Who has influenced you during the past week? During the past year? What voices have made a lasting impression on you—the way you think, the way you act, the career path you’ve chosen in life—who influenced you to make those decisions? What kids at school are pulling you down, lifting you up, inspiring you, or tiring you? You see the fact of the matter is that each and every one of us is easily influenced. Whether you are a student or teacher who has just started a brand new school year or a secretary, nurse, assembly line worker, or corporate executive who faithfully shows up on the job day after day—you are being shaped and molded by those you watch and listen to, those you allow to influence you.
Archive for August, 2004
Who’s Shaping You?
Proverbs 6:20-35
Sunday, August 29th, 2004
Trouble Comes To Trouble Makers
Proverbs 6:12-19
Sunday, August 22nd, 2004
This is our third study of Proverbs 6. During the past three weeks of studying this section of Scripture I have learned that this chapter lays out for us a progression of dangers. Let me explain to you what I mean. In the first week of our study we learned about the dangers of co-signing for someone else’s debt. Even though guaranteeing someone’s debt was allowed in the Old Testament, Solomon was adamant that his son should never get into this dangerous situation.
Consider The Ways of The Ant!
Proverbs 6:6-10
Sunday, August 15th, 2004
Last week we began our study of Proverbs 6 as Solomon urged his son to refuse to co-sign a debt for a friend or neighbor. It was a powerful lesson for many of us who live in a day when it is so common to have someone co-sign with us for something we want really bad, but don’t have the money to buy. Solomon teaches his son to avoid the trap of taking on the responsibility of someone else’s debt.
Financial Wisdom
Proverbs 6:1-5
Sunday, August 8th, 2004
We hear lots of talk today about debt. Consumer debt, corporate debt, and the national debt grab lots of headlines and, at this time of the year, are the talk of political campaigns. I read an article this past week from The National Foundation for Credit Counseling that points out how serious consumer debt has become. The article states,
A Lesson In Purity and Faithfulness
Proverbs 5:1-23
Sunday, August 1st, 2004
Welcome to the father’s fireside chat. This is the eighth lesson that Solomon has offered to his son in the first five chapters of Proverbs. As I have worked my way through these five chapters I have imagined Solomon, not Solomon the King or Solomon the wisest man who ever lived, but Solomon the daddy sitting with his son and talking about life. I have pictured that in my mind over and over again as I have read these powerful and practical verses of wisdom. It’s so interesting what this father, filled with passion and intensity, talked about to his boy. Have you noticed that they’ve not had one talk about the NFL or the upcoming college football season? Have you heard a word about the stock market or how his Microsoft stock was performing? I’m sure Solomon and his son, like any normal father and son, talked about small talk, current events, and the things they enjoyed, but when it came time to have a serious heart-to-heart talk about life—those things were not on the priority list.