Over the last few days, it’s been raining pretty hard – Dad said we got about 6 inches of rain. I’m not really sure what that means, but I think that’s why the ground is so squishy all the time when we go for walks. There was water everywhere!
None of us wanted to get off the porch- all the kittens and cats just sat on their perches and watched it rain. They finally went in the carport where Dad has a heater that will keep them warm. Mom made me and Scout walk around a little bit; she said we had to stretch our legs a little bit. I think us running races up and down the hall were getting on her nerves.
Dad says that there’s a story in the Bible about a lot of rain. He says a man named Noah loved God and followed Him. Then one day God was sad about how bad people were behaving to he decided to send a lot of rain. He told Noah to build a big boat (it’s called an ark in the Bible) so Noah and his family could stay safe.
After the flood was over, God put a rainbow in the sky to remind all of us that He will never flood the world again.
Proverbs 11:27 He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.
28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.
A person who is seeking to do good usually does good for everybody they come in contact with and this is always pleasing to God. For those who do evil it comes back to them even though they think it will not. For those that trust in the money they have think it will buy their way into heaven but it will not. Nothing wrong wit having money but righteousness will get you more wealth than you handle. We see in verse 29 he that causes trouble in his own house will face the destruction of what he has and wind up serving the one who has the wisdom God in their life. These verses can be related to 1 Timothy 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
We should all try to be the best servant of God we can to all we come in contact with.
Proverbs 11:24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
This starts off with the principle of generosity. There is a good saying ” You cannot out give God”. If we do care to give when know some one is need then we will not be blessed. This does not mean we should give all we have but we should give when there is a need and then some. By giving we receive blessing and increase from God but being stingy it leads to poverty. Verse 25 kinda says the same thing jut use a different analogy. We see people all the time who would not help anyone if they had exactly what the needed but when a righteous person sees someone in need and helps the m they all will receive what they need. This goes on in verse 26 to say if we have things people need and we will not even sell them what they need at a reasonable price then they will be cursed. Again the person that is willing to sell what they have that they really do not need they will be blessed. So we can see all three of these verses it is more blessed to give than receive.
Proverbs 11:22 As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
In the Old Testament times a nose ring was an ornament intended to beautify a woman. The true beauty of a woman though is in the christian life she lives. This is just not when they are in church but it is in everyday life. If they live a life of a harlot the beauty disappears as time goes by and she will become as nothing in the sight of others. The nose ring was as out of place in a pig’s nose as the lack of discretion was in a lovely lady. Again we see that everyone that has the righteousness of God seeks only to do good and not evil, they have a heart for God. Again we see that those that are evil are expecting the wrath that is coming because they have seen to many things go bad for them already. This scripture tells about how people should be in every walk of their life, it is God’s will that we all seek to follow Him.
Proverbs 11:19 As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.
20 They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.
21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
Righteousness not only helps us have a good life here on this earth but ensures us that we will spend eternity in Heaven with our God. While people that pursue to continue to do that which is wrong or evil will do it to their death and spend eternity in hell. Those who have a heart that is “froward “, which means crooked or false, are the evil ones and they are an abomination to God. God looks more at our heart than He does our actions because what comes from the heart determines our actions. So if our heart is for God then He is delighted in us and will bless us. We see in verse 21 that even if the ungodly join hand in hand to tear down the righteous of God they will not go unpunished and the seed of the righteous that remains will be delivered and blessed.
Acts 16:31 “And they said, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”
Proverbs 11:16 A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.
17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
This woman spoken of here is one who would love people no matter what an because of that she in turn will be very blessed. Men were created by God to the bread winner of the family and the strength is not physical strength but strength of character. A man of wisdom does not squander what he works for and because his character he retains what he earns. A merciful man is always doing good things for people and feels good about himself. The cruel person has no good memories and only has regrets and lets their feelings be what directs their character. Then we have the consequences of the cruel and wicked person which is trying to bring people down to their level. But for those that try to share the goodness of God will receive their reward. This Sunday is the 1st day of a new year and it is the Lords day, I hope everyone will try to be in church today to see how the Lord can bless you at the beginning of a new year.
Proverbs 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.
We learn hear that as a new generation comes along that they usually do not like to take instructions and therefore go out have to make mistakes on there own and continue to fail. Someone who is eager to learn will listen to all who are willing to give the correct instructions. Good decisions are made by a group wise advisers and the more important decisions are better made by a corporate group. Some of that wisdom applies to the next verse in that to make a decision to help someone out on note that you are not sure about could cause you to have repay the note. Where if you had sought council on what to do you would have probably been advised not to sign on that note. To many times when we try to make major decisions on our own we wind up making a bigger mess. We need the counsel of wise elders to help us sometimes and we should use it whenever we can.
Proverbs 11:12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
A person who lacks wisdom and understanding is a jealous person ,hates people and things they do, and covets things of others. They also can be known as someone who loves to gossip, spread rumors that can can harm people, and create strife. A person who has understanding is content in what situation he is in and knows that God has everything under control. In contrast to those who despises his neighbor, to be silent is to be wise. We must always keep in confidence those things we have been entrusted with when someone ask us to. It is said that the more times a story is repeated the further it gets from the truth and too many times this what causes trouble in peoples lives. So this helps to see that if we use the wisdom of God we will know when to speak and when to be silent.
So…. remember me telling you that Mom put a TREE in the living room? Well, now she says it’s time to take it back down. But here’s a picture of what it looked like with all those packages and bags under it. Dad said we had to leave all that stuff alone because it wasn’t ours. Scout did try to eat one of the little boxes but they stopped her before she finished; Dad says that doesn’t count against the ‘naughty’ list because Scout is still just a baby, really.
And I guess Santa must have thought we were pretty good- we each got a nice smelly bone to chew on and they taste great. We also got a bag of peanut butter cookies- our favorites! And we got a red ball that we can’t chew up. I don’t know how much fun that’s going to be but we’re giving it a try.
And guess what? Dad gave a bunch of our Christmas cards out to the folks on his mail route, and they must really like it because they put it up in their offices and stuff. One lady told Dad this morning that everyone who comes in wants to read it.
Scout and I hope you all had a great holiday with your loved ones. Don’t forget that Jesus loves you, no matter what!
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3 16
Proverbs 11:9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
We now have someone who is going around spreading rumors and telling lies on people but are in church every time the doors are open. They are only out to destroy who ever they can. But for those of us who know the truth and walk in the wisdom and knowledge of God have nothing to fear and will be delivered. As this continues we see that when we are delivered and things are going good people rejoice because now the wicked have put in their place so the people shout. Because of the praising of God the people are blessed and exalted. But even again the wicked come in and try to destroy everything that is good and right, that is all they are concerned about. We see in Jeremiah 9:4-5 “Take ye heed every one of his neighbor, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbor will walk with slanders. And they will deceive every one his neighbor, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity.” And we read in Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” This today gives us basically the two types of people that are in the world and I pray everyone tries to be the righteous one.
"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." I John 5:7
Over the last few days, it’s been raining pretty hard – Dad said we got about 6 inches of rain. I’m not really sure what that means, but I think that’s why the ground is so squishy all the time when we go for walks. There was water everywhere!