Thank you for continuing in our journey through the Proverbs. It is truly amazing to see the gift God has given us through the Proverbs. We are now in the 10th month, having traveled through 279 days of God’s wisdom. Through A Proverb Each Day, God has taught us how to navigate the path of life. To trust in Him with all of our heart and not lean on our own understanding. He has taught us how to approach those who are difficult to confront and how to embrace wise counsel. There is no excuse for the follower of Christ not to know how to choose and live wisely because God has given us wisdom for every day of the year. I hope that as we progress closer and closer to the end of this year, you will be able to reflect back on the gift of wisdom God has given us in the Proverbs.
Journaling Through The Proverbs – October
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31 responses to “Journaling Through The Proverbs – October”
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October 31 – Proverbs 31:10-21 ”An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. She looks for wool and flax and works with her hands in delight. She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar. She rises also while it is still night and gives food to her household and portions to her maidens. She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings, she plants a vineyard.
She girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hands grasp the spindle. She extends her hand to the poor, and she stretches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet.”
The wisdom of Proverbs 31:10-21 is not an exhaustive list of how women of faith should all conduct themselves. Some women may be intimidated by these verses and become discouraged instead of encouraged when reading them. What these Scriptures teach us as women is that in whatever role and in whatever gifts we have, we should use them wisely to build up our husbands, nurture our children, be a good helpmate and housewife to our husbands, be hospitable and a blessing to those around us, and always make ourselves available to be used by God.
We all have different backgrounds and life experiences that shape our worldview and personalities. We all have different strengths and weaknesses, skills, abilities, and talents that God will use for His glory. So, as you reflect and journal on these words of wisdom for today, be encouraged to use whatever God has given you diligently to bring glory and praise to His wonderful name. Be blessed!
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Proverbs 30:16-20 “Sheol, and the barren womb, earth that is never satisfied with water, and fire that never says, “Enough.” The eye that mocks a father and scorns a mother, the ravens of the valley will pick it out, and the young eagles will eat it. There are three things which are too wonderful for me, four which I do not understand: The way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a serpent on a rock, the way of a ship in the middle of the sea, and the way of a man with a maid. This is the way of an adulterous woman: She eats and wipes her mouth, and says, “I have done no wrong.
The Proverbs for today depict Agur teaching two of his students how to glean wisdom by observing various life scenarios. This is a beautiful picture to remind us of the importance of discipleship that teaches others to be wise and observe God’s message to us in His creation. Agur instructs his students to observe the many events of life to gain wisdom on how to live an honorable, satisfied, and righteous life on earth. As you grasp the insights of the message Agur has provided to his students, I pray that it will encourage you to take time to speak wisdom to your child or children, students, and others God has placed in your life to minister to so that they, too, will live honorable, satisfied, and righteous lives on this earth. Be blessed!
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October 29 – Proverbs 29:14-18 “If a king judges the poor with truth, his throne will be established forever. The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother. When the wicked increase, transgression increases; But the righteous will see their fall. Correct your son, and he will give you comfort; He will also delight your soul. Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, but happy is he who keeps the law.
The Proverb for today provides insights for those who desire to raise children who fear God, have character, and respect those in authority. The truth will be foundational in every area of their lives, and this will bring lasting prosperity and longevity in their role or position. Raising a child with the rod and reproof, or correction, is the answer to how to raise them in the truth of God’s Word. The rod does not have to be used to abuse a child; it is very effective when used properly and fits the behavior for which it is needed.
We have seen the result of generations of children raised by parents who reject the instructions of God to discipline their children. Discipline is how we show love to our children, just as God shows love to us. Proverbs 3:11-12 “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.” Parents are their child’s life coach and teacher. It is their responsibility as someone who truly loves and desires the best for them to discipline them.
The negative results of a child left to his own way will struggle with rebellion and bondage, one who will bring shame to their family, one who has no vision and is unrestrained, and one whose heart will become filled with evil and wickedness. The Bible teaches us about the judgment that God has prepared for those who live in such a way. Be Blessed.
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October 28 – Proverbs 28:14 18 “How blessed is the man who fears always, but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity. Like a roaring lion and a rushing bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people. A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days. A man who is laden with the guilt of human blood will be a fugitive until death; let no one support him. He who walks blamelessly will be delivered, but he who is crooked will fall all at once.”
The Proverbs for today provide warnings and instructions in wisdom in relating to God, being a good leader, keeping away from bloodshed, and walking the path of life in righteousness. Some may misunderstand verse 14 as it says, “blessed is the man who fears always”. This does not imply living in a constant state of fear, but in how we relate to God. Proverbs 1:7 teaches us that the “fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom..” So we know that this fear is both a reverent fear and a fear of God’s power and judgment.
We should not try to contend with God because no one can stand against Him. However, earthly leaders are not all-powerful, and God provides instructions on how they manage people. We should not run to support or defend people who knowingly have taken someone’s life; instead, we are to live our lives righteously. Living righteously requires knowing God and having His Holy Spirit empower us to live with conviction. Without His Holy Spirit empowering us, we are powerless to live righteously in this world. Be blessed!
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October 27 – Proverbs 27:15-19 “A constant dripping on a day of steady rain and a contentious woman are alike; He who would restrain her restrains the wind, and grasps oil with his right hand. Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who cares for his master will be honored. As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects man. Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, nor are the eyes of man ever satisfied.
Today’s Proverbs offer guidance and wisdom for navigating various life situations. We began our journaling for today with a word picture of a constant drip on a rainy day, which is compared to a contentious woman. Here in Texas, when it rains, it rains very hard. When I’m sitting close to my patio door, I can hear the dripping water from our gutter. The sound of the constant drip is very annoying. In this Proverb, the focus is on the contentious woman. Anyone with a contentious personality can be hard to deal with, and contending with them can feel like grasping oil and chasing after wind. Christ also taught in Luke 6:45 about the reflection of the heart. “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.” The heart is what God looks at to judge the intent of our actions. No matter how we try to make ourselves look to others. God sees the true reflection as He looks at our hearts. What does He see when He looks at your heart? Be blessed!
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October 26 – Proverbs 26:13-17 “The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! A lion is in the open square!” As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed. The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again. The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can give a discreet answer. Like one who takes a dog by the ears is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him.
In the Proverb for today, we are instructed in understanding the ways of the lazy person or sluggard. A lazy person always has an excuse for not taking responsibility for their actions. There is always someone else to blame for the troubles that come into their lives. They will always find a way to do nothing. This does not mean that we can not rest. God tells us to rest, but He does not want us to use rest as a means to be lazy. He has given us gifts and abilities to use for His glory and the good of others. As we ponder the wisdom provided about the sluggard, we gain insights into how to live a productive and meaningful life that God can use. We also learn how to conduct our lives in a way that keeps us from being in the midst of strife. We mind our own business. Be blessed!
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October 25 – Proverbs 25:15-18 “By forbearance a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue breaks the bone. Have you found honey? Eat only what you need, that you not have it in excess and vomit it. Let your foot rarely be in your neighbor’s house, or he will become weary of you and hate you. Like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.
The Proverbs for today list several similitudes, and instructions through various life pictures to help us obtain a clear understanding of the wisdom King Solomon is seeking to provide. Forebearance is the ability to endure in a situation until a desired result is reached. When we forbear with a leader, we are displaying confidence, and that confidence can be essential in persuading a leader to accept our idea. When attempting to convince a leader, it should be done respectfully with the right words and attitude.
When we find a food that we really like, we should never overindulge in eating it. We are instructed in Proverbs about the consequences of being a glutton. Proper moderation is always the wise approach to enjoying our tasty delights. It is fascinating that God does not leave anything out of the scope of wisdom for us to learn through the Proverbs. God has given us our bodies so that we can be a vessel to bring Him glory. We must be good stewards of everything He gives us, even our bodies. 2 Corinthians 6:16 explains to us why we should be careful how we use our bodies. “Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”
We are also instructed on establishing boundaries that will help us to be good neighbors. We should never try to harm our neighbors by falsely accusing them or disrespecting their right to privacy. As you continue journaling through the Proverbs, you will find that everything needed for life and godliness can be found in the wisdom in each chapter. May you continue to reflect every day on this amazing gift that God has given us. Be blessed!
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October 24 – Proverbs 24:17-23 “17 “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; Or the LORD will see it and be displeased, and turn His anger away from him. Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the wicked; For there will be no future for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out. My son, fear the LORD and the king; Do not associate with those who are given to change, for their calamity will rise suddenly, and who knows the ruin that comes from both of them? These also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good.”
Today’s Proverbs give us an understanding of the spiritual consequences of certain behaviors and why we should refrain from them. These Proverbs are practical and their wisdom is easy to apply. Do not rejoice when your enemy falls and do not be glad when he stumbles. Why? Because the LORD will see it and be displeased and turn His anger from Him. God can not be any clearer in teaching us this principle. Do not fret or be envious of the wicked. Why? Because there is no future for the evil man.
Fear the LORD and the king and do not associate with unstable people. Why? Because they will fall into calamity and will bring you down with them. And finally, we are instructed not to show partiality. Why? Proverbs 28:21, gives us the answer to that. “To show partiality is not good, Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.” We can not judge with favoritism because we can not judge the heart of man. Have you ever took someone’s side because you were bias, only to find out that the person was wrong? We cannot know another person’s heart of motive, so we must always be careful not to show partiality. Be Blessed!
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October 23 – Proverbs 23:20 -24 “Do not be with heavy drinkers of wine, or with gluttonous eaters of meat; For the heavy drinker and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe one with rags. Listen to father who begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy truth, and do not sell it, get wisdom and instruction and understanding. The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, and he who sires a wise son will be glad in him.
The Proverbs for today, are priceless words of wisdom for parents to train their children in godliness and for children to learn how to treat their parents. Teaching our children to have discernment in selecting the people the allow into their life cirle is very important. The Proverbs gives us great visuals to reflect upon as we mold and shape the hearts of our children. We teach our children early to be helpful by giving them chores. This also shows them that they have a place in the family and their contributions are important. We teach them by giving them structure, developing good time management skills and teaching them how to live a healthy lifestyle. We teach them the importance of obey God’s Word and the blessings that comes through obedience.
When we love our children enough to teach and train them in the way that they should go and shape their hearts and minds by God’s standards, they will be equip to treat others well and make wise choices. They will remember the love they were given and will return that love when their parents are old. A parent who invest in their child’s spiritual life by teaching and modeling the standards they wish for them to embrace, will experience great joys and be glad as they see their children grow up to be productive and loving members of society. They will be able to develop their own relationship with God through Christ and understand that God’s rules or commands are for our good, and will be more likely to embrace them as they go into adulthood. Be blessed.
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October 22 – Proverbs 22:15-19 “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him. He who oppresses the poor to make more for himself, or who gives to the rich, will only come to poverty. Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply your mind to my knowledge; For it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, that they may be ready on your lips. So that your trust may be in the LORD, I have taught you today, even you.”
As you reflect on the teachings of wisdom in today’s Proverbs, I pray that you will be inspired and equipped to make wise choices. We have a variety of life lessons we can take away from the Proverbs for today. When we understand that the heart of a child is filled with foolishness, because they do not have any life experiences to teach them to behave differently, it will help in building a good parent-child relationship. This Proverb teaches us that children behave childishly because they are children.
The parent is to train them and disciple them to behave honorably and respectfully. They will not learn to be wise on their own. As a parent, I learned that it was my job to help them learn to behave with godly character. When I took on that responsibility, I began to see my children as God would want me to see them. They each were a gift to me, and I could either help those gifts bless others or ruin the gifts and cause them to become a menace to others. I chose to help them learn to fear and respect God first, and in doing so, they will know how to treat others.
In doing so, they were taught to embrace God’s Word and apply it in their own lives. They have continued to fear the Lord and hold His Word dear to them, and they have learned to trust in the Lord. I am so glad that God called me out of darkness into His marvelous light, so that I can teach them to walk in His light as well. It has definitely been a pleasure in their lives. Be blessed!
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October 21 – Proverbs 21:13-14, “He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be answered. A gift in secret subdues anger, and a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.”
The Proverbs for today teach us to have a heart of generosity. When we see someone going through hard times or needing help, our response should not be to shut our ears and act like we don’t want to know or turn a blind eye. For people of faith, we should have a heart of compassion and seek ways in which we can assist or even give direction to where assistance can be obtained. We may not always be able to resolve the burdens on our own, but being willing to walk alongside someone in their time of need, helping them to obtain what is needed, is still showing compassion.
We are taught how to deal with situations involving anger and how to avoid making a situation worse. A gift may just be taking responsibility for what may have offended. It may be offering forgiveness, instead of holding on to grudges. Justifying one’s actions with a bribe will only make the situation worse. When a parent hurts their child, offering a bribe to win their affections, instead of humbly admitting the mistake, will only cause more strife. Whether it’s helping those in need or making amends for an offense, it should always be done with the right motive. God will judge us by the motive of our hearts. Be blessed!
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October 20 – Proverbs 20:15-19 “There is gold, and an abundance of jewels; But the lips of knowledge are a more precious thing. Take his garment when he becomes surety for a stranger; and for foreigners, hold him in pledge. Bread obtained by falsehood is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel. Prepare plans by consultation, and make war by wise guidance. He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, therefore do not associate with a gossip.”
In the Proverbs for today, Solomon is teaching us how to make wise decisions and the importance of knowledge and wisdom. These instructions are priceless in helping us steer clear of getting ourselves caught up in another person’s debt. There are times when someone may legitimately need a hand up to get started when they first step out into the world of adulthood. But when someone carelessly makes bad decisions and finds themselves unable to obtain financing, co-signing is not a wise choice to make.
We should never try to gain prosperity through cheating and dishonesty, which is comparable to building a home on sand; it may stand as long as nothing is challenging it, but when a strong enough storm comes, it will turn to gravel. The Proverbs for today teach us that we should make plans, but we should also seek wise counsel in the process. Even the President must consult Congress before making some decisions. And there are checks and balances through our government agencies to ensure that wise choices are made with the tax dollars collected.
Finally, the Proverbs instructs us to be trustworthy. Someone who goes about sharing things that are to be kept confidential is called a gossip. The harsh consequence of being a gossip is isolation.. No one will trust one who gossips. As you reflect on these priceless instructions in wisdom, I pray that you will embrace them and allow them to bring joy to your life. Be Blessed.
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October 19 – Proverbs 19:15-19 “Laziness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle man will suffer hunger. He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is careless of conduct will die. One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD, and He will repay him for his good deed. Discipline your son while there is hope, and do not desire his death. A man of great anger will bear the penalty, for if you rescue him, you will only have to do it again.”
In the Proverbs for today, King Solomon teaches us the habits that lead to poverty and those that lead to prosperity. Those who live a life of laziness live carelessly because they reject wisdom and the ability to understand the benefits of being responsible, working hard, and being diligent with the gifts God has given them.
Psalm 37:23 “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way.” When we obey God’s commands, we are giving Him the freedom to direct our lives. We follow the example of Christ, who fills us with His Holy Spirit. One of the first fruits of Christ living in our hearts is our ability to love like God loves. We give to those in need, and He will repay us for our good deeds rooted in His love.
The Proverb also speaks about how we should raise our children. When most people hear the word discipline, they think of physical pain and punishment. The type of discipline God desires from us is to teach and train our children how they should behave. We are to be their trainers in making wise choices. When we neglect training our children and they grow up believing that there are no consequences to their actions, this can certainly lead them down a path that leads to death. They may become angry at anyone who attempts to offer them a path of correction, and their parents often find themselves rescuing their child again and again, because of the careless and undisciplined lifestyles. Be blessed.
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October 18 – Proverbs 18:13-16 “He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him. The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but as for a broken spirit who can bear it? The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.
As we reflect on our Proverbs for today, we will gain the wisdom we need to conduct ourselves wisely when engaging with others. It is so foolish to give an answer to a question before we understand the full thought of what is being conveyed to us. Sometimes, I finish my husband’s thought, but find that what I thought he was going to say wasn’t correct. This can make us look foolish, and it can be embarrassing in some circumstances. Waiting to hear another person speak shows that we respect their thoughts and ideas. We don’t come off like a know-it-all when we listen intently. When I think about the Proverbs for today, it reminds me of when I may have felt sick in my body, but in my spirit, I felt well and even joyous.
God’s Holy Spirit empowers us to rise above our circumstances, even when we are sick. But when our spirit is broken, it is much harder to find that same joy. That is why we must allow God’s Holy Spirit to be active within our hearts, because even when our spirits may feel broken, God’s Spirit will keep our spirits lifted high. God desires for us to acquire and seek spiritual knowledge that leads us to spiritual maturity in how we conduct ourselves, not in just being knowledgeable about Him, His Word, or His World. He is the one who calls us and gifts us and causes us to have gifts that He can use for His glory. He will allow our gifts to room for us, and it is He who will exalt us in due time. We can do nothing that has any type of eternal value without the help of Christ. Be Blessed.
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October 17 – Proverbs 17:15-19 “He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD. Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, when he has no sense? A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. A man lacking in sense pledges and becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor. He who loves transgression loves strife; He who raises his door seeks destruction.
The Proverbs for today provide us with wisdom in judging righteously. We should not cover up or try and justify someone who is behaving sinfully. A parent should not cover up their child’s bad behavior. because they will set them up to fail when they become adults and learn that there are consequences for bad choices. God does not allow us to get away with wrong. Proverbs 3:11-12 teaches us that God disciplines those He loves. We should also not condemn a righteous person. God will defend the righteous and bring them to justice. God hates it when we justify sin and slander those who are righteous. It is amazing that God has given us all the same ability to choose right from wrong, good from evil, wisdom over folly, even when a person lacks the sense to make the right choice.
When I became a born-again follower of Christ, I discovered something so beautiful about my new life. I have new family members. It does not matter where we all come from in the Body of Christ; the Holy Spirit knits our hearts together. I have had people in the Body of Christ treat me more like family than my own family. God’s love causes us to love at all times, not just when it is convenient for us. Sometimes our deepest hurts may come from those within our families. The love of God that fills the hearts of His children comforts and brings healing in times when we feel hurt.
I remember when I was a new Christian, we attended a faith church where the pastor asked us to give “seed” money. In my lack of understanding and spiritual immaturity, I had planned to write a check in faith with money I did not have. That would not have ended well, but thanks be to God, He led me to my senses, and I never gave the check. That was a huge lesson for me. I learned that I must love God’s Word and study it to show myself approved to God, a workman who needs not to be ashamed because I rightly divide His Word and do not allow myself to be deceived. God has given us the Proverbs to help us build a life that reflects His godliness, not one that loves strife and transgressions. When we follow God’s Word, it will lead us in judging righteously and keep us from a life of destruction. Be blessed!
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October 16 – Proverbs 16:17-22, “The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who watches his way preserves his life. Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling. It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud. He who gives attention to the word will find good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. The wise in heart will be called understanding, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the discipline of fools is folly.
Today, God’s instructions to us in the Proverbs give insights into the rewards and character of the godly, while providing a contrast of the wicked. We have heard the phrase, “take the high road”, which was a quote meant specifically for those who are upright in heart. When we take the high road, we display character that is rooted in excellence. We seek to do what is best for others, instead of striking back with the same type of evil. The high road is not for those whose heart is filled with evil, for they have no clue of how to do anything else but evil. The godly person watches his or her way. We consider and discern the consequences of our decisions. But in contrast, the prideful do not consider how their conduct may impact someone else. Pride causes one to be self-centered and concerned only about themselves.
They reject sound wisdom and instruction, and in doing so cause for themselves a path that leads to destruction. Haughtiness is another form of pride that can cause us to be blind to the consequences of our actions and cause us to stumble, and sometimes that stumbling will impact those around us. Instead of being prideful and haughty, God calls His children to be humble. The prideful may bask in their accomplishments or possessions, but it is much better to live in the contentment of trusting God as we humbly subject our lives to Him than to take part in the gratification of the proud. God’s Word prepares us for this life, and when we trust Him to guide our lives, He will return good for us. Pride and haughtiness are disciplines of those who live in folly, but when we live our lives in obedience to God’s Word, His wisdom and understanding are a fountain of life that leads to eternity. Be Blessed.
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October 15 – Proverbs 15:16-22, “Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and turmoil with it. Better is a dish of vegetables where love is than a fattened ox served with hatred. A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but the slow to anger calms a dispute. The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway. A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother. Folly is joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight. Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed.
The Proverbs above provide a great foundation for wise living. There are several different life pictures we get to see in these Proverbs. Each one provides us with instructions on how to live godly and avoid behaviors that can cause trouble in our lives. We are so blessed that God has given us the Proverbs. There are instructions provided each day to keep us on a path of godliness instead of being ensnared by sin. They are practical and provide an accurate picture of how to wisely navigate this path of life and how not to act as you navigate the path of life. Be inspired to build your life on the wise instructions of these Scriptures and enjoy the rewards of a fruitful life. Be Blessed.
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October 14 – Proverbs 14:16-23 “A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is arrogant and careless. A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated. The naive inherit foolishness, but the sensible are crowned with knowledge. The evil will bow down before the good,
and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. The poor is hated even by his neighbor, but those who love the rich are many. He who despises his neighbor sins, but happy is he who is gracious to the poor. Will they not go astray who devise evil? But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good. In all labor there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.In our Proverbs for today, we should conduct ourselves in the everyday dealings of life. We must be careful and have discernment in our interactions with others. Our lives should be covered in prayer, asking God for the wisdom to make the best decisions. In today’s Proverbs, we also see how we should not conduct ourselves. Living carelessly is a snare within itself. Proverbs teach us in several places about not being naive. Meaning we must seek to understand the choices we make and the consequences that come with every decision, whether good or bad. Being careless and foolish can lead us into evil and wickedness, which may cause us to experience God’s judgment or discipline instead of His favor, grace, and mercy. We learn that when we are wise in making decisions, it will benefit those around us. We learn how to minister to all types of people in all types of situations. Many people find themselves in financial difficulties because of unwise and foolish decisions, but those who are wise understand that God desires us to use the blessings of wise living to be a blessing to others. As you ponder the contrast of today’s Proverbs, may you be inspired to live godly lives filled with God’s wisdom, love, and grace. Be Blessed!
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October 13 – Proverbs 13:14-16 “The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, to turn aside from the snares of death. Good understanding produces favor, but the way of the treacherous is hard. Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays folly.”
Be inspired to embrace wisdom. All throughout the Proverbs, King Solomon teaches us about the value of a life lived by giving wise counsel. God also knows how important wisdom is in navigating the path of this life, and He, too, calls us to ask Him for wisdom in James 1:5: “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.” Wisdom is essential to those who follow Christ. I love the word picture in these verses. God has given us a fountain of life to keep us from the snares of death. Proverbs 4:13-15: “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.”
Practicing the teachings of wisdom leads us to receive God’s favor, but those who live with a heart that is filled with evil and wickedness will find life to be hard. When one chooses to go their own way, worry, stress, and anger become a snare when their choices bring about negative consequences instead of God’s grace and favor. Stress, worry, anger, and other types of negative emotions all cause harm and sickness to your body. This can be a pathway to health conditions that lead to death. There is a saying that knowledge is power, but if it is not God’s knowledge, it will be temporary. As you ponder these Proverbs for today, I pray that the wisdom they provide will be a fountain of life to you. Be blessed.
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October 12 – Proverbs 12:14-18, “A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his words, and the deeds of a man’s hands will return to him. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel. A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man conceals dishonor. He who speaks truth tells what is right, but a false witness, deceit. There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
Our reflections for today give a visual of the way of the righteous versus those who are wicked. Can you see yourself in this visual? Can this help you to develop character that resembles Christ-likeness and the fruit of the Spirit? Consider how these Proverbs describe the rewards of words that bring life, edification, hope, and joy in contrast to those that are slanderous, hateful, and destructive. Think about the deeds of your hands. Galatians 6:7 teaches us not to be deceived, for God is not mocked, and whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. What we do with our hands and what we speak out of our mouths will have a reaping effect that will be returned to us. We will either choose to follow God’s examples or bad examples, which comes from wanting our own way or wanting to follow a different path that is not subject to God’s Word.
How we use our ears and our mouths can also cause us to reap either good or bad. What we listen to and how that influences our lives can either be fruitful if rooted in God’s Word or destructive if rooted in rebellion. Let these Proverbs help you to develop a lifestyle of righteous living as you apply each nugget of wisdom to your own lives. Be blessed!
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October 11 – Proverbs 11:16-21 – “A gracious woman attains honor, and ruthless men attain riches. The merciful man does himself good, but the cruel man does himself harm. The wicked earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness gets a true reward. He who is steadfast in righteousness will attain to life, and he who pursues evil will bring about his own death. The perverse in heart are an abomination to the Lord, but the blameless in their walk are His delight. Assuredly, the evil man will not go unpunished, but the descendants of the righteous will be delivered.”
As you reflect on the Proverbs for today, we learn how to build character that reflects godliness and righteous living. God never commands us to do anything that He has not provided the tools to help us accomplish it. Evil abounds because people dismiss God’s Word and create their own relative principles for life. These Proverbs provide clear instructions in converting our attitude from the old man to the new person we become in Christ. This newness comes through a heart change because what is in our hearts will influence how we behave. For my fellow sisters, we become gracious women by being honorable, and we develop honor through our integrity. Brothers, if you attain riches by means of being ruthless, you may impress man, but you will not impress God and will bring yourself harm. You can take each of these contrasting phrases and build for yourself a character that blesses the heart of God. The Proverbs give us wisdom for every day of our lives, but we must be willing to allow it to transform our hearts by applying it. Be Blessed!
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October 10 – Proverbs 10:15-20 “The rich man’s wealth is his fortress, the ruin of the poor is their poverty. The wages of the righteous is life, the income of the wicked, punishment. He is on the path of life who heeds instruction, but he who ignores reproof goes astray. He who conceals hatred has lying lips, and he who spreads slander is a fool. When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise. The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver, the heart of the wicked is worth little.”
Today’s Proverbs offers us wisdom through vivid visuals and word pictures that are learning tools for everyday living. As you read through these verses today, think of how these action verses can help you in developing a righteous and holy (set apart) life as a follower of Christ. First, we see a rich man building himself up with his possessions. In Matthew 12:16-21, Christ provides a parable about this same type of person:
“And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive. And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’ So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” In each case, the rich man who makes his wealth into an idol and the poor man who makes his poverty into an idol exhibit attitudes of idol worship. We must be rich toward God, understanding that all we have comes from Him, and in lack we trust that all that we need will also come from Him. God rewards us according to the measure of faith and trust we have in Him. But the wicked receive punishment because their trust is not in God.
We see a visual of how walking and talking as we journey through the path of life impacts us either with blessings or judgment. God desires that how we walk, sit, and talk (Psalm 1:1-3) impacts the type of relationship we will have with God and others. Be blessed.
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October 9 – Proverbs 9:14-15 “She sits at the doorway of her house, on a seat by the high places of the city, calling to those who pass by, who are making their paths straight:”
Our Proverbs for today give us deeper insight into the person of wisdom. We are given a word picture of wisdom as a woman who sits at the doorway of her house. This woman calls to those who enter her home to live a righteous life and follow a straight path. She provides the wisdom and training they need, just as a mother trains the children God gives her. We see wisdom in these verses as a nurturer, similar to the role of a mother who instills God’s Word into the heart of her child or children. These Word pictures help us see just how much God knows us. He knows what we need in order to stay on the right course in life. Living a righteous life sounds like the kind of life we all would like to live, but so many times, people would rather reject wisdom and live according to their own ways. Christ taught us this in Matthew 7:13-14: “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” The straight way may be difficult, but the rewards are eternal and bless the heart of our God and Savior. Be Blessed!
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October 8 – Proverbs 8:17-23 – “I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me. “Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness. “My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold, and my yield better than choicest silver. “I walk in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice, to endow those who love me with wealth, that I may fill their treasuries. “The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way, before His works of old. “From everlasting I was established, from the beginning, from the earliest times of the earth.
Proverbs chapter Eight is a chapter that specifically speaks of wisdom. We get to learn about the origins of wisdom, how it is an intrigue part of God’s nature, and how God allows us to be filled with His wisdom in order to live a life a fruitful choices. Wisdom loves those who love it. I find that to be a very interesting statement and picture of the person of wisdom. When we come to Christ, we are given a new heart, and He sins Holy Spirit fills us with the wisdom and understanding of God to occupy our spirit. This is what empowers us to live a victorious life in overcoming the temptations and struggles we may have experienced in the flesh. Wisdom loves those who love it. Wisdom is a powerful person to have in our corner. If we search for it, we will find it. Godly wisdom will lead us in building our lives on the Word of God. The Bible is filled with instructions in learning the wisdom of God, and as we live in His wisdom, we receive His blessings.
What a beautiful life God has planned for us when we embrace His wisdom. We will experience the blessings of making godly decisions about our family, our finances, our relationships, and everything else that pertains to this life. Be blessed!
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October 7 – Proverbs 7:15-17 – “Therefore I have come out to meet you, to seek your presence earnestly, and I have found you. “I have spread my couch with coverings, with colored linens of Egypt. “I have sprinkled my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.”
The Scriptures from the Proverbs for today are a continuation of what happens when we do not train our young men and young women how to live godly lives and model that character for them. In the previous months, Proverbs from this chapter, we saw a woman who was an adulteress and set out to bring an unsuspecting young man into her home to seduce. We see that this woman has already planned in her mind to betray her husband and bring another man into his home. We see how she has prepared a place for this ungodly behavior to take place.
We see that although this woman has created an allure of sweet fragrances, what will happen in the end will be nothing sweet. The enemy has a way of creating an illusion of enjoyment that leads to destruction. He did this to Eve in the Garden of Eden. Because of his ability to deceive her, mankind has inherited that same ability to deceive and destroy. Did the young man choose life? Did he use discretion? We will find out in our next post from Proverbs chapter seven. If you are a parent reading this, it is very important to teach your child the benefits of godly behavior and the consequences of ungodly behavior. We must teach our girls how to present themselves just as we teach our boys how to avoid women with ungodly behavior; otherwise, the enemy will lead them down a road of destruction. Be Blessed!
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October 6 – Proverbs 6:16-22 “There are six things which the Lord hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers. My son, observe the commandment of your father and do not forsake the teaching of your mother; Bind them continually on your heart; Tie them around your neck. When you walk about, they will guide you; When you sleep, they will watch over you; And when you awake, they will talk to you.”
This beautiful set of instructions given in the Proverbs for today presents a personal view of who God is. After reading these Scriptures, we gain an understanding of how to live a godly life. We learn to avoid the things that God hates and embrace the things that He loves. We are given a clear understanding of what God expects of us. If we were to apply the principles found in these Scriptures to our daily lives, we would live in a way that pleases God and honors our parents, and develop a life where God’s presence is constantly guiding and instructing us. That is the life of faith that fosters spiritual intimacy with God and contentment in this life. We are to instruct our children when they are young to understand God’s expectations of us and how to live a life built upon God’s Word instead of the ways of the world. The Proverbs are God’s manual for this life and our spiritual life.
Psalm 119:11 says, “Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You.” When we bind the Word of God continually on our hearts, we will overcome the temptation to sin, because His words will guide us, watch over us, and talk to us when we need to be reminded of what God expects of us. Be blessed!
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Proverbs 5:15-17 “Drink water from your own cistern and fresh water from your own well. Should your springs be dispersed abroad, streams of water in the streets? Let them be yours alone and not for strangers with you.”
The Proverbs for today provide instructions to those who are married. When God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, He provided instructions on how to relate to Him through the first four commandments and how we should relate to each other in the remaining six commandments. Within these commandments, we are instructed not to commit adultery and not to covet anything our neighbor has. These Proverbs reiterate the same words of wisdom found in the Ten Commandments. We are to satisfy our spouses and give them the love and affection that is due to them. If we can not provide for our own spouses, how can we truly care for someone else’s? God desires us to have marriages built upon a foundation of godly love. Throughout the Bible, God’s message of love resonates for those who fear and trust Him. He desires that same kind of love, commitment, and faithfulness to be the cornerstone for marriages between born-again believers.
We should not be giving to someone outside of our marriage what belongs to our spouse. Whether it’s time, affection, provision, attention, love, or intimacy, God desires that we give those things to our spouse and them only. To have a marriage like this, one that is solely bent on putting each other’s needs before our own, we must have a personal relationship with Christ, who has modeled for us the epitome of selfless love. Be blessed.
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Proverbs 4:16-19, “For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; And they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble. For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day.
the way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know over what they stumble.”Today’s Proverb provides a picture of the life of those who practice evil. We see how they conduct their lives with endless thoughts and works of evil. They can not even sleep unless they are contriving an evil scheme to make someone’s life hard. I love how the Proverbs provide such vivid life pictures of how one conducts themselves in doing both good and evil. The path of the righteous is light, giving clear vision to make good choices; while those who practice evil follow a pathway of darkness. When we walk in the dark and can not see before us, we may stumble because of poor vision. God does not want us stumbling through life; He wants to give us the light of Christ that illuminates our eyes to see right from wrong and to make decision that leads to life instead of death and destruction. Be blessed!
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October 3 – Proverbs 3:10-17 “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. “For her profit is better than the profit of silver and her gain better than fine gold. She is more precious than jewels; And nothing you desire compares with her. Long life is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways and all her paths are peace.”
Our Proverbs today gives us a picture of the person who builds their lives upon making wise choices and the ability to gain understanding. Here we see a picture of God and the relationship He seeks to have with those who follow Him. The Lord disciplines us to help us become wiser and develop character that reflects Him. The profits or returns on investment for making wise choices are a life well lived. There were times in my own personal life when I fell on hard times, and now looking back, I can see how I did not seek wise counsel or try to gain understanding of how to make the best decision in the situation I was in. When I found myself financially strapped, I would seek help via payday loans. This was a terrible decision, because these companies are not created to provide help. They charge an absorbent amount of fees and take months to repay. God showed me, however, the blessing of waiting and even talking to my creditors to work out a plan to repay bills without falling into a more difficult situation. God provides wisdom for us to enjoy the pleasant ways and wonderful paths of peace, through the priceless instructions found in the Proverbs.
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October 2 – Proverbs 2:13-15 “From those who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness; who delight in doing evil and rejoice in the perversity of evil; Whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways;”
The Proverbs for today encourage us to learn discretion. When we can wisely discern and observe the situations and circumstances around us, we can avoid bringing undue trials and tribulations into our lives. God delights in blessing us, but when we are unwise and make foolish choices, He will hold back the blessings He delights in giving. Proverbs 10:22, “It is the blessing of the Lord that makes rich, And He adds no sorrow to it.” Foolish decisions that lack discretion bring trouble and add a lot of sorrow to it. Those who lack discretion will eventually leave the path of righteousness and walk in darkness. The downward spiral these Proverbs highlight is the path of those who lack discretion. God has given us these amazing Proverbs to help us create a life built on discretion, discernment, and understanding of how to navigate the path of life that leads to God’s blessing instead of His judgments. Be Blessed.
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October 1 – Proverbs 1:16-21 – “For their feet run to evil and they hasten to shed blood. Indeed, it is useless to spread the baited net in the sight of any bird; But they lie in wait for their own blood; They ambush their own lives. So are the ways of everyone who gains by violence; It takes away the life of its possessors. Wisdom shouts in the street, she lifts her voice in the square; At the head of the noisy streets she cries out; At the entrance of the gates in the city she utters her sayings:”
We begin the month of October journaling through the Proverbs as we see a picture of how those whose heart is filled with evil conduct themselves. We see the evil person in action, running quickly to evil and also to cause bodily harm. We know that the heart has reached the depths of evil when the motive of the heart is to injure or even take someone’s life. When life becomes invaluable, the heart has reached a place of rot. A dark heart defiles the whole body. It defiles our words, thoughts, attitudes, and motives.
An evil heart can turn the tongue into a weapon of mass destruction. It really does take away the life of its possessors. Only Christ can regenerate a heart that has fallen so deeply into darkness and renew it to new life. God calls us to wisdom in many ways, through life experiences, via looking at the consequences of those who make unwise choices, through His Word, and by asking Him directly for wisdom. He calls out to us to be wise. Deuteronomy 30:19 teaches us that very thing. “ 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,”. Choose to live wisely. God has given us everything that pertains to life and godliness through His Spirit that gives wisdom. Be blessed.
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