Tag: well done good and faithful servant

Making Room and Avoiding Quarrels – 2025 Day 45 (Genesis 25-26)

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Read through the Bible in 2 years: Psalm 13; Genesis 25-26

“And he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So he called its name Rehoboth, saying, ‘For now the LORD has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.'”

Genesis 26:22 ESV

When I came to Genesis 26:22, I felt led to look up that word “Rehoboth,” in my Blue Letter Bible app. I learned it means “broad place,” and I wondered, “Was the first well, the Esek (“dispute”) well, not in a broad place? How about the second well, the Sitnah (“opposition”) well, was it actually located in a narrow place? Or did Isaac and his herdmen make a conscious decision to avoid a quarrel, choosing peace over strife?“

The Lord had given them all of this land, but Isaac and his men made an active choice to avoid a quarrel. (Read the story for yourself in Genesis 26:17-22)

Then I was reminded of 1 Timothy 3:2-3 ESV, “An overseer must be above reproach … gentle, not quarrelsome …” The NASB95 translation says, “An overseer must be above reproach … gentle, peaceable.”

That word that the ESV translates “not quarrelsome” and NASB translates “peaceable” is amachos (G269). a + machos = not + fighting, not + contentious.

Paul uses this same Greek word amachos in Titus 3:1-2 ESV, “Remind them (that’s everyone, not just overseers or elders. See Titus 2:15 for more context) to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling (NASB95: be peaceable), to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.”

We can’t possibly talk about quarreling without looking at Proverbs. (Proverbs has a lot to say about quarreling!) Here’s a sampling of verses from Proverbs of quarreling:

  • Proverbs 17:14 ESV – The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.
  • Proverbs 19:13 ESV – A foolish son is ruin to his father, and a wife’s quarreling is a continual dripping of rain.
  • Proverbs 20:3 ESV – It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.
  • Proverbs 21:9 – It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
  • Proverbs 21:19 ESV – It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.
  • Proverbs 25:24 ESV – It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
  • Proverbs 26:20-21 ESV – For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases. As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
  • Proverbs 27:15 ESV – A continual dripping on a rainy day and a quarrelsome wife are alike;

And how about a few verses from Romans 12,

“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Romans 12:16-21 ESV

Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father,

No matter how big or small my house, no matter how big or small my yard, no matter how many or few people I have to share my place with, You have indeed given me a wide place for my steps. The boundary lines You have given have fallen for me in pleasant places. I have a beautiful inheritance because You, Lord, are my chosen portion, and You hold my lot.

Whom shall I fear?

You are the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?

In God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. I can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

I pray that so far as it depends on me that I will live peaceably with all. Help me, Father, to avoid quarrels, to keep a careful watch over my mouth that I may not sin with my tongue. Help me to guard my mouth with a muzzle, especially when the wicked are in my presence.

I pray that my mouth would be FILLED with Your PRAISE and GLORY all the day.

Please, Father, I pray that I would not be a quarrelsome or contentious wife. I want to be an excellent wife who does my husband good and not harm all the days of my life. I pray that I would open my mouth with wisdom and that the teaching of kindness would be on my tongue.

I pray all this to the glory of Your name and for Your Son Jesus Christ who gave Himself up for me to redeem me and to purify me, to make me a woman for His own possession who is zealous for good works.

Amen.

I love to pray scripture. This prayer was guided by Psalm 16:5-6; Psalm 27:1; Psalm 56:11; Psalm 118:6; Hebrews 13:6; Psalm 141:3; Psalm 39:1, Psalm 71:8; Proverbs 21:9, 19; Proverbs 31:12, 26; Titus 2:14

Click here for more information on reading through the Bible in Two Years.

Craftiness and Blame-shifting – 2025 Day 31 (Genesis 3)

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Read through the Bible in 2 years: Proverbs 31, Genesis 3

My, my, how quickly things change! God creates a very good universe and in steps that crafty, cunning, shrewd snake, the devil. Like we read in John, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy… He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 10:10, 8:44 ESV).

While God speaks for man’s good, the serpent speaks for our harm.

The blame-shifting begins as soon as God speaks to Adam. Adam blames the woman, but also subtly blames God saying, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree and I ate.” (Genesis 3:12) Eve then blames the serpent for her disobedience. (Genesis 3:13) Sadly, I relate all too well to this struggle. It is easier to blame others than accept responsibility for our own actions.

We need to be careful not to shift blame to other people, whether our husband, our children, the cashier at the grocery store, the customer service representative on the phone. Whoever. Likewise, we need to be careful not to shift blame to our circumstances. I was hungry. I was tired. I’d a long day. It was “that time of the month.” Whatever.

Adam and Eve may have spoken the truth, but their hearts were proud and stubborn. Yes, Eve did ___. Yes, the serpent did ___. Yes, your husband ____. Yes, your child ___. Yes, the driver in front of you ___.

Those blame-shifting thoughts
and words may be true, but they are not helpful or humble.

Instead, let’s accept responsibility for our own sin, confess it to God, and repent of it. Don’t forget that repentance is more than just feeling remorse (feeling sorry that you did something bad). True repentance involves turning away from evil and turning your face toward God.

And, don’t forget what we read in 1 John 1:9-10 ESV, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” When we repent, we can be sure of God’s loving forgiveness.

Our choices (forgiven or not) still have consequences. Adam and Eve still had to leave the garden. They still had to face death. Yet, God is so full of grace and love.  He Himself made garments to clothe Adam and Eve, and when we surrender our lives to Him, He promises to clothe us in pure white garments through faith in Jesus Christ who shed His blood to cleanse us of our sin.

For further study – read Romans 5:12-21; Romans 6:23; Revelation 3:5, 18 and Revelation 19:7-9.

Will you pray with me?

Heavenly Father, We don’t want to be like that crafty snake. We don’t want to be deceivers or blame shifters. Please help us to accept responsibility for our sinful thoughts, attitudes, words and actions.

Thank you for sending Your only son, Jesus Christ, to pay the price for our sin, shedding His blood that we could be forgiven.

We confess to You how often we have chosen to follow our own selfish desires instead of following Your clear commands. Please help us to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.

Help us to trust You and lean not on our own understanding, but to acknowledge You in all of our ways. We pray that You would direct our steps in a way that brings You honor and glory and brings good to those around us.

It is in the holy and righteous name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, that we pray, Amen

Click here for more information on reading through the Bible in Two Years.

Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant – 2025 Day 12 (John 12)

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Read through the Bible in 2 years: Proverbs 12; John 12

How often do you find yourself saying things to impress others or to look good while your true motives are all wrong?

  • Like Judas said when Mary poured out the ointment of pure nard, “Why was this ointment not sold for 300 denarii and given to the poor?” (John 12:5) when really Judas just wanted the money for himself.
  • Like when the people were all crowding around Jesus crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the king of Israel!” (John 12:13) But days later they will be crying out “Crucify him!” (John 19:15)

When I was an atheist, I took pride in standing out. I took great satisfaction in not following the crowd. I thought, “Those people are all gullible sheep,” yet my motives were still selfish. I loved people’s admiration of my ability to stand out and swim upstream.

But even in my attempts to “do my own thing,” I was still working for the approval of others. I wanted to look like my favorite band, Depeche Mode. I wanted to get good grades and win the praise of my teachers.

So often we are swayed by the approval of others,
whether in “fitting in” or “standing out.”

But here in John 12 Jesus has some weighty words that are most worthy of our serious consideration,

“Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.”

– John 12:25-26 ESV

Now in my fifth decade of life, cresting the top of the hill and beginning my race toward the finish line, I want to live the rest of my days for the praise of God, my righteous judge, with my ears tuned to those most excellent words of praise, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:21 ESV)

Heavenly Father,

Help us to pursue You with single-minded devotion. We want to live for Your praise and Yours alone. Forgive us for all the times we give way to comfort and pleasure and ease, choosing the wide path rather than the narrow road. You know our hearts. We are laid bare before You. Create in us new hearts. Renew our spirits anew. Give us strength to continue on for Your glory, longing to one day hear you say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your master.”

In the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord we Pray. Amen.

Click here for more information on reading through the Bible in Two Years.