Proverbs 14:22-23

²²Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. ²³All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

Blue and Red Lights

Have you had this experience while driving? Have you ever been pulled over by traffic officers for no apparent traffic violation? How did you react? Were you upset that you were getting late for your very important appointment?

Someone published a video while driving down the road when suddenly, the bright blue and red lights were flashing from the car behind her. A traffic officer was pulling her over. She had no idea what traffic violation she made. But obediently, she stopped her car and waited patiently for the traffic officer.

          “License, registration and insurance please,” the traffic officer said. The voice was very familiar to her, and she exclaimed, “Dad! You cannot just pull me over when you see my car on the road”. The traffic officer is her Dad, who said, “This is Daddy duty. I just want to make sure you’re OK!” They had a good laugh.

Certainly, good fathers and mothers make sure that their children are safe and secure. Reflect on what Christ teaches about father’s love in Luke 11:11-13:

¹¹Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? ¹²Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? ¹³If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Notice when Christ pointed out how good parents provide for their children, when they ask for food like fish or egg. Christ compares this practical example when we ask God for the Holy Spirit. Why does Christ want us to ask God our Father in heaven for the Holy Spirit and not practical necessities in life like food?

Certainly, Christ knows them, but to enumerate all the necessities in life one by one, that may spark more inquiry and confusion. But if God gives the Holy Spirit to be with us and in us, surely, he provides all essential necessities in life.

Just imagine the ultra rich people. They own grocery stores; they’ve got no problem of food. They own department stores; they’ve got no problem of clothing and accessories. They have a fleet of vehicles, yacht or airplane; they may travel wherever they want. If you were sufficient, what else could you desire to do?

Life on earth is important but what is our priority? Reflect on what Christ said in Luke 9:23-25, ²³Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. ²⁴For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. ²⁵What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?

Do you want to be disciple of Christ? We don’t disregard life on earth but we prioritize eternal life in heaven. The natural person is concerned for temporal life on earth, and we need the Holy Spirit if we hope and plan for our eternal life.

1.  Plan

²²Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.

The term “evil” is commonly interpreted as wickedness or bad things. It may easily flash in the mind that bad elements of the society are the ones who plan or plot evil things. Base on the passage above, to follow the wrong path or wander away from righteousness or go astray is the end result of plotting evil.

Personally, how do you interpret what it declares in Genesis 8:21?

²¹Every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood.

Do you think children are innocent? Many people think that children are innocent but the Lord himself declares otherwise. From childhood, all mankind are inclined to plan for things that are evil in the eyes of God. If by natural sinful nature, we initiate and do what we assume as good is it acceptable to God? If by sinful nature we perform anything, is it outside the will of God for us? Certainly!

900 SIN

Have you heard about the 900 SIN? This is not about violation against the command of God. The 900 SIN were 900 Social Insurance Numbers (SIN) that were compromised from Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) website several years ago. Accordingly, a certain young man was charged in connection with stolen data or records from the CRA website. The problem was solved eventually.

The police may have investigated the motive of the young man for such foolish adventurous exploit. It declares in Proverbs 22:15 (NLT), ¹⁵ A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away.

Good or bad, anything we do has limitation. The breach of internet security is another practical example that human effort is limited. Everyone is vulnerable of doing foolish exploits, intentionally or unintentionally. No human is good.

In contrast, Christ declares that only God is good. Therefore, we seek help of the Holy Spirit for wisdom to interpret clearly his revelation for us to plan for good decision in his eyes. The Scripture declares that the end results of planning for good are love and faithfulness. Surely, love and faithfulness are appreciated.

First and foremost, we desire anything that benefits us. We believe that it favors us to trust the Lord. So, how can we benefit or profit from our faith in God?

2.  Profit

²³All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

The term “hard work” may pertain for dedicated effort at work. It involves devotion and passion for performance. Hardworking athletes are disciplined in their time and effort to practice their talent. They work so hard to be champions.

One popular boxing champion claimed, “If I my opponent wake up at 6am to practice, I start practicing at 5. If he starts practicing at 5, I start practicing at 4. If he starts practicing at 2, I won’t sleep. I’ll practice all the time to be the best.”

Biblically, hard work is beneficial in contrast to just merely talking about it. The term “mere talk” pertains to idle chatter or someone promises something to do but not practically actualizing it. Have you listed your New Year’s Resolution? Did you include “Regular Exercise” in your list? People regularly exercise in the first few weeks of the year, and then, forget about their resolution eventually.

Someone wrote Santa Claus for Christmas gift, “Dear Santa. All I want for Christmas is Fat Wallet and Slim Waistline. Please don’t mix it up just like the last time.” Indeed, people spend so much for food celebration during Christmas, and then, they complain of the aftereffect of their prodigal expenditure for food. They say, “It’s just one time celebration. We can have diet all year round.”

Let us seriously reflect on what it declares on 1 Corinthians 6:19-20,

¹⁹Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ²⁰you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Whatever we do with our body should bring glory to God. We eat delicious food because we want our body to be healthy. But most often during celebration, holidays or Christmas season, we like to prepare and eat our favorite delicacies like: “Lechon, chicharon, salty dried fish, ice cream or cakes.” What else?

Do we commit sin when we eat our favorite delicacies? No! But we have to make sure that we do not indulge in gluttonous feasting. We have to make sure we exercise regularly to shed unwanted calories or cholesterols from our system. We also need enough sleep. We should take care of our physical bodies. Why?

Exercise is hard work; it profits and benefits us eventually. It’s wintertime. And we expect to shovel snow. Even just by walking on the snow requires good health and strength. If we are not healthy, walking on the snow is never fun, and this is not to mention of possible sickness brought by extreme coldness of winter.

Personally, how do you interpret what Christ teaches in Ephesians 1:17?

¹⁷The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

The Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation knows the future. We prayerfully seek his guidance to interpret correctly the divine will of God as we wait for Christ to return and take us into heaven. Since we are bound to heaven, our priorities and actions, practical or spiritual, should reflect our hope of living in heaven.

Always pray for inspiration of the Holy Spirit; be diligent in accomplishing your mission purposes in our life. Have you discovered your mission purpose in life? God designed mission purposes in life as avenue for gratified life.

><((‘> .. ><((‘> … ><(((“> tmec\2024 <“)))>< … <‘))>< .. <‘))><