Proverbs

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“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses” (Proverbs 10:12 ESV)

February 23, 2013

The heart without love is easily offendable. It looks for offense and strikes back to defend. It leaves a trail of broken relationships in its wake. But the heart of love is hard to offend because it thinks of others ahead of itself. It has no need to defend or protect because love is its strong tower. Where ever the heart of love goes, healing and reconciliation happen. Are you overly sensitive and easily offendable? Ask God to examine your heart.

“The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight” (Proverbs 4:7)

January 21, 2013

The first step for growing in wisdom is a desire to do so. Those who grow in wisdom, seek after it. There is a kind of wisdom that the world admires, but it does not lead to true understanding and life. The wisdom that God gives is life. Do you want this wisdom? Then, ask, seek, knock… and it will be given to you.

“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold” (Proverbs 3:13-14)

January 14, 2013

This wisdom is best understood as a full and growing knowledge of God’s Word combined with the understanding of how to rightly apply it to life’s circumstances. There is a way of thinking that the world calls wise, but it is foolishness to God and leads to death. The wisdom of God leads to blessing and eternal life.

“Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine” (Proverbs 3:9-10)

January 12, 2013

The Hebrew verb “honor” (kabad) may also be translated “give glory to” or “to give weight to, weighty.” The idea is that we recognize the Lord as the Owner and Giver of all things. We give our “firstfruits” to the Lord to show that we put Him first. Many say that they honor God, but it is merely lip service. Do you give “honor” (priority, glory, weight) to the Lord?

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV)

January 10, 2013

Rather than depending on your own wisdom, depend on God’s. Put your utmost confidence in Him and in His Word for your decision-making. And as you do, give Him the credit for everything, worshiping and thanking Him in all things. In so doing, we can stop worrying about tomorrow, entrusting the future into His hands.

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed” (Proverbs 31:8)

December 29, 2012

Have you been given a voice? Then, use it to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Do not be silent when others are being crushed.

“The trustworthy person will get a rich reward, but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble” (Proverbs 28:20)

November 28, 2012

Wealth isn’t the problem. It’s the attitude of wanting wealth quickly, of a willingness to take any shortcut, no matter the ethic. The one who works to earn over a long time, knows the value of things and how to manage. The one who obtains quickly, loses it the same way. Easy come, easy go. And with that, “trouble.” Those who believe this proverb, won’t waste their dollar on a lottery ticket, but will invest it instead.

“When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability” (Proverbs 28:2)

November 19, 2012

Even Solomon, who God used to write this proverb, led Israel’s decline into idolatry and “moral rot.” If God’s chosen nation was susceptible, then any nation is. Americans are increasingly of the opinion that moral character is a private matter that has no bearing on public competence. However, the Bible says that character and competence cannot be separated. Morality matters.

“As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person” (Proverbs 27:19)

November 15, 2012

The heart is the seat of the intellect, passion and will. It is the motive behind every action. You can hide your heart from other people for a season, but ultimately some circumstance will expose it’s true nature. Only God can give you a new heart. What does your heart reveal about you?

“Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy” (Proverbs 27:6)

November 6, 2012

Are your friendships based on flattery or fidelity? Are your ears open to correction? A true friend will tell you the truth about you. What kind of friends have you chosen to hear?