SOS Discipline - Daily Proverb and Red Letter Reader
The power of heart is the understanding of the rod. cf Pr. 10:13
There are no short cuts, only better routes. cf Mt. 9:16
The decision to write, the choice to map, is the power to move all men, near and far. cf Sun Tzu 6.12
From Today’s Stack
The Parable of the Deuteronomy (29)
There was a Righteous Warlord who ruled a vast realm. Once, he chose a conquered people, rescuing them from a Tyrant. To bless them, he led them from their barren land, through a harsh wilderness, and into a bountiful land of plenty, complete with roads, waters, and wilds.
As they stood on the brink of this new land, the Warlord summoned all the people—the leaders, the elders, the warriors, the women, the children, and even the foreigners among them. He reminded them of the great deeds he had performed, the battles fought and won, the trials they had endured, and the promise he had made.
The Warlord spoke with commanding wisdom, "You have seen my power and my mercy. I delivered you from the Tyrant's grip and guided you through the wilderness. Now, as you are about to enter this land of plenty, I call upon you to renew our covenant."
He continued, "If you remain loyal to me and obey my commands, you will thrive. Your fields will yield abundant harvests, your homes will be filled with joy, and you will live in peace. But if you turn away from me and break our covenant, this land will bring you misery. The blessings will turn to curses, your crops will wither, and you will be scattered among the nations."
The Warlord's words were not merely a warning but also a promise of hope. "Even if you stray and face hardships, if you remember me and return with all your heart and soul, I will restore you. This land is yours forever, as long as you stay faithful."
The people listened, understanding that the Warlord's commands were not just rules but the path to their prosperity and well-being. They realized their future depended on their faithfulness to the Warlord and his wisdom.
As they prepared to enter the new land, they taught these principles to their children, ensuring the Warlord's wisdom and promises would endure. They vowed to remember his words, knowing their success and happiness in this land of plenty depended on their unwavering loyalty.
And so, the people entered the fertile land, carrying with them the Righteous Warlord’s teachings and promises, determined to honor the covenant and pass down this parable of faithfulness and blessing to future generations.
But the Warlord knew that the tenants were prone to forgetfulness and disobedience. He had seen them grumble and stray many times before.
He repeated, "If you follow my guidance, you will flourish in this land. The fields will yield abundant crops, your flocks will multiply, and you will live in peace and prosperity. But if you turn away from me and ignore my instructions, this land will become as desolate as the one you left. The blessings will turn to curses, and you will find yourselves scattered and lost."
“Even if you stray and find yourselves in hardship, if you remember me and return to my ways with all your heart and soul, I will bring you back and restore your fortunes. This land is yours forever, for I remain faithful."
From the Archive
from Without Flesh https://buff.ly/3RxBHtX
The Threat
Imagine a moment where you and I sat down for coffee at a local shop. I reach into my satchel and pull out a folder filled with documents. These documents present study after study done by reputable, world-class companies. These studies demonstrate beyond any reasonable doubt that preaching the texts of the Bible in today’s market conditions guarantees the gradual emptying of the pews of your local church. One hundred percent. There is no debate. The evidence is incontrovertible. Jesus’ actual words not only will not grow your church. They will shrink it. Quickly. Keep preaching the Bible’s actual text, and within half a decade, you will be in financial straits. You will be stretching your last few volunteers even further. You won’t just be wondering where next year’s budget will come from, you will be selling the building. You will no longer be struggling to pay a part time pastor. You will be defaulting on your bills and loans.
It’s hypothetical, of course. I don’t have this kind of proof. But I want you to consider it a possibility for the sake of this question: if it were shown to be true, what would you do? Would you want the Scriptures preached anyway? It means you will close. It means your pastor will have to work part time and serve three other churches. It means your kids might not get married at the same altar as you. Do you still want to stand firm?
Now, let’s up the ante.
What if I pulled out another folder? In this folder I showed you further clear proof that this same tactic will not only empty your pews over the next twenty years, but it will also put you on your government’s watch lists. It showed that clinging to the Bible’s words would not only put your local congregation in danger. It would also threaten your mortgage. Your children’s ability to attain an education. Your spouse’s ability to receive healthcare.
What if I showed you proof that continuing to attend your church’s services could reasonably get you killed?
Would you still go?
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