Journaling Through the Proverbs – July

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We are now halfway through through the year! It’s July, a month filled with celebrations of our freedom. A month when students begin to think about the next school year. Summer has just started, but the warm weather has been with us for some time, here in Texas. Next year this time, we will be celebrating the 250th year of our nation’s freedom from England. But this freedom means nothing if it does not draw us closer to God. Galatians 5:1 says, “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” The slavery that Christ delivers us from is more tragic than the slavery that took place in this nation. Even while enslaved, there were those who professed their faith in Christ, which actually gave them hope for better days. But the slavery that binds us in sin leads to eternal separation from God.

Christ empowered us with the freedom to say no to sin. Sin was no longer our master, because the law of the Spirit in Christ set us free from the law of sin and death. This is something much more glorious to celebrate. As you go forward in this month, remember, if the Son has set you free, you shall be free indeed. Be Blessed!

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30 responses to “Journaling Through the Proverbs – July”

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    July 31 – Proverbs 31, 1-3, “The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him: What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows? Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which destroys kings.”

    I am always blessed by how Proverbs 31 begins. I think about how this mother must have felt to see her son grow in stature to become a king. That must have filled her heart with great joy and gratefulness, or brought great concern if he was not fully prepared. Even as he grew to take his place as king, she was still counseling him in making good decisions. One of the blessings of this life is being able to pass life lessons on to our children. Our children also want to have their own experiences so that they can pass their life experiences on to their children. Now that King Lemuel has risen to this place, how will he teach his children? During Solomon’s time, boys could become king at a very young age. Can you imagine if you had a seven year old son and he was called to rule an entire nation?

    2 Chronicles 2:24, “Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem; and his mother’s name was Zibiah from Beersheba.” That is pretty incredible, and again, you see paired with the king is his mother. It shows how vastly different parenting was in those times compared to our times. This is a great reminder, however, of how important it is to prepare ourselves for parenthood. As believers, we have a parenting manual to guide us, but we must be willing to yield and submit to what God teaches us in it. It does not mean that all of our sons will become kings, or powerful or famous, but it does mean that they will know God and know how to make wise choices. It’s funny how there are many financial classes, and marriage classes, and self help classes, but few parenting classes. How does one manage their money well, or love their husband or wife well, if they have not been taught well by their parents? Think about that. I pray that Proverbs 31 will fill you with wisdom as you discover its powerful nuggets of truth. Be blessed!

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    July 30 – Proverbs 30: 5-6, “Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar.”

    I love those two verses; it is the foundation of why we can stand firm on God’s word and bank on it with our lives. EVERY word of God is tested. The Proverbs we read each day and study provide over 900 verses of life instruction. Every one of the verses that teaches us what happens when we practice evil can be seen through life experience, just as we can see what happens when we practice the righteous instruction found in the wisdom of the Proverbs. When we allow God’s love to enter our hearts and our lives, His love becomes a shield for us as we learn to build a two-way relationship with Him. We obey Him because His commandments are good for us. It becomes a shield to protect us from the consequences of sin.

    We have learned that those who twist and distort God’s word are quickly exposed for their lies and deception. The Holy Spirit gives us discernment and keeps us from being deceived when we yield our lives to His leadership. All of God’s Word has been inspired by Him. An accompanying Scripture that parallels Proverbs 30:5-6 is 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. We are without excuse in living a holy life before God, as He equips us with all we need to live in obedience to His word. I encourage you to allow God’s Word to be a shield and a refuge for you. Be Blessed!

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    July 29 – “The king gives stability to the land by justice, but a man who takes bribes overthrows it. A man who flatters his neighbor is spreading a net for his steps. By transgression an evil man is ensnared, but the righteous sings and rejoices.”

    God gave His people Israel a king as they desired, but He also warned them that the rule of man would also bring many hardships. It did not take long for the people of Israel to see the troubles of their rulers as various kings took their places as rulers over the people. The good kings brought the people closer to God and, as the Scriptures teach, brought stability to the land, but the wicked kings were filled with corruption and were constantly trying to overthrow the thrones of their kings. We see that still happening today. We are never too educated or too high in status for God’s wisdom. Leaders who rule by God’s wisdom bring good to their people; even now, we can see the difference between those who rule by godly principles and those who do not. God does not want our words to flatter; He wants our words to speak truth, life, grace, peace, and wisdom. Flattery can ensnare us because it is mostly built on dishonest and superficial motives. Be encouraged today as you study God’s Word and are discipled by the wisdom of Proverbs 29. God has great blessings waiting for you in His word. He has provided a bountiful feast of wisdom. Be blessed!

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    July 28 – roverbs 28:1-4, “Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive with them. Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand all things. Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is crooked though he be rich. He who keeps the law is a discerning son,”

    Many times, we think that if we stay silent about evil, we are keeping ourselves out of trouble. However, when we do not do nothing in the site of evil we are actual giving way to evil and partnering with those who do evil as it says in Romans 1: 32, “and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.” We should never turn a blind eye to evil. It may cause us to stand alone, but we will face the consequences from God of standing for evil if we do not speak up.

    Those who do evil do not care about those they hurt; they have already decided in their hearts what they desire and do not understand or care about the rights or well-being of others. That is not how God desires His people to behave. We must be the light in this dark work, and that will require us to stand up against the things that oppose God’s Word. When we seek God, He will give us His perfect understanding so that we can understand all things that the enemy may try to deceive us with. This shows our true relationship and love for God when we stand up for His truth. That is why it is better to be poor with integrity than be rich and lack the knowledge of God’s truth. It is His truth that provides for us the richness of our faith. Be Blessed!

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    July 27 – Proverbs 27: 5-7, “Better is open rebuke than love that is concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy. A sated man loathes honey, but to a famished man any bitter thing is sweet.”

    As you begin your new week, I pray that the wisdom of Proverbs 27 will guide you. As it begins, we are instructed not to worry about our day; God had our day planned before the foundations of the world. Nothing that will happen in our day will be a surprise to God. The world’s culture has greatly redefined what love means today. Many people believe that if you only say positive things to people, that proves that you love and care for them. However, if you try and correct or provide a different opinion, you are considered to be mean and unloving. Sometimes the greatest show of love is to disagree with someone. The one who loves you is the one who desires you to have intimate fellowship with our heavenly Father. We know that we can not accomplish that intimacy with sin in our lives, so when those we love are enslaved to sin, the most loving thing one can do is provide correction. That correction should come through the authority of God and not through one’s own judgment or opinion.

    These Scriptures also teach us how one’s perspective may change in a distressed or desperate situation. When a person is hungry, most anything will taste good. Their perspective of what tastes good is driven by their hunger. They must take what is available instead of what is desirable. As God blesses you today through Proverbs 27 and pulls out insights for you through the Scriptures, I hope that your life will be enriched for today and for eternity. Be blessed!

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    July 26 – Proverbs 26: 4-7, “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will also be like him. Answer a fool as his folly deserves, that he not be wise in his own eyes. He cuts off his own feet and drinks violence who sends a message by the hand of a fool. Like the legs which are useless to the lame, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.”

    Each verse gives us a look at the consequences of those who act foolishly and unwisely. God is a great provider, and His Word is truly our divine power that teaches us all that we need for life and godliness. Through these Proverbs, God is teaching us again, “this is what happens when you behave this way,” and “this is how you respond to a person who behaves this way.” Our actions should always be derived from a heart of love. In 1 Corinthians 13, we are taught about how love responds. If we say that we are going to be wise or loving, then our response should not be laced with wicked, evil, or hateful tactics and behaviors. I have learned even on Facebook, when someone responds to me in disagreement, to thank them for taking the time to reply, and to remain kind, even if I have to give a defense.

    As the Scriptures teach us, we should not answer a foolish person in a foolish way. Or we should not fight evil with evil. We must instead fight evil with good. If we know that responding will only make things worse, then we should remove ourselves from the situation. It’s hard being bashed and attacked, but Jesus is our great model for dealing with being attacked and bashed over and over again. Remember Jesus, and as you are ministered in the word this Sunday, I pray that these instructions in Proverbs 26 will build you up and enrich your study. Be blessed!

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    July 25 – Proverbs 25:5-7, “Take away the wicked before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness. Do not claim honor in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men; For it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,” than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen.”

    Life is so much more peaceful when we are surrounded by people who love and care about us. This is true for all situations, especially in leadership, when leaders are surrounded by people who really love and care for them and want them to succeed, their plans flourish, just as these proverbs teach. When we remove those who are wicked and have ungodly motives, we flourish too. Proverbs 25, provides actual action steps in becoming wise, several of these Scriptures tell us what to do to live righteously or wisely. As you read through them, consider what God is teaching you through each verse. These Proverbs are reminders of the great disciplemaker we have through God’s word. Be blessed!

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    July 24 – Proverbs 24: 5-7, “A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge increases power. For by wise guidance you will wage war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory. Wisdom is too exalted for a fool, he does not open his mouth in the gate.”

    A wise man is strong because he or she is not moved by the opinion of others. A wise man who has confidence in the Word of God will stand on what the Bible teaches. We have heard it said that “knowledge is power”; that is because those who lack knowledge are ignorant and can be easily led astray. Christ and His disciples warn us many times in Scripture not to be deceived. What are we not to be deceived by? The lies that the enemy constantly tempts us to believe. Just as in the garden, Eve was deceived into eating the fruit that destroyed their fellowship with God. We wage war against darkness by defeating it with God’s truth and abiding in it in our personal lives. When God’s Word is the foundation of our lives and the lens through which we view the world, it will keep us from being deceived by the wiles of the enemy.

    As you take time in the Word today, allow God’s Word to disciple you and cause you to reflect these truths in the Proverbs as you live out your life. One of the things I have learned about our life of salvation is that God did not leave us empty-handed. He has given us all that we need to be wise, to grow in character, and to imitate Christ; we just have to put it into action. Proverbs 24, just like all the other Proverbs, is filled with discipleship to train us in wisdom and in righteousness. I encourage you to live boldly in the person of Christ, who has given us all that we need for life and godliness. Christ is the Word! This earth is our training ground for eternity. Be a good student. Be blessed!

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    July 22 – Proverbs 22:4-6, “The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honor and life. Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse; He who guards himself will be far from them. Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

    We have an opportune time in America to “train up our children in the way they should go”. For decades, our school system has been the center of indoctrination, turning the hearts of young people to serve and obey the culture rather than their creator. Now parents have the opportunity to invest spiritually in the souls of their children like never before. We have options such as homeschooling, private schools, charter schools, and online schools. Sometimes when the enemy brings about evil, we can allow that evil to cloud what good God can do. I encourage you all to pray that parents will take the lead in educating their children to fear, trust in, and revere God, to respect their elders and authority, to have character that is honorable, to love others, and to love their country. Even in the chaos, God’s good hand comes forth. “The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honor, and life.” Be blessed!

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    July 21 – Proverbs 21:5-7, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty. The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death. The violence of the wicked will drag them away, because they refuse to act with justice.”

    How many times have we rushed through something only to have to do it all over again? Doing things in haste means that we don’t allow time for proper planning. We don’t plan properly because we procrastinate. We place ourselves in a vicious loop of acting hastily when we don’t have a wise plan for managing our finances. One of the things I have learned is that when we are desperate, we make poor choices. We want God to quickly deliver us from the bad choices we make, and when He doesn’t, we stress out and try to take matters into our own hands. Once I understood what it meant to trust God, I had to allow the consequences of poor financial planning to take their course; however, it was not as bad as when I tried to mend things on my own.

    I am so thankful for God’s grace. He does not always give us the chastening we deserve, because if we did, we would experience far greater trials and tribulations than we do. I see how bad financial decisions cause financial hardships and why it is so important to live within one’s means. I am so grateful for the season of being a single parent. I have learned a lot about being content with what I have. I only need what God has given me at this time. God knows what I need, and if I need more, I would have more. As I have waited on His timing, He has made our finances much better. God desires us to make honest wages; He does not want us to cheat to get ahead because it will only be taken away in the long run. However, the wicked do not understand this, and they continue to try to get over and do things unjustly, thinking that no one sees and that they are getting away with evil. But God sees all things, and in due time He will judge all who act wickedly. Be blessed!

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    July 20 – Proverbs 20:4-6, “The sluggard does not plow after the autumn, so he begs during the harvest and has nothing. A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water, but a man of understanding draws it out. Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, but who can find a trustworthy man?”

    Proverbs 20 is a treasure of wisdom that will help us to live out a righteous and Christ-centered life. We all have different areas that God desires to work out within us. We should strive to be diligent in the task we are responsible for. Laziness causes us to make excuses and expect others to do the work we are supposed to do. Once we become adults, we are responsible for the necessities of our lives. There may be times when we fall on hard times, but even then, if we have plan and prepared for rainy days the hard times may not be as difficult to navigate. When God puts a work in our hearts to do, we should not procrastinate. God will allow us to make plans concerning the desires of our hearts, but when we lack understanding and know how, we must pray for wisdom and seek godly counsel. James 1:5 teaches us that when we lack wisdom, we must ask God and He will supply us generously with the wisdom we need. In some cases, a more mature Christian can help to draw out what God has called us to do. But we must ensure that this person is a trustworthy follower of Christ. Those who follow Christ will compel us to do the same and to do it diligently. Be blessed!

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    July 19 – Proverbs 19:4-6, “Wealth adds many friends, but a poor man is separated from his friend. A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who tells lies will not escape. Many will seek the favor of a generous man, and every man is a friend to him who gives gifts.”

    People do love to socialize with the rich. If someone is invited to an event at a trailer park and an event in an affluent neighborhood, how likely would it be that the individual would forego the affluent event to attend the event at the trailer park? The poor is usually the outcast in most groups because they usually have little to offer. In some cases, there may be a greater need for assistance when dealing with the poor than with the wealthy. God does not want us to look at what we can get from someone. Scripture teaches us that it is better to give than to receive. Those who are rich may add many friends to their social contacts, but will they be friends in return? People love to be around those who are generous and give good gifts, but it is a different story when the generosity and the gift-giving must come from them. God is the most generous person we will ever meet. He gives even when we are not deserving of His blessings and faithfulness. However, the only thing He asks us in return is to be thankful.

    God also desires us to be honest; in the same way, we want others to be honest and truthful to us. We do not have to stress over the bad conduct of others because God is aware of all that we do, and we will reap what we have sown. We must desire to be impartial. It should not matter whether a person is rich or poor, affluent or not; we do not judge others by what they have. God also desires that we be honest, just as we would want others to be honest with us. He is not asking any more of us than we would ask of others. Be blessed!

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    July 18 – Proverbs 18:4-6, “The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. To show partiality to the wicked is not good, nor to thrust aside the righteous in judgment. A fool’s lips bring strife, and his mouth calls for blows.”

    As you read through Proverbs 18 and all the other Proverbs, God will stir up your heart for certain verses. Take time to meditate and ponder what God gives you, and if you have time, post a comment of the verse so that we can be encouraged. I am blessed to be surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses in the faith. As we encourage each other or go about speaking to others, remember what the Proverbs for today teach us. Our words are deep waters. To us, our words may seem trivial, but to someone else, they can be a fountain of blessing or a spear in the heart. God wants us to use our words to point people to Him. When we are wise, our words bring healing, but when we go about as fools, our lips can bring strife, and the enemy will use our words as blows to hurt others. Think about that. May God richly bless your rest and bring you peace through this weekend. Be blessed!

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    July 17 – Proverbs 17:4-6, “An evildoer listens to wicked lips; A liar pays attention to a destructive tongue. He who mocks the poor taunts his Maker; He who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished. Grandchildren are the crown of old men, and the glory of sons is their fathers.”

    Those who seek to do evil do not want to listen to those who would lead them to act righteously. When the wicked want to do what is evil, they will seek advice from those who will rejoice with them in doing evil. Scripture teaches us not to correct a wicked person, or a person who is a scoffer, or one who plans to do evil. Their decision has been already made, and nothing one will say will deter them from doing the evil they have set out to do. This has taught me to avoid many useless discussions that do not merit anything good. We must discern if we are speaking to someone who wants to listen and be informed or someone who has already made up their mind and has no desire to pay attention.

    These Scriptures also teach us about how we deal with those who are poor and those who may be struggling or going through a hard time. God will judge those who laugh at other people’s trials and tribulations. Finally, the Proverbs teach us why the bond between grandchild and grandparent is so special. Grandchildren are a crown to old women, too, and we look forward to the day when we see our children’s children, just as grandpa’s do. Today’s culture makes a mockery of fathers and their role in the family, but God has given them a special role that He will honor and protect. Pray for our sons, husbands, fathers, and grandfathers and young men that they will submit to God to be Lord over their lives. Be blessed!

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    July 16 – 16:4-6 -“The Lord has made everything for its own purpose, even the wicked for the day of evil. Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Assuredly, he will not be unpunished. By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil.”

    One of the comforts of bringing our prayers to Christ and having the Holy Spirit intercede for us is that the Son of God and the Spirit of God are interceding for us to God. God knows what His purpose is for everything that He has ordained for our lives. We can have confidence that our prayers are presented to God in the most perfect manner.  We know how powerful and all knowing God is; we know that He is the only one able to provide the resolutions to the problems in our lives. We know that those of us who fear God will be kept in His perfect peace and be covered by the amazing blood of Christ. As the Proverbs teach us today, by God’s lovingkindness and truth, our iniquities are atoned for in Christ. He is our High Priest, and we can come boldly before His throne to obtain the grace we need. I pray that you are richly blessed as God moves on your heart through these Proverbs. Be blessed!

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    July 15 – Proverbs 15:4-6, “A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion in it crushes the spirit. A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but he who regards reproof is sensible. Great wealth is in the house of the righteous, but trouble is in the income of the wicked.”

    We all love the words of those who bring us encouragement and comfort. It refreshes us and brings us great joy. Joy allows our perspective and attitudes to change.  It will cause our bodies to behave differently when we signal to it that we are happy. When we are encouraged, it changes our facial expression and illuminates the hearts of those who are blessed by the joy within us. These Scriptures also instruct us to stir each other to do things that are good for others. However, harsh and ugly words have the opposite effect. Mean, vindictive, profane, and unloving words cause our hearts to be heavy,  and our faces to change to sadness. Deuteronomy 30:19 is a Scripture that always reminds me of my attitude about life.

    “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants,” A soothing tongue and a righteous lifestyle bring life not only to us but to those in our household, neighborhood, workplace, and church. I encourage you to think about what you bring when you are around other people, or a tree of life, or a crush to the spirit? Remember,  Christ said that He came to bring us life and bring us life more abundantly. Life that is filled with hope and anticipates good things and is an encouragement to others. Be blessed!

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    July 14 – Proverbs 14:4-6, “Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, but much revenue comes by the strength of the ox. A trustworthy witness will not lie, but a false witness utters lies. A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge is easy to one who has understanding.”

    Proverbs 14 helps us understand the benefits of wisdom. God instructs us to ask Him for wisdom. He wants us to know His wisdom and how to apply it to the situations in our lives. Proverbs 14:5 says, “A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none”. Why is this? Is it instead of listening, he or she is too busy complaining and scoffing? There is a difference between godly wisdom and the wisdom of man. Man’s wisdom does not bring about the same results as the wisdom of God. Man’s wisdom is usually from a previous experience, when God’s wisdom is from His ability to know all things. If we don’t have a certain experience, we will not have the wisdom to understand it, but God does need to have an experience. As you read through Proverbs 14, be encouraged by the wonderful benefits we receive through God’s wisdom. When we seek His wisdom, we will find it. What a blessing!

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    July 13 – Proverbs 13:4-6, “The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the soul of the diligent is made fat. A righteous man hates falsehood, but a wicked man acts disgustingly and shamefully. Righteousness guards the one whose way is blameless, but wickedness subverts the sinner.”

    As you read through Proverbs 13, consider how you have allowed the wisdom of God to produce His righteous conversion within your life. God has gifted us with the word to be a mirror, and our life on this earth is our dressing room to prepare us for eternity. Each day, we reflect the spiritual fruit in our lives and if we look more and more like God through the work that Christ does in us by the Holy Spirit. Remember to speak these Proverbs into your heart. When we are studying and reading the word, it may get into our head, but the word needs to reach our hearts and become a transforming agent in our lives. If we are not training or discipling ourselves, we will not grow spiritually. Philippians 2:12 teaches us, “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;”

    So often we wait to be discipled, but the greatest disciple we will ever encounter is Christ. He is the Word of God. John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” What does God’s Word tell you about who you are becoming in Christ through the Proverb? Be blessed!

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    July 12 – Proverbs 12:4-6, “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who shames him is like rottenness in his bones. The thoughts of the righteous are just, but the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright will deliver them.”

    God desires us to strive for excellence in areas of our lives. Whether our roles as women are wives, mothers, coworkers, or government leaders, we must display a spirit of excellence. Excellence does not mean perfection; it means that we give our best and do our best work. When we do our best, it enhances the lives of everyone around us, whether it be our husbands, children, coworkers, constituents; everyone is blessed by the service done in excellence. The Gospel teaches us that Christ did everything well. He did everything in excellence to please His Father. And we should have that same attitude that is in Christ. That whatever we do, whether in word or deed, we do it all for the glory of God. So many women become intimidated by these Scriptures. To some, it means that everything in their homes and concerning how they look must be perfect. That is definitely not what this means. Living with such an expectation does not bring about blessings. It is exhausting and causes more harm than good. However, those who do not care about serving well can be like rottenness. They can cause others to have to carry the load that they were responsible for. When our service, our character, and our thinking are built on a foundation of righteousness, we will see to be honest instead of deceptive. Think about. Be blessed!

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    July 11 – Proverbs 11:5-7, “The righteousness of the blameless will smooth his way, but the wicked will fall by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, but the treacherous will be caught by their own greed. When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish, and the hope of strong men perishes.”

    These Scriptures from Proverbs 11 contrast the lifestyle of those who are righteous and those who are wicked and evil. It teaches us about how the righteous and the wicked come to such different conclusions about the same thing. The righteous considers his neighbor as someone whom he or she should look after and care about, while the wicked has no good intentions about being a neighbor. The righteous make life enjoyable, while those who are wicked make life hard. We just read about how hard David was suffering through the wicked in his prayers in the Psalms for this week. Proverbs teaches us how vastly different following God’s righteousness is compared to following the evil of the devil. Those who are righteous give, and their motives for giving are different than those of the evil person. The wicked give to get something back, or with underlying motives. But the righteous gives out of a heart of mercy and compassion. As you read Proverbs 11, consider how you are allowing God to mold and shape you through the Scriptures. He desires for us to grow in His likeness, and His word does an amazing job in refining us.  Be blessed!

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    July 10 – Proverbs 10:4-6, “Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. He who gathers in summer is a son who acts wisely,
    But he who sleeps in harvest is a son who acts shamefully. Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

    How can we know the wicked from the righteous? These Proverbs will tell us exactly how to do that. I noted three areas of life that we can gain wisdom from: Financial peace and success, communicating in a godly manner, and the blessings of living a wise and righteous life. Evil has no consideration. When we cover up unrighteousness and bad behavior, it will come back on us in the worst way. The world scoffs at God’s Word and its rules. But God’s Word is more than a book of rules; it is a book of wisdom. The rules that it has are for our good.

    When the Bible tells us to spank and discipline our children, it is for the good of the family, so that our child or children will understand that bad behavior has bad consequences. The world has told us that spanking is bad for your child. That is untrue. Abuse is bad for your child. Biblical discipline given with loving intent is good for a child. We must lay a foundation first of wisdom so that our children will not just stay away from bad things, but that will know why to stay away from bad things. They will understand, as these verses in Proverbs instruct us, how to live a life of righteousness instead of wickedness. Proverbs 29:15 teaches us this: “The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.” I have found this to be true in raising my own children. Think about the themes that you see in these Scriptures and how they can help you build a life of righteousness for you and your family. Be Blessed!

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    July 9 – Proverbs 9:6-8, ““Forsake your folly and live, and proceed in the way of understanding.” He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, and he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you, reprove a wise man and he will love you.”

    Christ instructed us to stay alert in Luke 21:36, “But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” We should always see life through the lens of Scripture. Staying alert requires us to be spiritually minded. Everything that happens in the events of our days must turn our minds to the teachings of Scripture, to keep us aware and alert to the return of our Lord Jesus. Jesus does not want us to be mockers or scoffers; He wants us to be wise and looking to His return. Be encouraged as you read through Proverbs 9; its focus is on embracing wisdom. Wisdom comes from truth, not perspective or opinions. Truth keeps us alert so that the enemy does not deceive us and we remain wise to his schemes and trickery. Let the word of God reign in you richly and keep you each and every day. Be blessed!

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    July 8 – Proverbs 8:4-6, ““To you, O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of men. “O naive ones, understand prudence; And, O fools, understand wisdom. “Listen, for I will speak noble things; And the opening of my lips will reveal right things.”

    God is always speaking to us through the Holy Spirit. But as the Scriptures instruct us, we have to be willing to both listen and understand. We will read this concept over and over again in the Proverbs of listening and understanding. We know that God has to tell us things over and over again, because without a constant reminder, we will soon forget. God knows us, and He knows how to teach us, and I hope you will be encouraged to develop a habit of listening to the Holy Spirit and gaining wisdom through understanding what God is speaking to your heart. Have a blessed time in the Word today as you feast on God’s amazing gift of His word. It is truly life to us. I am so thankful for God’s Word and knowing that there are others who desire to live in obedience to the Scriptures. Be blessed!

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    July 7 – Proverbs 7:4-5, is a continuation of the teaching regarding immorality, specifically as it has to do with the woman who has no regard for purity and morality. The verses that I choose for today, are two verses that show how we must have a relationship with the spiritual disciplines God teaches us through His Word. I love how we are instructed to talk to these spiritual concepts. “Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your intimate friend;
    That they may keep you from an adulteress, from the foreigner who flatters with her words.”

    n order to keep ourselves focused on Christ, we must be intentional about our spiritual walk. We must train our minds to think Biblically. We must train our mouths to speak what is good and holy. We must train our eyes to look at what is pleasing to God. If we have no control over our spirit, then the enemy will toss us any way he wishes. As these Scriptures have immoral women as it’s central character, let us learn what God is instructing us. I encourage you all to speak to your inner man and train your spirit to submit to God’s Word and to behave in a way that pleases God. These things we do not do to make God love us more, but because we want to love Him more. Be blessed!

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    July 6 – Proverbs 6:3-6 “Do this then, my son, and deliver yourself; Since you have come into the hand of your neighbor, go, humble yourself, and importune your neighbor. Give no sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids; Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hunter’s hand and like a bird from the hand of the fowler.”

    Proverbs 6 is usually called the parenting chapter. It provides instructions for raising children and building godly character. Today’s parents are not expected to teach their children manners or learn character as we were expected before Y2K hit. The technology age ushered in a totally different set of values that parents learned through the new tool called the Internet. Our Internet and technology culture leaves so much to be desired, but with God, all things are possible. Nothing is too small or too big for God as we fear and trust in His name. As you spend time in God’s Word today, I pray that God will inspire and encourage you in helping to make our future children become beaming lights on a hill. Just because our culture is in an uproar does not mean it has to remain this way. Pray that God will give you a task to help you in turning the hearts of our children and future generations back to Him. Be blessed!

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    July 5 – Proverbs 5:4-6, “My son, give attention to my wisdom, incline your ear to my understanding; That you may observe discretion and your lips may reserve knowledge. For the lips of an adulteress drip honey and smoother than oil is her speech; But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death, Her steps take hold of Sheol. She does not ponder the path of life; Her ways are unstable, she does not know it.”

    Proverbs 5 is titled the “Pitfalls of Immorality” and addresses the need to live as godly women. It also encourages parents to raise their sons and our daughters to avoid the pitfalls that awaits those who follow after the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. You can always trace immoral actions to one or more of these three traits. As God stirs up His insights to you through this chapter, I pray that you will be blessed. There are many verses that warn and correct our course. I pray that God will use these words mightily in your life. Be Blessed!

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    July 4 – Proverbs 4:5-7, “Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth. “Do not forsake her, and she will guard you; Love her, and she will watch over you. “The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding.”

    God’s Word fills our lives with truth and understanding. God does not just want us to read for habit’s sake, or study for knowledge’s sake; He wants us to understand what His Word teaches for eternity’s sake. When we truly understand, we apply the truth of God to our lives and become wise. When we live in wisdom that comes from God’s instruction, it will be a guide to watch over us. God desires us to be grounded in His Word. What the Word of God says should be how we think, act, and have our being. In all our getting, God desires that we get understanding. My mom used to always ask me after she would scold me, “Do you understand?” That would indicate to her that I am not going to go out and make the same mistake again. Although I would tell her I understood (so that she would leave me alone), I really did not understand, because I would go out and do the same thing again. However, when the rod of correction was applied, I definitely learned to understand. God loves us and will apply the rod of correction to us through the hard consequences of this life. But He would much rather have us learn through the blessing of His word, rather than the hard consequences of life. Be blessed!

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    July 3 – Proverbs 3:3-6 – “Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man. 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 your paths straight.”

    Proverbs 3 teaches us that God wants His Word to be a part of who we are. We must trust Him because He will take an active role in our lives when we trust Him. But how can we trust Him if we don’t really know Him for who He is? As you read Proverbs 3, there is so much wisdom to take in about God. His Holy Spirit will stir your heart in many ways. Like Psalm 33, you will get a picture of God that will bless you and transform your spiritual life. My prayer is that you will have ears to hear what God is teaching you through the Scriptures. He desires to make the path of our lives straight. Be Blessed!

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    July 2 – Proverbs 2: 6-8, “For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice, and He preserves the way of His godly ones.”

    Proverbs 2 is a continuation of what David presented in Psalms 32. As followers of Christ, there should come a time in our lives when we examine ourselves and consider what our walk of faith really says to those around us. Even more important is what our lives say to God and to Christ, whom we claim to follow, and the Holy Spirit, who is here to help us. Paul teaches us this in 2 Corinthians 13:5, “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?”

    I don’t want to fail the test. And these Scriptures will help us not to. When we read in the Proverbs for today, what does the writer’s call to live righteously mean to you? Do you consider that these Scriptures are words that God is speaking to you through the writer, or are these words just something Solomon is sharing about himself or someone during those times that has nothing to do with you? Each word that we are blessed to receive from the Lord is for our good. It is to convict us and not for us to point so someone else who we think may need this. I encourage you to enjoy each and every word that God speaks to you through Proverbs 2, and that you will be richly blessed.

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    July 1 – Proverbs 1:5-7, “A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel, to understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

    A lot has happened during these last six months.  We have a new President.  Our economy is turning around.  Wars are ending, and countries are willing to work together.  Other the other hand, in many of our cities, crime is out of control, our youth population seems to have no sense of direction or respect for authority. But we are all still here, and there is still work to do for God’s kingdom.  Even in the midst of the crime and out of control youth population, we are all able to draw near to God and seek Him each and every day through His Word and through prayer. As our Proverbs for today begins, ” A wise man will hear and increase in learning and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel….” God wants us to be wise. He provides us with His truth so that we can learn to be people of the truth. Our world is filled with deception, distortion, manipulations, and all types of vices to mislead us, but the Word of God’s will give us clarity and understanding to know better and do better. I encourage you all to not just experience today as the beginning of a new month, but experience today as the beginning of a crossroads into the next six months to do better and be wiser. As you read through this Proverb, consider what wisdom God is granting you to face the next six months. Today, you have a clean slate. It’s a brand new day. Psalm 118:24, “This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Be blessed!

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