One of the most influential teachers in my life was “Gunny Smith.” I met him one beautiful, sunny fall evening in Newport, RI. He stood as straight and rigid as the flag pole beside him. As new Navy Chaplains, we had no idea about what to expect. But, one look at his crisp uniform, brightly shined shoes, short hair and steady gaze left no doubt in our minds that what we expected didn’t matter. Our lives were in his hands. He knew it. We would soon believe it.

With an obvious confidence in his voice, he said, “Gentlemen, I will soon become the most loved and feared person you will ever meet.” He lived up to that statement. He was responsible to teach us how to live as officers in the Navy and how to survive in combat if necessary. He took his responsibilities seriously.

Solomon took his responsibilities as a father seriously, too. He warned his son to “continually bind God’s laws around his heart, tie them around his neck... so when you walk, they will guide you, when you sleep they will watch over you, and when you awake they will speak to you.” In other words, wherever he was, no matter the circumstances, whether night or day, “His law” would be a lamp and a light always, and, when necessary, correct and discipline him.

“Gunny” and Solomon knew and accepted their responsibilities whole heartedly. They were well aware of the fact that lives depended on their effectiveness to shape the conduct and attitude of the “untrained.” 

Prayer:  We pray, Father, that parents will not fail You in their duty to train “Your” children to obey You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today:  Proverbs 6:23 For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light,and correction and instruction are the way to life,

“If you’re smart,” he said convincingly, “you can learn from the mistakes of others. You’ll never live long enough to make them all yourself and learn the consequences of being foolish. And,” he continued, “you won’t have to pay the high price some of us have had to pay for our mistakes.”

Perhaps that was the intent of Solomon when he wrote, “My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight.” Obviously, this is a very stern warning from an experienced, perhaps a “worldly-wise” father to his son. Pay attention and listen well are very similar in their intent. “Son, listen up, or else you'll be sorry!” Not today - for we rarely experience immediate consequences for our wrongful behavior. But there will be a payday - someday! We can be certain that there is a reward to come or a price to pay for everything we do.

Sexual indiscretion has serious, and very often, life-long consequences. Consequences that impact more than those involved in “sex outside of marriage.” God very clearly and carefully defined the boundaries: a rich sexual relationship is to be confined to and experienced within the bonds of the marriage covenant. No exceptions!     

Society ridicules such a “narrow view” of sex. However, when we look at the tragic consequences of “casual sex,” it is heartbreaking: unwanted children, rampant abortions, broken hearts and homes, disease, children growing up without their “mom” or “dad” and...

Prayer:  How costly, Father, is the price we pay when we disobey Your laws. Give us Your strength, we pray. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today:  Proverbs 5:1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom, turn your ear to my words of insight,

He was one of those deacons who spoke much more than was necessary and did much less than was needed. There was always a discrepancy between the way he lived and the way he worked for the Lord.
One day he stopped by his pastor’s office in a state of great excitement. “Pastor,” he shouted, “I’m going to the Holy Land. Isn’t that wonderful? Aren’t you happy for me?”

“Well, yes I am,” said his pastor.

“Do you know what I’m going to do?” he asked.

“No, no I don’t. But I’m sure you’re going to tell me,” came the reply.

“When my group gets to the top of the mountain where God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, I’m going to have the group sit in front of me in a half circle while I read them out loud to everyone. Isn’t that exciting? I’m thrilled,” he continued.

“Deacon,” replied his pastor, “I think it would be much better for God and your group if you’d stay at home and live them.”

The Psalmist came straight to the point: “In keeping them there is great reward.”

Many of us have memorized them, given copies of them to others - perhaps even entered into arguments as to why or why not The Ten Commandments should be placed in public places where everyone could see them.

Yet, if God were involved in the conversation, I’m sure He’d be with the pastor and say, “Just live them!”

Prayer: Father, it’s much easier to talk about You than live for You. Help us, please, to show others who You are. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 19:11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.