SPIRITUAL ESPRESSO SHOTS OF WISDOM FROM THE BOOK OF PROVERBS
Starting the day with a perfect cup!
It seems we are always looking for the ‘magic pill’ or shortcut in life that will somehow fix all our problems and to overcome the challenges. What if the ability to overcome life’s challenges was less about trying to “fix” the mistakes we’ve made and instead to simply learn how to prepare for them, better yet, avoid them altogether? That special ability can only be found by drinking from the cup of wisdom.
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Below is a series of Wisdom Shots that I hope will I hope you will to start your day perfectly.
CHEERS
ACKNOWLEDGE A GREAT CUP OF COFFEE (BEFORE ITS TOO LATE)!
Proverbs 3:27 “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.”
Snippet - We generally discover too late that our ‘secret society of selfishness’ is in fact the worst membership we could ever be a part of. The incredible benefits we might reap from it in the short run, only destroys the very thing that we love most about it. When there is something, or someone, that is incredible and good in our lives, we should not hide it away, but shout it from the rooftops so that all can hear about it.
BRING AN EXTRA CUP TO SHOW SOMEONE YOU CARE
Proverbs 11:25 "A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."
Snippet - How many lives have been saved by random acts kindness? How many school shootings, acts of violence, cruelty and memberships in hate groups have been prevented by simple acts of kindness by one individual? We will never know all of them. The most dangerous response is not having one at all.
REMEMBER, ITS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT THE COFFEE
Proverbs 24:11 "Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter."
Snippet - So when you're sipping your amazing cup of wisdom this morning and contemplating the coffee filled doughnut picture, just remember. It's ALL about the coffee (your relationship with God) and not the doughnut (religious distractions). Everything else is just a wonderful addition to your amazing day that is ahead of you.
HOT COFFEE NEEDS TO BE SIPPED SLOWLY
Proverbs 22:3 "The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty."
Snippet - What if... Just like with coffee, instead of rushing into something and getting burned, we took a moment before each decision in life to become 'prudent' (Websters definition - 'acting with or showing care and thought for the future') and thought about each decision or choice we were going to make. Imagine how much pain and suffering we could avoid and how amazing and peaceful the rest of the day would be.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - COFFEE TRANSFORMATIONS
Proverbs 27:14 "If anyone loudly blesses their neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse."
Snippet - So, if your spouse, brother or sister is one of those that needs to first spend time with God in order to transform, LET THEM. You will avoid a lot of pain and hurt feelings if you let them absorb that spiritual coffee first. They are more apt to sing with you, dance with you, and perhaps even listen to all your thoughts and dreams once they do. Just don't forget to listen to theirs too.
LOOKING FORWARD TO EACH CUP
Proverbs 19: 8 "The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper."
Snippet - We generally discover too late that our ‘secret society of selfishness’ is in fact the worst membership we could ever be a part of. The incredible benefits we might reap from it in the short run, only destroys the very thing that we love most about it. When there is something, or someone, that is incredible and good in our lives, we should not hide it away, but shout it from the rooftops so that all can hear about it.
LOVE YOUR OWN CUP, IT'S THE PERFECT ONE
Proverbs 21:21-22 "Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty and pull down the stronghold in which they trust."
Snippet - Yes there are Biblical truths with regards to salvation (becoming a son or daughter of God). However, just because the way we choose to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength (the ingredients of this relationship) may look different than others (or our way), does not make theirs wrong (just different).
CHOOSE CAREFULLY WHO YOU DRINK WISDOM WITH
Proverbs 22:24-25 "Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared."
Snippet - Unfortunately, there are situations in life when we cannot avoid having to interact with angry people (co-worker, spouse, roommate). However, you don't have to let them ruin your morning cup or waste your pearls of wisdom on them. Although it can be painful to watch, instead of enabling, rescuing, or falling prey to them, sometimes the best thing we can do is to let a person suffer the consequences of their decisions
PRIDEFUL COFFEE NEVER TASTES GOOD
Proverbs 15:5 "A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence."
Snippet - I have watched my son and daughter, my spiritual brothers and sisters, co-workers, and even business and church leaders foolishly ignoring the wise advice being offered by those around them to help them avoid the personal or group 'life' catastrophe that we know will be coming with such a prideful approach. However, once they realize that any and all such advice being offered will be ignored, they step back and sadly watch the person wreck a perfectly good pot of coffee (their lives and often the lives of others connected to them).
YOU DON'T HAVE TO DRINK A BAD CUP OF COFFEE
Proverbs 14:10 "Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy."
Snippet - This proverb reminded me of how many times I've listened to someone who was poured or ordered a bad cup of coffee, and instead of taking it back and getting a fresh one that tastes good, they continue to sip and complain to everyone about how bad the one they have tastes. Even more annoying is when they ask you to taste it. If it's bad cup of coffee, take it back! Spiritually, we can do the same thing.