’m not saying I hadn’t read it before, just that the verse was raised in my mind.  It’s a reminder to me that I need to have close male friends that have the same world view as I do and that will hold me accountable for the life I lead.  One of my greatest regrets (not the greatest, but one of them) is that I have set by the wayside when several of my male friends have been fooling around on their wives.  I knew it was going on.  You could tell from the comments made and the activities they were involved in.  Yet, I did not have the internal courage to say, “Stop; what you are doing is wrong for you and for your family.”  It’s no comfort to me that most men are just like me: silent.  This idea of an accountability partner extends to all areas of my life including my daily quiet time.  This is one good thing that’s arisen out of the movement to small groups.  Close personal relationships where it’s ok to say, “Wait a minute; what are you thinking.”

 There’s plenty more in Chapter 27.  These are just two biggies for me.

 Thank you Lord for teaching my pastor the value of reading one book of Proverbs every day.  He taught me.  It is making a huge difference in my life.