March 27, 2020
Hi Everyone,
As I read through Proverbs 27, I was bombarded with great verses that I have used in my life and ministry for years. Everything from verse 6, “faithful are the wounds of a friend” to “verse 15, “A continual dripping on a rainy day and a quarrelsome wife are alike”, (ESV). What I finally came to understand about this chapter is that it gives us direction in living in relationship with each other.
So I chose verses 17-19 for my thoughts today. 17 “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. 18 Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who guards his master will be honored. 19 As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.”(ESV) It is very easy to seek out relationships in my life that always bring encouragement, praise and good feelings about myself. But if that is all I have than I lack those who will honestly tell me the truth about my direction, attitude and purpose. I also need to have people around me that will not let me head in a direction that is not pleasing to God and not part of His will and plan for my life. Some of these people that I have given access to my life are both the encouragement that I need and the iron that sharpens me for God’s glory.
First of all thank you to the many faithful friends, leaders, and family that God has used to sharpen my life in serving the Lord together. Secondly, I pray that I might be that friend, leader, or family that God can use to sharpen your walk of faith in the Lord. We may not always see eye to eye, but may the wounds inflicted bring the healing of God’s discipline in our spiritual walk together.
Father, thank you for Your faithful work through the relationships that you have given me. Thank you for my wife, family, board members, friends and community members who care for me and are faithful to be used of You in my life. May I be directed by You in such a way that I might be the same to each of them. I praise You for Your faithfulness in changing my life through the people You put around me. Conform me to the image of Your dear Son! In Jesus Name, Amen.
Pastor Rob