Old School Direction

Today I found myself flipping through my bible looking for direction in patience. Not only did I find direction for it ... I found direction for all the areas of my live within the passage below. I also found that I have a tendency to get so caught up in looking for guidance from the New Testament that I forget that the Old Testament has a lot of good ol' direction as well.
(Proverbs, Chapter 19)
Better a poor man whose walk is blameless
than a fool whose lips are perverse.

It is not good to have zeal without knowledge,
nor to be hasty and miss the way.

A man's own folly ruins his life,
yet his heart rages against the LORD.

Wealth brings many friends,
but a poor man's friend deserts him.

A false witness will not go unpunished,
and he who pours out lies will not go free.

Many curry favor with a ruler,
and everyone is the friend of a man who gives gifts.

A poor man is shunned by all his relatives—
how much more do his friends avoid him!
Though he pursues them with pleading,
they are nowhere to be found.

He who gets wisdom loves his own soul;
he who cherishes understanding prospers.

A false witness will not go unpunished,
and he who pours out lies will perish.

It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury—
how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!

A man's wisdom gives him patience;
it is to his glory to overlook an offense.

A king's rage is like the roar of a lion,
but his favor is like dew on the grass.

A foolish son is his father's ruin,
and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.

Houses and wealth are inherited from parents,
but a prudent wife is from the LORD.

Laziness brings on deep sleep,
and the shiftless man goes hungry.

He who obeys instructions guards his life,
but he who is contemptuous of his ways will die.

He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD,
and he will reward him for what he has done.

Discipline your son, for in that there is hope;
do not be a willing party to his death.

A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty;
if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.

Listen to advice and accept instruction,
and in the end you will be wise.

Many are the plans in a man's heart,
but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

What a man desires is unfailing love;
better to be poor than a liar.

The fear of the LORD leads to life:
Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
he will not even bring it back to his mouth!

Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence;
rebuke a discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.

He who robs his father and drives out his mother
is a son who brings shame and disgrace.

Stop listening to instruction, my son,
and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

A corrupt witness mocks at justice,
and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.

Penalties are prepared for mockers,
and beatings for the backs of fools.

WOW ... How's that for direction? ... This is a passage that definitely makes you think. One that makes you evaluate how you live and who you live for! How can anyone ready this and not see that God has written it for our purpose? How can anyone read a passage like this and not want to find out more? How can we read this passage and still put ourselves first? I definitely needed this wake up call. Thanks God. You always know what to say WHEN I finally ask!!!

WWJD ... What Would Jesus Do???

I have had something heavy on my heart lately. Not heavy in a stressful way, but heavy in the way that I have something to say but I'm not just sure of the correct way to say it. You see my step-son made a comment the other day and I wasn't fully ready for how I should respond. He told us he was interested in joining the army so he could serve and protect our freedom. He wants to protect us from the Taliban and such. He wants to introduce people to Jesus. However, for those who are willing to fight us, persecute us and kill us for being Christians ... for those people the bible says put them to the sword.

This got me thinking. Right away I wanted to say ... but that was the Old Testament ... The New Testament is all about winning people for Jesus. Aren't we to feel blessed if we are persecuted for being followers of Jesus. Earth is not freedom ... Eternal Life in Heaven ... that's our true freedom. Shouldn't we be willing to try and introduce our enemies to Christ, even if it means we run the risk of being persecuted and even put to death! Wouldn't God want us to try and save the lost rather than rushing them off to Hell. What would Jesus do???

What did Jesus do?
(Matthew 26: 47-55)
While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him." Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him.

Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for."

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?"

At that time Jesus said to the crowd, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled."
(Matthew 5: 38-42)
"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you."
(Matthew 5: 43-48)
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

What did Peter do? Stephen? ... What about Paul? Paul (Saul ... the very man who wanted all Christians to be persecuted and killed) the worst of Sinners saved buy Jesus so that he could be used to save the lost ... so that he would personally see how much we must suffer for the name of Jesus:
(Acts 9: 15-16)
But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."
Don't you think we are called to persevere ... and leave the judgment of death up to God and his Son, Jesus?
(Jude 1:17-23)
But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

God Bless!