Solomon offers a contrast between discretion and gossip

Godly "discretion" does not mean ignoring offenses or hiding crimes

This is not the attitude referred to in English as

"sweeping it under the rug"

Rather, those who seek to demonstrate love

( ~ John 13:34–35; ~ Romans 12:10 )

Aim for repentance and reconciliation

( ~ Proverbs 10:12 )

That might involve consequences

( ~ 1 Corinthians 5:13 )

But the primary goal is bringing others closer to God

Choosing to handle offenses with grace can even convince an enemy of their own wrongdoing

( ~ Proverbs 16:7 )

The opposite extreme from entirely ignoring a problem is indiscretion

Repeating the news of an offense to those who have no reason to know about it

As with the first half of the Proverb...

The intent is not to discourage accountability

Informing authorities is not gossip

Saying nothing could mean enabling sin...


Part 2 continues below 👇

Part 2 continues...


What this part of the proverb describes are...

Personal differences
Mistakes
Or Embarrassments

( ~ Proverbs 12:16 )

"Blabbing" about someone else's shortcomings is a form of damaging, evil speech

( ~ Proverbs 16:27–28 )

Even good friendships can be destroyed by such betrayals

The New Testament strongly condemns gossip and the actions of a busybody

It encourages believers to help whenever a brother is overtaken in a transgression

~ Galatians 6:1 instructs...

"Brothers, if anyone is caught in a transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted"



~ Proverbs 17:7–21

Continues Solomon's wise observations

These remarks touch on...

* Speech
* Fools
* Strife
* True friendship
* Co-signing loans
* Love of sinning

And what a fool can expect thanks to his foolishness

Numerous comments involve errors that lead to arguments and division

Some observations make a statement and then add to it

Others present vivid contrasts




In Todays world there is alot to be learned from this in soooo many platforms...

Especially social media

You've probably heard this poisonous statement many times...

"It's just a little harmless gossip"

The Wise Teacher reminds us that gossip is neither little nor harmless

Sharing someone else's...

Stumble
Offense
Failure
Or Flaws

Separates friends and causes horrible damage

The consequences of such gossip are severe

And its damage is often lasting and devastating

Especially to relationships

Instead...

It is much better to be a peacemaker

And an offense-mender

Someone who covers over an offense with...

Grace, Forgiveness, and Love



As Jesus said:

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall bee called the children of God.”

~ Matthew 5:9

A peacemaker is one who covers over an offense

And promotes love and peace



LET THAT BE SAID OF US !




My Prayer...



Father of Glory,

I confess that I am often more a peace lover than a peacemaker

Being a peacemaker seems to be a lot harder for us in these times

Covering over offenses feels a lot more difficult than passing on the gossip about an offense

So, please give me the character not to repeat gossip

But instead to have the wisdom and strength to be an offense-mender

And an offense-coverer

Through the Prince of Peace
Himself
I pray

Amen

🙏

Stress comes when we try to carry everything ourselves.
Peace comes when we place it back into God’s hands.

In John 14:27, Jesus reminds us that His peace is different from the world’s. It doesn’t fade when circumstances shift or fear rises. His peace steadies the heart even in the storm.

If your heart feels troubled today, release what you’re holding. His peace is already given.

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
John 14:27

✝️LORD, direct us, correct us, and protect us, AMEN✝️
@sheepnotgoats

He's not wrong here!


Thanks For Watching!

Crumbs From The Table | The Pointe Recording (Worship Song)

Matthew 15:25-28

The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said. He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs." "Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

This song is a reminder that, in the eyes of Jesus, we are worth so much more than just crumbs from the table! So worship with us at The Pointe, and take a seat beside Jesus at the table.

“De vreze des HEEREN is het beginsel der wijsheid.”
Spreuken 9:10

https://t.me/Dutchchristianvault

Vertaling van de afbeelding
Alle religies zeggen: “Dit is de weg.”
Alleen Jezus zegt: “Ik ben de Weg.”
(Johannes 14:6)


Wereldwijd bestaan er duizenden religies en levensbeschouwingen — schattingen lopen uiteen van meer dan 4.000.
Ondanks hun onderlinge verschillen hebben zij één ding gemeen:
de mens moet iets doen om God te bereiken.

Regels volgen.
Moreel verbeteren.
Rituelen uitvoeren.
Verdiensten opbouwen.

De last ligt altijd bij de mens.

Het Evangelie van Jezus Christus doorbreekt dit patroon volledig.

De Bijbel leert dat de mens niet in staat is zichzelf te redden — niet door werken, niet door kennis, niet door vroomheid.

“Want allen hebben gezondigd en missen de heerlijkheid van God.”
(Romeinen 3:23)

Daarom kwam God Zelf naar de mens toe.

Niet met een nieuwe religie, maar met redding door genade.

“Want uit genade bent u zalig geworden, door het geloof,
en dat niet uit uzelf: het is de gave van God,
niet uit werken, opdat niemand zou roemen.”
(Efeze 2:8–9)

Jezus wijst geen weg aan tussen vele andere wegen.
Hij zegt niet: volg Mijn leer en red jezelf.
Hij zegt:

“Ik ben de Weg, de Waarheid en het Leven.”
(Johannes 14:6)

Geen enkel ander geloof leert:

dat God mens werd

dat Hij Zelf de straf droeg

dat redding volledig volbracht is

dat genade het begin én het einde is

Daarom is Gods Woord niet één stem onder velen, maar de stem van God Zelf.
Het is openbaring, geen mening.
Genade, geen prestatie.
Christus en geen systeem.

“Er is onder de hemel geen andere Naam gegeven
waardoor wij zalig moeten worden.”
(Handelingen 4:12)

https://t.me/Dutchchristianvault

SATURDAY - FEBRUARY 21
------------------------------


Focuses on Jesus calling sinners to repentance

Specifically featuring the calling of Levi (Matthew)

Key scriptures often read on this day

Reflecting themes of true fasting and repentance


Almighty and Everlasting God,

Mercifully look upon our infirmities, and in all our dangers and necessities stretch forth your right hand to help and defend us

Through Jesus Christ our Lord,

Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit

One God, for ever and ever

Amen

🙏



~ Isaiah 58:9–14

"If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail. Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in. If you refrain from trampling the sabbath, from pursuing your own interests on my holy day; if you call the sabbath a delight and the holy day of the Lord honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, serving your own interests, or pursuing your own affairs; then you shall take delight in the Lord, and I will make you ride upon the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of your ancestor Jacob, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken."


~ Psalm 86:1–11

"Bow down your ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and in misery. Keep watch over my life, for I am faithful; save your servant who puts his trust in you. Be merciful to me, O Lord, for you are my God; I call upon you all the day long. Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, and great is your love toward all who call upon you. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer, and attend to the voice of my supplications. In the time of my trouble I will call upon you, for you will answer me. Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord, nor anything like your works. All nations you have made will come and worship you, O Lord, and glorify your Name. For you are great; you do wondrous things; and you alone are God. Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; knit my heart to you that I may fear your Name.


~ Luke 5:27–32
After healing the paralyzed man, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up, left everything, and followed him.

Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house; and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others sitting at the table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus answered, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance.”





Jesus explains...

That His mission is to save sinners...

Not those who believe they are righteous

Comparing Himself to a physician...

He highlights that spiritual healing is for those who recognize their need for repentance

Answering critics who questioned His association with sinners





Key Aspects of the Meaning are continued below 👇

Part 2 ...

Key Aspects of the Meaning continues.......



* The "Physician" Analogy:

Jesus compares sin to sickness.

Just as a doctor is needed by the sick, Jesus came for those who know they are spiritually broken, not those who are self-righteous.

* Mission to Sinners:

Jesus clarifies that He came to call sinners to repentance, not to cater to those who consider themselves morally superior
(like the Pharisees)

* Definition of Righteousness:

The "righteous" in this context refers to those who think they have no need for forgiveness, whereas the "sick" are those who recognize their sins.

* Accessibility of Grace:

The verses emphasize that salvation is available to everyone who acknowledges their need for a Savior, regardless of their past.




Jesus is explaining to the Pharisees and scribes why He feasted with a group of cultural outcasts and "sinners."

He hasn't come for those who believe themselves sinless.

He can't heal proud religious leaders who don't think they need God's forgiveness.

He has come for those aware enough to know they are sinners and humble enough to repent—like Peter
( ~ Luke 5:8 )

Peter may have been present at this feast

The text isn't clear if all Jesus' disciples were

But he doesn't immediately get the point that Jesus has come for everybody

Years after Jesus ascends to heaven and Peter becomes a significant church leader

God will go to great lengths to convince him to visit the home of a godly Gentile
( ~ Acts 10 )

When he visits Syrian Antioch...

Peter eats with Gentiles until legalistic Jews from Jerusalem arrive and shame him
( ~ Galatians 2:11–14 )

Peter eventually learns to accept Gentiles
( ~ Acts 15 )

And welcomes them as part of the church
( ~ 1 Peter 2:10 )

If Peter takes so long to understand following Jesus means breaking tradition and associating with people with varied social standings

The Pharisees' initial interpretation of Jesus' actions as improper is understandable

A "physician" is someone who cures physical ailments

For a physician to concentrate on healthy people...

Ignoring those with ailments...

Is foolish

It's especially unwise when the sick are plentiful and willing to be healed

As with the paralyzed man
( ~Luke 5:23–24 )

Jesus is using physical healing as a metaphor for spiritual healing

His words here might be a cultural proverb of that era

It's important for local churches...

To embody Jesus' statement

We should expect and welcome "sinners" into our congregations

Hospitals and churches are both meant as places people can come with their problems

Seeking comfort and relief

A hospital is of little use without those willing to accept that they are sick

Just as a church was ment to gather

Ephesians 2:19-22
Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Yeshua the Messiah Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.