Posted on

It’s wise to be like them!

Now that we are nearing Summer, I noticed that the ants are out again. They have begun to look for food so that they can store it for the Winter season. According to God’s word, Ants are very wise. Proverbs 30:24, 25 “Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise: ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer” Proverbs 6: 6-8 ” Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” Do you have a plan for this Summer that God would consider wise? The Western world thinks vacation, relaxing, chilling out, etc. While it’s important to take some time off, wasting good opportunities are considered foolish. Summer is a time to invest, to plan your work and work your plan, to prepare for the harvest season. Look at what the Proverbist says about those who refuse to sow in the Summer season: Proverbs 6: 9-11 “How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep—So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.” In all you do this Summer, make sure that you take a little time to rest, but do not ignore this great opportunity to sow: sow study, sow purposeful planning, sow prayer, sow friendship, sow evangelism, sow service in the Kingdom of God. Remember what we sow is what we reap. God says the ants are wise, and those who rest and sleep during sowing season are sluggards and will end up with poverty and need. Consider this today and BE WISE this Summer!

 

Posted on

An ox taught me this!

I am very intrigued with Proverbs 14:4. It says  “Where no oxen are, the trough is clean; but much increase comes by the strength of an ox. I’ve been to areas where these animals live, eat and drink. Let me tell you, those areas have pretty pungent smells, odors, and various types of debris. However, without these animals, much of the farming that blesses the community would not take place. The oxen are hard working animals that bring much production, so even though their trough and barns might smell a bit, I still welcome and appreciate these precious animals. In the same way, if there is no hard work, no risks, no attempts at doing something great for your community, there would be no failures, no problems and no issues. Everything would be quiet and “safe.” But there would also be no production, no increase, no prosperity. Give me the chance to work hard, to make mistakes, to fail and try again, even if I make a mistake and mess up. I’ll take the mess, in the hopes that I could do something significant that will bring great glory to God and benefit to humanity. Choose increase over the “safety” of doing nothing. In actuality, there is nothing safe or prosperous in a “clean trough.”

Proverbs 14:4. It says  “Where no oxen are, the trough is clean; but much increase comes by the strength of an ox.