November 27, 2007 6:54 AM
Sam wrote:
TO Rich----if it rains, it pours, I guess. SO sorry to hear about your son and his ailment. Will continue to pray, but now specifically about this. I see light at the end of your tunnel, though. Your focus on Jesus is incredible. With that focus, I'll wager Jesus will be like a mirror and focus right back. Tell your son I am praying for him. Proverbs 27:17...a new way to look at RIck's favorite verse, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." How DOES iron sharpen iron. In today's world, when we need to sharpen a knife, an axe or many other items made of iron, we use a stone of sorts. A grinding wheel, or a wetstone, for example. We don't normally use another knife or axe to sharpen a knife or axe. So why say 'iron sharpens' iron. Well, I imagine that if you took two knives and rubbed them together 'properly', they will BOTH become less dull, but I also wager that it would take a lot longer to do so than use, say, a grinding wheel made of stones. For iron to sharpen iron, it takes time. So, when the author is saying that one man sharpens another as iron does iron, he is saying that results are not to be expected immediately. Long lasting friendships are required. We can't fix each others' problems overnight, but working together over time, and constantly working on each others' problems, we can eventually get them fixed. There are many 'instant remedies' for people to quit smoking....most of them do not work. Instant 'get rich schemes' also fall into that category....they seldom make anyone rich except the person who is clever enough to bilk hundreds of others in his scheme. To get rich (in monetary terms) the best way is to invest small amounts of money wisely and consistently. 401Ks are usually a wise move, and so are investments in things like mutual funds where you make constant repeated small investments. It takes time to get rich that way, but if one is dedicated for many years, it can happen. And by rich, I don't mean filthy rich, I mean having enough money invested so you never have to be concerned about the future. Good things come to those who wait. For iron to sharpen another piece of iron, a constant scraping and rubbing must occur over a long period of time. Same with disciples helping each other. There will be some 'scraping and rubbing' along the way, but in the end, we will all become less dull. I urge you all to continue to delve DEEPER into your daily Bible studies and continue to blog daily to provide guidance and assistance to your brothers. And, like Rich has been doing, we should be almost finished reading the book, Jesus the Same....the month is almost over. Reply to this
November 27, 2007 7:37 AM
Rik wrote:
Iron sharpening iron 'properly' done will make the edges sharp, but if it is not done properly I bet the edges become more and more dull until they will nolonger be able to be sharpened by another piece of iron. Doing it properly is the key to remain sharp! GOOD STUFF Sam Reply to this
November 27, 2007 7:58 AM
Rik wrote:
Rich, I too am sorry to hear of your challenges and I will be praying for lil Riches recovery and for your strength. vs 20-21 lust and pride the two biggest weaknesses for half of men on the planet. (the other half probably struggle with lying about lust and pride) both of these sinful natures are selfish driven. "I want what I want" and "I cant be wrong." I see these traits in my boys and myself. so my question is why would God put these types of strong internally driven natures in us? There has got to be a positive reason for these traits. I suppose these are the types of traits that cause us to be driven to succeed. any thoughts? Reply to this
TO Rich----if it rains, it pours, I guess. SO sorry to hear about your son and his ailment. Will continue to pray, but now specifically about this. I see light at the end of your tunnel, though. Your focus on Jesus is incredible. With that focus, I'll wager Jesus will be like a mirror and focus right back. Tell your son I am praying for him.
Proverbs 27:17...a new way to look at RIck's favorite verse, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." How DOES iron sharpen iron. In today's world, when we need to sharpen a knife, an axe or many other items made of iron, we use a stone of sorts. A grinding wheel, or a wetstone, for example. We don't normally use another knife or axe to sharpen a knife or axe. So why say 'iron sharpens' iron. Well, I imagine that if you took two knives and rubbed them together 'properly', they will BOTH become less dull, but I also wager that it would take a lot longer to do so than use, say, a grinding wheel made of stones. For iron to sharpen iron, it takes time. So, when the author is saying that one man sharpens another as iron does iron, he is saying that results are not to be expected immediately. Long lasting friendships are required. We can't fix each others' problems overnight, but working together over time, and constantly working on each others' problems, we can eventually get them fixed. There are many 'instant remedies' for people to quit smoking....most of them do not work. Instant 'get rich schemes' also fall into that category....they seldom make anyone rich except the person who is clever enough to bilk hundreds of others in his scheme. To get rich (in monetary terms) the best way is to invest small amounts of money wisely and consistently. 401Ks are usually a wise move, and so are investments in things like mutual funds where you make constant repeated small investments. It takes time to get rich that way, but if one is dedicated for many years, it can happen. And by rich, I don't mean filthy rich, I mean having enough money invested so you never have to be concerned about the future. Good things come to those who wait. For iron to sharpen another piece of iron, a constant scraping and rubbing must occur over a long period of time. Same with disciples helping each other. There will be some 'scraping and rubbing' along the way, but in the end, we will all become less dull. I urge you all to continue to delve DEEPER into your daily Bible studies and continue to blog daily to provide guidance and assistance to your brothers. And, like Rich has been doing, we should be almost finished reading the book, Jesus the Same....the month is almost over.
Reply to this
Iron sharpening iron 'properly' done will make the edges sharp, but if it is not done properly I bet the edges become more and more dull until they will nolonger be able to be sharpened by another piece of iron. Doing it properly is the key to remain sharp! GOOD STUFF Sam
Reply to this
Rich,
I too am sorry to hear of your challenges and I will be praying for lil Riches recovery and for your strength.
vs 20-21
lust and pride the two biggest weaknesses for half of men on the planet. (the other half probably struggle with lying about lust and pride) both of these sinful natures are selfish driven. "I want what I want" and "I cant be wrong." I see these traits in my boys and myself. so my question is why would God put these types of strong internally driven natures in us? There has got to be a positive reason for these traits. I suppose these are the types of traits that cause us to be driven to succeed. any thoughts?
Reply to this