Goal: 4 Questions Determine Your Purposeful Invite
Hello gentlemen, it is week three and day seventeen.
So, some of you may be asking what happens during this activity or meet up, and how do I invite another guy? And you are right to ask. You need to determine a purpose for the activity or meet-up so you set expectations and have a great invite.
First, with shoulder-to-shoulder activities, it going to be a little easier to determine the purpose of the activity and require a little intention to have a purposeful conversation. Please don’t let the activity hijack the opportunity to have a purposeful conversation. I have walked away from a number of golf events thinking I wish I would have spent more time conversing on important topics with awesome men. Having an intentional conversation is the reason for the meet-up as much if not even more than the activity itself. For example, you can golf, watch a game, or shoot guns and talk about how to raise kids, discuss challenges you are facing in your marriage, or discuss a career change. For men who have never done it before, just treat it like you would any other meeting. So, when you schedule a shoulder-to-shoulder activity or face-to-face meet-up and be clear about the purpose of the invite. But remember, just because these men are Christian men doesn’t mean that the activity or meeting is that different from every other meeting you’ve ever had. Here’s why—it’s just a meeting fellas. If you are skipping the shoulder-to-shoulder activity and going straight for a face-to-face meet-up then you need to determine the purpose upfront because the activity is primarily if not exclusively talking and maybe eating.
So here’s what you need to remember—topic determines purpose. The topic of discussion is the purpose of the meeting. If you are struggling to determine a purpose, then prior to the meeting identify 4 questions you’d like to ask and then you’ll discover the purpose. But don’t overcomplicate this.
In the activity tab below, I am going to make this easy for you to give you some potential language you could use for an invite. I would recommend planning about 4 questions around your invite. You may end up only asking a 1 or 2 of the 4, but planning 4 is a good idea in case you get stuck during the conversation.
Remember to pray and read today. and if you are reading along with me hang on just a couple of seconds and I will be right back with you.
Here are some starter invites that might help set the tone for a meet-up.
The general meet-up:
- I want to pick your brain on a couple of subjects.
- I am facing a challenge and I wanted to get your opinion.
- I see you’re great at [fill in the blank] and I wanted to understand how you do it.
The new Christian meet-up:
- I am new to a relationship with Christ and I’m looking for some wisdom on some topics.
- I am challenging myself to connect with other Christian men this year.
- I am looking for some spiritual guidance and thought you might be able to help.
The career advice meet-up:
- I am facing some challenges at work and I want to pick you brain.
- I am considering a career change and want to know how you made your transition.
- I am looking to network with some Christian men in
The tune-up meet-up:
- I am looking for one to two guys to connect on a weekly basis.
- I am looking for practical advice on [insert topic], would you be willing to grab some coffee?
The serious meet-up
- I’ve been praying about an issue and I’m not sure what to do. I thought you could help.
- I was recently laid off and need some career direction.
- I am facing a series of challenging events and need some guidance and prayer.
- I heard you have faced similar challenges, can you show me how you overcame.
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Still praying with two others
13 On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found,
but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.
V12 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. Powerful verse here, if we can give up hatred that we carry with us daily.
v20: The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, the hear of the wicked is of little worth.
v21: The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense.
v22: The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow to it.
I need to talk with anybody I meet at work, store, lunch, church, family gathering with Love, respect and dignity and be ‘slow to anger’. This results in the Lord’s blessing.
This is a tough one!
This requires being honest with myself.
I like verse 9. Integrity is so important for anyone, but especially believers.
vs . 21 The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment.
May my words bring encouragement to many.
You can do this.
I find it interesting that 2 times throughout this chapter he says 1) “but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence” and 2) “But a babbling fool will be ruined”. Must be important for it to be stated twice.
Also verse 19 stuck out to me “when there are many words, transgressions are unavoidable. The Message version says, “The more talk, the less truth; the wise measure their words.” Good advice to hold on to.
Verse 8 is an eye opener.:
“The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.”
How often I have found myself in the wrong because I chose to keep speaking but not listen. I known I need to work on more listening and discerning and less talking.
There is good and bad in every situation.
Prov; 10 The good and the bad! Whoever walks in integrity, walks securely.
Thank you for this meet-up info.
It struck me that the “mouth” is definitely an issue for the unrighteous . They babble and it leads to ruin. I can see this in my own life – I talk to much – sometimes I babble. I like that the person who restrains their lips is prudent. I should do that more.
I like that the hope of the righteous brings joy. We have hope because of our salvation through Jesus Christ. We have Joy because our destiny is eternal life with Christ.
Proverbs 10:1 is a true statement for Mike Sr. and me today: “When wisdom comes to a son, joy comes to a father.”
Although he’s not with us in person today, I know his dad and I are very proud of Mike Jr., and have great joy for the wonderful and wise man that he is.!
I have always loved this verse. I have always knew if I worked I would be taken care of. 4 A slack hand causes poverty,
but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
I have too. ⚡️⚡️
I,m struggling with this friend meet up because my best friend lives in cloud croft NM and I live close to Houston and Have not made any close friends here. I tried but when we meet up and talked about problems I was going through they acted like I was the only one that had those problems and I needed help and they were perfect. My friend in cloud Croft share his problems and I share mine and we pray together on the phone. But its not a meet up like your talking about.
Verse 27 has good meaning for me. The fear of the Lord adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short .
Follow God’s plan and there will be a reward. The devil is always trying to cut us short of that possibility. Trust in God!
My conviction from Proverbs 10 today………………”The hope of the righteous brings Joy”. Praise God.
complete
Again this reminds me to walk in wisdom and godly understanding, always looking to Jesus the one who is walking with us daily.
A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. Proverbs 10:4
This is a good reminder to not let so much idle time creep into my life. Taking a break is one thing but wasting time day after day without progress in some area of your life is not.
Good reminder indeed! 🏅
I am going fishing with a guy from my church. I an going tonpick his brain about career change and raising Christian kids.
I have several bothers at church with whom I play golf. Its always lots of fun, and such great times of sharing. My pastor always seems to ask, as I line up my putts, Hey.. how’s your soul! LOL. Love it!
Good vs Evil!
Right vs Wrong!
Trying to be more godly and live good and wise lives will be better long term than to be wicked and living a life in ruins.
I was able to meet and bond with another Christian man. We had a similar mission experience and it has blossomed ever since. We are now accountability partners, talk and text weekly and meet up for a bag lunch once a month. If your in a bible study group and listen to what other men are saying, you will pick up on common interests. Then shoot someone a text or email asking about that common interest. Chances are, we are all looking to add male Christian friends.
When we do not follow God, then we follow down paths of fools and are led to wickedness. It is only through trusting God and his righteousness, that we are able to seek truth and wisdom.
Completed
Completed!
Completed
“Wisdom with words”…..it seems so simple….but difficult to get out of my own foolish sinful self at times!
Interestingly enough, the scripture referenced the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the righteous, meanwhile this meet coming up will have a lot of talking. There are times to Be prudent and remain shut, but not when meeting with your brother in Christ. Open up to be forged men.
(NKJ) Prov 10:19 In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.
What a great reminder that it is better to not say anything than to say many things and sin while doing so. It is so important that we think about what we are going to say, and weigh the value of it, before we speak.
Conviction: I struggle with the use of profanity at times (an unfortunate carryover from my younger years). Lord, I pray that you help me to bridle my tongue and only speak righteous, worthy things.
Done
The honest and loving man is a blessing to all.
What I got out of this is taming your tongue and I think we are all guilty of these sins.
24 What the wicked dreads will come upon him,
but the desire of the righteous will be granted.
Trying to figure this out, I have always wanted this.
Have a great day.
Wisdom, it’s not something we can purchase, or force into our life. It represents in a practical way the choice one must make between wisdom ( to think calmly) and folly ( lack of good sense).
Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. May we all love our friends and family as Jesus loved His friends and family on the short time he was on the earth.
Verses 8 and 17 really spoke to me. I struggle to receive instruction and heed it instead of rejecting reproof. I know God is gently speaking to me through these verses, calling me to be humble. Wow!
Solomon really hammers home the contrast of the righteous and wicked. Their words and actions, especially, are of utmost importance in this passage.
Proverbs 10 reminds me of what my mom taught us kids. “If I have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”
It’s amazing what you learn when asking these questions. I’m so privileged to have sat down with my guy. Everyone needs a Paul, and everyone needs a Timothy.
I need to choose my words wisely. I want to lift people up, not tear them down. I want to be remembered as a man whose words were like “choice silver”.
This has been so good for helping me develop relationships that have been shallow to this point. Being intentional about going deeper is helping many relationships become so much more.
The righteous are wise and blessed.
Vs 28 really hit me today. Causing me to ask the question “Is the hope I have, in Christ, evident to those around me? Do they see a person full of Hope and Joy? Or do they see a person full of dispair?
Lord, help me to be a light that points people to the hope and joy that you provide!
This was really good for me to read again. 17 Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life,
but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.
This verse hits home especially for the times we live in today.
Our words have so much power – to bring wisdom, life, or death. I appreciated the insights about how too many words and babbling is also not good. And the questions provided by Vince are great!
in other words, “Watch your mouth!”
The wise of heart will receive commandments,
but a babbling fool will come to ruin.
Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,
but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.
What a blessing to be able to do this challenge and to read the word with other men to gain wisdom. The ‘Lord does not let the righteous go hungry’ Proverbs 10:3. I am glad I am being fed.
The shoulder to shoulder will be working at the church with our building and grounds leader , topics will be, what we can do to help meet with the men more than once a month
I’ve been very encouraged when I have met with other men just to discuss how things are going in our lives. These relationships are important!
I am a shoulder to shoulder, face to face person, however, I need to be careful. I have a contentious nature, I want to be helpful and not be harmful. My desire is to help, not hurt. I need, must be honest with others before Go, Jesus in a loving and gentle way. Keep me in prayer that I can and will be helpful to other through Jesus.
I’m considering a set up with a brother I don’ have alot of history with, or time spent with. Pray with me in my choice. Blessings Boys !
Meet and topics set up
Solomon is essentially saying that there are 2 ways to live – the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked. A foreshadowing of many of Jesus’ sayings – you are either for me or against me, you get me or you didn’t, you knew me or you didn’t… I am learning to appreciate the Old Testament in general and Proverbs in particular more and more.
Hi
I am missing all of you today. I hope I didn’t do something wrong.
Well it’s nice to be reminded how righteousness will succeed!
Praise be to our God
Blessings
V17. Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life,
but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.
As a young adult “millional”this verse is one that speaks to me the most
This proverb is a laundry list of does and don’ts and will and won’ts. Listen to both!
As a high school teacher, I see how wickedness and laziness lead to poverty. My former students told me I was right when I warned them that if they waste time in high school, they will have trouble getting a good job. The ones who are proud of their drug business get into trouble with the law and sometimes die early.
I need to passionately seek wisdom. Diligently seeking wisdom will develop discernment, as I look for the fruit of wisdom in the lives of those around me. When I find wisdom in others, it is good to cultivate those relationships and learn from them. Wisdom is a treasure worth seeking, and not seeking it brings is foolish. We NEED other men to do live together. It is our enemy that wants us to be isolated.
“A wise son makes a glad father,“
Lord, may we head your wisdom so that we may make you proud.
Any of you men set an appt yet with a friend? I have my top 2 that I’m going after next week. I will be praying for all of you!
The contrast between wicked and righteous is incredible. Repeating 13 times, it’s clear the author is drawing attention to this.
This chapters theme convicted me in the way of business. My customers enjoy my company both in business and entertainment. They also know something is different about me, but my meetings with them should also be more purposeful. God has put me in a position to meet lots of people, yet many time I find myself concentrating on the business…
Time to be more purposeful/better Godly representatve in my meetings.
Mike, with my job comes steady hacking practice (LOL)…lets do it!
I am doing my best to balance business and recreation time. Scheduling events with friends outside if work is just as important as everything else and I have yes done this with close individuals of whom also follow the good word of Jesus Christ. God bless America!
The contrast between righteous and wicked has me thinking about how our decisions in life determine our path and if I don’t like the place I’m at maybe my decisions have been poor.
Lord please help me to be righteous in your eyes, help me to stay afar from wickedness. Amen
One of my company advisors asked me a question that I think he wanted us to really look at. What is the purpose that you are starting your company and is it worth the waiting for investments or would it be better to sell your inventions and take a totally off of it.
Though, I appreciated the question, but the assumption is made that we got into this because of the money,
Though he is aware we got into this because of the Lord’s call, I don’t think he truly understood that this is motivated by the Lord and my trust has grown leaps and bounds and it is a great thing to see His faithfulness.
Our advisor wanted us to dream more, but I believe the Lord has the dreams already laid out. It is to get His word around the world.
Men, there will be times Good will call you into some unusual and strange requests, but He has equipped you to do what He has called you to do. It is to see if we will walk in obedience, it teaches trust and to rely on His mercy and grace, it is to erase that self sufficiency and humble ourselves that we need His help. We were never designed, contrary to popular belief, to do this manhood by ourselves.
We need each other, we need to rely on Jesus to lead us in our families, business and everyday life.
Start your day in His Word, pray over your family daily and walk with Him. The more you stay in His Word, the more your mind is transformed into thinking as Jesus and fear ceases!
Praise Jesus, our Lord
I’m meeting with someone that has been on my heart for a long time next week. Praying for fruit.
The righteous are blessed and a blessing, while sin leads to destruction and death. In those times when I seek out God and His will, I am most greatly blessed. There is peace and harmony. When I fall away from God, I find stress and confusion. I want the small changes I’m making to become bigger and bigger, to bring me closer to who God wants me to be. I’ve known a time where it was a chore to go to church on Sunday. Now I miss that time of worship and fellowship when I can’t be there.
Verse 9
This verse is something I have been trying to walk out over the last year. I had lived through two decades of dealing with fear of being exposed as a “fraud” for different issues I have had (including pornography, alcohol abuse, poor treatment of my wife, etc.) all while trying to put on the front of being a Christian man that had it all together. I finally realized that the only way for me to “walk with integrity“ and deal with these issues was to bring them out of the dark and into the light. I had to be willing to talk about them openly and seek support, counsel, and guidance. My “being found out” was having to deal with the fear, guilt, and shame on a daily basis. Now that I have opened up about my struggles, I feel more freed and true to myself than I ever did when people didn’t know these things about me. I truly pray that all men would be able to experience this same freedom and be able to “walk with integrity” and their heads held high by exposing the things they are hiding in shame, fear, and guilt. Only by bringing them to the light can you truly heal and be a man of integrity.
Verse 9 stood out to me:
9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.
This again validates that Truth is life and lies bring death.
Had a meeting with a bud.
Really sweet time. Habit forming.
Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life.
My dad always said the wisest man in the world is the one who knows who to ask and how to ask for help. For living righteously the answer to who is God and the answer to how is via prayer and the scriptures
There is a clear differentiation between the righteous and the wicked. There are promises for both. The promises to the righteous are beautiful and good and it’s refreshing to read a passage like this because of that. In a conversation I had today, I had to consider the feeling in the question about whether God overlooks me at times or I have to honestly ask the question, “Am I of the righteous?” I don’t feel like I experience everything promised to the righteous in this passage. I know God is faithful but I desire the promises for the righteous and at times they’re not there. So I wait. I know God loves me. I know he is faithful. I know he is true so in those times, I wait!
I have impromptu meetings daily. I also have intentional meetings with an individual at work. He went to church last Sunday for the first time in many years. I pray that God gives me the wisdom and the words to say to Kurt. I know he will
Starting to realize how I can make my prayers/time with God more meaningful.
I’m having lunch with a good brother next Friday. We have a lot to catch up on.
Day 17:
When you look to God for sustenance he will feed you! It is a call to action and this chapter is loaded with calls to action.
“GOD won’t starve an honest soul, but he frustrates the appetites of the wicked.”
Proverbs 10:3 MSG
The questions Vince layed out are great! My favorite is do you want to meet for at the North Pole for breakfast? Great hole in the wall place in Newport
Our words and actions are a reflection in us as Christian men. Be aware of the sin around us and hold true to his teachings
Two things stuck out to me in this reading of Proverbs:
1. “…righteousness delivers from death” #legacy. Doing the right things in life, pouring into other people with humility, honesty, integrity and love will (we hope) live in others beyond our time on Earth.
2. “…love covers all offenses”. Gotta be honest and vulnerable here. My M and I have been going through some tough areas of life. Another way of putting it is others’ lives are spilling into ours and not in a good way We cannot choose our families and we care for them, which makes it difficult to tell them to Get Right. When honest talk has been given it’s been dismissed and the issue remains. This too shall pass and it’s a rough patch right now. What convicted me is that I need to be more sympathetic (it comes so naturally to me) to my M and come together and I need to breath words of love (not sex kind) into her right now.
“ a babbling fool will come to ruin.”
It seems like a constant theme of the author is that the wise are silent and fools talk. The wise receive knowledge… while fools try to impose it.
Yet, if everyone were silent, then no one would be there to give knowledge. It seems like the truly wise are those that can simultaneously speak and listen, teach and receive
Sprocket….an amazing person once breathed this into me. W.A.I.T. Why Am I Talking? I believe the wise KNOW when to speak. After listening, pondering and ensuring what they will speak is going to serve…only then do they talk.
Verse 11 really convicted me; the mouth of the righteous is a fountain life. How am I using my words to build up and encourage my wife, my friends, my server, etc . . .
I haven’t played golf in awhile, it’s been rainy, but anyone in our group who is or was a weekend hacker interested in doing that one Saturday?
As I decide on the person I am seeking for this task. I also am reminded that I should be open to be the that same person for someone else.
“The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.”
Here is the focus! I want so much to seek God in a correct way. Not simply speak his name in public (which of course if goo) but rather to dive into him. To KNOW Him. I need others around me to lift me up and I need to lift others. Im excited to get a closer relationship with Godly men.
v14…..The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin. This particular verse hit me….for us to gain the knowledge and wisdom we desire, we must listen more and in some cases talk less. But it has to be from the right sources such as the Living Word and other Christian men. I look forward to my meeting and gaining wisdom each and every moment
Love how Solomon not only gives us the wisdom “but” the destruction side as well. Words like death remind me of a healthy fear of the Lord. My face to face is next Saturday:)
Lots of opposites in this proverb reading contrast from right and wrong.. I have two boys and when they are wise with decisions I know I beam with JOY! I want to honor my heavenly Father GOD our Father the same way! I want that more and more!
Follow the Lord and His instructions. I have meeting set with some men. It’s all about relationships and making ourselves transparent and accountable.
Author- everything about people who choose to live by God’s plans, from our needs to our interactions with others, will reflect God’s goodness. He set this law into motion- He will make righteous choices to result in good.
It is the opposite when we live for our own, evil plans. We will lose what we want and share the same with others.
Me- love covers all sins… Thinking about how God sees me and feels about me today. There’s more to it than just a choice to forgive and forget. He desires me to live and know Him..and to impart wisdom, how that relationship takes shape.
I was listening to KFSI yesterday and heard Brian Clark give a message on Proverbs 10. Our words are very powerful and have the power to edify or destroy.
Proverbs 10:19
“When words are many sin is not absent but he who holds his tongue is wise”
It is also true that many a time it is better to hold your tongue. We need to be careful at all times what we say. James 3 says that our tongue is a fire that no man can tame. Like a fire, it can provide life or destruction.
Met yesterday with my friend and set meet up dates.
It’s great!
I love the contrast that proverbs shows between wisdom and foolishness.
The benefits of being righteous (in right standing with our Heavenly Father) are many. I am thankful all the more today for Jesus, who brought us into right standing.
Here is Proverbs 10:10 from the Message translation:
10 An evasive eye is a sign of trouble ahead,but an open, face–to–face meeting results in peace.
Proverbs 10:10 | MSG
Do I need to say any more!
I especially liked the encouragement in verses 29&30, The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the blameless but destruction to the evildoer. 30 The righteous will never be removed but the wicked will not dwell in the land.
Working on a Monday afternoon get together.
A lot of conviction today about my words and what comes out of my mouth. I don’t want to talk like a fool, I want to speak like a righteous man.
Actions speak louder than words
Verse 12 stood out today:
Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.
It’s so easy to let differences of opinion drive wedges between people. Seems like bitterness and resentment can grow so quickly and easily, but love can wipe all that out.
Again, the study bible helped me to better understand this one. This chapter sites comparisons of the Godly verses the wicked. As Christians, we have been given the power of the Holy Spirit to help us live Godly Lives. Each day is filled with opportunities to do good in the eyes of our Savior, however there are just as any opportunities to sin. The choice is ours and the consequences are clear. Follow the Godly path with the strength God gave us through His Holly Spirit and His Living Word. Make it a blessed day gentlemen!
Reading Proverbs 10 helped me take inventory of my speech and my thoughts and to realize it needs some polishing. If I’m made in God’s image I need to use that filter in my daily walk! I agree with you Dean, the combination of the study, the challenge, and the comments from other brothers is just what I needed to refocus! I like Vince’s ideas on initiating meetings. Of the numerous ones I’ve asked over the years their answer has always been the same: “absolutely!” We need to engage with other men more!
Beware what and how we speak. Understand God’s word and live a life that pleased him.
“Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.”
Proverbs 10:17 NIV
Is it possible, that by neglecting to read regularly, I may have actually been leading others astray? I have viewed my time in the Bible as a mostly personal thing, but this verse makes me realize I may actually be negatively impacting those around me. My kids and wife? Friends? I might have all the knowledge from past reading, but only by living in the word will that truly impact the way I live in this world.
Meeting set up, working on another. 2 guys I really look up to.
The majority of today’s text refers to the mouth and what comes out of it. The motivation behind what we say also comes in to the equation and determines some of the outcome of the events in our life. Verse 27 really stood out to me, “The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short.” Aligning to God’s standard has great benefit. I’m thankful for Father’s instruction to gain control over what I say, but I need reminding from time to time because it is easy to get caught up in conversations that lead to being foolish.
I need the daily devotional prodding this 35 day challenge in a group setting delivers , and want to try this meeting style to also connect with others in a more meaningful way. Thanks Vince.
I confess I tried to do the challenge horizontal in bed. I didnt even pray before reading. Then i stopped at v14. Wise people treasure knowledge, but the babbling of a fool invites disaster. So when I got up and took care of the dogs… well here I am doing the challengenand devotions proper. Praise God that he lets me start over.
Prov 10:9, we see this every day on the news in the political, entertainment and sports worlds
Our passed struggles set the stage to help others who are dealing with those struggling with the same issues we did. Pray that God will put those men in your life and watch God be God.
Instruction (WISDOM) is something we should be eager to receive daily from God’s word. It keeps us on the right path and keeps us from making mistakes. Only a fool refuses correction. You completely stop growing when you will not accept correction and the opportunity to be RIGHTEOUS with that WISDOM!!
Men…..Have a great weekend and be strong!!!!!!
Iam currently meeting with some men on a weekly basis, and a new convert on another night.
Mush wisdom to be gained from these two-phrase single-verse sayings of Solomon. Help me use them as the wise and not the fool.
the words of the godly lead to life – mmmmm
may my words lead to life 🙂
Lord, help my words to encourage many.
God has put a brother on my mind to schedule a meet up. I will see him tomorrow. Pray for good results. Verse 12 stood out to me today. Love covers a multitude of sins.
Good growth experience thankful to have so many Christian Brothers in my life !!
Working on living it out !!
V26 ” Sluggard” – good word. Don’t be one!
Meeting set up Wednesday with a former pastor in our church.
I found a few verses that stuck out to me, but verse 12 spoke loudest, hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. this is repeated in the most confusing verse of all time in the new testament, in my opinion. James 5:20 – whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. For the longest time, I struggled to find the meaning behind that verse, but after studying the book of James in my small group a while back, I came to this understanding: the sinner who repents, THEIR sins are covered by the love of Christ when they accept him as their Savior, so that they are on the path of life and God can’t SEE their sins anymore because Jesus is between Him and the repentant sinner, so He only sees the Son. like an eclipse, a shadow falls over the sin and only the Son’s (sun’s) light can be seen from the other side of the shadow.
8 The wise man is glad to be instructed, but a self-sufficient fool falls flat on his face. TLB
This is exactly why I needed a deeper relationships with a couple of Christian guys. God recently provided two men who I now meet with on a regular basis. Once we built trust in each other, it became easier to share all the sinful crap we all want to keep hidden to ourselves.
8 The wise heart will receive commandments, but the babbling fool will come to ruin. Business conversations usually start easier than personal for me. Get right to the heart and purpose.
“The wage of the righteous leads to life,
the gain of the wicked to sin.”
Is my gain leading to life for others? How am I blessing those in my community with all that my family and I have?
I love this question, Sway. “Is my gain bringing life to others or is it at the expense of others”… Like the opposite of a cheap laugh that cuts someone down to make another group laugh.
A slack hand causes poverty,
but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
5 He who gathers in summer is a prudent son,
but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.
Breakfast meeting set up for Monday morning. Questions though out. Verse 20a stood out – The tongue of the righteous is choice silver. The Words from God’s Word, Vince Teaching, and all of your comments are very valuable to me. Thank You.
This really gets you to think about how your conversations could go if you plan . I’ve missed so many opportunities because I didn’t plan ahead on my intent
THANKS
There you go William
Proverbs helps me to see the value of wisdom and good thoughts and acts of kindness. Meeting with other men to receive the wisdom and generate good thoughts has proven to be helpful in my daily walk with Jesus. Struggled at first for fear of being truthful of my actions and feelings. Only to find out we’re all imperfect and my brothers have helped me more than they’ll ever know!! Thank you for this challenge. It’s very rewarding to discover new friends and brothers in faith!!
Struggling to find the right person to meet. Have so many acquaintances and no true friends.
Praying
I understand. I started with an acquaintance, husband of my wife’s friend, but this has developed into an over 15 year weekly coffee get together.
Start with one person and connect. It what Jesus, if they don’t want to listen then dust of your feet and move on to the next.
“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.”
For many years now I’ve made a point of meeting with Christian brothers weekly. But I also look for opportunities to share my faith walk with folks I encounter during my normal day. This enriches my Spiritual life, encouraging me when I’m challenged or down. Proverbs 10 tells of rewards for those who apply Wisdom, and the downside to the vast majority who simply do what they want. Been on both sides of that street & MUCH prefer the outcome of doing it God’s way. His way often requires a step of faith as well as some real endurance & humbling. Yet the backside is SO worth it!
Love it Mark