Monthly Archives: May 2017

Proverbs

Proverbs 22:12-14

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Proverbs 22:12 The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.
13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.
14 The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.
 
Verse 12 tells us that God guards those that are following in His ways because we knowledgeable unto salvation. But for those that are sinning God will not help them in furthering their sin In verse 13 we see yet another excuse for the lazy person not to work. This one is the lamest excuse yet that a lion would enter a city when they live in the jungle. He is just totally determined not to work. This last verse talks again of the adulteress who use all kinds of flattering language to lure men into a pit that can cause more damage than you can believe. Not only can you lose your salvation for this sin but the punishment for this could come her on this earth in the form of disease, family problems, and the lose of friends. These three verse carry more of a warning to us again and shows us things we need to stay away from and as the first verse says to gain knowledge and walk in God’s ways is the only way to salvation.
Proverbs

Proverbs 22:10-11

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Proverbs 22:10 Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.
11 He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.
 
Verse 10 says we need to get rid of all the people in our lives that are causing problems in our lives. Those who are constantly criticizing what we do are tearing down not building up and need to be removed immediately where we can get on with the job at hand. In verse 11 we again see that what we speak comes from the heart so what we speak needs to be pure. In Matthew 5:8 we see where Jesus says, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” What greater King would you want to be friends with. Those that are wise and speak with a pure heart even have some of the powerful people who want to listen to them. Please attend a church today that teaches the truth of God’s word and gain all the wisdom you can from it.
Proverbs

Proverbs 22:7-9

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Proverbs 22;7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.
9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
 
These verse tells us what we saw earlier how the rich provide jobs for the poor and therefore they rule over them. Also in this first verse we know anytime you borrow money you are subject to the conditions of the loan till it is paid off, so you are a servant to it. Next we see that what you sew,whether it be good or bad, you will reap the consequences of you actions. If it is bad works that you sew anger can come into play and it cause whatever you are doing to fail. Lastly we see that the ones who see the needs of others and they have to give, they give what they can. Because he gives God in turn blesses him.The Lord said, “Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these you have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40).
A Note from Hope

Hope and the ‘Possum: a Note from Scout

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I know Mom has told ya’ll about how Hope likes to chase the ‘possums when they’re on the porch at night. And I’m sure you remember the night she ran right off the end of the porch. Well, now she’s done something that even tops that!

The other night when we were going outside, Mom put my harness on me and we went out the door- I guess one of the ‘possums was on the porch, but instead of running off the end, it just ran down the steps and out into the yard.

Of course, Hope jumped right over the steps to get to it- Mom was yelling at Hope (boy she sounded scared), trying to get her to come back on the porch, and Hope was barking at the ‘possum, and the ‘possum was hissing at Hope! They were circling around each other, and it looked like Hope was going to bite the ‘possum. Meanwhile, I was pulling on the leash- I just knew I could get in there and help Hope…. Boy what a lot of excitement! I loved it.

But Mom finally got Hope’s attention, and when she turned around, the ‘possum ran around the house.

We did get to finish our walk, but then Mom took us back inside so she could check Hope to make sure she was OK.  Not a scratch on her; but she sure was scaring that ‘possum!

After we went to bed that night, Hope whispered in my ear, “Let’s do that again tomorrow night!”

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Dad says he thinks Hope’s favorite Bible verse is:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Proverbs

Proverbs 22:5-6

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Proverbs 22:5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.
6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
 
We see again that those who are not following the ways of the Lord are running into nothing but trouble. Not only do they cause trouble for themselves but try to drag others with them.But for those that follow the Lord will not have to worry about the thorns and snares, they just get to look forward to their future with our Lord. This next verse is one most of us are familiar with and that is to train our children in the ways of the Lord and when they old they will not depart from them. This meas to teach in every way the instructions they need to make good decisions, how to escape danger, and a good prayer life. To read God’s word daily and instill the fear of god in him and he will not depart from these ways as he ages. We should know this to be true because to many of us might have been taught right and drifted away but as we grew older things began to help us see the right path to take back to God.
Proverbs

Proverbs 22 : 3-4

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Proverbs 22:3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.
 
Verse three tells us that a prudent man, or a man of wisdom, can see danger coming and escape it. But the simple, that out number the prudent, just move on forward without thinking. They go with the crowd even if it is leading to destruction. The punishment ca come from others or from themselves as they go headlong into danger. Verse 4 goes on to tell us as we humble ourselves to God and have a reverent fear of him we will be blessed in ways we cannot imagine. In finances, how people treat us, and with an abundant life. But the greatest thing He gives us is eternal in Heaven with Him where we will have want for nothing.
Proverbs

Proverbs 22:1-2

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Proverbs22:1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
2 The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.
 
As this chapter starts we see that a good name and reputation are more important than any amount of wealth we can have. Riches of silver and gold and money are not permanent,even though they are nice to have, but not as nice as the good name you gain by living for God and gaining something more valuable, eternal life. Verse two goes on to tell us that God made all men, rich and poor. One commentator said, “God made the poor to work to make the wealth of the rich, and that He made the rich to provide jobs for the poor so they could make a living.” The rich and poor should live in harmony as brothers and sisters in Christ. Everybody is equal before God, rich and poor alike.
Proverbs

Proverbs 21 :30-31

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Proverbs 21:30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
 
Inverse 30 we see that our wisdom compared to the wisdom of God is but a drop in the bucket. In no way can we pit our wisdom against the wisdom of God, the one who created everything and understands how everything works. The book of Job even tells us in 42:1-3 how great God is. Earlier in Job God ask him where was he when He laid the foundation of the earth. Verse 31 goes on to tell us that we do do not need to depend on anything but Lord for our safe keeping. Horses were used in battle to help protect and fight but even they are not as adequate as the Lord when it comes to our everyday protection and safety. If we put our full faith and trust in God we will have the wisdom we need and the protection from Satan’s’ attacks we need.
Proverbs

Proverbs 21 : 24-29

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24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.
 
Here in these six verses we have six classes of people. First we have the infidel who is arrogant, proud, haughty and conceited. They are unreachable. The slothful who we already know is someone who wants everything but does not want to work for any of it. The idle time he has leads to trouble which leads to punishment.He covets things he cannot have . Then you have the righteous who gives and does not hold back from doing good. The wicked we know is an abomination to God and even more so when it is brought with evil intent. Next the liar or false witness will be found out and no one will believe him any longer, but the man who finds it out will tell everyone he can. Verse 29 goes on to say this person will harden his heart to change, he is not teachable. Then we have the upright of which the Lord directs their paths and they are teachable int he ways of God. They are upright in doing the will of God. Of these 6 verses we 4 kinds of people that the world is full of today and 2 kinds of people who are trying to reach these lost and dying souls, we have our work cut out for us. It may look like we are out numbered but we have a mighty Savior on our side who gives us the advantage.
Proverbs

Proverbs 21:21-23

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Proverbs 21:21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
 
As we read these verses we see that if we pursue righteousness and mercy we will have eternal life because we walk in righteousness which brings us honor.We are told to be merciful because Jesus was merciful to us first. Righteousness, mercy, and honor for us is a by-product of our salvation. We read in God’s word where people who followed the wisdom of God conquered their enemies. If the children of Israel had listen to God’s wisdom and not doubted that they could take the promised land they would not have wandered for 40 years. When they did enter the promised land and listened to the wisdom of God the walls of Jericho fell. We see in this that Godly wisdom is greater than body strength and shows us that wisdom is mightier than strength. Finally we see the tongue being spoken of again. It tells us what we should already know and that is words spoken in haste will probably be regretted later. The book of James tells us it is better to listen than to talk. Today is Mothers’ day so please attend church today because you know she prays for you to be there every day. Also be sure to wish her a blessed a happy Mothers’ day.