johnmarkharris.net

Go to the ant, you slacker!
Observe its ways and become wise.
Without leader, administrator, or ruler,
   it prepares its provisions in summer;
   it gathers its food during harvest.
How long will you stay in bed, you slacker?
When will you get up from your sleep?

Ouch! Do you wait for someone to tell you what to do, or do you get after it? Do you wait for someone to notice what you’re doing or you quit? Our motivation for what we do should be centered in our identity in Christ and our desire to please our Lord. I know it’s hard to get up early, but do it anyway. You’ll be glad you did.

A wicked man’s iniquities will trap him;
   he will become tangled in the ropes of his own sin.
He will die because there is no discipline,
   and be lost because of his great stupidity.

We live by a code. Not simply rules and regulations, but according to a high standard of character. When we sin, even though we think we get away with it, we won’t. Our sin always catches up to us and robs us of the joy and fulfillment of faithfully following the Lord. You, as a Christian, have the ability to control yourself, it’s part of the fruit of the Spirit. Don’t be stupid, live right, then you never have to worry. No, you won’t get away with it…

Guard your heart above all else,
   for it is the source of life.
Don’t let your mouth speak dishonestly,
   and don’t let your lips talk deviously.

Stop and think. Don’t live your life out of your gut. Have a plan and be logical about your choices. Weigh the consequences of your actions and don’t just live “in the moment.” When we speak, it can have a devastating impact on those around us. A bad attitude is contagious and can cause people to be predisposed to distrust and dislike others. Guard your emotions and be sure that what you say is not only accurate but in no way misleading. It’s not enough to simply be correct you must also be honest.

Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you.
Tie them around your neck;
   write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will find favor and high regard
   with God and people.

Being the kind of person people can count on reveals godly character. When you say you will do something, going beyond simply getting it done, and crossing all the “t” and “i”s makes you the kind of person people like to be associated with. This also gives you an opportunity to let the Lord shine through your life. Be a “get ‘er done” kind of person.

My son, if you accept my words
   and store up my commands within you,
listening closely to wisdom
   and directing your heart to understanding;
furthermore, if you call out to insight
   and lift your voice to understanding,
if you seek it like silver
   and search for it like hidden treasure,
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
   and discover the knowledge of God.

What is the purpose of your life? Is it to accomplish something? Build a family, save some money, educate your kids, get a second home, retire and travel? All good things. Is it to know who God is? Also good… but if you don’t actually live different, what’s the point of your life? What will be different because you were here and what makes the world better? Having kids who have successful careers won’t mean much if they simply mail it in at church and put more focus on sports or school. If they don’t have a genuine relationship with Jesus, if he’s not really the center of their life (what the Bible calls ‘Lord’) then how comforting will it be to know they retired a millionaire with a great sports career that paid their way through an Ivy League school, yet Jesus says “depart from me, I never knew you” Accept the words of the Scriptures. Don’t just know what the Bible says, live by them. Seek the hidden treasure of God, store up his commands for action. Live as though it is true. It doesn’t help you one bit to know the good news, if you live the same as before you heard it. Listen closely to wisdom, direct your heart to understanding, not just knowing… doing. Be different.