Welcome to May! A brand new day, a brand new month, a brand new slate. You can decide today to forget about everything that happened from yesterday on and purpose to create a new outlook, mindset, and spiritual journey. I am so thankful to be living out the promises of Scripture that my latter days would be better than my former days. The books I have written all give witness to the many struggles, trials, and tribulations God’s grace has brought me through. However, they also are testimonies of God’s faithfulness and the transforming power of His Word. That I am here today, able to give God praise and glory through the words He gives me to write, is a testimony in itself. Journaling through the Proverbs helps you to see how applying God’s wisdom to the situations in your life causes you to grow in godliness and wisdom. If you have not purchased any of my books, click the link above to our online bookstore and choose from the wide range collection of books to inspire you to a life of triumph, encouragement, joy, and victory in the Lord. And while you are shopping don’t forget to grab “A Proverbs Each Day Journal, so that you can journal and see all the ways God is present in the events of your life. We have a one-year, a six-month, and a youth journal that can serve as the perfect family devotional. So get your journal and let’s see what God has in store for us as we journal through the Proverbs. Be blessed!
Journaling Through the Proverbs – May
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32 responses to “Journaling Through the Proverbs – May”
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May 31 – Proverbs 31:13-14, “She looks for wool and flax and works with her hands in delight. She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar.”
This is a great question for our sons. Do you know how to find a virtuous wife? When we teach our children the importance of character in both men and women, they will make right choices when it comes to joining their lives with their future husband or wife. Some young people are just rebellious and want to do things their own way. They are like the fool who does not listen to any sound wisdom. But for those who will receive wise instructions, these Scriptures will bring blessings to those who strive to live virtuous lives. Ladies, do not be intimidated by the woman described in Proverbs 31:10-31. This is not saying that a Christian woman must fulfill all of these traits, but that in whatever gifts she has or role she fulfills, she will do it whole heartily. As followers of Christ, we should strive to instill these characteristics in our own daughters and be role models of how a Christian woman lives out her life. In doing so, our sons will also look for those characteristics in other women. They will want to join with women who exhibit the godly characteristics of their mothers. These Scriptures are intended to be wisdom to us. They are not words to be feared but words to be embraced. Our world is in need of a Christ-centered woman who can raise both women and men to live righteous lives. Be blessed!
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May 30 – Proverbs 30:13-14, “There is a kind—oh how lofty are his eyes! And his eyelids are raised in arrogance. There is a kind of man whose teeth are like swords and his jaw teeth like knives, to devour the afflicted from the earth and the needy from among men.”
These Scriptures from Proverbs teach us that God knows the heart of man and can define the character of all of His creation. He knows the type of people we are and gives us these words of wisdom to help us learn how we are not to behave and understand the outcome of what happens when we allow these types of people in our lives. The Proverbs are such a priceless gift to us because we get to have a picture of how sin destroys us and how living a godly life is rewarding to us. We could probably relate these Scriptures to several people that has passed through our lives in one season or another, in places where we have worked, in our neighborhoods. We could remember in our childhood people who behaved in ways life this, or if we are married and have children can relate to encounters that our spouses and children have had with those described in these Scriptures. But how do we avoid these behaviors in our own lives? 2 Corinthians 13:5 challenges us to test and examine ourselves to see whether we are in the faith. Because if we truly are, then we have the Holy Spirit who convicts us of sin, judgment, and righteousness, so that these types of behaviors will not be found in us. God has given us all we need for life and godlessness within the Scriptures, but we have to apply it. Be blessed.
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May 29 – Proverbs 29:22-25, “An angry man stirs up strife, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression. A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor. He who is a partner with a thief hates his own life; He hears the oath but tells nothing. The fear of man brings a snare, but he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted.”
When we give our hearts to the Lord, we receive a very special transformation and receive a new heart, mind, and spirit. That newness came by the renewing of our minds through God’s Word. It taught us how to love like God loves us and forgive as God forgives us. One of the great distinctions of people who have not really surrendered their lives to Christ is that their heart is filled with anger, hatred, and unforgiveness, or man’s view of love that is mainly conditional.
1 John teaches us that we love because He first loved us. Without Christ, we have no clue what love is. The selfishness of the sin nature is angered by anyone who does not adhere to its demands. It causes the madness of a hot temper to flare up at the slightest act of non-compliance. It is the pride that brings us low. What these Scriptures describe is a person without God’s love to transform their reactions, responses, or attitudes. Self becomes less as God becomes more of who we are. Think back on your life before Christ. Can you see a contrast between the person you were and the person God has transformed you to become? Do you fear what man thinks about you more than what God thinks about you? Let these Proverbs encourage you to be transformed into the likeness of God’s dear Son. Be blessed!
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May 28 – Proverbs 28:15-18, “Like a roaring lion and a rushing bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people. A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days. A man who is laden with the guilt of human blood will be a fugitive until death; let no one support him. He who walks blamelessly will be delivered, but he who is crooked will fall all at once.”
God’s Word gives us teaching for everything we need in life. These Scriptures above, although a small number of Scriptures, can give us a great picture of the type of leaders we should choose to lead us in our homes, churches, workplace, businesses, and government. We can create a description of the kind of leader God would desire us to choose through these Scriptures. Look at the attributes of a person’s character in comparison or in contrast to these Scriptures, then consider if this is a person who would represent God’s choice of a godly leader. In Philippians 2:12, Paul instructs us that we are to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. This requires us to be careful of the type of teaching we receive and the type of leader we choose to lead us spiritually, and the type of leaders we choose to rule over our lives. We are not to support leaders who behave in ways or support ideologies that are contrary to the Word of God. Be blessed!
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May 27 – Proverbs 27: 23-24, “Know well the condition of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds; For riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to all generations.”
In these times, families spend so much time in busyness. Mom and dad both work to keep the material status quo, pile up debt so that their child can feel as happy and provided for as the next, have all the newest gadgets, ride in the best cars, have the best parties, be the star of the game and many times in these same families, they neglect what they need the most. God’s salvation. When I think about these Scriptures, I think about the spiritual condition of one’s flock or family, or the church body. Matthew 6:19-21 teaches us, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” When we focus on what is most important for our families, then we will focus on equipping them to know and love God. Riches certainly take wings like an eagle and fly. But God’s salvation will last for all eternity. Think about it. Be blessed.
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May 27 – Proverbs 27:14-16, “He who blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be reckoned a curse to him.
A constant dripping on a day of steady rain and a contentious woman are alike; He who would restrain her restrains the wind,
and grasps oil with his right hand.”Those who are loud and have no respect for the privacy of others will cause strain in their relationships. One of the quickest ways to strain a relationship is by being insensitive and disrespectful to the other person. In a relationship, there must be an equal balance of give and take. Finding the right balance takes compromise, sacrifice, and consideration. I would never just drop by my friend’s home without them knowing I was dropping by. I would be respectful of their times and schedules, and family obligations. I would also try to find out what things annoy the person in order to have a healthy relationship with them. When we are inconsiderate and disrespectful of others, it may feel like one is cursed because everyone wants to stay away from that type of individual.
I have also witnessed through my life that women are more contentious in their relationships with other women than men are in relating to other men. Women are emotional, and sometimes they act or react from their emotions. This can also cause relationships to be strained. When there is someone who always finds something to argue about, it can be exhausting. We must learn to be flexible and gracious instead of contentious. It is very hard to contain a contentious woman, and they too can find that people will keep their distance in order to afford confrontation. Those who deal wisely with others, or are discerning and can observe the behaviors of others, in order to avoid being in contentious and overbearing relationships. God desires that we deal with each other from a foundation of love. This love comes through the Holy Spirit, and without being redeemed in Christ, one will not have the kind of love needed to navigate relationships in a way that brings peace instead of strife and contention. Be blessed!
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May 26 – Proverbs 26: 24-27, “He who hates disguises it with his lips, but he lays up deceit in his heart. When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart. Though his hatred covers itself with guile, his wickedness will be revealed before the assembly. He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.”
The one thing that should not have any place in the life of one who follows Christ is hate for one’s neighbor. God told Cain in Genesis 4:7 that sin is knocking at our door, and its desire is to overtake us. Hate is sin, and it quickly wants to enter our hearts and overtake us. It is an emotion that can drive people to do unthinkable things. But the worst kind of hate is hate that is hidden and covered with a smile. These Proverbs give us wisdom in understanding that some may pass through our lives who may hate us but pretend to love us. But God has given us a powerful antidote to hate, –His love. When we allow His love to shape our hearts, it will cause us to overcome hate. Love has at its core forgiveness. Forgiveness is one of the greatest acts of love, as we humble ourselves as Jesus did when He was crucified and asked God to forgive His persecutors. How about you? How do you allow love to work in situations that once might have created hateful emotions? Think about what Jesus has done for you the next time the enemy brings feelings of hatefulness or unforgiveness, and walk in His love. Be blessed.
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May 25 – Proverbs 25:26-28, “Like a trampled spring and a polluted well, is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked. It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glory to search out one’s own glory. Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit.”
God has given us all we need to live out our lives of faith. Our desires and the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life can so easily lead us astray. It is a difficult walk to walk uphill against the downhill traffic of sin. A trampled spring and a polluted well give off a terrible stench because of all the dead particles found in them. That is the picture of our lives when we allow sin to pollute our hearts, minds, and thoughts, which produces spiritual death and ungodly behavior. God’s Holy Spirit brings us self-control when we submit our will to Him. But when we desire to go our way, we go out unprotected, just like a city with no wall of protection, and the enemy will take every opportunity to destroy us. Think about that. Be blessed!
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May 23 – Proverbs 23:13-14, “Do not hold back discipline from the child, although you strike him with the rod, he will not die. You shall strike him with the rod and rescue his soul from Sheol.”
Who knows better about life? The world? Our children? Our friends? Or God? When we refuse to listen to the Word of God, we are saying that we know better than God. Just because God has given us free will does not mean we have all the answers in making the best decisions for our lives. Free will does not produce wisdom if we have know understanding of God’s Word. Anything we do apart from God is sin, and sin separates us from the peace and presence of God. God knew that free will would be destructive to us without His guidance. That is why He made provisions for the sin nature that comes with free will by sending Christ, His Son, to redeem us. In Christ, we have God’s grace that comes through repentance, which restores our relationship with Him that was broken through Adam and Eve’s use of their free will. Our heavenly Father knows what is best. As you read Proverbs 23, consider the various commandments that are laid out for us to follow. God has a much better plan for us, and He knows it from start to finish. We can trust that He really does have our best interests. Be blessed!
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May 22 – Proverbs 22:13-15 “The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside; I will be killed in the streets!” The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; He who is cursed of the Lord will fall into it. Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him.”
Those who are lazy will make up all types of outlandish excuses to avoid doing what is expected of them. They will play the victim to gain sympathy and be excused from their responsibilities. God has created each of us for His purpose, and we should be humbled to serve as a servant of the Almighty God. God is a great master. He rewards us with blessings that we do not deserve. He bestows love on us when we should be disciplined for our sins. We should desire to use our gifts diligently for the Lord. When we encounter those who are lazy, we should help them reach the potential God has created them to reach. Every life God brings to pass has a purpose in His master plan for salvation, and we should all be thankful that He would think of us, gift us, and then bring us to earth to show the world how awesome God is as He uses our lives to reflect His glory.
Several passages in the book of Proverbs warn men about engaging with adulterous women. They destroy homes, destroy lives, and go on to the next naive and unsuspecting person on their path. An adulterous woman does not care for anyone but herself. Only a fool would enter her path. A wise man, or a man of integrity, would not even consider engaging with such a woman, because he would be aware of her schemes and the destruction she would bring upon him and his family. He knows that the adulterous woman works for the enemy and seeks like to steal, kill, and destroy. Those who enter such relationships are still bound by the foolishness of their childish heart. No one has given them the correction, training, and discipline needed to help them make good choices and, as the Proverbs teach us, avoid the path of evil. God’s Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path, we must heed the teachings God provides for us through His Word, or we will end up ensnared by sin and the schemes and tricks of the enemy. Be blessed!
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May 21 – Proverbs 21:13- 15 – “He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be answered. A gift in secret subdues anger, and a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath. The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, but is terror to the workers of iniquity.”
God is a very generous God. He is generous with His love, mercy, grace, forgiveness, kindness, patience, healing, provision, and everything we need for our daily lives. No matter what we have, it has been acquired through the grace and lovingkindness of God. We are alive today because God was generous with the breath of life we need to live another day. When we then shut our ears to others who are in need, we insult the kindness and grace God has bestowed upon us. There will come a time when those who turned their nose up to the poor will find themselves in need and will experience the same type of response. We don’t know how our lives will change from one day to the next. We can be doing well financially one day and barreling down the road of financial hardship the next. We must follow what Christ taught us in the gospel, that we should do unto others as we would want them to do unto us.
I am amazed at how people try to manipulate others to keep silent by giving hush gifts or bribes to hide their sins from being exposed. I find this to be foolish, as God sees all things, and He will expose us when we try to hide things from others. God will send His messenger to expose those things that need to be exposed. He knows how to bring the hidden things to light. A hush gift or a bribe may be a temporary fix to hide one’s transgressions, but when God judges, there will be no recompense to hide one’s sin. Our lives should reflect integrity, honesty, and righteousness at all times, no matter if anyone sees us or not. Our aim should always be to obey God’s command and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. Be Blessed.
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May 20 – Proverbs 20:27-30, “The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all the innermost parts of his being. Loyalty and truth preserve the king, and he upholds his throne by righteousness. The glory of young men is their strength, and the honor of old men is their gray hair. Stripes that wound scour away evil, and strokes reach the innermost parts.”
I encourage you to think about these Scriptures in understanding the purpose God had in mind even as He created us. Our spirit is a lamp of the Lord. It illuminates everything God needs to see in us. It is like we are human lanterns. Even for those who are lost, God still sees through the innermost part of their being. So they may be lost today, just as we were at one time lost, but at the right time God will kindle their spirits and draw their spirits to His. Sometimes the best people in our lives are those who are not afraid to see us suffer so that God can work in us His strength. Sometimes, the words your friend may speak may not be what you want to hear and may even be hurtful. But God will use it to heal you and may even help you to turn away from evil. Think about it. Be blessed!
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May 19 – Proverbs 19:16-18, “He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is careless of conduct will die. One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his good deed. Discipline your son while there is hope, and do not desire his death.”
Living a set-apart life for God and our Lord is not easy. We must come to the place where we love God so much that we truly desire to be just like Him. Our desire is not to appease man but to humble ourselves under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. God has taught us to desire good, righteousness, and life by practicing His Word. I have learned that there is no one as generous as God, and His character of generosity should be reflected in how we live our lives. Scripture teaches us to be always willing to give, and when we give, to give with excellence. God has paid us all one hundredfold every time He wakes us up. He shows His love by challenging us, testing our faith, and disciplining us so that we would live. That is the same desire we should have for our children. I understand why God commands us as He does in verse 18. He knows the destructive path of the ungodly, and He wants us to protect our children from that path just as He protects us through His Word. Be blessed!
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May 18, 2025 – Proverbs 18:10-12, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe. A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his own imagination. Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, but humility goes before honor.”
The name of the Lord is such a strong tower for those who trust in Him. His name has authority over all things in this life. His name has power over the enemy, over his demons and sin. We are safe when we abide in the power of His name. But it is pride and arrogance that cause an individual to think that they can live this life without the presence of God. We can do nothing without Christ. It may look like everything is going well, and that is the ploy of the enemy to give an appearance of good, but in the end, we only reap destruction. I encourage you to take time today to sit with God and enjoy the blessing of His Word. Be blessed!
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May 17, 2025, – Proverbs 17:27-28 “He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.”
One of the things I have learned from these verses is to be careful in knowing when to speak and when to just hold my tongue. I have learned who I can trust and who I should not. These Scriptures help us to discern when to speak, but in the same way, when we come across someone who is always talking about everyone else’s problems and sharing things that should be kept in confidence, we can also discern their character. Not everything that we could say should be said. Ecclesiastes 3 tells us that there is a time for all things… I have learned from these verses to discern when someone is trying to draw me into a conversation that is not productive and when to leave a conversation that is just going in an endless circle to nowhere. Consider these Scriptures, and I hope they will help you in knowing when to keep silent, close your lips, and be a person of few words. Be blessed!
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May 16, 2025 – Proverbs 16:7-10 – “When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Better is a little with righteousness than great income with injustice. The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. A divine decision is in the lips of the king; His mouth should not err in judgment.”
God desires that our lifestyle reflect Christ. When we live our lives as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, He receives that as faith, and God moves in the life of those who live by faith. He makes even His enemies be a peace with him who lives a set apart life for the Lord. We should rather be righteous than have the world’s goods and pleasures. God has given us the ability to make decisions for our lives, but in the end, His will is what will stand. We should love to abide in God’s will because He has our best interest, and in His will we find the fullness of the life He created us to have. Choose to live holy and righteous, the eyes of the LORD go to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are loyal to Him. Be blessed!
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May 15, 2024 – Proverbs 15 – Proverbs 15:19-22 – “The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway. A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother. Folly is joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight. Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed.”
When I think of a highway, I think of a freeway of lanes filled with fast-moving cars going from one place to another. It is wide and spacious and the cars can get to where they are going much faster than driving down a side street. But there are less crowded highways that are slower-paced than the fast-paced freeways. They are for the slower drivers like me. But one thing about freeways and highways is that they provide a straight path to get where you want to go. You can exit off at certain points but the path is usually straight.
The Scriptures teach us about living a straight life. It is not a life that is sinless but a life in which we desire to sin less. Loving God and His Word will naturally move a person to desire close fellowship with Him. It allows us to become aware of what separates us from having that divine intimacy. The wisdom of the Scriptures causes us to desire to make our Father glad and not despise His Word and commands. Sin no longer brings joy like it did when we were foolish and living under the blindness of the devil. His word is perfect in consulting us. There is nothing that God does not know about us and no one knows us better than He. Without His consultation, our plans are frustrated because we cannot discover life’s answers without Him. He will lead us to succeed when we trust and obey Him. Think about that as you have rest time this weekend and be blessed!
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May 15, 2025 – Proverbs 15: 19-22 -“The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway. A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother. Folly is joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight. Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed.”
When I think of a highway, I think of a freeway of lanes filled with fast-moving cars going from one place to another. It is wide and spacious, and the cars can get to where they are going much faster than driving down a side street. But there are less crowded highways that are slower-paced than the fast-paced freeways. They are for the slower drivers like me. But one thing about freeways and highways is that they provide a straight path to get where you want to go. You can exit at certain points, but the path is usually straight.
The Scriptures teach us about living a straight life. It is not a life that is sinless, but a life in which we desire to sin less. Loving God and His Word will naturally move a person to desire close fellowship with Him. It allows us to become aware of what separates us from having that divine intimacy. The wisdom of the Scriptures causes us to desire to make our Father glad and not despise His Word and commands. Sin no longer brings joy like it did when we were foolish and living under the blindness of the devil. His word is perfect in consulting us. There is nothing that God does not know about us, and no one knows us better than He. Without His consultation, our plans are frustrated because we cannot discover life’s answers without Him. He will lead us to succeed when we trust and obey Him. Think about that as you have rest time this weekend and be blessed!
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May 14, 2025 – Proverbs 14:16-19, “A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is arrogant and careless. A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated. The naive inherit foolishness, but the sensible are crowned with knowledge. The evil will bow down before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.”
One of the things I can say about my life is that the Word of God has changed my life. I was clueless about the devil’s wiles and schemes to keep me in darkness. I thought my life was filled with fun, but little did I know I was oppressed and in bondage. Romans 12:1-2 was a Scripture that helped me in seeing the truth of what these Proverbs speak. I learn to live a cautious and discerning life. “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Be blessed!
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May 13, 2024 – Proverbs 13:12-15 -“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life. The one who despises the word will be in debt to it, but the one who fears the commandment will be rewarded. The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, to turn aside from the snares of death. Good understanding produces favor, but the way of the treacherous is hard.”
These Proverbs are foundational in understanding how essential it is to live according to the Word of God. Being a follower of Christ is not a cool nametag or something to stick on a car’s bumper. Being a follower of Christ is a lifestyle that obeys the commandments of the Bible. I used to wonder why it was that many people would come up to Christ, saying all the things they did in His name, and He would reply, as it says in Matthew 7:23, “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’” Christ also teaches us that we must love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and we must love our neighbor as ourselves. Paul then teaches us in 1 Corinthians 13, that if what we do is not based on the foundation of love, it profits us nothing. So many times I have seen how those who profess Christ despise His Word. They do everything contrary to what Christ has taught us.
The Word of God brings us hope; those who hope in temporal things will become sick with disappointment, but those who hope in Christ will never be ashamed. God is so generous to reward us when we obey Him. He does not have to do that, as He has given us the ultimate gift and salvation of our souls. Yet He does. When we fear God and obey His commandments, we have all that is needed for life and godliness. The Word of God surely does turn our hearts from evil to desiring what is holy and good. I know this because before I received the gift of God’s grace, my heart was wicked. As I studied and applied God’s Word to my life, it transformed everything about me. It changed how I saw God, myself, and others. It changed my worldview. It changed the way I thought and the choices I made. It changed the people I hung around with. Understanding the truth of God’s Word brings His favor to our lives, but those who live in disobedience will find that life is hard.
Be blessed!
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May 12, 2025 – Proverbs 12 – Proverbs 12:17-20: “He who speaks truth tells what is right, but a false witness, deceit. There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips will be established forever,But a lying tongue is only for a moment. Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but counselors of peace have joy.”
These Scriptures have greatly helped me as a wife and mother. In these roles, we sometimes forget that we are servants of God and that both our actions and our words have power. Words can wound hearts as much as sticks and stones wound bodies. I am grateful for God’s truth and the Holy Spirit, which have often guided me in refraining from speaking words that could hurt others. God’s Word serves as a mirror, guiding us to reflect and strive to become more like Christ. Consider how hateful words can change a person’s entire demeanor, while gentle, healing words can transform it for the better. Our words, like our actions, can be sinful and often add to ungodly behavior. My hope is that the wisdom found in Proverbs serves as a mirror to help you grow more like Christ. Think on this and be blessed!
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May 10, 2025 – Proverbs 10:8 “The wise of heart will receive commands, but a babbling fool will be ruined.” The wisest thing we can do is yield to the commandments of God. Every one of God’s commands is good for our soul, our health, and our life. His commands are founded on His perfect knowledge of everything. There is nothing better for us than to live in obedience to God. What are our options? Disobedience. No matter how we may try to wrap our actions up so they will not appear so bad to us, it all boils down to disobedience.
This is our 3rd round of reading a Proverb a Day. Each month, we start over reading Scripture after Scripture about keeping God’s commands. I hope that as we go through this year, reading the Proverbs each month, these Proverbs that build wisdom will become your way of thinking, acting, reacting, and living. I pray that you will always become obedient followers of Christ, living by His commands and bringing glory to His name. Be blessed!
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May 9, 2025 – Proverbs 9:13-18 -“The woman of folly is boisterous, She is naive and knows nothing. She sits at the doorway of her house, On a seat by the high places of the city, Calling to those who pass by, Who are making their paths straight: “Whoever is naive, let him turn in here,” And to him who lacks understanding she says, “Stolen water is sweet; And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.”
These verses remind me a little of many Hollywood celebrities who are always calling attention to themselves and boasting about things they do not know. Meanwhile, I see wise women working quietly in their homes or the workplace. They are hospitable and share the fruits of their labor. Wisdom is not a get-rich-quick scheme. It is not flashy. It is faithfulness and obedience to God’s Word, and it cultivates the fruit of the Holy Spirit.LikeLike
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May 11, 2025- Proverbs 11:12-14, “He who despises his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding keeps silent. He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy conceals a matter. Where there is no guidance, the people fall, but in abundance of counselors, there is victory.”
Do you have a vision for your life? Do you have milestone markers that celebrate different goals that you have set for yourself? Do you write down and make comparisons of where God has you now and where He has brought you from? When we live our lives from day to day with no real vision or goals in sight, we miss the ability to see the many ways in which God has changed us and matured us to be more like Him. Think about it. Proverbs 11: 12-14. Be blessed
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May 8, 2025 – Proverbs 8 – Proverbs 8:17-21“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. “I walk in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice, to endow those who love me with wealth, that I may fill their treasuries.”
Wisdom loves those who love her. When we love wisdom, we will seek to make the best decision, not just for today, but for the long term. Proverbs 8 teaches us that everything that has been created was created through God’s abundant wisdom. He tells us in the book of James that when we need wisdom, we should ask, and He will give it to us liberally. He loves to pour wisdom over our lives. Now that I have been saved, it is surprising to me how people live their lives and make decisions with no thought of godly counsel or wisdom. I did the same thing, over and over again. We all have access to God’s wisdom, but it’s mind-blowing how, in so many instances, we think that we can make a better decision than He. Reveals how foolish our human nature can be. Have you ever made a decision based on what you thought was best rather than seeking God’s best? Think about it. Be blessed!
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May 7, 2025 – Proverbs 24- 27, Today, we see what happens when our young men are not sound in their understanding of God’s Word and living a holy life. There is always someone waiting to deceive the naive. When we do not weigh what we learn, hear, and accept by the principles of God’s Word, it will surely lead us astray.
Proverbs 7:24-27 are the insights I would like to leave with you for today: “Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, and pay attention to the words of my mouth. Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, do not stray into her paths. For many are the victims she has cast down, and numerous are all her slain. Her house is the way to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death.” The enemy will always have his demonic forces out waiting and ready to deceive those who are not listening and paying attention. We must do both. When you hear or read the word of God, do you also pay attention to it? Think about it. Be blessed!LikeLike
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May 6, 2025 – Proverbs 6:12-15, “A worthless person, a wicked man, is the one who walks with a perverse mouth, who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet, who points with his fingers; Who with perversity in his heart continually devises evil, who spreads strife. Therefore his calamity will come suddenly; Instantly he will be broken and there will be no healing.”
Proverbs 6 is another great chapter in providing parental instructions. It is titled “Parental Counseling”. It is packed with wisdom and truth about what God expects from us. When we understand what God expects from us and rise to embrace that, we grow spiritually and become more like Christ. Christ had such an amazing will to obey God. He is such a beautiful example of what having a relationship with the Father should look like. All one has to do is follow His ministry in the Gospels and pay close attention to His responses about who God was to Him. If we can just get that the Bible is not something we seek to know to gain knowledge and look theologically equipped to those around us, but it is a way of life, we could make amazing changes in our world, our culture, and our communities. I hope that this Word will bless you as you are being discipled by the Word through your church family today. Be blessed!
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May 5, 2025 – Proverbs 5:13-14, “I have not listened to the voice of my teachers, nor inclined my ear to my instructors! ”I was almost in utter ruin in the midst of the assembly and congregation.” The Scriptures instruct us in various chapters of the Bible to listen. James 1:19, “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;” Deuteronomy 4:1 says, “Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I am teaching you to perform, so that you may live and go in and take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you.” But there are so many more places where God rebukes the children of Israel for not listening. Listening is a trait that is rarely taught to us, but it is so necessary to learn to listen and to understand the abundant blessings that result in not just listening but also in being obedient to what the Lord says. God wants us to listen to His Wisdom because He knows all things and He knows how to get the perfect results in all situations.
God has created the answers to all of life’s problems, trials, and tribulations before the foundations of the world. When we listen to Him by obeying His Word, we gain wisdom, but we also delight God by trusting that His sovereign knowledge will get us through all of life’s ups and downs. When we do not listen, it can bring us bad consequences, leaving us feeling hopeless, anxious, or depressed. Sometimes, not listening can cause damage that follows us for many years. In the early years of child-rearing, teaching children to listen to God and why, would be a priceless asset in their lives and lead them from the path of utter ruin. The Proverbs are a great tool for parental instructions as we follow each lesson that God presents in His Word. He is our best teacher and He has provided us with an amazing textbook on life. Let us be quick to hear the Word of the Lord, and walk in His ways, it can lead us to a life of peace and contentment instead of stress and utter ruin. Be Blessed!
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May 4, 2025 – Proverbs 4:13-15, “When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; And if you run, you will not stumble. Take hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life. Do not enter the path of the wicked and do not proceed in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not pass by it; Turn away from it and pass on.”
God has made every attempt through His Word to compel us to obey His instructions. He is the Creator of all things and knows all things, it would behoove us to pay attention, obey, and trust Him. Whenever I read Proverbs 4, I envision God as a parent, knowing that He knows what is up ahead and He is trying to keep His child from the dangers that we can not see. I have experienced it myself seven times with my children. Saying to a man’s rebellious heart, “Don’t do it”, it’s like telling someone who just laid in a bunch of poison ivy not to scratch. I’ve been there too. My parents were devout Catholics, they did all of the rituals and prayer rosaries, and reading to the saint idols and whatever the old church instructed. When I would wake up my dad was reading his Bible and when I retired to my room for the night he was reading his Bible with his rosary laid across it.
My dad was a servant to all people, he had amazing character and was liked by everyone. Yet, he never once taught us that the Word in the Bible he cherishes so much is not just for reading, it’s for living. So I grew up without ever being told that there were things that I could not do. When I got saved and my mentors taught me about God and His Word I was resentful for a while because I would have liked to receive the fruit that comes from wise living. The instructions in verses 13-15, really grips my heart because I understand the passion of God’s Word to protect us by heeding His wisdom. “Take hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life. Do not enter the path of the wicked and do not proceed in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not pass by it; Turn away from it and pass on.”
These Scriptures instruct us about the necessity to live righteously in so many different ways, it’s like saying, “No, Natta, uno, zero”. How many different ways does He have to say, listen, trust, and obey? But He is so gracious and patient and if not for His amazing grace, I don’t know what would have come of me. I hope that as you read these first chapters of Proverbs you will hear God’s parental heart and allow these Scriptures to help you build a godly foundation for you, your relationships, and all that God calls you to do. Be blessed!
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May 3, 2025 – Proverbs 3:13-16, “How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding. For her profit is better than the profit of silver and her gain better than fine gold. And nothing you desire compares with her. Long life is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor.” What I love about the first ten chapters of the Proverbs is that they are instructions for us to build character and moral fortitude. They are amazing chapters for discipleship and spiritual maturity. They teach us exactly how to grow and teach us how to live a righteous life. We learn what wisdom is and how we get it and the benefits of applying it to all of life’s situations. ”How blessed is the man who finds wisdom.” After teaching us about the folly of leaving the path of wisdom we get to see the benefits of staying the course. There is nothing we will possess in this life that will have more value than wisdom because wisdom is God’s way and His way is the best way.
We get a long life and a rich life when we choose to live wisely. We enjoy the blessings that the Lord gives us when we live our lives wisely. There are so many treasures to living wisely, and the greatest thing is that it continues into eternity. Wisdom brings us closer to God and it pleases God when we choose to follow Him. But one day we will be able to live in wisdom for all eternity and there is nothing more priceless than our eternal glory. Be blessed.
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May 2, 2025- Proverbs 2:13-15, “From those who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness; Who delight in doing evil and rejoice in the perversity of evil; Whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways;” It’s a very sad thing to know someone who has walked the path of faith and then at some point decide to leave and enter the way of darkness. Christ teaches us about the broad way in Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” What can be more important than having fellowship with the LORD? I have walked with the Lord now for 32 years, and there has never been a time when I felt like walking away. I want to grow closer and closer to Him. I know that this life is temporary and the years we live here are nothing compared to the life we have in eternity. Can pleasure be that valuable that one would trade their place in heaven for it, just to be able to go the broad way? I have been in the world, and have experienced a life in darkness. There is nothing good about sin or the guilt and shame of it.
People tend to live in denial about sin. They must live in denial because guilt is horrible and a torment. In order to mask their true feelings, they scoff at those who choose the narrow path, because this removes the need to deal with their issues. In the Scriptures above, there is nothing praiseworthy about the path of darkness. One goes from one bondage to the next to hide the guilt and emptiness of their sinful desires. Wonton pleasures are empty and you must deceive yourself in order to enjoy any part of it. But living a life in the fellowship of Christ is real life. God in His amazing love tells us to choose for ourselves who we will follow. I have decided to follow Christ. The Scriptures that preceded these talked about the treasures and benefits of wisdom. Wisdom comes from God, and He shares it generously with us when we ask, and makes wisdom available to us through His Word so we have ample access to it. Seek to be wise, and stay wise, because once you leave the path of righteousness, the enemy has three strikes for you, to kill, steal, and destroy. Choose wisely. Be blessed.
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May 1, 2025 – Proverbs 1 – Today is May 1st, It is my mom’s birthday and she would have been 103 years old. My mom had lots of sayings. I did not realize it as a child but once I became a follower of Christ, I understood that many of her sayings were things she picked up from the book of Proverbs. She was always trying to instill wisdom in us, but we were so foolish and naive, most of the time we thought what she was saying was just things she made up. The Proverbs that I chose for today, reminds me of the attitude I had when my mom used to try to pass wisdom to me when I made a bad choice.
Proverbs 1:20-22 says Wisdom shouts in the street, she lifts her voice in the square; At the head of the noisy streets she cries out; At the entrance of the gates in the city she utters her sayings: “How long, O naive ones, will you love being simple-minded? And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing And fools hate knowledge? These Proverbs are given to us so that we understand that we need God’s wisdom to combat the evil and wickedness that the devil may send to enter our lives. So often we are not careful about the people we allow to join our lives. We are so quick to yoke our souls and emotions to people without even observing who they are. These Scriptures instruct us that we should always be observing the character of people close to us. We should think about the things we are asked to participate in and what type of consequences we would experience if we did. We tend to take more value in human wisdom and there’s a lot of human wisdom flying around us that is worthless and does nothing but cause trouble to enter our lives. I love how the Proverbs give us a picture of what happens in the spiritual realm. Sometimes we can be pompous or sometimes we can be simple-minded.
It is a very sad thing when we know that we are simple-minded and we don’t want to increase our learning. I come from a small farming town in southern Louisiana and I have seen where there are people who want to stay stuck in the ways of small-town thinking and fear learning new things. In James 1: 5-6 we are invited to seek wisdom from God. He wants to share His knowledge with us so that we can be able to live this life in a way that brings us joy, peace, and a love for God and the life He has given us to live. I find it amazing that God sees us in our state of humanity and He sends the spirit of wisdom to help us make good decisions, 1 Corinthians 10:13. We should not complain when we find ourselves in bad situations because we see from Scripture that when we are ignorant, naïve and simple-minded God sends wisdom to not just call out to us but to shout at us. Wisdom lifts her voice to us but we have to be willing to receive her, apply it, and learn from her.
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