Proverbs 31

Proverbs 31. Today’s chapter gives us a wealth of wisdom to live by and I might jump around a bit, but please bear with me. First, it warns us who not to choose as a mate: (V3-NIV) states, “do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings”, (Message) “Don’t dissipate your virility on fortune hunting women, promiscuous women who shipwreck leaders.” If you are looking for a spouse (both guys and gals), seek the Lord’s counsel. Hollywood would have you believe you need the “supermodels”, but the Bible tells us (v30) that beauty and charm fades and (v3) promiscuous women will destroy you.

Then, Proverbs 31 also tells us who to look for in a mate: (V10-NIV) “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.” What blessings a noble wife can bring: (V11-27). Seeking the spouse that the Lord has for you, a spouse focused on God, will lead you to that wife of “noble character”, one who will bless your house, family, and you with many happy years. Who wouldn’t rather have blessed prosperity instead of strife; try to choose on your own, by selfish characteristics, and that’s exactly what you will be doing, trading blessings for strife. A look at the divorce rate in America can attest to that! Teens and above, do you find yourself changing girlfriends/boyfriends and never being satisfied with who your with? If so, then stop using your selfish desires as a guide and seek God’s will, He will lead you to your perfect spouse, in His time (teenagers don’t rush it!).

Finally, today’s Proverbs also shows how we should treat our spouse (v28-NIV) “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her” and (v30-NIV) “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised”. Once you have the spouse God has for you, the blessed, noble one, treat them as God has commanded, with blessings and praise. As a husband, I can tell you that I thank God for Sharri and I couldn’t have picked a better spouse myself (of course not, the verses above state that!), but many times I don’t show her the praise and support she deserves. I don’t follow through enough on God’s Word to praise and adore her, please God help me to praise her more!

Overall, today’s chapter gives us wisdom on how to treat all the women in our lives (wives, mothers, grandmothers, guardians, aunts, godmothers, sisters, etc.). They give so much and add richness to our lives that would be struggled at best without them. Please take time to praise those special women in your life today! Lord, please help us to continue to follow your word and give our ladies the praise they deserve.

Proverbs 30

Proverbs 30. Many of the verses spoke to me today, but my discussion of them would lock up ur phones in their length, so I will share what God had me notice about the chapter.

It starts off with a skeptic questioning the existence of God, who is immediately answered with wisdom from a believer. What started out as a challenge became an opportunity to share the Lord. My question to myself is could I, would I, do the same? I clearly see the importance of following God's will, studying His word, hiding it in my heart for use for His glory. Who else, but God, can turn opposition into opportuniy? When it happens to me, I want to be ready and willing to act.

Lord, please help me to learn Your ways and word, to have them at the ready, to act on the opportunities You present to tell others of Your wonderful glory. Rick.

Proverbs 29

Proverbs 29. Verse 8 says, “Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger”. As Pastor Rusty said yesterday, many times in our lives there are opportunities to be a part of the problem or part of the solution. As this verse states, mockers (cynics) can upset a whole city, but wise men can calm them down. It also works that way in our personal lives. How many times have people come to talk with you to complain and, instead of being wise, you say things that help fuel their anger? Then they get you “all worked up” too, where the next thing you know, you are out there helping spread the negativity, stirring up the whole town (household, school, church, etc.). I have done this too many times to count. Lord, please forgive me.

However, there have been times, when I refused to fuel the fire, and help that person see the “big picture”, that is, see the situation through others’ eyes. Wise words to quench the fire instead of fuel it. Most times, it would calm them; they would drop the issue (or at the very least, not drag me into it!).

It is times like this where we have an opportunity to be part of the problem or part of the solution. Do you find yourself in a constant state of disorder? As the person to whom people rush to help them get fuel for their “cause” and help them spread turmoil? Or are you the one they come to, to help them calm down and seek wisdom? Whichever situation you constantly find yourself in will tell you whether you are part of the problem or part of the solution.

Lord, please help me to be a part of the solution, not the problem; to act wisely and not cynically and not to fuel hatred but to bring peace. Help me to recognize these situations for what they are, opportunities, and do as You will, for Your glory. Rick

Proverbs 28

Proverbs 28. V26, "He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe". I am guilty of this and I see it everywhere, people facing situations alone. When a problem arises, I immediately try to "fix" it based soley upon my knowledge, but that is placing trust in myself, which the verse states is foolish. To be kept safe I must "walk in wisdom". How do I do that? By praying for guidance, seeking answers in God's Word (the Holy Bible), and asking for the advice of wise Christian leaders/counselors.

There is no reason to face problems alone, in fact, it is foolish (see above). So why, knowing that seeking wisdom will "keep us safe", do we go it alone? The enemy uses many weapons against us to see us fail, pride and fear are big ones in his arsenal. Pride keeps me from asking for help, fear keeps me from coming forward with a problem, but that is exactly what satan wants AND exactly opposite of what v26 tells us to do.

So if u have a problem, decision, question, situation in your life, don't u dare go it alone, seek guidance from the Lord and the wise Christians He has placed around us. God is waiting to help, He will never leave or forsake us, and He loves us enough to send His only Son to die for our sins. Doesn't that sound like a great source to be seeking wisdom from? You bet it does.

Lord, when I am unsure and need help, please help me to put aside my pride and fear and seek Your wisdom and place my trust in You, instead of my own foolish self. Rick.

Proverbs 27

Proverbs 27. Verse 21 states, “The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives.” Oh how true. To purify gold and silver, you apply heat. It melts away all of the impurities and leaves pure precious metals. With humans, we too can be forged in fire (trials), but the true test, as presented in verse 21, is how we handle praise.

Everyone likes hearing their name called out (for good reasons), and that’s OK. It makes us feel good, useful, and confirms our actions. But we can take it too much to heart and let it go to our heads. It is in those times of praise, if we are not careful, that we begin to think more highly of ourselves and our abilities and forget He who gave them to us. That is why this proverb rings so true, that the true test of the core of a person is revealed through praise. We (I) start to think, “I did do a good job”, “wow, I am pretty great”, or “no one could have done it better”, then the focus shifts from glorifying God to worshiping yourself; a very sad and dangerous place to be.

Lord, please help me to use my talents for Your glory and in Your service. Help me to remember to give You the credit for using those abilities that I wouldn’t even have without You. Help me pass the test of praise by not dwelling on myself, but by passing it straight on to You. Rick.

Proverbs 26

Proverbs 26. Verse 23 states, “Like a coating of glaze over earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.” That is to say, that soothing speech from someone with evil or selfish intentions is worthless like glaze over cracked pottery. This verse speaks as a reminder to me on two levels.

First, be wary of smooth talk from someone, especially in times where you’re vulnerable. Make sure you can trust their intentions and that their advice is based upon what God tells us. When we are in those times of trouble, we are especially susceptible to any advice/help, and that’s when the enemy uses his minions to grab a hold of our lives. I’m not saying that everyone is “out to get you”, but make sure you seek guidance from the Lord and the people He uses for His message, which will be the right path, free from “questionable” areas or “shady” dealings.

Lastly, this verse served as a reminder to me of the advice I give. When someone has a problem or asks my advice on an issue, do I immediately respond with what I think needs to be done? With what I would do or think they should do? Or do I pray with them and ask God to give us the answer, the right path/choice, for their situation? Too many times we as humans want to be needed, want to be “right”, and want to be the “expert” in helping others. In some situations, we may give the right advice, but are we doing it for the right reasons (helping the person) or for our self gratification of being “helpful” or “right”? Are we jumping hastily into an answer, without the Lord’s guidance, and being that “coating of glaze over earthenware”? I hope not.

Lord please be with me and help me to seek your counsel when others ask my help. Help me not to speak hastily and lead them down the wrong path, because of my own selfish desires. Help me to seek you and allow you to speak through me to those in need, to help them down the path You would have for them, all for Your glory. Rick

Proverbs 25

Proverbs 25. Verse 19 states, “Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble”. Oh, how true this verse is on a couple of different levels and I have been guilty of relying on them both.

First, unfaithful, as defined as untrustworthy. How painful is it, like a “bad tooth”, to rely on someone who never comes through; who promises big results but never delivers (v14). You spend the entire time worrying and hoping that they will be “different” this time, this time it will be fine, but in the end, they fail you again and you really needed them to come through on this matter. What pain and heartache you suffer in the process, and you still have the problem to take care of!

Secondly, unfaithful, as defined as unbelievers. This one is especially heartbreaking. How we as Christians, serving the Almighty God, will turn our faith to man in times of trouble. As an example, we will be faced with a moral decision at work, one that requires us to either follow God or follow your boss. You want to “do the right thing”, but you need your job to pay your bills. So you go along with your boss because what he’s asking is “really not that bad” (you try to rationalize to yourself), “God will understand”. Do not think that for a minute! You have just placed your reliance in your boss, because you don’t believe God can help you with your finances, only your boss (job) can. You sing praises to God on Sunday, call Him all powerful, read of the great miracles He has performed, but you put your reliance on your boss when it comes time to pay your bills. That is a very painful place to be, one I never want to be in again.

I close with this, Hebrews 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to please, God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Though it may seem difficult to human understanding, DO NOT place your reliance on the unfaithful, but place ALL YOUR FAITH in the one and only God. For as Hebrews states, God will reward those who seek Him. He loved us enough to send His only Son to die for us, no one will ever love us that much. Don’t you think, especially after such a sacrifice, that He wants the best for us? Of course He does. God please help me to seek You, to place my faith in You alone and to never place my reliance on the unfaithful. Rick

Proverbs 24

Proverbs 24. Verse 26 stood out to me today, though all were very moving. What strikes me as unusual about this verse is that it is short and in the middle of many deep verses, I almost missed it, but I’m glad I didn’t. It states, “An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips”. In my opinion, it means that it is a joyful, loving experience to receive an honest answer. To many times, we get caught up in what people want to hear, not what they need to hear, the truth. So to spare one’s feelings, we may be tempted to “stretch the truth” and not answer honestly. Oh how dangerous that can be, for both you, and the person your answering.

For you, it starts you down a slippery slope of deception. For example, a “little lie” (no such thing) to your friend (I’ll call him Billy) about his singing ability leads to another lie about what you’re doing tonight, leads to another about things you have done, and it keeps getting worse, to where you’re lying about everything and your integrity with everyone is lost. Not only that, but you may have destroyed other people’s lives in your deception, which is exactly the opposite of what God wants us to do. That is how satan works, by starting you off “small” on little things, so you are used to the sin, and then it is easier to do wrong on bigger things more frequently.

Lying is also damaging to others. Using the same example above, what if “Billy” takes your lie to heart and believes he has singing talent. The next thing you know, you see him on American Idol belting out a tune, way off key, to millions of people, who are all laughing at him. Now, how do you think he feels? What do you believe he thinks of you? How have you helped him by telling a “little lie”? I know it is an extreme example, but much worse outcomes come from lying.

Keep in mind, I’m not saying to be brutally honest, that is being hurtful in your honesty without any tact or restraint, but there are ways to be both honest and understanding with people. Which scenario do you think “Billy” would have preferred: Dealing with a friend telling him he can’t sing or finding out on national television from millions of strangers? Which one would you prefer? Keep that in mind the next time you have an opportunity to lie or tell the truth. Lies are hurtful and detestable to God and even the “little ones” can have horrendous results. Lord, please help me to properly deliver honest answers, to be uplifting to those who seek my counsel, and also to be understanding (without anger or offense) to those answers given honestly to me. Rick.