Proverbs 3:1-2 My son, never forget the things I’ve taught you. If you want a long and satisfying life, closely follow my instructions. 3 Never tire of loyalty and kindness. Hold these virtues tightly. Write them deep within your heart. 4-5 If you want favor with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgment and common sense, then trust the Lord completely; don’t ever trust yourself. 6 In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.
7-8 Don’t be conceited, sure of your own wisdom. Instead, trust and reverence the Lord, and turn your back on evil; when you do that, then you will be given renewed health and vitality.
9-10 Honor the Lord by giving him the first part of all your income, and he will fill your barns with wheat and barley and overflow your wine vats with the finest wines
If you are fond of considering yourself as being self-made, this proverb will surely offend you. Generations ago, people spoke of someone as “having pulled himself up by his own boot straps.” At a time when men’s boots had straps on each side of the top to aid in pulling them on, this phrase served to indicate that this man had accomplished everything on his own without any outside help.
If you read Proverbs 3 closely, you realize that the concept of a self-made man, or woman, is a myth. God is the One who gives us abilities and who opens doors for us. When we try to go in a way God does not approve, He cannot only lock but barricade those doors so that they become impenetrable.
Where do we take inspiration and direction? These days, many people are being taught to rely on AI, artificial intelligence. But who programs the AI in the first place? How do you know that someone might not be using AI to brainwash you into thinking in a particular direction? Do you trust AI more than you trust the God who has created you?
These days, four things drive me to prayer for my beloved country: data centers, solar farms, the ongoing fires in many parts of the country, and the dismantlement of the U.S. National Park system. God has gifted America with some of the finest, richest farm land ever created. Now farms are being gobbled up to build solar farms and data centers. Data centers are sucking enormous amounts of water as they raise the ambient temperature of the surrounding environment. How much does that temperature rise contribute to global warming? The wind generators we hoped would help solve energy problems have not lived up to their promises, and that land is also out of production. For years, mining companies have slavered at the thoughts of the “untapped” resources in our national parks. Now laws previously protecting those magnificent assets are being set aside. This is not good stewardship!
7-8 Don’t be conceited, sure of your own wisdom. Instead, trust and reverence the Lord, and turn your back on evil; when you do that, then you will be given renewed health and vitality.
Traditionally in Africa, the elderly have been respected as repositories of wisdom. But as increasing numbers of people swarm into cities, many elders in the villages find themselves marginalized by their children in urban centers who have no use for wisdom but only for what they get from social media. While some of the traditional medical practices might be outmoded or even dangerous, much of the traditional wisdom is still sound and worth consideration. God is the One who has commanded children to love and respect their parents, and the Bible reinforces this idea in many places. When we fail to honor our parents, we are in effect dishonoring ourselves as well, for we carry their DNA. Remember that the measure you give out is the measure you will receive. As you are ignoring the elderly, you yourself are aging.
How do we know what is evil? God has shown us both good and evil in His Word, the Bible. When we study God’s Word and ask Him for enlightenment, He will surely open our eyes.
9-10 Honor the Lord by giving him the first part of all your income, and he will fill your barns with wheat and barley and overflow your wine vats with the finest wines
We must hold everything God gives us lightly, for at any moment He might ask us to share with someone else. We cannot give out when our hands are closed tightly, but neither can we receive anything either. When we leave our hands open, blessings will flow. When we become grasping and greedy, the blessings will stop. And God is not about to beat your hands open; you must open them yourself.
Due to economic downturns, many of our hospital patients find settling small bills or even feeding themselves difficult. We channel hundreds of dollars a month through several trusted staff members to help patients and their families, not only to settle bills but also to ensure that they won’t starve when they return to their villages. We are not wealthy; however, God continues to move others to donate so that we can be channels of His Love. If we were to hang onto this money, not only would many people suffer but God would also cause the sources of funding to dry up for us and re-direct the money to someone else who would handle it properly.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding” has been one of the Scriptures believers have relied on for centuries. AI or DI (Divine Information.) The choice is simple, for when you trust in the Lord, you are blessed. Does this mean I am totally opposed to AI? Not necessarily; however, I remain skeptical and watchful. Any system that encourages you to stop thinking for yourself and stop praying for guidance is headed in the wrong direction. Use AI? Possibly? But trust in the LORD with all your heart!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to trust You and not artificial systems. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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