Perseverance is a value that is highly prized in Scripture. Even though the going gets tough or painful or redundant, we go on. Every once in a while it’s good for us to encourage each other to persevere. So, in the spirit of GodSpeak, I thought we’d listen to what God has to say about perseverance.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:1-2

September brings the beginning of a lot of activity. Some is brand new for this year, like our Men’s Bible Breakfast, our new emphasis on neighborhood outreach, and the changes going on at Central Lutheran School. Much of the activity we have every year, like Sunday School, confirmation, EPIC, Music groups and fellowship gatherings. Let’s not forget the daily activity of reading God’s word and the weekly activity of meeting in our GodSpeak groups! Perseverance!

3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. – Romans 5:3-5

11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. – James 5:11

Times in life can become very tiresome, difficult and even unbearable. It is times like these where we lean all the more on God and draw on His strength. We also lean on or brothers and sisters in Christ who love and care for us. Remember hope. Just think of the hope you have in Christ and how God has used suffering, perseverance and character to bring it into ever greater focus.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. – 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

The love of God for us is remarkable. It just never quits. We never get to a point in life where God just says, “I’ll forgive you… but this is the last time!” No. He saved us through the blood of Jesus, gave us faith through the power of the Holy Spirit and through our baptism and his grace is never exhausted. Love never fails. And so, September, here we go again!

Blessings, Pastor Seabaugh

Week 50: Proverbs 10-21

Click to listen to this week’s recorded GodSpeak discussion group!

Want to join the discussion?  Drop in a comment below!

Monday, August 23 Proverbs 10-11 Read & Listen Online (Click “Audio” link to listen)
1. For many years the sign-off line of a news commentator was “That’s the way it is.” Many of the proverbs in Proverbs 10-11 are like that. Choose a few proverbs and discuss how what is said is just how it works out in life, for good or ill. Select your own proverbs to discuss, but try these also: Proverbs 10:7, 32; Proverbs 11:10, 12. Now look at a few proverbs that specifically talk about God. For example, look at Proverbs 10:22, 29; Proverbs 11:1, 20–21. How would you summarize the messages of these proverbs concerning God? What might the Apostle Paul say concerning Proverbs 11:21? See Romans 3:10–12, 21–24; 6:18; Galatians 5:1.

Tuesday, August 24 Proverbs 12-13 Read & Listen Online (Click “Audio” link to listen)
2. “The Lord …delights in men who are truthful” (Proverbs 12:22). In the light of passages like Psalm 14:3 and 1 John 1:8, how can Solomon make such a statement? Look at other similar statements: Proverbs 11:1, 20; Proverbs 8:31. What is the function of these statements? When does the Lord delight in us?

Wednesday, August 25 Proverbs 14-15 Read & Listen Online (Click “Audio” link to listen)
3. Review Proverbs 14–15. What makes a person righteous? See Romans 10:1–13. Find and discuss several of the descriptions of the righteous in these chapters of Proverbs. How does Solomon describe a righteous person? How does Paul describe the redeemed person? See Galatians 5:1, 13, 22, 23. The joy of our redemption shows itself in how we live. That’s just the way Christians are. Thank God for this kind of joy and life.

Thursday, August 26 Proverbs 16-17 Read & Listen Online (Click “Audio” link to listen)
4. There are several “sad but true” statements in this section of Proverbs. Discuss a few of these, such as Proverbs 16:28; 17:28; 18:2; 19:7. The fate of the perverse person, the fool, and those who shun the poor will be the same as that of the false witness (Proverbs 19:5). What is the most significant fact about this? See Psalm 14:3 and Isaiah 64:6. Where is our protection from this situation (Proverbs 18:10; Galatians 3:13)? What is the comfort that the coming Savior brings? See LW 28:1–2.

Friday, August 27 Proverbs 18-19 Read & Listen Online (Click “Audio” link to listen)
5. What warning do you read for your own personal life in Proverbs 19:27? How might God use each of you in this group to encourage the others to avoid this danger?

Saturday, August 28 Proverbs 20-21 Read & Listen Online (Click “Audio” link to listen)
6. “He’s making a list and checking it twice.” These are familiar lyrics for this season of the year. This warning is the same as that of Proverbs 20:11. What is the warning? What information do these verses add to this warning: Proverbs 20:9, 27. Unfortunately, we can’t improve our lot with the Lord by being good or nice. Now read Proverbs 20:30 and respond by saying, “Christ did this for me!” Many of our sins and their consequences are mentioned in the verses of Proverbs 20 and 21. Discuss a few of them. Only through the Lord’s Christ and his power can our sin be overcome. Now read the last words of Proverbs 21:31 and thank the Lord for His gift of a Savior.

Today’s Light Discussion Questions © 2009 Concordia Publishing House.
Used with permission. To subscribe to Today’s Light, contact Concordia Publishing House
via e-mail at cphorder@cph.org, via phone at 1-800-325-3381, or via fax at 1-800-490-9889

Sunday, August 29, 2010
Readings: Proverbs 18:1-10, Philippians 2:1-11, Mark 14:22-31
There I was, alone in my driveway with only my pride to keep my company.  Prideful isolation is a characteristic of foolishness in the Proverbs and the topic of Pastor Seabaugh’s sermon for August 29th.  Listen to how God brings us into humble community through His humble Son, Jesus… and find out why Pastor Seabaugh was stuck in his driveway!

GodSpeak readings for each day are listed below. Click the link to read the section and/or listen online. A discussion question is listed below for you to use in your GodSpeak group session or for discussion with others who are reading along.

Monday, August 30 Proverbs 22-23  Read & Listen Online   (Click “Audio” link to listen)
1. It is good to examine why we do things that are routine or a long time habit. Just because “we’ve always done it” does not make it bad; we just need to make sure we know “why” we do things so that we can do them well. Christian education is a case in point. Why do you read and study Today’s Light? Why does your church conduct a Sunday School of have Bible classes? Why do congregations dedicate so many resources to Lutheran schools or our church to colleges and seminaries? Review some of the reasons for having these programs with your group. Then look at Proverbs 22:19. What is the reason for Christian education that Solomon gives here? There are several other Christian education passages in this section of Proverbs. What do these verses have to say about why Christian education is so important: Proverbs 22:6; Proverbs 23:12, 17, 23. Consult also these passages: Proverbs 16:6; Proverbs 14:26–27; Proverbs 9:10. Conclude your study by praying for all the agencies of Christian education in your church and the people involved. Inquire if there is some way you might help at one of these agencies of Christian education.

Tuesday, August 31 Proverbs 24-25  Read & Listen Online   (Click “Audio” link to listen)
2. “It’s not what you say, but how you say it that’s important.” What does Proverbs 25:11–18 say about this statement? What does the Lord want us to be very diligent about saying (Jonah 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4–9; Matthew 28:19–20; 1 Timothy 4:9–13; 2 Timothy 1:8–10; Colossians 4:2–6)?

Wednesday, September 1 Proverbs 26-27  Read & Listen Online   (Click “Audio” link to listen)
3. Proverbs 26 and 27 are not uplifting chapters. Solomon shows his statement of Proverbs 27:19 to be true by giving negative examples. Look at Proverbs 26 and describe the types of people described there. Identify what Solomon says is so bad about each one. Unfortunately, we are all like the people described. Only God can remove the stain that we all bear. Comment on God’s Word of forgiveness in these passages: 2 Corinthians 5:14–21; Ephesians 2:1–10. Then pray for His forgiveness and new life.

Thursday, September 2 Proverbs 28-29  Read & Listen Online   (Click “Audio” link to listen)
4. To reflect on Proverbs 28 and 29, do the opposite of what you did with Proverbs 26 and 27: list some of the characteristics of the righteous person and some of the things a righteous person does. Remember that the truly righteous person is made so through the forgiveness we have in Christ and is empowered to live the righteous life by the Holy Spirit. Read Colossians 1:10–14 together. What are some aspects of living a life “worthy of the Lord” that he describes? How has the Father qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints? Then join your fellow believers in praising God for giving you this gift through His Son by singing the Advent carol “Let the Earth Now Praise the Lord” (LW 33).

Friday, September 3 Proverbs 30-31  Read & Listen Online   (Click “Audio” link to listen)
5. The last two chapters of Proverbs are proverbs of two other writers, Agur and Lemuel. They also could serve as a final word to the reader. What is the message of each? What would be the content of your own prayer after you have completed a reading of Proverbs?

Saturday, September 4 Ecclesiastes 1-2  Read & Listen Online   (Click “Audio” link to listen)
6. Reading Ecclesiastes 1 and 2 is like reading the first portion of a letter that begins on a negative note. What things had the Teacher tried that he found meaningless? What makes these things meaningless? Even though the Teacher found them meaningless, does that mean these things are without value? Explain your thoughts. Read 1 John 2:1–2, 15–17. John comes to the same conclusion as the Teacher. What is his treasure? After your discussion, ask the Lord to strengthen your trust in His meaningful Treasure.

Today’s Light Discussion Questions © 2009 Concordia Publishing House.
Used with permission. To subscribe to Today’s Light, contact Concordia Publishing House
via e-mail at cphorder@cph.org, via phone at 1-800-325-3381, or via fax at 1-800-490-9889

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105