True Beauty

You did it!!! You studied all 31 Proverbs in 31 days.  May the wisdom you received plant deep roots into your heart and mind.  May it inspire you to start again tomorrow with Proverbs 1 and continue to refresh your spirit with God's daily dose of discernment and understanding.  Today's verse is a reflection of what the Lord values in us as women. May you continue to be challenged by the Word.

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

Proverbs 31:30

Flawless

“Every word of God is flawless;
    he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. 

 Do not add to his words,
    or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar."

Proverbs 30:5-6

Choice

The fruit of the Spirit of God is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. When you find yourself in difficult circumstances yet choose to operate in these attitudes, you have chosen well.

"A fool gives full vent to his anger,

but a wise man keeps himself under control."

Proverbs 29:11

Day 28

For those of you who have been following along, this is the 28th Proverb of 31 total in the book of Proverbs.  And a recurrent theme for us is wisdom! With only 3 more days to go, it is an excellent time to remind you that after the 31st it would be 'wise' to restart your cycle of reading Proverbs. I'm  just saying...

"He who trusts in himself is a fool,

but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe."
 Proverbs 28:26

Near though Far

Do you have anyone close to your heart who lives far away?  With Internet and email today, we can connect with them easing the burden of separation. What a blessing to "Skype" loved ones and hear of great things happening in far away lands.  It refreshes us to see their faces and hear the good news! Today's Proverb echoes these thoughts. And when it was written, the only means to get a message to a distant land was by horse!!

"Like cold water to a weary soul
    is good news from a distant land."

Proverbs 25:25 

Evil loses.

"Do not fret because of evil men

 or be envious of the wicked,

 for the evil man has no future hope,

 and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out." 

Proverbs 24:19-20

Rejoicing!

We have been blessed by our children.  They give us reason to be glad. We thank God for them daily.  Today's Proverb is a wonderful reminder for parents whose children have chosen to follow after the Lord.  I recently met a child whose parents aren't walking in Faith - a household of contention. If your child is trying to point you to the Lord, it would do well to listen to them! Our children have often helped us stay the course of Faith - we are eternally grateful. We truly rejoice because of Christ's faithfulness in them!

For The Children

 

"Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding.

 The father of a righteous man (or woman) has great joy; 

he who has a wise son (or daughter) delights in him. 

May your father and mother be glad; 

may she who gave you birth rejoice!" 

Proverbs 23:23-25

Even to you...

The middle of today's proverb comes with a reminder that God has made His knowledge available - even to us!!  And He suggests we keep His word within us and ready on our lips! Sounds like a plan.

 

" Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise,
    and apply your heart to my knowledge, for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you,
    if all of them are ready on your lips. 

That your trust may be in the Lord,
    I have made them known to you today, even to you."

Proverbs 22:17-19 

Nagging? Just stop!

After reading today's Proverb 21,  I decided to look up the definition of 'nagging'.

  Merriam-Webster Dictionary says,

1. : to find fault incessantly : complain

2. : to be a persistent source of annoyance or distraction

 

Proverbs 21:19 says,

 "Better to live in a desert
    than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife."

 

 

 

 

 

Seeing Clearly

"Ears that hear and eyes that see—
    the Lord has made them both."

Proverbs 20:12

We need eyes to see and ears to hear the spiritual things of God.  And only He can give us those.  So we pray, Lord, open our eyes to see and ears to hear!!! Amen.

Here is a wonderful reminder!

Jesus Heals a Blind Man at Bethsaida

They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?

He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”

Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.   Mark 8:22-25

Get out of debt!

Abraham believed God and all He promised in regards to a promised Savior to come through his ancestral line. And Abraham's faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness.  And because of that, God called Himself, "The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."  Do you believe all that God promises you through faith in the promised Savior, Jesus?  When we believe our Heavenly Father for provision, protection and power, He is pleased and credits it to us as righteousness. Why do we need such credit?  Because we stand deficit in front of a Holy God.  And if we think we can stand before Him on our own merit...we deceive ourselves.

"Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness." Genesis 15:6

"What does Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."   Romans 4:3

"The fear of the LORD leads to life;

Then one rests content, untouched by trouble."

Proverbs 19:23

Listen

A great philosopher once said, "You were given two ears and one mouth for a reason.  That we should listen twice as much as we speak."  And the Word of God says,

"To answer before listening—
    that is folly and shame."

Proverbs 18:13

Restraint

This weekend is my family reunion.  Lots of people, lots of food, and lots of talking. It will be a great opportunity to catch up...and listen.  Growing up youngest out of 5 women in one household, I learned to choose my words.  Often, while thinking on those words and choosing, someone usually spoke them!  Remaining silent made more sense.  Believe me, it was knowledge too great for me to understand at the time!  It wasn't that I didn't want to talk - but why repeat what was just already said. Today's proverb is a biblical way of looking into choosing words with restraint and the wisdom of silence. So thank the Lord next time you are edged out of a conversation and forced to listen; you will be thought of as very wise :)

 "A man of knowledge uses words with restraint,

  and a man of understanding is even-tempered.

  Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent,

  and discerning if he holds his tongue."

Proverbs 17:27-28

What's in your wallet??

"How much better to get wisdom than gold,

to choose understanding rather than silver!!"

Proverbs 16:16

Heart Fix

A recent report came out that Broken Heart Syndrome is an actual condition.  It is also called Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy (See http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1847940/  and http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/broken-heart-syndrome/DS01135 )  It made me sad to think of such heartache and what it does to a person.      So I brought it before the Lord in prayer. He is so faithful to answer our inquisitive prayers! The heavenly response came through today's proverb giving me more insight into the heart.  He shows us what crushes our spirit - or causes heartache, and what can bring joy to the heart.  Thankfully, the good news is that broken-heart syndrome is a temporary disorder that is very treatable! And wisdom from above once again confirms man's scientific findings.

A happy heart makes the face cheerful,
    but heartache crushes the spirit.

 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,
    but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

 All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
    but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.

 Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart,
    and good news gives health to the bones.

Proverbs 15:13, 14, 15, 30

A closer look at the Fountain

In reading Proverbs you will find wisdom repeats or builds off itself.  Today's verse shows us the fountain of life again. And it is described as 'the fear of the Lord' or the knowing and respecting of the Almighty God.  The entire bible starts with the phrase, "In the beginning, God...," and if you can agree with that, there remains a hope you will believe in God.  And that is what turns us away from the snare of eternal death. 

"'The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,

turning a man from the snares of death."

Proverbs 14:27

At the Fountain

Have you ever met a stranger who boldly talks to you about God and their faith in Jesus?  Maybe you sit next to a person in a coffee shop and say hello.  Something about them makes you begin the conversation.  And the next thing you know, you are discussing matters of faith and the Lord.  In fact, you look back and realize it was you that opened up the conversation! My friend, those are divine appointments.  Moments on your journey where the God of the Universe chooses to reach down and touch your soul through the words of a stranger with wisdom.  Wisdom that can only come by faith. That meeting was wisdom calling out to you - to turn away from godlessness to the One True God who loves you.

Today's proverb gives us a glimpse of this truth.  Proverbs 13:14

"The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
    turning a person from the snares of death."

Give

A generous person will prosper;
    whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

Proverbs 11:25

Permanent

See, I have written YOUR Name

on the palms of My Hand

Isaiah 49:16

Covering

Are you having an 'issue' with someone?  Consider today's Proverb portion and ponder what action you can take to move on from the situation.

Hatred stirs up conflict,
    but love covers over all wrongs.

Proverbs 10:12

 

Woman of Folly

Just yesterday we saw wisdom personified in a woman calling out at the fork in the road with words of life and understanding.  Today's proverb contrasts that illustration with another woman.  Her way is folly and she too calls out from what seems to be the same place.  But she is loud, and calls out to those who lack judgement.  How is your walk of faith lately?  Do you stay on the straight way?  Or are you tempted to go off course? God forgive me for the times I was full of folly!

"The woman Folly is loud; she is undisciplined and without knowledge. 

  She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city,  

  calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way. 

  "Let all who are simple come in here!" she says to those who lack judgment.  

  "Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!"

   But little do they know that the dead are there,

   that her guests are in the depths of the grave."

Proverbs 9:13-18

Fork in the Road???

Today's proverb portion reminds me of a saying, "A fork in the road."  Wisdom is personified as a woman calling out at the place where the road splits or paths meet.  Are you hearing her voice? She is crying out to you to hear.

 Does not wisdom call out?
    Does not understanding raise her voice? 

 At the highest point along the way,
    where the paths meet, she takes her stand

Proverbs 8:1-2

25 Years!!

Today is our 25th Wedding Anniversary!!  Praising God for His hand on our life!! We spent 14 years without Him and the last 11 years with Him!!  And what a blessing to say He has blessed us.


 “Haven’t you read,” he (Jesus) replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?  So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Matthew 19:5-7

These verses were spoken over us as our wedding vows.  Perfect words that pierced my heart and made an impact into our lives forever!

 Our best man, K, and us!! Fern Grotto - Kauai,  July 5, 1988

Fix your eyes...

On the road of life, sometimes we can be tempted to look at the wrong things...here is a wonderful reminder in today's Proverbs 4 to keep our eyes fixed on what is good.


"My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity;  keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you."  Proverbs 4:20-25

If...

Well, what do you know, Proverbs 2 starts with a challenge for us!!! Verse 1 says, "My son, IF you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and IF you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and IF you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, THEN you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God." (ending in verse 5)

Let's keep crying out together to the Lord to give us wisdom for our study this month. Amen!

One month challenge

Take a challenge with me this month.  There are 31 Proverbs in the bible and each one giving an example of being wise or foolish.  I don't know about you, but I need to discern between wise and foolish ways, ideas, choices and conversations.  Join me in reading a proverb a day for the next 31 days. And share your most challenging verse on this blog with us. 

Proverbs 1

New International Version (NIV)

Purpose and Theme

1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

² for gaining wisdom and instruction;
    for understanding words of insight;
³ for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
    doing what is right and just and fair;
⁴ for giving prudence to those who are simple,^[a]
    knowledge and discretion to the young—
⁵ let the wise listen and add to their learning,
    and let the discerning get guidance—
⁶ for understanding proverbs and parables,
    the sayings and riddles of the wise.^[b]

⁷ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
    but fools^[c] despise wisdom and instruction.