Felix Hernandez MLB

 

            It is Major League Baseball season. In February, Felix Hernandez became the highest paid pitcher in MLB history, inking a 7-year deal worth $175 million. He is a Cy Young Award winner and has been designated an All Star three times. He is only 26 years old! Is he worth $175 million? The Seattle Mariners think so.
 
            However, back in 2008, the Yankees broke a record, signing Alex Rodriguez to a 10-year $275 million contract. The year before the contract, he put up MVP numbers. Now, he is mediocre. Albert Pujols left the Cardinals and signed with the Dodgers for $240 million, 10-year contract. After the contract was signed, he batted only .217. It was the worst season in his 12-year career.
 
            Back in 2000, Ken Griffey Jr. began a nine-year deal with the Reds for a then-whopping $116.5 million. After the contract, his stats dropped in every major category. For the next ten years, he would be very inconsistent and never dominate the game as he did before. We could go on.
 
            The bottom line is that man is overhyped. These men may have pulled back unintentionally, not wanting to hurt themselves. They may have pulled back intentionally, knowing that the money was theirs anyway. I don't know. What appears to be the case, however, is that after signing $100+ million contracts, these men weren't as good as they were before the big bucks.
 
            I repeat the point – man is overhyped. Too many think they are super. Too many think they are God's gift to mankind, in whatever category. Too many get far more respect, money, popularity than they deserve.
 
            In fact, to paraphrase Dave Ramsey, we all get treated better than we deserve. God treats us better than we deserve. If we were to land in hell, we will be there because we deserve it. We clearly do not deserve heaven. Jesus said, "So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty" (Luke 17:10).
 
            All that we have, we have by the grace of God. All that we are, we are by the grace of God. Anything we can do, we accomplish by the grace of God.
 
            If you had a multi-million dollar contract, how would you treat your boss? A more important question to ask is - how do we treat God for all the bounteous gifts He showers on us? He deserves profound respect, deep love, and complete obedience.

 

--Paul Holland

Proverbs 21:3

"To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the Lord than
sacrifice" (Proverbs 21:3 NASB). Men often think they can make up for a lack
of obedience by giving a little back to the Lord. To those under the Old
Covenant, sacrifices were not just a mere ceremonial observance, they were a
way of worshipping God, a way of fellowshipping with God and drawing near to
Him, a way of showing thanksgiving to God, and a way of seeking forgiveness
(Leviticus 1-5). To the Israelites, they were an essential part of having a
relationship with God. They were important and they were commanded, but they
were not accepted unless the worshipper met certain requirements. God wants
worshippers who are first obedient to His voice (cf. 1 Samuel 15:22-23).
This includes a moral obedience to be righteous and just. God does not care
about their sacrifices until they are striving to be obedient, righteous,
and just (cf. Isaiah 1:11-17).
Now, let's consider this principle under the New Covenant. Service to God in
one (or more) areas of our lives does not make up for disobedience in
another. Putting a little extra in the plate on Sunday does not make up for
sin; the purpose of offering is to show thankfulness, not to seek
forgiveness (cf. 2 Corinthians 9:7, 12-13). God does not care how much we
study His word if we do not follow it (cf. James 1:22-25). God does not care
about a person's "religion" if they haven't bridled their tongues,
restraining them from lying, gossip, and slander (cf. James 1:26, 3:8-12). A
moral lifestyle does not make up for forsaking the assemblies of the saints
(cf. Hebrews 10:25) and attending worship does not make up for an immoral
lifestyle (cf. John 4:24). God does not care how much we do for Him, if we
are serving another master (cf. Matthew 6:24). We seek first the Kingdom of
God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33).

Jeremy Sprouse

Proverbs 21:2

"Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the
hearts" (Proverbs 21:2 NASB). Moses warned Israel not to do what was right
in their own eyes (Deuteronomy 12:8). Despite this warning, during the time
period of the judges everyone did what was right in their own eyes and
consequently brought Israel to a state of deep depravity (cf. Judges 17:6,
21:25). Following after what looks and seems right to us is a dangerous
guide that leads to corruption and death (cf. Proverbs 14:12, 16:25). Far
too many today have bought into the notion there is no absolute moral right
or wrong. This leaves only situation ethics and following after what is
right in your own eyes. It results in refusing to listen to truth when it is
presented. It results in turning away from God. Only fools behave this way
(Proverbs 12:15). God knows our hearts. It does not matter how much we
justify our actions, if they are wrong it is a sign of a corrupt heart (cf.
Mark 7:20-23). There is an absolute moral right and wrong and it is set
forth by the only One who is absolutely morally right--God. We cannot follow
after what is right to us, we must follow after what God has declared right.
We cannot follow after what seem true to us, we must follow the truth of God's
Word (cf. John 17:17). See also: A Proverb for the Day (16:2)

Jeremy Sprouse |

Proverbs 21:1

"The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He
turns it wherever He wishes" (Proverbs 21:1 NASB). This chapter begins
(21:1-2) and ends (21:30-31) with similar themes observing that mankind,
even kings and rulers, may make plans and act on them, but God is always in
control, His counsel is always wisest, and victory always belongs with Him.
Each of us regardless of our position in life needs to recognize God as the
ultimate authority in our lives and obey His commands.

Jeremy Sprouse

Proverbs 8:23

"From everlasting I was established, from the beginning, from the earliest times of the earth" (Proverbs 8:23 NASB). The wisdom we receive from God has a timeless quality. Wisdom is describing how God installed His wisdom in this world from the very beginning. As long as the world has existed, Wisdom has existed. What God has declared as wise has always been wise and will always be wise. This is how words written 2,000 to 3,500 years ago can still have a deep impact on the lives of men and women today--they are still true and applicable. We can trust that God's advice will always be the best advice.

Jeremy Sprouse

 

I love those who love me

"I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me.
Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness. My fruit is
better than gold, even pure gold, And my yield better than choicest silver"
(Proverbs 8:17-19 NASB). Again, Solomon stresses having the right balance
and priorities in life. Those who seek wisdom will find wisdom (cf. James
1:5). Many make the mistake of pursuing money and other earthly pursuits
first in their lives, but wisdom needs to come first. Wisdom can provides a
quality of life that cannot be achieved with money alone. Satisfaction,
fulfillment, and happiness come through heeding wisdom. Money cannot buy
happiness, but wisdom can provide it. After gaining wisdom, wealth may
follow (cf. Matthew 6:33) and we will be more blessed than if we gained it
at the begging since we will have the wisdom and intelligence to use it
correctly. We need to make sure we do not lose sight of what is truly
important and valuable in our lives.

Jeremy Sprouse by Jeremy Sprouse

Proverbs 8:12

"I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And I find knowledge and discretion" (Proverbs 8:12 NASB). Our pursuit of wisdom results in more than just learning a collection of sayings, it results in the ability to exercise good judgment and foresight, to know what is right and best and to be able to discern when to speak and when to be silent. This is one of the goals of the Book of Proverbs--to provide prudence, knowledge, and discretion (cf. 1:4). All three are found in wisdom's company. As we learn and apply wisdom, they will dwell in our lives as well.

Jeremy Sprouse

Proverbs 8:10-11

""Take my instruction and not silver, and knowledge rather than choicest
gold. For wisdom is better than jewels; and all desirable things cannot
compare with her" (Proverbs 8:10-11). The value of the wisdom that comes
from God's word is unmatched by anythi" Respond to this post by replying
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"Take my instruction and not silver, and knowledge rather than choicest
gold. For wisdom is better than jewels; and all desirable things cannot
compare with her" (Proverbs 8:10-11). The value of the wisdom that comes
from God's word is unmatched by anything and everything on this world (cf.
Matthew 16:26). It is that which provides us with the best life and future
for all eternity. The realization of this value should lead to the
rearrangement of our priorities. Most would not dare to miss many days of
work if any, but missing Bible class and worship is no problem. People will
go to work with headaches, when they've only had a few hours of sleep, or
they don't really feel like going to work, but these problems will keep them
home when the saints are gathering. It should be the opposite. We need to
treasure our opportunities to learn God's Word more than our opportunities
to earn money.


by Jeremy Sprouse