Kansas City, Missouri, Untied States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “A Humble Response” – Thursday, 3 April 2014 - Scripture: Proverbs 15:1-14

Kansas City, Missouri, Untied States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “A Humble Response” – Thursday, 3 April 2014 - Scripture: Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath,
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
    but the mouth of fools gush out folly.
3 Yahweh’s eyes are everywhere,
    keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
    but deceit in it crushes the spirit.
5 A fool despises his father’s correction,
    but he who heeds reproof shows prudence.
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure,
    but the income of the wicked brings trouble.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
    not so with the heart of fools.
8 The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh,
    but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh,
    but he loves him who follows after righteousness.
10 There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way:
    whoever hates reproof shall die.
11 Sheol[a] and Abaddon are before Yahweh—
    how much more then the hearts of the children of men!
12 A scoffer doesn’t love to be reproved;
    he will not go to the wise.
13 A glad heart makes a cheerful face;
    but an aching heart breaks the spirit.
14 The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge,
    but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are wretched,
    but one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast.
16 Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh,
    than great treasure with trouble.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is,
    than a fattened calf with hatred.
Footnotes:
a. Proverbs 15:11 Sheol is the place of the dead.
“A Humble Response” by Kevin G. Smith
SNAP! – the straw that broke the camel’s back. All of us have likely been in some situation where the conversation begins spiraling downhill as the tension builds between you and that other person. Maybe it was with a co-worker when “discussing” how to resolve an office problem; perhaps it was with a child after someone forgot to take the garbage out (again!); maybe it was with the stranger in the store who is frustrating your plans to run another errand.
Integrity is what you do when no one is looking. These situations, however, are out in the open for all to see. How are we to respond in such frustrating situations? Hopefully we all have experienced a situation where one of the persons involved turned down the intensity through humble words and actions. Listening to the co-worker vent, not taking it as a personal attack; the speechless parent after the child confesses their negligence regarding trash-duty; the person in a rush who takes a breath and allows the other to go ahead.
Considering others before ourselves (Philippians 2:3) not only alters the circumstances of the present, but our own character moving ahead.
Hymn for Today:
“May the Mind of Christ, My Savior” by Kate B. Wilkinson 
1. May the mind of Christ, my Savior, 
live in me from day to day, 
by his love and power controlling 
all I do and say. 
2. May the word of God dwell richly 
in my heart from hour to hour, 
so that all may see I triumph 
only through his power. 
3. May the peace of God, my Father, 
rule my life in everything, 
that I may be calm to comfort 
sick and sorrowing. 
4. May the love of Jesus fill me 
as the waters fill the sea. 
Him exalting, self abasing: 
this is victory. 
5. May we run the race before us, 
strong and brave to face the foe, 
looking only unto Jesus 
as we onward go.
Thought for Today:
“Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.” (Philippians 4:5).
Prayer Needs:
Developing Christian leaders in Samoa!
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