Taking a Walk Thru Proverbs

Solomon’s advice

Proverbs 4:23-27 New Living Translation

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.  Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech.  Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.  Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path.  Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.”

            Here we see an important reason to fill your mind with godly things continuously. We are told to guard our heart because it determines the course of our lives. Jesus says in Matthew 12:34 whatever is inour heart determines what we say. Many times we speak out of ignorance because we don’t take the time to dig into God’s word.   

            The author cautions us to stay away from course, perverted talk, for a genuine believer will not make a practice of such things. James 3:11 asks the question: “Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?”_(NIV) The answer to that is obviously ‘no’. So if you struggle with profanity, seek forgiveness and a purging of it, for it is only a bad habit that you have yet to break. I know, because I struggle with that from time to time and James 3:11 convicts me very deeply.

            We are told to look straightahead, but like most people we are easily distracted. It’s when we have our head on a swivel,gawking to the left and to the right that we get ourselves into trouble. Keep your eyes on Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. Follow our Lord and be led by the Spirit and we will remain a safe distance from evil which lurks all around us. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we will walk a straight path. Solomon tells us in Proverbs 3:6 that if we submit to the will and way of God our paths will be made straight. 

            Though we will never live a perfect life we will live a blessed life in peace if we follow the instructions laid out in his word. While there are multiple options regarding the plan we choose, if we stick to the ways of the Lord throughout our life we will remain in the hollow of his hand. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Resources: www.biblegateway.com, The Life Application Study Bible, The Reformation Study Bible.

Matthew 12:33-37

“A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad. You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”

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Taking a Walk Thru Proverbs

Revering God

Proverbs 3:7 New Living Translation

“Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.”

            This chapter speaks of trusting in the Lord. In light of that we are told not to think too highly of ourselves. Now that doesn’t mean we’re supposed to think of ourselves as lower than a snake’s belly. We just don’t need to be too impressed with ourselves. In and of ourselves we are nothing and have nothing of any eternal value. In a world where I’m OK – You’re OK we must realize whom I am comparing man to. God is infinite and all-powerful. Our wisdom is negligible compared to that of our Creator. The devil wants you to think you can make a go this alone without God’s help. The devil lies. Without God in our lives we are walking dead men and women.

            As I have shared before, fearing the Lord isn’t being afraid of him. Granted, living an evil life would give you something significant to be afraid of, but I am speaking of revering God. Being in awe of him. That is the type of fear scripture speaks of. Then we must allow our reverence of the Lord to enable us to continuously turn 180 degrees away from all evil. We aren’t to simply turn away, but to walk away, perhaps even run.

            Man seems to think he is capable of reaching the true understanding of reality all on his or her own without any dependence upon God or his revelation. This reeks of arrogance. Until man realizes he is nothing without God’s involvement in his life he will forever be a slave to his own sinful desires. We’re not asked to be perfect, only pliable. Have a teachable spirit and seek his face daily asking that the Lord lead you to the place where you will become the best youyou can be for God. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Resources: The Life Application Study Bible; www.biblegateway.com; The NIV Study Bible Notes and Reformation Study Bible.

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GOD’S MESSAGE IN A NUTSHELL

Proverbs 3:5-6 New Living Translation

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

            This has always been my favorite portion of scripture in the whole Bible. They are the first two verses I ever memorized. I call them “God’s message in a nutshell”, because it encompasses what you need to do to successfully serve God in 31 words.  We are first asked to trust in the Lord more than anything or anyone else no matter what.  Trust springs out of our faith. If we believe in God and have faith in his ability to save and guide us throughout our lives here on earth, then that is trusting with your whole heart.  We are simply not going to understand on our own anything God does or doesn’t do. He has his reasons and they do not require our permission or understanding.

            We make decisions every day of our lives, yet sadly, many times, do not incorporate God in those decisions. If we did he would take the time to reveal to us which path he wants us to take in life. God knows all things, so what makes you think he wouldn’t know what your next step should be? 

            There are many paths we can take in life. My eldest daughter told me just recently that she felt God would bless whatever decision she made. She moved into a new area with a small photography business already somewhat established. I told her she might like to ask the Lord where the best place would be to live and set up shop, to which she replied that which I mentioned above. I happen to believe that though God will bless the endeavors of his children as long as they is no evil intent, there just might be a more perfect scenario out of the two and God wants you to seek his face for his perfect will regarding the matter. It’s for our benefit, not God’s that we seek his wise guidance. He already knows how the story ends. We do not, which is why we need to trust the Lord to lead us in his will. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.

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Word for the Day

“It is important to take a stand for the Lord. If we just drift along with whatever is pleasant and easy, we will someday discover that we have been worshipping a false god – ourselves.”

[ The Bible Notes from Proverbs 8:21; the Life Application Study Bible; page 727 ]

Taking a Walk Thru Proverbs

LIVING A GODLY LIFE

Proverbs 2:20-22 New Living Translation

“So follow the steps of the good, and stay on the paths of the righteous. For only the godly will live in the land, and those with integrity will remain in it. But the wicked will be removed from the land, and the treacherous will be uprooted.”

            Here Solomon shares a common thread throughout scripture. Live a righteous life that is pleasing to the Lord and you will be blessed and inherit heaven. Do the opposite and you will be cut off. This is the conditional aspect of the covenant that God made with Abraham, Moses and the people of Israel. Abraham’s descendants were promised the land of Canaan. This is a foreshadowing of the promise we have of eternal life _{(Hebrews 11:16).} 

                  Remember, this current period of God’s grace that we now live in supersedes the Mosaic Law. We are no longer bound by the Law, but if redeemed, are free to live a godly life according to God’s standard as it is presented throughout scripture. Also remember that while we’ve been given a free will to choose how we shall live, the follower of Christ is expected to choose rightly by seeking to follow Jesus’ example. We cannot escape the consequences associated with each choice we make in life. Choose wisely.

            This second chapter has spoken of the benefits of having and using wisdom in life’s decisions. The world’s greatest wisdom is impotent compared with the vast wisdom and knowledge of our creator God. Keep that in mind when you are choosing what to believe and who to trust in this life. Next we will take a look at some key verses in Chapter 3 of Proverbs, which deals with trusting in the Lord. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

Resources:www.biblegateway.com; The Life Application Study Bible; The NIV Study Bible Notes and The Reformation Study Bible.

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Søren Aabye Kierkegaard: (May 5^th, 1813 – November 11^th, 1855) was a Danish philosopher, theologian, poet, social critic and religious author who is widely considered to be the first existentialist philosopher. He wrote critical texts on organized religion, Christendom, morality, ethics, psychology, and the philosophy of religion, displaying a fondness for metaphor, irony and parables.

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Taking a Walk Thru Proverbs

Things that come from a righteous life …

Proverbs 2:7-8 New Living Translation

“He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him.”

         Solomon continues on regarding what is in store for those who live a righteous life. They shall be given not a modicum, but a treasure of common sense and boy do we all need it.  It is specifically given to those believers who are honest. Those that are dishonest will forfeit this gift offered by the Lord. 

            God himself is a shield for us. We spoke of a shield in our breakdown of the Armor of God. The shield is like the one the Apostle Paul would have been most familiar with, that being the shield used by the Roman soldiers. If a soldier crouched down, the shield would be a protective covering for the entire front of his body. This was important because Roman soldiers wouldn’t normally have their back facing attacking forces. As children of God we have no reason to turn and run from our enemy, thus exposing our backside. God honors those followers that live a life of integrity by being our personal shield against anything that might come against us.

            As long as we seek to know, love and obey the Lord and imitate Christ with our lifestyle, he will guard and protect us for any danger and all harm.  When trials come and they will come, they are not because God has stopped loving or protecting us. They come as a test to see how deep our faith and trust in the Lord truly is. The more we study God’s word the more we begin to realize that we can indeed trust him to keep a watchful eye on us at all times. His protection is reserved for those who steer clear of wayward paths and tempting side trails. So it should be clear that we are to surrender our will and our ‘want to’over to the leadership of the Holy Spirit who is the member of the Holy Trinity that lives within us. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Resources: The Life Application Study Bible; The MacArthur Study Bible; The Reformation Study Bible & www.biblegateway.com.

Taking a Walk Thru Proverbs

The Benefits of Wisdom

Proverbs 2:1-2 New Living Translation

“My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands.  Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding.”

            The wisdom of God is considered a gift that he liberally doles out to those who diligently seek it _{[Proverbs 2:6 AMPC*].}It is considered nonsense to those in the world; therefore they are denied access to it. The wisdom of the world is nothing more than trivial banalities so vastly inferior to the wisdom from above that it is considered utter foolishness to the Lord _{(1 Corinthians 3:19 NLT).} 

                  To find the true wisdom and knowledge of God is to find that with which he will guide us and reward us for our persistent search. A Christian’s life is one of sacrifice and blessing, mercy and forgiveness, pain and comfort and selflessness. When we are serving the Lord for all the right reasons we end up low man on the totem pole, but that is not to say we ever get short changed. God likes to test us to see if we will utilize the gifts readily available to us to aid us in our spiritual maturation. 

            The same thought as is found in Proverbs 2:6, is seen in Deuteronomy 8:3, which says: “And He humbled you and allowed you to hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you recognize and personally know that man does not live by bread only, but man lives by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.” We are to live according to God’s word. In it are the words of life … words of wisdom and guidance thru this maze we called home, albeit our temporary home. Tune into God’s wisdom and earnestly seek to understand what he is saying to you. He wants you to know and will not hide his truth from those who seek him with their whole heart. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Resources: The Life Application Study Bible; The Reformation Study Bible; www.biblegateway.com.

Proverbs 2:6 AMPC* -“For the Lord gives skillful and godly Wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” 

1 Corinthians 3:19 NLT -  “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God.”

*Amplified Classic Version 

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Word for the Day

Think About It …

            It was suggested in my OT Bible class Thursday night that the reason why we do not see more manifestations of spiritual power today is because we’ve become too comfortable in this world. Is that true? Have we allowed the world to have too much of an influence on our lives? If so, what have we allowed to take the place of God in our lives? That is not to say that God doesn’t have any influence on our lives. What it’s saying is that he’s not as big a part of our lives as he could be or perhaps should be. Maybe it’s time for a little personal reflection and self-examination. I know it is for me. rlkeller

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"Rather than simply reading the Bible to accumulate knowledge, 

we are expected to apply what we've learned to our lives."

RLKeller

Taking a Walk Thru Proverbs

The Plight of the Nonbeliever

Proverbs 1:28-33 New Living Translation

“When they cry for help, I will not answer.

   Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me.

For they hated knowledge

    and chose not to fear the Lord.

They rejected my advice

    and paid no attention when I corrected them.

Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way,

   choking on their own schemes.

For simpletons turn away from me—to death.

   Fools are destroyed by their own complacency.

But all who listen to me will live in peace,

   untroubled by fear of harm.”

            There are some folks in this world who refuse to believe that God will punish anyone, for he is a God of love. This is true, he is a loving God; however, his word spells out what is required of those who choose to accept his gift of forgiveness for sin. It isn’t a conditional gift and is definitely available to all. You cannot buy it or earn it thru good works. You must perk up and listen to what he has to say to you and learn to live life as Jesus did when he was on this earth.

            This portion of Proverbs chapter 1 reveals what will happen to those who reject God and his wonderful plan of forgiveness. He will not answer those who cry out in desperation when their little schemes and plans go for naught.* Those who refuse to entertain the existence of God or their need for him if they believe he does exist, will one day have no such offer on the table. A person doesn’t have to believe in God or serve him, but with that decision, as with any decision, there are subsequent consequences that will follow.

            The folks who listen to God and do as he says will be blessed with peace and be untroubled by their circumstances. What good news for those who truly believe and have spent their life living to please the Lord. Proverbs 14:10 gives us a foreboding message: “There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.” Choose your path wisely. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Resources: The Life Application Study Bible; www.biblegateway.com.

*are unsuccessful.

Taking a Walk Thru Proverbs

Wisdom vs. Foolishness

Proverbs 1:23 New Living Translation

“Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise.”

            The first chapter of Proverbs personifies God’s wisdom as a woman shouting to those in the streets and Public Square to avoid evil and learn from her. Wisdom is one thing, Godly wisdom is quite another. Those who chase after the wisdom of this world will be, as Solomon put it in Ecclesiastes, ‘chasing after the wind’. Those who seek God’s wisdom need not chase it down, but rather, ask to have it revealed to them.

            The characteristics of a wise man are as follows: He is one who is a giver of encouragement, one that considers the steps they take, one that hungers for godly knowledge, one who responds favorably and profits from correction, one who controls their anger, one that stays on the righteous path, one that avoids evil and by virtue of all these character traits, causes their spirit man to grow exponentially stronger.

            To shun godly wisdom is to lack common sense, be gullible, feed on foolishness, pursue illusive dreams, blame their failures on God, become prideful and arrogant, trust only in themselves, hate wise advice, fail to contain their anger, cause quarrels, follow the wrong paths, persist in foolishness and when caught in that foolishness overreact by lashing out. 

            It is sad how blind mortal men are. They refuse to allow themselves to even remotely entertain the thought of God and the fact that he has a wonderful plan for each man, woman and child in his creation. Faith can be a difficult concept to grasp, but not if you allow the Holy Spirit to move upon you and minister to your spirit. Release your mind to entertain things that seem improbable, yet not impossible. Focus on that which cannot be seen as if it can. God has his hand extended for believers and non-believers alike. Won’t you take hold of it now? Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Resources:The Life Application Study Bible; www.biblegateway.com.

NOTE:The “Wisdom and Foolishness” listing was found on page 1337 of the Life Application Study Bible.

Taking a Walk Thru Proverbs

AVOIDING A TRAP

Proverbs 1:17 New Living Translation

“If a bird sees a trap being set, it knows to stay away.”

            This verse is specifically speaking about being trapped by greed (see verses 18 & 19); however, the verse intrigued me. It also speaks of avoiding temptations by recognizing a trap when it is being set. Anyone who sees a trap being set wouldn’t be foolish enough to then rush straight into it. This is why evil deeds are more times than not plotted and carried out under cloak of darkness. For the unwise, unregenerate individual, the trap appears to be a shiny bauble there for the taking. The discernment of a godly individual is the Holy Spirit within warning them to steer clear of the tempting trap. There is a saying in this world that says, “if it seems too good to be true, it probably is”. Nothing is free in this life except salvation. There is a price attached to everything we do. You can do what you know to be the right thing nowor do the wrong thing and reap the consequences of that decision either right away or somewhere down the road.

            Seeing the trap is definitely possible for those who are in tune with the Lord. God needs to command our primary focus. Of course, we must focus on other things as well, like tending to our families needs, going to our jobs or school etc. and we shouldn’t ever neglect our spouses or children; however, allowing God into every part of your life means you are always conscious of his presence. We aren’t expected to cloister ourselves away in a prayer closet 24/7 to the neglect of all else. We are only asked to give our life over to the Lord and allow him to lead us to think, speak, act and react to all situations in a godly way. 

            So avoid traps by seeing life thru spiritual eyes. Steer clear of people with evil intent. If you are deficient in any area of your spiritual life ask God who gives liberally to the children who seek to grow in the things of God. You must have the ‘want to’.  Never give up! Even though the outcome is etched in stone, we mustn’t coast. There is work to do for the kingdom and while God doesn’t need our help he has chosen to use us and that is an honor that we shouldn’t take lightly. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Resources:www.biblegateway.com; MacArthur Study Bible; The Reformation Study Bible.

Taking a Walk Thru Proverbs

HOW TO GAIN TRUE KNOWLEDGE

Proverbs 1:7 New Living Translation

“Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge,    but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”

          The phrase ‘fear of the Lord’ is a curious one. Are we to be afraid of God, as we would be someone who might do us harm? No, in the case of ‘fear’ used in this way we are to look at it as follows: having a loving reverence that includes being submissive to his Lordship and the standards found in his word. It is to look upon the Lord with awe and respect for who he is according to scripture. The same man who wrote Proverbs concluded the Book of Ecclesiastes in the following way: “Here is my final conclusion: Fear God & obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty”_{(Ecclesiastes 12:13).} So whenever you see the phrase ‘fear the Lord’ or ‘fear God’ know it is not fear as we generally mean fear, but awe and respect for who God is. If we desire of find true wisdom, self-discipline and guidance on how to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to the one who created us, then we have a healthy ‘fear’ of God.

            A fool is a person who is ignorant; “One who is deficient in judgment, sense, or understanding.” Judgment and either reward or punishment is coming to all on the last day. Unbelievers will stand at the Great White Throne judgment of God _{(Rev. 20:11-15)} and believers will stand before Christ at the Bema or Mercy Seat. _{(1 Cor. 3:10-15; 2 Cor. 5:10)}  Unbelievers stand alone, believers stand with an advocate, the one who paid our sin debt.  The final day will be a day of retribution, as both punishment and reward will be distributed based on what you did with Christ in this life.  That is why it is said that we all have a very important decision to make, to accept and serve God or not. To reject God’s gracious gift of forgiveness is to punch your ticket for a one way trip to eternal separation from God with no second chance to do it again. Is your life right with God?

            Believers in Christ can tend to get “weary of well doing” _{(Gal. 6:9)}. Life seems short and compared to eternity it certainly is, but it is also long, with many opportunities to get things right in your life. Don’t tire out. Seek to be infused with a new shot of joy and peace. Step out of your comfort zone and exercise our gifts. If you don’t know what they are or are not sure, ask your Pastor for assistance in realizing what they are or simply ask the Lord to reveal them to you. Draw close to God and he will draw close to you _{(James 4:8).}  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Resources: The Reformation Study Bible; www.biblegateway.com; MacArthur Study Bible; www.biblehub.comand The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language.           

Galatians 6:9 NLT– “So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up.”

James 4:8 NLT– “Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.