It’s the first day of September. Even in Texas the days are cooling off. This summer however, we did not have many 100 degree days as in the past so our fall is starting to feel a little cooler than usual. As we look to the calm of Fall, and the many holiday celebrations that our fall months bring about, I pray that you will enter each day, with the gift of wisdom God has given us through the Proverbs. Everyday there is a Proverb to inspire and lead you in making wise choices and teaching you how to gain discernment and understanding and you learn the fear of the Lord. This fear is a holy and reverent fear, it says that we believe that God is Sovereign and has the power to judge and discipline us as He pleases and He will. I pray that this month you will draw nearer to God as you reflect on a Proverb Each Day.
Journaling through the Proverbs – September
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30 responses to “Journaling through the Proverbs – September”
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September 30 – Proverbs 30:10-15 “Do not slander a slave to his master, or he will curse you and you will be found guilty. There is a kind of man who curses his father and does not bless his mother. There is a kind who is pure in his own eyes, yet is not washed from his filthiness. 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. The leech has two daughters, “Give,” “Give.” There are three things that will not be satisfied, four that will not say, “Enough”:”
Today is our last day to journal through the Proverbs for the month of September. God has given us a treasure of Scriptures to reflect on and visualize in learning how to conduct ourselves wisely. Journaling through the Proverbs each day will fill our hearts with wisdom and teach us how to discern people, behaviors, situations, and how to apply the correct counsel in those situations. Today, we learn about various kinds of people that we will encounter in our lives. I have had the opportunity to meet those who dishonor their parents, those who are so self-focused, those who are blinded by the devil’s deception in living in the world’s sinful lifestyles, those who are arrogant, those who can not wait to slander or gossip of cut someone down with the tongue, and I know how to wisely deal with each type. I pray that the reflections from Proverbs today will provide you with a deeper level of understanding of the various types of people you may encounter on this path of life and how to react to each one. Be blessed!
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September 29 – Proverbs 29:11-13 “A fool always loses his temper, but a wise man holds it back. If a ruler pays attention to falsehood, all his ministers become wicked. The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives light to the eyes of both.”
We are almost at the end of September, heading into the midst of fall. October is the showcase month for experiencing fall. We see corn mazes, scarecrows, pumpkin patches, and scene upon scene of the glorious days of fall. I pray that you will enjoy the cool breezes of the fall season and be refreshed as you continue in journaling through the Proverbs. The final fruit of the Holy Spirit is self-control. It is the caboose of a string of characteristics that begins with love. As we grow in the fruit of the Holy Spirit, the maturity of our love will help us to control ourselves. We know how to control our responses. Those who do not have God’s gift of His Holy Spirit do not have the luxury of controlling themselves. A fool “always” loses his temper. A fool has nothing to empower him or her to calm down or think about their response. We have all been that type of person before Christ came into our lives. We had no ability to control our tempers or our actions; we just followed our flesh off the cliff.
In today’s verses, we also see how leaders can be destroyed but allowing those who lack integrity to have a voice in their administration. We should not give attention to those who are dishonest, because they will lead us down a pathway of disobedience where God will discipline us. God gives all of us the opportunity to choose the right pay, it does not matter if we are rich, poor, a leader, or a follower. God gives us all common ground as He is the one who gives light to our eyes, the breath of life to our spirit, and wisdom for our understanding. We all have the same ability to adhere to or reject His instructions. I pray that you will heed God’s good counsel and allow these Proverbs to be a light to your eyes. Be blessed.
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September 28 – Proverbs 28:8-13 “He who increases his wealth by interest and usury gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor. He who turns away his ear from listening to the law, even his prayer is an abomination. He who leads the upright astray in an evil way will himself fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit good. The rich man is wise in his own eyes, but the poor who has understanding sees through him. When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves. He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.”
As you consider the wisdom in these Proverbs for today, allow each verse to create a scene in your mind where you are actually encountering the person described in the verse or displaying the same behavior. How can these Proverbs assist you in providing wise counsel or receiving wise counsel? How would you handle the type of situations described in each of the verses? One of the things I am so thankful for in reading God’s Word is the priceless and abundant wisdom God gives us to handle everyday situations. This is why we can trust God’s Word. He knows us much better than we know ourselves, and He knows how our actions will impact or affect others. He gives us these amazing life pictures for us to reflect upon and then use in our own lives. How cool is that? I hope that as you continue to journal through the Proverbs, you will gain abundant insights into how to deal with the many issues of life presented to us in the book of Proverbs. Be blessed.
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September 27 – Proverbs 27: 11-14 “Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad, that I may reply to him who reproaches me. A prudent man sees evil and hides himself, the naive proceed and pay the penalty. Take his garment when he becomes surety for a stranger; And for an adulterous woman hold him in pledge. He who blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be reckoned a curse to him.”
Today, we have another reflection of a parent’s desire to see their child make good decisions. As parents, we want to stand up for our children when others speak against them. If they are conducting themselves unwisely, there is not much we can say in their defense; however, if we know that they make decisions rooted in godly wisdom, we can take a stand on their behalf. I have learned so much from heeding the instructions of these Proverbs when keeping myself from people that I know mean me or others no good. I will not engage, entertain, or associate with people who do evil, because eventually their evil conduct will have an impact on me.
I have found this out, sadly, in working in ministry. There have been several times when I just wanted to serve and use my gifts, even though I knew the person that I would be working under displayed ungodly or immature behaviors. In the end, I would be the one who was hurt or offended by their behavior because I did not remove myself from the evil that I saw. I definitely paid the penalty. These Proverbs also helped me to understand how to build healthy boundaries in my relationships. I have to respect the lives of my friends. I can not just barge into their homes anytime I feel like it. Being insensitive to the feelings of others can bring undue problems in our friendships. We must be friendly to our friends and value the blessing of friendship. Be blessed.
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September 26 – Proverbs 26:8-12 “Like one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool. Like a thorn which falls into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools. Like an archer who wounds everyone, so is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by. Like a dog that returns to its vomit is a fool who repeats his folly. Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.”
As you journal through the Proverbs, take note of the powerful word pictures that God provides for us. When we read the analogies provided, we can truly gain wisdom in how to conduct ourselves and how to avoid the consequences of unwise decision-making. I think of someone who binds a stone in a sling, like David when he slew Goliath with that rock. With the right aim, one can cause a lot of damage. So it is to one who gives honor to a fool, instead of loving correction. When we give honor, where correction is required, we can set a person up for failure and unnecessary hardship. Then we see how the thorn in the hand of a drunkard relates to wisdom in the mouth of a fool.
When a person is drunk, they lose their ability to feel, think, or even reason; they can be injured and not even realize it. In the mouth of a fool, a proverb is useless, as they can not comprehend the wisdom in the proverb. Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? We know the course of those who are wise in their own eyes. There is no getting through to them. They have made up their minds that they are right and will not endure anyone’s counsel. All of the Proverbs for today provide vivid pictures of real-life situations. May they fill your heart with godly understanding and give you the wisdom to make wise choices. Be blessed.
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September 25 – Proverbs 25:11-14 “Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances. Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear. Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the soul of his masters. Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of his gifts falsely.
The Proverbs for today provides a great word picture of the priceless beauty of godly counsel. I envision a portrait of golden apples in a beautiful crystal bowl. When I think about golden apples, I think about how sweet they are, hence the name, Golden Delicious. This is also true about good counsel. It brings great blessings to the lives of those who receive godly counsel. The sweetness of a golden apple is delightful as you take a bite. It brings joy to the whole body. I love how these Proverbs symbolize the beauty of gold in these situations. Gold earrings and jewelry bring such a different accent to whatever you are wearing, and when we reprove or correct someone, with God’s love and wisdom, it will also benefit their lives in a way that makes it shine like gold. It is refreshing to the soul when someone encourages us or counsels us with words that are wise and filled with love and grace. However, those who are boastful and arrogant, who only puff themselves up, bring discouragement and gloom to those they encounter.
God desires that we bring blessings to each other’s lives by lovingly giving wise counsel and godly direction. This will bring refreshing to their souls instead of discouragement. Be blessed!
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September 24, Proverbs 24:11-16 “Deliver those who are being taken away to death, and those who are staggering to slaughter, oh hold them back. If you say, “See, we did not know this,” does He not consider it who weighs the hearts? And does He not know it who keeps your soul? And will He not render to man according to his work? My son, eat honey, for it is good, yes, the honey from the comb is sweet to your taste; Know that wisdom is thus for your soul; If you find it, then there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off. Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; Do not destroy his resting place; For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, but the wicked stumble in time of calamity.
Today’s Proverbs provide a picture of a fervent prayer life. We should be praying for others to be delivered from the evils that lurk among us and for protection for those who are in harmful situations. When we understand the heart of God to intercede for those around us, prayer becomes a powerful tool in our fellowship with our Father. God desires that we have a heart for those around us. We should not be self-centered bring our concerns before Him. Our prayer life should be one of constant thanksgiving, acknowledging the many ways in which God constantly provides for us. God sees, He knows, He considers, and He moves according to what He has ordained. We do not approach God to change what He has commissioned; we go before Him, because we know that He is the only one who can change our situations.
In these Proverbs, we are encouraged to enjoy the things of life that God has given to us from His good pleasure. It is not a sin to enjoy life. It is a sin to forget where life’s enjoyments come from. God desires us to enjoy this life through following His commands and principles. He has given us wisdom for the good of our souls, so that we can find hope in this life, and our future will be undergirded with blessings as we choose wisely. The blessings of God surround those who are His, those who live a righteous life, even though we may face hard times and difficult circumstances, God will help us walk through them all. However, the wicked do not enjoy such blessings, and the storms and difficulties of life can bring them to destruction instead of drawing them closer to God.
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September 23 – Proverbs 23:15-19, “My son, if your heart is wise, my own heart also will be glad; And my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right. Do not let your heart envy sinners, but live in the fear of the LORD always. Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off. Listen, my son, and be wise, and direct your heart in the way.”
In our Proverb reflections today, we see how a parent is blessed when their child or children make wise choices. We can not always be with them 24/7, so we help them understand how to make good choices and decisions as they grow up. One of our most important responsibilities is to train up our children in the way they should go. This requires that we also live in a way that we make wise and godly choices. We can not expect our children to grow up and behave maturely if we have not modeled for them what that looks like. We should not envy sinners. Even though it may look as though they prosper from their evil, they do not. God in His own time will bring judgment upon the sinner, and they will reap what they have sown. God knows exactly how to deal with sinners, and we must trust that He knows exactly how to deal with sinners.
For the believer, our eyes should not be focused on what sinners are doing, but on what brings glory to God and points others to worship Him. We must live in the fear of the LORD, knowing that He will judge the sinner in HIs own way and in His timing. We understand that God is LORD over the future, He knows the plans He has for us and will bring about the purpose He has ordained for us, instead of being concerned about what sinners are doing. He is our hope, and He will not leave us or forsake us. This is how we should instruct our children to understand that God is sovereign over the good and the evil. He knows all things, and there is nothing hidden from Him. He will expose the sinner for their sin and bless those who obey Him for their obedience. Be blessed!
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September 22 – Proverbs 22: 10-14 “Drive out the scoffer, and contention will go out, even strife and dishonor will cease. He who loves purity of heart and whose speech is gracious, the king is his friend. The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, but He overthrows the words of the treacherous man. 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.
As we reflect on today’s Proverbs, we continue to learn how to deal and respond to scoffers. When we remove those who scoff from our midst, we can experience peace instead of dealing with constant contentions and confrontations. The scoffer brings unrest and strife, division and discontent to the environments where they interact. But those who are pure in heart seek peace and choose to live in a way that brings honor to God and blessings to those around them. The scoffer only seeks his or her own desires. They see life through a very self-centered lens. When their desires are challenged, they become defensive and aggressive. But the pure in heart seek what is best for others. The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge because He is knowledge, and He is the only one able to overthrow the words of treacherous man. God is sovereign over all, even the treacherous, and He can navigate our lives as He wills.
The Proverbs then turns to those who are lazy and are always making excuses instead of taking responsibility for the things concerning them. The lazy person can come up with the most outrageous stories to get out of doing what they should do. Then, finally, the Proverbs turn to the mouth of the adulteress. It is interesting that those who fall prey to an adulteress are those who have been cursed by God. Their immoral behavior of adultery leads them to their own destruction, which the adultress is ready and willing to bring to pass.
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September 21 – Proverbs 21:11-12, “When the scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge. The righteous one considers the house of the wicked, turning the wicked to ruin.”
I have found that one of the best ways to gain wisdom is to watch the lives of those who scoff and live unrighteously. As we witness the outcomes of those whose lives are built on evil, we gain great insights into how not to live. When scoffers are punished, the lesson to those looking on is the principle of reaping and sowing. The Word of God comes to life as we watch the scoffer reap what he or she has sown. Galatians 6:7, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” The scoffer always reaps the destruction that they perpetrate upon others. God has given us the ability to learn wisdom in real time as we observe those who scoff and live their lives recklessly. However, when the wise are instructed, they gain even more wisdom to live an upright life and please God, resulting in His blessings. The Scriptures teach us through the Psalms that God delights in blessing those who fear Him. It brings Him great joy to bless us when we live our lives in a righteous manner. It causes us to pay more attention to the lives of the wicked. When we consider the house of the wicked, and we choose to allow God to avenge them, instead of taking things into our own hands, God is the one who turns their wickedness to ruin as we trust Him to deal with their ways.
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September 20 – Proverbs 20:10-14, “Differing weights and differing measures, both of them are abominable to the LORD. It is by his deeds that a lad distinguishes himself if his conduct is pure and right. The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the LORD has made both of them. Do not love sleep, or you will become poor; Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with food. “Bad, bad,” says the buyer, but when he goes his way, then he boasts.
In today’s Proverbs reading, we learn how our perception can impact outcomes. We are taught to develop the principle of being impartial in our decision-making. We should not be impartial in determining value. We should apply consistent judgments when dealing with people or in business transactions. Even a young person reveals their conduct by their ability to conduct themselves with purity and righteousness. There is no impartiality in purity. In our personal lives, we must be able to judge the way we live wisely.
If we are lazy, we will not reach prosperity, we may suffer hunger and be in want, instead of having surplus and being a blessing to others. Dishonesty can not dwell. In a pure heart. We let our yes be yes, and our no be no. Anything else is from the evil one. We will devalue things for our own advantage. As you reflect on these Scriptures take time to examine your heart to find any impurity or impartiality in how you make decisions or judge others. Be blessed!!
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September 19 – Proverbs 19:10-14 “Luxury is not fitting for a fool; Much less for a slave to rule over princes. A man’s discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression. The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass. A foolish son is destruction to his father, and the contentions of a wife are a constant dripping. House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is is from the LORD.”
In today’s big bank Lotto world, there have been several times when a person has gone from poverty to millionaire, only to find themselves back in their original state of poverty. They did not know how to handle the luxury of being wealthy and foolishly squandered it on wanton pleasures. This is what these Proverbs warn about. A fool who has no understanding of how to handle money is not fit to manage it. We also see a contrast in how those who are wise handle their affairs.
The wise man or woman is slow in reacting and considers the impact of their actions. The luxury in this case is the luxury of being able to forgive. Forgiveness brings great pleasure to the wise and the luxury of forgiveness is fitting. Wisdom also leads us to be good stewards. In Genesis’ account of the life of Joseph, we see how his wisdom exalted him to the right hand of Pharaoh. However, we also saw how Potiphar’s wrath against him landed him in jail. Wisdom brings us to discern our surroundings to prevent schemes at bay.
In this variety of wisdom from the Proverbs, we see how wisdom brings about blessings. When we raise our children in the training and admonition of the Lord and model godly behavior it brings peace in the family instead of destruction. It will cause us to raise daughters who become prudent wives instead of nagging, contentious wives. God is faithful in giving us all we need to live fruitful lives filled with favor and blessings as we apply the wisdom found in the Proverbs. Be blessed!
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September 18 – Proverbs 18:10-12 “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe. 11 A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his own imagination. 12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, but humility goes before honor.
In this time in our nation, I pray that these Proverbs will bring solace and comfort to your heart, mind, and soul. Thinking about the strong tower that the name of the LORD has been in my life and safety, I have found in Him shows that His arms are a refuge of safety.
The safety and comfort God brings is eternal and not temporal like the things of this earth. When we put our trust in earthly things, like money and fame, it becomes an ideal and a false god bringing false securities. Money can not protect us from experiencing the sorrows of this life. Nor can it remove the feelings of sorrow we may face.
This false sense of security can develop a spirit of haughtiness that may lead one to destruction. Our only place of refuge and safety is in the name of the Lord. Be blessed.
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September 17 – Proverbs 17: 10-14 “A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred blows into a fool. A rebellious man seeks only evil, so a cruel messenger will be sent against him. Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, rather than a fool in his folly. He who returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house. The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.”
The Proverbs reflection for today teaches us to be discerning in how we confront people and helps develop the right kind of response to those who seek to correct and counsel us. We also learn about the consequences of being rebellious. Rebellion leads to evil, and Galatians 6:7 teaches us that we will reap what we sow. Sowing to the flesh reaps corruption, but when we sow to the Spirit we will receive everlasting life. When a person has a lifestyle of doing evil, then evil will follow that person.
Also, in discerning how to confront, rebuke, correct, or counsel, seek to bring peace, not to have our way. We are to stop the devil in his tracks, because if we don’t, he can create more strife, which leads to bitterness and more evil. Seek those things that are above, where Christ is, and He will lead us to discern and apply wisdom correctly, instead of causing more strife and evil. Be blessed.
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Proverbs 16:11-16, “A just balance and scales belong to the Lord; All the weights of the bag are His concern. It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, for a throne is established on righteousness. Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and he who speaks right is loved. The fury of a king is like messengers of death, but a wise man will appease it. In the light of a king’s face is life, and his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain. How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.
As you reflect on today’s Proverbs, may it encourage you to be a person of integrity. The goal in the life of a Christ-follower is to please God. Living in holiness is one of the best ways to please God. This does not mean perfection, it means that we have set God before us and we live in the reality that He is always observing us. He knows the motive and intention of our hearts, and when we live in the reality of His all-knowing sovereignty, we grieve the Holy Spirit and break fellowship with our Savior. God offers restoration when we fall to our own desires, however, we lose rewards when we do. God desires us to have the kind of character that always seeks to put His will over our own.
A lifestyle of integrity honors that desire. This mindset is also necessary in righteous leadership. Integrity will lead us to be honest, not to cheat, steal, harm, or take advantage of others. Righteous people will raise up righteous leaders who will bring about the kind of governance and fill the land with peace from God. This type of leadership rule with wisdom and understanding and having this should be more important than both silver and gold.
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September 15 – Proverbs 15:10-15, “Grievous punishment is for him who forsakes the way;
He who hates reproof will die. Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord, how much more the hearts of men! A scoffer does not love one who reproves him, he will not go to the wise. A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken. The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly. All the days of the afflicted are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.”Today, we are encouraged to examine our hearts, minds, words, and actions through reflections in Proverbs 15. When we disobey God’s Word, it will bring bad consequences and punishment in our lives. For those of us who are born-again, God will discipline us because He loves us and sees where our ungodly conduct will lead us. There is nothing hidden from God. He knows the motives behind how we act, think, and speak, and the motives of our hearts. He only wants us to confess our sins so that He can restore us to fellowship with Him and submission to the Holy Spirit. When God reproves us, it causes us to be thankful that He loves us enough to correct us, but those who are not Christians scoff and despise God’s discipline. The mind of those who are intelligent, especially spiritually intelligent, seeks after God in doing what is pleasing to Him. The foolish only feed on the evil in their heart to rebel and oppose anything that God commands. For those who are set on being defiant and it brings adverse consequences, their afflictions are always bad, but for those who are followers of Christ, even in affliction, the joy of the Lord provides a continual feast of thankfulness and gratitude, reflected in a joyful heart. Be blessed!
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September 14 – Proverbs 14:10-15, “The heart knows its own bitterness, and a stranger does not share its joy. The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. Even in laughter the heart may be in pain,
And the end of joy may be grief. The backslider in heart will have his fill of his own ways, but a good man will be satisfied with his. The naive believes everything, but the sensible man considers his steps.”As we start our week, the residue of the recent weeks’ evil is still lingering in my heart. I would have never thought that America would become such a violent, hate-filled country. But I can definitely say that, as I have seen God being slowly removed from the center of American life, I am not surprised. These verses remind us of what happens when we allow our hearts to turn bitter and be filled with hate. The heart does know its own bitterness, and we can see that bitterness played out in the actions of our fellow Americans. There is no joy in a heart filled with bitterness; there is no joy to share. Everything is influenced by the bitterness that plagues the heart; that is why Scripture warns us over and over to not let our hearts grow bitter. The wickedness that results from bitterness will destroy our homes, hearts, and the relationships we have with those around us.
When we are impacted by the actions of those who are bitter, the effects linger, even when we appear to be okay and laughing with others. The scars of bitterness are not far removed from the heart. When Charlie and Erika began their day last Tuesday, they could not imagine that the joy they woke up with as husband and wife, as parents of two beautiful children, would turn to grief, but for many of us, the joy of the day did end in grief. Those who are blinded by the wickedness of bitterness are filled with their own desires. They don’t care who they hurt; they only see their self-centered vengeance. They are naive and believe everything the father of bitterness tells them to believe. Be blessed!
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September 13 – Proverbs 13:10-13, “But the lamp of the wicked goes out. Through insolence comes nothing but strife, but wisdom is with those who receive counsel. Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles, but the one who gathers by labor increases it. 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.”
In these verses, we are given a contrast of what awaits those who live with evil intent versus those who live to please and honor God. When a follower of Christ passes from this life, they live on into eternal life, but those who are wicked live on to eternal damnation. They are always tortured in their dying, never to be relieved. Their insolence only brings about strife for themselves, but the obedience of those who choose to obey God comes to His wisdom and makes the right choices. Even the wealth of those who are wicked dwindles. When we work hard, however, and save for the future, and give to the work of Christ, He will multiply our resources. Following God’s Word brings about peace, contentment, favor, and rewards from God, but those who reject God’s Word will be held accountable by it. God will require an answer from those who did not live according to His Word, and there will be no room for excuses. Live wisely. Be blessed!
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September 12 – Proverbs 12:10-13, “A righteous man has regard for the life of his animal, but even the compassion of the wicked is cruel. He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who pursues worthless things lacks sense. The wicked man desires the booty of evil men, but the root of the righteous yields fruit. An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous will escape from trouble.
”I love animals. I think that they are one of God’s most precious gifts to us. We have had two granddogs and currently have two grandkitties. They are a part of our family, and we love them just as we love our human grands. They have such an amazing ability to make us smile and comfort us with loving hugs and purrs. I have also seen that even when an evil person tries to be compassionate, there is some type of evil work in the process. Take, for instance, how those who promote abortion spin it as healthcare, or giving families the ability to remove a pregnancy that is “unplanned”. God is the family planner, not us. I love how the Proverbs reach across all areas of our lives in every chapter. Today, we learn about how to treat animals, how to prepare for financial prosperity, and how to use our words wisely. We should never desire to obtain anything from an evil motive. God will judge us when we do, and the consequences of conducting ourselves in such a way can be devastating. Those who use their words to deceive others will eventually reap what they have sown in a negative way, but when we use our words wisely, they will have a positive impact. We who are followers of Christ, should treat even our animals with love and speak in a way that leads to peace and fruitfulness and not cruelty and destruction. Be blessed!
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September 11 – Proverbs 11:11-15, “By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down. 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. He who is guarantor for a stranger will surely suffer for it, but he who hates being a guarantor is secure.”
It is so important that we choose our leaders and representatives based on godly character and spiritual fortitude. Nothing ruins a city, country, or nation faster than evil, godless leaders. Moses received godly counsel through Jethro, his father-in-law in how to choose men to work alongside him in ruling the children of Israel. Exodus 18:21 “Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens.” These men would allow Moses to effectively judge the people and also not have to carry the weight of being the only one they could turn to. We must return as well to electing able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain. When we do, God will exalt our land and show us His favor. When good men rule, we learn how to treat each other with respect, we learn how to allow others to live in peace, even when their opinions, values, and behaviors differ from ours.
The reflections for today also teach us about being a trustworthy person, someone whom others can trust with their deepest heartaches. The Scriptures put gossip in a bad light, and in Proverbs 20:19, we are taught not to even associate with a person who is a gossip. This type of person is toxic and dangerous. We need the Proverbs to teach us how to navigate the path of life, as we are instructed, when there is no guidance, the people fall. The Proverbs provide the guidance we need to wisely relate to others around us. When there is an abundance of godly wisdom, it brings victory to our lives and to the lives of others. Finally, these verses turn to managing our finances wisely. We should never enter financial dealings with people we don’t know or have not investigated their character. Backing those who are ungodly results in the same detriment as supporting leaders who are ungodly. Both practices will lead us down a path of destruction. Be Blessed!
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September 10 – Proverbs 10:10-14 “He who winks the eye causes trouble, and a babbling fool will be ruined. The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgressions. On the lips of the discerning, wisdom is found,
but a rod is for the back of him who lacks understanding. Wise men store up knowledge, but with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.”I have always thought of those who wink their eyes to be those who are mischievous and have intentions to deceive. This was my impression even before I was born-again. We can see evil and deception in people in many ways, but their facial expressions are usually the best indicator of true intentions. I have also experienced situations with those who love to hear themselves talk. Those are the ones who usually hog all the Bible Study time, and no one else can get a word in. Instantly, they show themselves to be babblers. But those who are discerning and wise in their speaking usually are the ones who have thought out their words and are those who inspire and encourage. The mouth of the wicked, however, can be very deceptive when they say one thing but mean something else. These verses in Proverbs 10 all teach us about how we use our words.
James 3:6 “And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.” If our tongues are not ruled by the Holy Spirit, they can bring about much hurt, harm, and destruction. It is a very small part of our body, but it can sometimes do the most damage. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me, is a grave lie; words hurt and can hurt for a lifetime. We who are followers of Christ must follow His example. When He was brought before His accusers and lied upon, the Scriptures in the Gospels teach us that He did not say a word. He modeled that on the lips of the discerning, wisdom is found. God desires us to grow in our faith and not conduct ourselves as little children, lacking understanding. When we are wise, our goal is to find out the truth, embrace the truth and apply the truth. That is how it should be for us and our words, to speak this truth in love as we apply it in our lives. Be blessed!
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September 9 – Proverbs 9:12-13 “ If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, and if you scoff, you alone will bear it. The woman of folly is boisterous, she is naive and knows nothing.”
Proverbs chapter 9 is a continuation of instructions on how to obtain, use, and correctly apply wisdom to our daily lives. We are also shown how God navigates the path of life by calling us to embrace wisdom. Wisdom is a part of who God is, and it is such an amazing blessing that He chooses to share it with us. God does not leave us on this earth to figure out life on our own, but many people live as though He does because they do not read His Word. The Word of God is our life manual, and everything we need to live this life to its fullness is found in it. Wisdom is always calling to us through the Holy Spirit, but we must heed His call. If one chooses to reject God’s Word and live life on their own, they are choosing to live an unwise life, because true wisdom is only found in God. We can gain wisdom from our life experiences, but it is still God who is navigating our experiences so that we can learn to do things wisely from them. Be encouraged as you reflect on the reflections in Proverbs 9:12-13. God is calling out to us through His Holy Spirit to receive wisdom, and we must answer His call to receive it. Be blessed.
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September 8 – Proverb 8:10 – 16 – “Take my instruction and not silver, and knowledge rather than choicest gold. “For wisdom is better than jewels; And all desirable things cannot compare with her. “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverted mouth, I hate. “Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine. “By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice. “By me princes rule, and nobles, all who judge rightly.
These Scriptures are instructions on the value and meaning of wisdom. Wisdom is one of the most valuable possessions we can have in this life. It keeps us from making decisions we may one day regret, and it allows us to live in peace and contentment. God calls us to ask Him for wisdom in James 1:5-8: “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” These Scriptures teaches us even more about how wisdom works in our lives and how we should as for wisdom and what happens when we ask with the wrong intent. Wisdom will lead us to think deeply about the choices we make and reflect on the impact our decisions have on our lives and those around us. Wisdom allows us to seek God’s will and what He thinks is best for us. That is why it is important for us to live a fruitful and productive life. God knows how difficult life can be for us, and He empowers us to make decisions by abiding in His Word. I pray that today’s reflection in Proverbs 8 will encourage you to seek God’s wisdom in making decisions in your life. Be blessed.
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September 7 – Proverbs 7:9-13 –“In the twilight, in the evening, in the middle of the night and in the darkness. And behold, a woman comes to meet him, dressed as a harlot and cunning of heart. She is boisterous and rebellious, her feet do not remain at home; She is now in the streets, now in the squares,
and lurks by every corner. So she seizes him and kisses him and with a brazen face she says to him: “I was due to offer peace offerings; Today I have paid my vows.”These verses in Proverbs 7 give us a picture of a woman intent on fulfilling her own lustful desires. She does not care if this man has a family or if he was a criminal, or about the sexual health of this man. She does not care about her own family or how this will destroy her marriage or the well-being of her own children, if she has any. She grabs hold of him and begins to have her own way. She does not seek to hear what his response may be if she were to inquire. She is driven by her own selfish lust, and she wants that lustful desire to be satisfied. This is a sad picture, but a very real picture of life in today’s world. The Scriptures warn us that in the end times, people will be lovers of themselves instead of lovers of God. Anyone who loves God would never behave this way, because God tells us to flee ALL sexual immorality.
We also see that she is out at a time when a married woman would be at home with their family. As these Scriptures show, she is rebellious, so even if she had a family that needed to be cared for, she has rebelled against her role as a wife and mother. She is restless and can not seem to be content in one place. My pastor gave a message about this very thing, and these Scriptures support what he preached. A lack of contentment and a lack of being thankful to God for what He provides for us breeds covetousness and a mindset of never being satisfied. Clearly, this woman shows a lack of contentment and a bold attempt to have someone who does not belong to her. As you ponder these Scriptures, consider your own situation. These Scriptures also give a warning to men to be discerning in selecting the kind of women they will enter a relationship with and instruction to women, teaching them about the kind of person they don’t want to be. Be blessed!
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September 6 – Proverbs 6:9-15, “How long will you lie down, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? “A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest”— Your poverty will come in like a vagabond and your need like an armed man. 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 book of discipleship through the Proverbs. It is packed with wisdom and truth about what God expects from us. When we understand what God expects from us and rise up 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 simply acknowledge that the Bible is not something we seek to know in order to gain knowledge and appear theologically equipped to those around us, but rather it is a way of life, we could make amazing changes in our world, in our culture, and in our communities. I hope that this Word will bless you as you are being discipled by the Word, as you journal through the Proverbs. Be blessed!
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September 5 – Proverbs 5:12-15 “And you say, “How I have hated instruction! And my heart spurned reproof! “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.”
Proverbs 5 provides us with a picture of what happens when we persist in a hardness of heart toward God and His teachings. In Proverbs 1, God reminds us of what will happen when we continue to ignore His commands and go astray, following our own ways. Then, when trouble comes, those who rejected His Word will call upon Him, but He will not answer. Being without the knowledge and wisdom of God will destroy us because we can not exist apart from Him. Take time to read Psalm 139. In this Psalm, you will get a vivid understanding of God’s sovereign rule over the earth. You will understand just how intricate He knows us. You will understand why some people die young and others live for an entire century and beyond. Even those who reject Him are subject to Him. There is nowhere we can go away from God. I pray you will be ministered to as Proverbs 5 provides more wisdom for godly living. May your heart be at peace as you follow the path of God. Be Blessed!
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September 4 – Proverbs 4:12-15, “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 and obey, and trust Him. Whenever I read Proverbs 4, I envision God as a parent, knowing that He knows the entirety of my life; therefore, trying to keep His child from the dangers that I cannot see. I have experienced it myself seven times with my own children. Saying to man’s rebellious heart, “Don’t do it”, it’s like telling someone who just lay in a bunch of poison ivy not to scratch. I’ve been there too. My parents were devout Catholics; they practiced all the rituals, rosaries, reading to the 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 words in the Bible he cherishes so much are not just for reading-it’s for living. So I grew up without ever being told that there were things I could not do as a Christian. When I got saved and my mentors taught me about God and His Word, I was resentful for a while because my lack of knowledge about the Bible prevented me from living out the character and choices that come from wise living. The instructions in verses 13-15 really grip 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.”
He instructed us in 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 that 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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September 3 – Proverbs 3:7-9, “Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing for your body and refreshing for your bones. Honor the Lord from your wealth and from the first of all your produce; So your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine. My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord or loathe His reproof, for whom the Lord loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights. How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding.”
One of the greatest things I am thankful for is that I came to the Lord during the time of the “fire and brimstone” teaching. I think one of the worst mistakes the church has made is turning its back on God’s Word and despising the teaching that taught us to fear the Lord because of the wrath that awaits us. I believe that this message has made many people lukewarm, causing people of faith to lay aside the commandments of God because the fluffy doctrines of man teaching about God’s love have made the Word of no effect.
God does love those who love Him. God will forgive those who repent and turn from their wicked ways. God does desire everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. But God will also allow the unrepentant, rebellious sinner to take their place in hell for all eternity. Man has come to believe that he or she is somehow wiser than God and can provide a better remedy for man’s issue of sinfulness. God established His principles before the foundations of the world, and there is nothing we can do to change what God has ordained. I hope that as you read Psalm 3 today that you will be encouraged and challenged to consider these Scriptures and trust what God’s Word says. God is to be feared. When we fear God, we become wise because that fear is an understanding that God is all-powerful and that He can kill both the body and the soul. We must present God in His fullness, and we should not try and remove the fear one may have of God because that may be the very thing that saves their soul. God is a loving Father, and His discipline for us is for our good. Be blessed.
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September 2nd – Proverbs 2:10-12, “For wisdom will enter your heart and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; Discretion will guard you, understanding will watch over you, to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perverse things;”
As we begin a new month and enter into the beauty of fall, I would like to encourage you to dive deeper into God’s Word. The first ten chapters of the Book of Proverbs are instructions for discipleship. We are given instructions on what wisdom looks like, how wisdom works in our lives, and how to allow wisdom to cover our lives with blessings. When we apply the instructions found in these Proverbs, we will reap the benefits of godly and wise living. One of God’s priceless gifts found in His Word is the book of Proverbs. God never falls short of supplying us with all that we need. He is an amazing Father, Lord, and Comforter.
He delights in blessing us and showing us the way to a life of peace and contentment. He desires that we have an intimate time of fellowship with Him, instead of hiding and drawing away because of the bad choices we may make. This priceless gift of the Proverbs will help us produce the kind of character that blesses God and those around us. In these times, people need godly counsel because the world will only lead them to foolishness. I know you will be blessed as you allow God to build you up in your most holy faith through the wisdom of His Proverbs. Be blessed!
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September 1 – Proverbs 1: 11-15, “If they say, ‘Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause; Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, even whole, as those who go down to the pit; We will find all kinds of precious wealth, we will fill our houses with spoil; Throw in your lot with us, we shall all have one purse,” My son, do not walk in the way with them. Keep your feet from their path,”
This chapter of Proverbs provides a solid foundation for parents to teach their children about the dangers of choosing the wrong friends. If the people around you lead you to do wicked things, they are not good for your relationship with God or for your life. Our friends should always keep their eyes fixed on Christ. If you are persuaded to go with the crowd or be liked and accepted, these types of people will quickly lead you astray. Even as adults, even in the church, even in our families, we must desire to follow God’s instruction of godliness and holiness, even if it costs us to lose a relationship. I pray that as you enter this new month, you will allow these Scriptures to help you discern if there is any house-cleaning you and your family need to do. Be blessed!
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