Proverbs
10.27.10 Proberbs 27:19 –
Proverbs Post #7-
Today I was reading in chapter 27, and verse 19 struck me today. It says:
27:19 As in water the face is reflected as a face,
so a person’s heart reflects the person.
Wow! This is a challenging verse. One of the challenges for us is whether or not we are putting forth effort for our own interests or God’s interests. I struggle on a daily basis with making sure everything I do is making a difference for the kingdom.
Colossians 3:1-3 deal directly with this struggle. “3:1 Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 3:2 Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth, 3:3 for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
Are you reflecting your will or God’s will?
I want to challenge you to take up reading the Proverb of the day and the entire chapter as well. Lord, please help each one of us to keep our focus on things above and not the things of this earth. Amen.
I am using the Net Bible to quote from for these posts.
10.26.10 Proberbs 26:28 –
Proverbs Post #6-
Today I was reading in chapter 26, view and verse 28 struck me today. It says:
26:28 A lying tongue hates those crushed by it, cialis
and a flattering mouth works ruin.
I am following up on yesterdays post with the negative side of communication. As I mentioned we have to work hard to communicate well but lying, see flattering, gossip, etc are so easy for us! When I read “A lying tongue hates those crushed by it,” I came to a significant realization. I always thought, when I lie I am focused on myself but I think the truth is lying shows how much or maybe more accurately how little we value the people around us.
Before I move on, I will admit, I am guilty as charged. I have not told the truth in my life multiple times (This is the point where you are to admit you are guilty as well). So what does lying really do? It alters the correct perception others have of us. So where is the real harm? The damage as mentioned in the first half of this verse is not only to the person who lies but to those to which the lie is told! They believe something that is false which makes the truth hurt even more! This is especially significant in a family situation where our lives are so intertwined.
Will Rogers said, “It takes a lifetime to build a good reputation, but you can lose it in a minute.” How did you feel the last time a lie was told and you learned the truth?
I want to challenge you to take up reading the Proverb of the day and the entire chapter as well. Lord, please help each one of us to keep our focus on things above and not the things of this earth. Amen.
I am using the Net Bible to quote from for these posts.
10/25/2010 – Proverbs 25:11
Proverbs Post #5-
Today I was reading in chapter 25, no rx and verse 11 struck me today. It says:
25:11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver,
so is a word skillfully spoken.
I really enjoy listening to speakers who can communicate their thoughts in a way that I not only hear but truly understand their meaning. Few of us have this gift but still experience good and poor communication on a regular basis. We communicate most of the day with our family, co workers, friends or employees at our favorite establishments.
Have you ever heard that you can only control what you say and not how anyone hears or understands what you say? I have found my poor communication to be the single greatest cause of headache in my life. I cannot or do not ask for help. I give bad instructions. I am upset when I respond! The list can go on and on but the constant in every situation is my ability to communicate.
On the other hand I have several friends who are master communicators. Not only can they help you understand but a tremendously important part of the skillfully spoken word is listening. They have the ability to hear what you are saying, listen to your tone, watch your body language to help really hear your communication. After our conversation, I regularly have the thought, “They really get me.”
How well to you listen in order to speak skillfully?
I want to challenge you to take up reading the Proverb of the day and the entire chapter as well. Lord, please help each one of us to keep our focus on things above and not the things of this earth. Amen.
I am using the Net Bible to quote from for these posts.
10/22/10 – Proverby 22:3
Proverbs Post #4-
Today I was reading in chapter 22, buy and verse 3 struck me today. It says:
22:3 A shrewd person sees danger and hides himself,
but the naive keep right on going and suffer for it.
Would you like to be the shrewd person or the naive person? Ok, I probably did not have to ask. As a general rule, being naive is not a good trait for functioning well in our country. There are a large number of individuals who are searching for people to take advantage of.
As I began writing, my first thought was of being naive in our daily lives. But I think the implication goes further than our daily interaction with others in this world. When you read “A shrewd person sees danger and hides himself,” did you wonder why they would hide? 1 Peter 5 provides a possible answer to this question. It says “Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour.” Lions are a good reason to hide!
Be alert! Are you being attentive to your interaction with the world?
I want to challenge you to take up reading the Proverb of the day and the entire chapter as well. Lord, please help each one of us to keep our focus on things above and not the things of this earth. Amen.
I am using the Net Bible to quote from for these posts.
10/21/10 – Proverbs 21:26
Proverbs Post #3-
Today I was reading in chapter 21, since it is the 21th day of the month, and verse 26 struck me today. It says:
21:26 All day long he craves greedily,
but the righteous gives and does not hold back.
A friend and I talk regularly about tension in our lives. Our tension is not necessarily negative but the constant process of testing everything we do (our desires, motives, etc) versus God’s instruction in the Bible and where we see His leading in our lives.
This verse challenges me with one of those tensions with which I struggle. That tension is, how much that I have do I need and how much is simply due to my wants. In relation to verse 26, “Am I craving greedily or am I willing to give without holding back?” I am convinced that we each need ask and answer this for ourselves.
How do you make these types of decisions? I have learned a truth that I want to share but admit I struggle with everyday. The simple truth is: ask God to show me the correct decision. The difficult part is asking and have a willing heart to accept His answer because my desires get in the way on a regular basis! I am sure some of you may question my thoughts. You might ask, “You mean every decision I make?” I do not think God cares about simple daily life tasks such as, which clothes you wear today, but when you are making a decision that impacts the resources He has placed in your care; yes, I mean every decision.
Are you willing to take every financial decision to the Lord in prayer?
I want to challenge you to take up reading the Proverb of the day and the entire chapter as well. Lord, please help each one of us to keep our focus on things above and not the things of this earth. Amen.
I am using the Net Bible to quote from for these posts.
10/20/10 – Proverbs 20:12
Proverbs Post #2-
I have been reading through the book of Proverbs for most of the last four years. I followed the path many have when reading this book, by reading the chapter that matches the day of the month. I am going to attempt to write daily, on a verse that speaks to me as I read. Today I was reading in chapter 20, since it is the 20th day of the month, and verse 21 struck me today. It says:
20:12 The ear that hears and the eye that sees –
the Lord has made them both.
As I read “the ear that hears and the eye that sees” I thought of my daughters ears and eyes. I wondered how my actions were effecting their eyes and ears. Am I being an example of Jesus or an example of the world to my precious girls?
The next line that says “the Lord has made them both” refers to God giving us these abilities but also, as the foot notes in the Net Bible state, “but it also emphasizes their spiritual use in God’s service.” Reading the notes deepened my conviction in regards to my daughters since my desire is to be an example they can follow. I need to help them learn how to use their eyes and ears for God’s service.
What kind of example are you to your children or those who see you in the world?
I want to challenge you to take up reading the Proverb of the day and the entire chapter as well. Lord, please help each one of us to keep our focus on things above and not the things of this earth. Amen.
I am using the Net Bible to quote from for these posts.
10/19/10 – Proverbs 19:17
Proverbs Post #1-
I have been reading through the book of Proverbs for most of the last four years. I followed the path many have when reading this book, by reading the chapter that matches the day of the month. I am going to attempt to write daily, on a verse that speaks to me as I read. Today I was reading in chapter 19, since it is the 19th day of the month, and verse 17 struck me today. It says:
Proverbs 19:17 The one who is gracious to the poor lends to the Lord,
and the Lord will repay him for his good deed.
Several things stuck out in my mind as I read this verse. The first is, we have a tendency to insulate ourselves from the realities of the world. I wonder, how many people actually are in a position or put themselves in a position to help someone who is poor? Think about your life for a minute. When was the last time you gave someone (who was poor) money to eat lunch or buy groceries, paid someone’s utility bill or donated clothing to your local mission?
The second is the promise of repayment. The Lord “will” is a powerful statement because God always fulfills His promises. I want to caution those who read this and think “If I give to the poor God will give me a bunch of money!” The repayment is not specified in this verse. We do not know if it is an earthly reward or a heavenly reward. But one thing I do know, I want whatever kind of blessing my God is willing to give me!
I want to challenge you to take up reading the Proverb of the day and the entire chapter as well. Lord, please help each one of us to keep our focus on things above and not the things of this earth. Amen.
I am using the Net Bible to quote from for these posts.
