Verse 5:
"The wise are mightier than the strong, and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger."
Wisdom is stronger than strength. The Knowledgable outlast the powerful, and become powerful through their wisdom! For a squirt like me, I could use some wisdom for strength (As I'm eating a Big 100 Collosal Bar!) Good thing God is so strong!
Verse 10:
"If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small."
I think this means if we fail under pressure, than God is not present enough in our lives! The only true victory obtained is when we have the holy spirit rushing through our veins!
Verses 11-12:
Look at the people you know that are farthest from God. they are on a path to death! Do you want to see someone near to you stagger and fall, then face death? God sees everything. He knows your heart, and he knows you know that you can do something to reach people. So do it!
"He who guards your heart knows you knew. He will repay all people as their actions deserve."
So be deserving of blessings and gifts! Take risks, "Do hard things!"
Verse 17:
"Don't rejoice when your enemies fall; don't be happy when they stumble."
God will be angry at you and not at your enemy. If you are a light and show kindess, eventually your enemy will not be your enemy anymore. Well, I would sure hope so. Put yourself in their shoes and act accordingly.
Verse 23:
"It is wrong to show favoritism when passing judgement."
You know that guy everyone knows that you think is a plain jerk? Yes. Well, if they punch a kid, you feel pretty good in deciding how evil they are and that they should be punished. You might even be the one to tell someone what happened. You know that best friend everyone has? yes. Well, if they punch a kid for whatever reason, you might not be so eager to jump the gun on their judgement. You might even let it go, and do what most people do. "Well, that kid is annoying, I would've punched him too!"
We must show equal judgement for equal actions. Treat everyone the same way, or God will be angry with you.
Verse 26:
Honesty is so much harder than we realize. Especially when you have to be honest about something you did wrong. But, even though the outcome of honesty might be bad, no matter what you will face for what you did, lying ten times worse! When you lie, God knows. heck, when you lie your mom knows too! (Yeah, Mom, you're right, I didn't brush my teeth) What's the point? When you tell the truth you mother might be angry, but God has already forgiven you for your sin before you are asked to face the truth, and then he will delight in your truthfulness!
-Evan
Prayer requests
-Rest!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Proverbs Chapter 23
V 4-5
Look at rich celebritys. I see a story almost every day of a celebrity or athlete (not much difference), who was once extremely wealthy, but lost everything they had. they did not know of the one everlasting wealth!
Having alot of money is nothing of importance. If we are rich in wisdom, and overflowing with the holy spirit, how much better off are we than to have a couple g's in out wallet?
V 15-16, 26
Solomon says that he will rejoice when we speak the truth, that everything inside him will celebrate.
This is Solomon speaking to us/his children, but I also think this is what God says of us. He is saddened when we stray from his path, and delighted when we follow in his ways. How amazing that he loves us like a father, and even more than a father!
Alcohol is a deadly trap. It ensnares you immediately. Once you have been taken by it, it is a sever struggle to overcome it. I've truly considered never having any as long as I live. That sounds ridiculous, but I know myself, and I know how I tend to get hooked on certain foods or sweets, and I do not want to fall into this trap. It would ruin me, and I would fall away from God.
Prayer Requests
-Rest
-Calmness
-My youth retreat this weekend. Safety, Teachings, Health.
Look at rich celebritys. I see a story almost every day of a celebrity or athlete (not much difference), who was once extremely wealthy, but lost everything they had. they did not know of the one everlasting wealth!
Having alot of money is nothing of importance. If we are rich in wisdom, and overflowing with the holy spirit, how much better off are we than to have a couple g's in out wallet?
V 15-16, 26
Solomon says that he will rejoice when we speak the truth, that everything inside him will celebrate.
This is Solomon speaking to us/his children, but I also think this is what God says of us. He is saddened when we stray from his path, and delighted when we follow in his ways. How amazing that he loves us like a father, and even more than a father!
Alcohol is a deadly trap. It ensnares you immediately. Once you have been taken by it, it is a sever struggle to overcome it. I've truly considered never having any as long as I live. That sounds ridiculous, but I know myself, and I know how I tend to get hooked on certain foods or sweets, and I do not want to fall into this trap. It would ruin me, and I would fall away from God.
Prayer Requests
-Rest
-Calmness
-My youth retreat this weekend. Safety, Teachings, Health.
Proverbs Chapter 22: Catching Up
1-13
It is better to be known for your good deeds than your money. I haven't really had the choice between those yet, seeing as most 16 year olds are broke. But I hope that when I am older and accountable for more money, I will be known to put this first: how people look at my by what's in my heart and actions and not what's in my wallet. ("What's in YOUR wallet"?)
The Lord created the poor and the wealthy. He loves them both, they are equal. So should not the wealthy man give to his needy brother? He should bless this needy man, acknowledging him as a creation as he is. I think this should go for the poor as well. Even the poor man should reach a hand of comfort to his brother. Pride of wealth ruins a man and makes him see himself too highly when it is not his own triumph that he has obtained this wealth, but God's, who gave him the wealth to share and bless people.
"Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor." -Verse 9
6:
"Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it."
If you direct your children at a young age to go the right way, and to build a foundation in Christ, they are very likely to stay in that foundation even when they leave you. I've heard that if the average american human hasn't accepted Christ by age 18, they never will. We must reach our friends and the children under us and bring them under God's hands before their hearts harden and they will not listen! Not everyone has had the privelige to find God through their own family and upbringing, so help your friends out now!
Don't be lazy. Don't make excuses and find reasons not to go out and live big and take risks. The lazy man is shunned by God, and he will never find wisdom.
15:
"A youngster's heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away."
Yes. Solomon endorses spankings. Honestly, I don't know where I'd be without spankings today. I think that was the only way I could learn to clean my room and starighten up. I was a fireball child, and discipline saved me from being completely out of control . Thanks, Sol.
22-29
The Lord is the defender of the needy. Do we want to be to go against God? No, No, No! We will Lose!
Truly we are all lacking something. The wise man may lack money, but the wealthy man lacks wisdom.. So these two can help each other.
Choose your companions carefully. If you spend alot of time with foul mouthed people, eventually you will also begin using bad language. Surround yourself with the type of people you would like to be like, and you will become like them! It is hard not become like your friends. I'm accused of this all the time. Lucky for me, I have good friends and what I pick up from them isn't harmful.
Prayer Requests
-Patience
-Understanding
-Self-Control
It is better to be known for your good deeds than your money. I haven't really had the choice between those yet, seeing as most 16 year olds are broke. But I hope that when I am older and accountable for more money, I will be known to put this first: how people look at my by what's in my heart and actions and not what's in my wallet. ("What's in YOUR wallet"?)
The Lord created the poor and the wealthy. He loves them both, they are equal. So should not the wealthy man give to his needy brother? He should bless this needy man, acknowledging him as a creation as he is. I think this should go for the poor as well. Even the poor man should reach a hand of comfort to his brother. Pride of wealth ruins a man and makes him see himself too highly when it is not his own triumph that he has obtained this wealth, but God's, who gave him the wealth to share and bless people.
"Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor." -Verse 9
6:
"Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it."
If you direct your children at a young age to go the right way, and to build a foundation in Christ, they are very likely to stay in that foundation even when they leave you. I've heard that if the average american human hasn't accepted Christ by age 18, they never will. We must reach our friends and the children under us and bring them under God's hands before their hearts harden and they will not listen! Not everyone has had the privelige to find God through their own family and upbringing, so help your friends out now!
Don't be lazy. Don't make excuses and find reasons not to go out and live big and take risks. The lazy man is shunned by God, and he will never find wisdom.
15:
"A youngster's heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away."
Yes. Solomon endorses spankings. Honestly, I don't know where I'd be without spankings today. I think that was the only way I could learn to clean my room and starighten up. I was a fireball child, and discipline saved me from being completely out of control . Thanks, Sol.
22-29
The Lord is the defender of the needy. Do we want to be to go against God? No, No, No! We will Lose!
Truly we are all lacking something. The wise man may lack money, but the wealthy man lacks wisdom.. So these two can help each other.
Choose your companions carefully. If you spend alot of time with foul mouthed people, eventually you will also begin using bad language. Surround yourself with the type of people you would like to be like, and you will become like them! It is hard not become like your friends. I'm accused of this all the time. Lucky for me, I have good friends and what I pick up from them isn't harmful.
Prayer Requests
-Patience
-Understanding
-Self-Control
Monday, February 21, 2011
Proverbs Chapter 21
I feel like Solomon is literally repeating verses in this chapter. That's good, but I kinda covered all this in that last few chapters. I'm going to find new verses and throw out some stuff on those.
29:
"The wicked bluff their way through, but the virtuous think before they act."
Thoughts BEFORE actions. Ohhhh, NOW it makes sense. I always thought that instead of asking permission, you ask forgiveness later. This is a new didcovery for me. Planning. I've always just put my head down and run. Something to work on for sure. Trust me, when you go on the fly in life, it rarely produces well.
26:
"Some people are always greedy for more, but the Godly love to give!"
Think about what you actually sacrifice. What do you give up that's important to you for the sake of others and for Christ? That's when we are giving. When we are going out of our way to do for others instead of wasting away like lazy people Solomon is hatin on so much. If we do not give, we will never receive, and we will never get anything done. so give!
31:
"The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord."
This is sometimes a hard act for christians. When we suceed and do something good, we want to have the spotlight a little right? WRONG. God has given us all of the gifts and talents we have and you gotta give him his props for it. Maybe even give him his change, and then ask if he wants paper or plastic. That would be me, cause I'm checking him out, yo! Whatever we do, we should do for the Lord, who gave us the opportunity to DO anything!
15:
"Justice is a joy to the Godly, but it terrifies evil doers."
It's amazing how your interests change when you accept the holy spirit. You might not even know what justice is, but once you have the spirit, you start doing it! I think it terrifies evil doers because they know it means them getting in trouble. It is a fragile moment knowing you've sinned and must asnwer for it. We must be gentle with these people. It isn't always wrong to correct someone's actions, but we cannot do this with pride implied like we think we're better than them. Cause, newsflash, WE SIN TOO! We must share of the forgivesness Christ gave/gives us! Then justice will be served to everyone! booyah!
I was all over the place on that chapter. Good grief.
-Evan
29:
"The wicked bluff their way through, but the virtuous think before they act."
Thoughts BEFORE actions. Ohhhh, NOW it makes sense. I always thought that instead of asking permission, you ask forgiveness later. This is a new didcovery for me. Planning. I've always just put my head down and run. Something to work on for sure. Trust me, when you go on the fly in life, it rarely produces well.
26:
"Some people are always greedy for more, but the Godly love to give!"
Think about what you actually sacrifice. What do you give up that's important to you for the sake of others and for Christ? That's when we are giving. When we are going out of our way to do for others instead of wasting away like lazy people Solomon is hatin on so much. If we do not give, we will never receive, and we will never get anything done. so give!
31:
"The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord."
This is sometimes a hard act for christians. When we suceed and do something good, we want to have the spotlight a little right? WRONG. God has given us all of the gifts and talents we have and you gotta give him his props for it. Maybe even give him his change, and then ask if he wants paper or plastic. That would be me, cause I'm checking him out, yo! Whatever we do, we should do for the Lord, who gave us the opportunity to DO anything!
15:
"Justice is a joy to the Godly, but it terrifies evil doers."
It's amazing how your interests change when you accept the holy spirit. You might not even know what justice is, but once you have the spirit, you start doing it! I think it terrifies evil doers because they know it means them getting in trouble. It is a fragile moment knowing you've sinned and must asnwer for it. We must be gentle with these people. It isn't always wrong to correct someone's actions, but we cannot do this with pride implied like we think we're better than them. Cause, newsflash, WE SIN TOO! We must share of the forgivesness Christ gave/gives us! Then justice will be served to everyone! booyah!
I was all over the place on that chapter. Good grief.
-Evan
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Proverbs Chapter 19
1-14
"Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and a fool"
I thought it was interesting that he didn't say the dishonest fool would have wealth. He's basically saying it is better to be poor and honest, than to be poor and dishonest. Pretty easy, I'd say.
People ruin their lives with foolishness and then get angry at God? That's ridiculous. They're just using God as an excuse for messing up. That's wrong.
4:
"Wealth makes many "friends,
poverty drives them all away."
I think what Solomon means here is that earthly wealth brings people to you, but when they see your spiritual poverty they will leave you because of your foolishness. If wisdom is more precious than any gold, than if we lack it, we are poor, right? I think that's what he meant.
The relatives of the poor (Poor in Wisdom), despise them. Even the people who are their family who should feel obligated to love them despite their foolishness, hate them. If you're family sees your foolishness and hates you, then how much more will your friends hate you for it, who aren't as obliged to love you. Having Wisdom and being rich in faith brings you good company, and true friends who understand your wealth.
If you love yourself you should obtain wisdom. You will prosper and your life will be better! It's so simple, and so very much realized only once you have searched and find wisdom. It changes everything, absolutely everything!
11:
This verse is HUGE!
"Sensible people control their temper, they earn respect by overlooking wrongs."
Next time you're about to argue about something, think about what it will accomplish. What will anyone gain from the fight? In most cases, nothing. If you're angry about something someone has said, simply hold it in and I know it's cheesey but the counting down thing helps, and your anger will subside, you will not have said something mean, and the people around you won't even know you were angry. It does feel like you missed a great opportunity to lash out, but it's better for everyone to control your anger. I'm not saying I'm always good at this, but I've done it, and it fixes alot.
15-29
"If you help the poor you are lending to God, and he will repay you!"
God has never had debt. he always gives back to you when you give to him! What a great God!
"...A quarrelsome wife is as annoying as constant dripping."
I legit laughed at this. I guess a leaky faucet has been a strife forever!
20:
"Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life"
Learn. Not like Math, Science, learn. Learn wisdom at a young age, so that you can teach it to others your whole life. Learn discipline, discernment, discresion, joy, outreach, love, trust, and all of the life values now! Why not? Some people say that we will be the generation to lead. Why not lead now? We can make an impact on other people at our ages now! DO IT! LIVE BIG!
22:
"Loyalty makes a person attractive."
And not just loyalty. When you have the holy spirit inside you, you become more attractive to others, AND you become more attracted to others who also have the holy spirit. Honestly, ever since my walk with Christ grew to the level it's at now, I've looked at girls so differently. Because when I put God first in my life, the un-godly girls became unnattractive to me. Before I had God where he is, I didn't even know they were un-godly. When you have the holy spirit and her wisdom in you, you can see someone for who they really are, so you see the bad in someone, and you also start to notice the good you never saw!
"Lazy people take food in their hand, but don't even lift it to their mouth."
They have all the rescources to get something done, and leave them to rot! They are wasting their gifts. How can we motivate these people?
27:
"If you stop listening to instruction my child, you will turn your back on knowledge."
Sometimes it's hard to listen to what people have to tell you, especially if it's been a long day, or you're just tired. But even in the most annoying times, you have to hear the good in what people say to you, and keep an appreciation for advice, as it leads to wisdom.
I need to find a time to catch up my chapter I'm behind. But every time I go to do yesterday's chapter I only do that one, and not today's. Quick fix: Read the chapter and not spend 30 mins writing about it!
I can't believe how fast proverbs is flying through! I can't wait till we start another book!
-Evan
"Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and a fool"
I thought it was interesting that he didn't say the dishonest fool would have wealth. He's basically saying it is better to be poor and honest, than to be poor and dishonest. Pretty easy, I'd say.
People ruin their lives with foolishness and then get angry at God? That's ridiculous. They're just using God as an excuse for messing up. That's wrong.
4:
"Wealth makes many "friends,
poverty drives them all away."
I think what Solomon means here is that earthly wealth brings people to you, but when they see your spiritual poverty they will leave you because of your foolishness. If wisdom is more precious than any gold, than if we lack it, we are poor, right? I think that's what he meant.
The relatives of the poor (Poor in Wisdom), despise them. Even the people who are their family who should feel obligated to love them despite their foolishness, hate them. If you're family sees your foolishness and hates you, then how much more will your friends hate you for it, who aren't as obliged to love you. Having Wisdom and being rich in faith brings you good company, and true friends who understand your wealth.
If you love yourself you should obtain wisdom. You will prosper and your life will be better! It's so simple, and so very much realized only once you have searched and find wisdom. It changes everything, absolutely everything!
11:
This verse is HUGE!
"Sensible people control their temper, they earn respect by overlooking wrongs."
Next time you're about to argue about something, think about what it will accomplish. What will anyone gain from the fight? In most cases, nothing. If you're angry about something someone has said, simply hold it in and I know it's cheesey but the counting down thing helps, and your anger will subside, you will not have said something mean, and the people around you won't even know you were angry. It does feel like you missed a great opportunity to lash out, but it's better for everyone to control your anger. I'm not saying I'm always good at this, but I've done it, and it fixes alot.
15-29
"If you help the poor you are lending to God, and he will repay you!"
God has never had debt. he always gives back to you when you give to him! What a great God!
"...A quarrelsome wife is as annoying as constant dripping."
I legit laughed at this. I guess a leaky faucet has been a strife forever!
20:
"Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life"
Learn. Not like Math, Science, learn. Learn wisdom at a young age, so that you can teach it to others your whole life. Learn discipline, discernment, discresion, joy, outreach, love, trust, and all of the life values now! Why not? Some people say that we will be the generation to lead. Why not lead now? We can make an impact on other people at our ages now! DO IT! LIVE BIG!
22:
"Loyalty makes a person attractive."
And not just loyalty. When you have the holy spirit inside you, you become more attractive to others, AND you become more attracted to others who also have the holy spirit. Honestly, ever since my walk with Christ grew to the level it's at now, I've looked at girls so differently. Because when I put God first in my life, the un-godly girls became unnattractive to me. Before I had God where he is, I didn't even know they were un-godly. When you have the holy spirit and her wisdom in you, you can see someone for who they really are, so you see the bad in someone, and you also start to notice the good you never saw!
"Lazy people take food in their hand, but don't even lift it to their mouth."
They have all the rescources to get something done, and leave them to rot! They are wasting their gifts. How can we motivate these people?
27:
"If you stop listening to instruction my child, you will turn your back on knowledge."
Sometimes it's hard to listen to what people have to tell you, especially if it's been a long day, or you're just tired. But even in the most annoying times, you have to hear the good in what people say to you, and keep an appreciation for advice, as it leads to wisdom.
I need to find a time to catch up my chapter I'm behind. But every time I go to do yesterday's chapter I only do that one, and not today's. Quick fix: Read the chapter and not spend 30 mins writing about it!
I can't believe how fast proverbs is flying through! I can't wait till we start another book!
-Evan
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Proverbs Chapter 18
1-11
The selfish are truly fools, for the insight of others is what brings you up in wisdom. They only speak of their own opinions; never letting someone else chime in with an idea that may be better or atleast different.
"It is not right to acquit the guilty..."
I talked about this alot in chapter 17. I won't go into that detail again, but I think this is so important.
Rumors:
Rumors are so powerful. Action speaks louder than words, and when you spread a rumor you are combining those two together. It is painful to hear people talking about you, and hearing news, whether it be good or bad, about you is harsh. Say good things about people, be encouraging. Would you want someone going around spilling your secrets to everyone? Not unless you're a weirdo.
If you like your secrets spilled....I am sorry for calling you a weirdo.
Laziness:
"A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things."
A ministry without actions is void and useless. You can talk all you want but if you don't do something, no one will listen to your words. We want people to come to a relationship with the creator. How do we do make that happen? through a relationship with the person. get off your couch and out those delicious lays back in the cabinet, and be a part of someone's life. Do something for them! Don't be lazy, bring Christ's love to earth. Please.
12-24
It's very important to know what you're talking about before you say something. Spouting off before you have truths is risky even in the smallest situations. Today, I was in a store with my family. When we walked in I breathed in and started to say "It smells-" My Dad cut in and told me to keep my opinion to myself even though the store smelled terrible. I was actually going to say "It smells nice!" (Which, if I had waited 2 more seconds of smelling before I said that, I would've realized I was crazy! It smelled horrible!) But, no one could've known because I was corrected before I finished speaking. My Dad didn't get the truth before he spoke and he then apologized. (No knock on my Dad here. He was completely right in cutting me off, knowing how I tend to say things really loud that I shouldn't. hee hee) Dumb example, but you get the point.
"Giving a gift opens doors; it gives acess to important people."
Once again, I think Solomon may be referencing the act of kissin up. Giving an important leader an expensive gift would surely put you higher on his list. he WAS the wisest man!
Besides that, he's right. It feels so good to get something for absolutely no reason at all. It is a gateway to someone's heart. A good example of this is my friend Christian. He will just buy you something, out of the blue (Like a tube of teryiaki sauce), just because he wants to. It's a special feeling to receive a gift from a friend, it lifts your spirits and strengthens your friendship.
Friends:
"An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city, arguments seperate friends like a gate with locked bars."
If you hurt someone, you have to fix it immediately, or else it will stew and get hotter inside the person, and then you will be unable to mend it. Only a fool hurts his friend and does nothing to mend the situation. If you are a friend, you will make it up to the person and earn back their trust and friendship again.
"...A real friend sticks closer than a brother."
I have some friends like this. I have some friends who are like brothers. You have fun, fight, get along, eat food, and stay out of each other's business. Then there are friends who are closer than a brother. They are the ones you can tell anything and have no fear of someone else hearing about it. You can tell them anything and they will not judge you, or demean you, but encourage you and help you to grow as a person, while still having the courage to tell you when you are wrong or headed in a bad direction without angering you. These friends are vital. Without these friends we are lost in the world.
Your tongue is your greatest weapon and your greatest healer. When someone is down, your words can heal them, and make them feel new. But, other times your words can cut like a knife, break someone's heart, and create war.
This is hard for someone like me who has a hyper-active tongue. It is difficult to say so much and never say something wrong. This is where wisdom plays in. With a good knowledge of God and his ways we are in a better position not to spout out foolish words like "This store smells awful!"
Think before you speak!
"The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord."
This is mostly true, but I would add the word "good" or "Godly" before the word wife. Not every woman in the world is qualified to be a wife. Like the temptress spoken of earlier on proverbs, some women in the world will bring you strife and diatraught in a marriage, and Men, the same way. Not every man is qualified to be a father and lead a household.
I've always dreamed of getting married. Now, I know that wedding fantasies are for girls, but this is different. I guess I'm just excited to find the Godly Woman God has chosen for me, to make me strong, and to build me up. I can't wait to propose to this girl in front of cinderella castle in disney world! And quite frankly, I'm perfectly content to stay single untill I have found that girl. Does it make sense to have a 3 year relationship with someone you don't intend to marry? I'll answer for you. No! God has a perfect girl for me in mind, why would I ruin that? I wish I was 25 so I could get married now, and not have to worry about girls in high school. cause dating girls in high school does not prepare you for marriage. High School girls I know (Save for a few) are so immature that dating them now would give you no insight to what a mature, godly relationship would look like, so I'm not even going to bother. Boys are even worse. Boys are so immature at this age, that dating now will give you no insight on what you will be like when you are ready to be married. So, kids my age, go ahead date if you want. I don't think it's harmful necissarilly, but it's really just for fun. The chances of you marrying someone you're dating now, are very small, and that chance is decreasing.
This is a bit off topic yes, but still important. I'm done venting.
-Evan
The selfish are truly fools, for the insight of others is what brings you up in wisdom. They only speak of their own opinions; never letting someone else chime in with an idea that may be better or atleast different.
"It is not right to acquit the guilty..."
I talked about this alot in chapter 17. I won't go into that detail again, but I think this is so important.
Rumors:
Rumors are so powerful. Action speaks louder than words, and when you spread a rumor you are combining those two together. It is painful to hear people talking about you, and hearing news, whether it be good or bad, about you is harsh. Say good things about people, be encouraging. Would you want someone going around spilling your secrets to everyone? Not unless you're a weirdo.
If you like your secrets spilled....I am sorry for calling you a weirdo.
Laziness:
"A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things."
A ministry without actions is void and useless. You can talk all you want but if you don't do something, no one will listen to your words. We want people to come to a relationship with the creator. How do we do make that happen? through a relationship with the person. get off your couch and out those delicious lays back in the cabinet, and be a part of someone's life. Do something for them! Don't be lazy, bring Christ's love to earth. Please.
12-24
It's very important to know what you're talking about before you say something. Spouting off before you have truths is risky even in the smallest situations. Today, I was in a store with my family. When we walked in I breathed in and started to say "It smells-" My Dad cut in and told me to keep my opinion to myself even though the store smelled terrible. I was actually going to say "It smells nice!" (Which, if I had waited 2 more seconds of smelling before I said that, I would've realized I was crazy! It smelled horrible!) But, no one could've known because I was corrected before I finished speaking. My Dad didn't get the truth before he spoke and he then apologized. (No knock on my Dad here. He was completely right in cutting me off, knowing how I tend to say things really loud that I shouldn't. hee hee) Dumb example, but you get the point.
"Giving a gift opens doors; it gives acess to important people."
Once again, I think Solomon may be referencing the act of kissin up. Giving an important leader an expensive gift would surely put you higher on his list. he WAS the wisest man!
Besides that, he's right. It feels so good to get something for absolutely no reason at all. It is a gateway to someone's heart. A good example of this is my friend Christian. He will just buy you something, out of the blue (Like a tube of teryiaki sauce), just because he wants to. It's a special feeling to receive a gift from a friend, it lifts your spirits and strengthens your friendship.
Friends:
"An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city, arguments seperate friends like a gate with locked bars."
If you hurt someone, you have to fix it immediately, or else it will stew and get hotter inside the person, and then you will be unable to mend it. Only a fool hurts his friend and does nothing to mend the situation. If you are a friend, you will make it up to the person and earn back their trust and friendship again.
"...A real friend sticks closer than a brother."
I have some friends like this. I have some friends who are like brothers. You have fun, fight, get along, eat food, and stay out of each other's business. Then there are friends who are closer than a brother. They are the ones you can tell anything and have no fear of someone else hearing about it. You can tell them anything and they will not judge you, or demean you, but encourage you and help you to grow as a person, while still having the courage to tell you when you are wrong or headed in a bad direction without angering you. These friends are vital. Without these friends we are lost in the world.
Your tongue is your greatest weapon and your greatest healer. When someone is down, your words can heal them, and make them feel new. But, other times your words can cut like a knife, break someone's heart, and create war.
This is hard for someone like me who has a hyper-active tongue. It is difficult to say so much and never say something wrong. This is where wisdom plays in. With a good knowledge of God and his ways we are in a better position not to spout out foolish words like "This store smells awful!"
Think before you speak!
"The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord."
This is mostly true, but I would add the word "good" or "Godly" before the word wife. Not every woman in the world is qualified to be a wife. Like the temptress spoken of earlier on proverbs, some women in the world will bring you strife and diatraught in a marriage, and Men, the same way. Not every man is qualified to be a father and lead a household.
I've always dreamed of getting married. Now, I know that wedding fantasies are for girls, but this is different. I guess I'm just excited to find the Godly Woman God has chosen for me, to make me strong, and to build me up. I can't wait to propose to this girl in front of cinderella castle in disney world! And quite frankly, I'm perfectly content to stay single untill I have found that girl. Does it make sense to have a 3 year relationship with someone you don't intend to marry? I'll answer for you. No! God has a perfect girl for me in mind, why would I ruin that? I wish I was 25 so I could get married now, and not have to worry about girls in high school. cause dating girls in high school does not prepare you for marriage. High School girls I know (Save for a few) are so immature that dating them now would give you no insight to what a mature, godly relationship would look like, so I'm not even going to bother. Boys are even worse. Boys are so immature at this age, that dating now will give you no insight on what you will be like when you are ready to be married. So, kids my age, go ahead date if you want. I don't think it's harmful necissarilly, but it's really just for fun. The chances of you marrying someone you're dating now, are very small, and that chance is decreasing.
This is a bit off topic yes, but still important. I'm done venting.
-Evan
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Proverbs Chapter 17
It's SO late. I'm going to review a couple of verses that stuck out to me and hit the hay (or is it the sack.....sack of hay?)
5:
"Those who mock the poor insult their maker..."
On the middle school retreat I went on last weekend, one of the kids talked alot about how God's creation is frowned upon and put down. It saddened his heart to see beautiful people teased and hurt. God created us in his image and all are loved by their creator. Another verse that I think fits in here is verse 15 which says:
"Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent- Both are detestable to the Lord.
I think that we as christians are so judgemental, not taking a minute to understand where someone is in their life and without factoring in that it's harder to do right without the Lord in you. We read so much that the knowledge of good and evil comes from the Lord, so if someone does wrong and doesn't have God, shouldn't we be merciful and forgiving to God's creations? These are the people we are reaching our hands to, for Jesus did not judge the sinners, but taught them of living water at a well where they were cast out, and invited them to dinner where they were hated, and in doing so, blessed them, showed them love, and brought them to salvation, giving them a new found knowledge of good and evil and a discernment to do good. So instead of judging the evil and condemning them for their sins, we should show them God's love, and they will be transformed not by our words and actions, but by the hands of their creator!
27:
"A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even tempered."
We can talk the talk but can we walk the walk? That's the question here. When we have such a God driven life that we are reaching people before we speak about it, we are doing it right. Actions speak louder than words. So should it be with our faith. Our acts of kindness and faith, as well as our fruits of the spirit, will be the first thing anyone sees when they see you, so they should be our ministry. Non-believers that frown upon God and the church, are tired of hearing they're going to hell, they're tired of hearing about the amazing things that will happen. They want to SEE amazing things happen. they want to see what it looks like to be posessed by the Holy Spirit. They want to see the pure joy and happiness that comes with a heart filled with God. And when they do, they will not be able to resist. And when they can't resist they will come to you and have questions of why you are how you are, and you know what you do then? Speak.
That is the time to speak. I am not saying that it is wrong to approach someone about God, or inform them of the error in their ways, to try and save them, but in all interactions with non-believers you must act with care and gentleness as the Lord did with the tax collectors and prostitutes. It worked pretty well for him I'd say. If we can bring 1% of the people Jesus saved to Christ with the gentle apporach he used, we have had a succesfull ministry, we will have blessed and saved someone who was lost, and we will find favor in our creators eyes. Good night!
-Evan
5:
"Those who mock the poor insult their maker..."
On the middle school retreat I went on last weekend, one of the kids talked alot about how God's creation is frowned upon and put down. It saddened his heart to see beautiful people teased and hurt. God created us in his image and all are loved by their creator. Another verse that I think fits in here is verse 15 which says:
"Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent- Both are detestable to the Lord.
I think that we as christians are so judgemental, not taking a minute to understand where someone is in their life and without factoring in that it's harder to do right without the Lord in you. We read so much that the knowledge of good and evil comes from the Lord, so if someone does wrong and doesn't have God, shouldn't we be merciful and forgiving to God's creations? These are the people we are reaching our hands to, for Jesus did not judge the sinners, but taught them of living water at a well where they were cast out, and invited them to dinner where they were hated, and in doing so, blessed them, showed them love, and brought them to salvation, giving them a new found knowledge of good and evil and a discernment to do good. So instead of judging the evil and condemning them for their sins, we should show them God's love, and they will be transformed not by our words and actions, but by the hands of their creator!
27:
"A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even tempered."
We can talk the talk but can we walk the walk? That's the question here. When we have such a God driven life that we are reaching people before we speak about it, we are doing it right. Actions speak louder than words. So should it be with our faith. Our acts of kindness and faith, as well as our fruits of the spirit, will be the first thing anyone sees when they see you, so they should be our ministry. Non-believers that frown upon God and the church, are tired of hearing they're going to hell, they're tired of hearing about the amazing things that will happen. They want to SEE amazing things happen. they want to see what it looks like to be posessed by the Holy Spirit. They want to see the pure joy and happiness that comes with a heart filled with God. And when they do, they will not be able to resist. And when they can't resist they will come to you and have questions of why you are how you are, and you know what you do then? Speak.
That is the time to speak. I am not saying that it is wrong to approach someone about God, or inform them of the error in their ways, to try and save them, but in all interactions with non-believers you must act with care and gentleness as the Lord did with the tax collectors and prostitutes. It worked pretty well for him I'd say. If we can bring 1% of the people Jesus saved to Christ with the gentle apporach he used, we have had a succesfull ministry, we will have blessed and saved someone who was lost, and we will find favor in our creators eyes. Good night!
-Evan
Proverbs Chapter 16
1-9
Verse 1: "We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer."
Why try and shape your life to your liking when God has a perfect, savior plan already? I, even at a young age, am beginning to see how God wants to use my life in contrast to how I would choose. I mean, I would choose one path completely to the left, and God wants me to go completely to the right. it's frustrating to come to that realization but then you stop and think about it (or "Thank you baby"), and you realize how in depth God's plan is for your life and how he has such a better view of the picture than you. Praise! Good stuff, verse 1, good stuff.
The Lord always sees your heart. When you do something good, but truly want the glory to go to you for being a good person (and we've all done that), God knows that, and you are not blessed for it. "The Lord detests the proud; they will surely be punished." God doesn't always see you for your actions, but for your heart condition. "Commit your actions to the lord and your plans will suceed."
Once again, God has a plan. Even if you don't know what that is, just walk in Godly steps and work for his glory and not yours and he will reveal his truths to you.
When you are living a life pleasing to the Lord, even your enemies have peace with you. God is such a mighty shield. Just having his favor on you protects you from your pursuers. What a good God!
10-19
Solomon talks alot about Kings/Rulers here and how they are supposed to act, about how they act sometimes similarly to Hod and how just and good God is in their comparison.
Like God, a kings rule should be built upon Justice, and be a fair and trustworthy rule. Every decision a ruler makes affects everyone in the country in some way. They are the cornerstone for a nation, they have to have good morals, leadership qualities, and quite frankly, I think they should all have God with them, cause he's smart. The King has a deep wrath, he hates wrongdoing and his anger is deadly, and the wise will try to appease it. Is it saying that it's smart to kiss up to leaders above you? hmm.....?
A ruler should have humiltiy, knowing that it is not by their own works and deeds that put them in their position, but by the work of God's hands knowing where to place the right people depending on his will. Pride goes before the fall, and history shows the nations that have fallen due to pride tripping them up.
20-33
"...Pleasant words are persuasive..."
Solomon uses this phrase a few times here, teaching us that you can really get someone's attention with some persuasive speaking. They say action speaks louder than words, but that must be saying something because words can do alot. And isn't speaking an action anyway?
Parental Discresion Advised!!!:
Discresion is such an important thing. Like it's counter-part discernment, it is the base of not only knowing right and wrong, but being able to see it and have the discipline to turn down the wrong and find the right. having this one-two punch will bless us like a fountain forever!
Verse 25 is a verbatim of a verse from a chapter or two ago.
"There is a path before each person that seems right, but it leads to death."
It is so easy to be deceived in this world. The empire of sin that is our Earth is a giant trap for humans to fall into the wrong hands and slip away from Christ and to slip away from good. This is an example that the Discernment, Discresion, Discipline, combo is so important, and it's convenient that it follows the warning to have discresion right away. with God inside us, we have his x-ray vision into the heart of the people trying to lead us somewhere, whether that be somewhere good or somewhere bad. Fear of the Lord is the root of all wisdom, and wisdom is the root of all Discernment, Discresion and Discipline, and those will protect us from all evil we face. I think this is the one thing that sticks out of this chapter that Solomon was trying to get out. Without a good sense of right and wrong, as cheesey and cliched as that sounds, is the base for staying pure and close to God, then you add in discresion and discipline enough to stay away from what you know is wrong and God will bless you richly!
Brilliance, Solomon!
This is my favorite chapter so far. Loving these words so much!
-Evan
Verse 1: "We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer."
Why try and shape your life to your liking when God has a perfect, savior plan already? I, even at a young age, am beginning to see how God wants to use my life in contrast to how I would choose. I mean, I would choose one path completely to the left, and God wants me to go completely to the right. it's frustrating to come to that realization but then you stop and think about it (or "Thank you baby"), and you realize how in depth God's plan is for your life and how he has such a better view of the picture than you. Praise! Good stuff, verse 1, good stuff.
The Lord always sees your heart. When you do something good, but truly want the glory to go to you for being a good person (and we've all done that), God knows that, and you are not blessed for it. "The Lord detests the proud; they will surely be punished." God doesn't always see you for your actions, but for your heart condition. "Commit your actions to the lord and your plans will suceed."
Once again, God has a plan. Even if you don't know what that is, just walk in Godly steps and work for his glory and not yours and he will reveal his truths to you.
When you are living a life pleasing to the Lord, even your enemies have peace with you. God is such a mighty shield. Just having his favor on you protects you from your pursuers. What a good God!
10-19
Solomon talks alot about Kings/Rulers here and how they are supposed to act, about how they act sometimes similarly to Hod and how just and good God is in their comparison.
Like God, a kings rule should be built upon Justice, and be a fair and trustworthy rule. Every decision a ruler makes affects everyone in the country in some way. They are the cornerstone for a nation, they have to have good morals, leadership qualities, and quite frankly, I think they should all have God with them, cause he's smart. The King has a deep wrath, he hates wrongdoing and his anger is deadly, and the wise will try to appease it. Is it saying that it's smart to kiss up to leaders above you? hmm.....?
A ruler should have humiltiy, knowing that it is not by their own works and deeds that put them in their position, but by the work of God's hands knowing where to place the right people depending on his will. Pride goes before the fall, and history shows the nations that have fallen due to pride tripping them up.
20-33
"...Pleasant words are persuasive..."
Solomon uses this phrase a few times here, teaching us that you can really get someone's attention with some persuasive speaking. They say action speaks louder than words, but that must be saying something because words can do alot. And isn't speaking an action anyway?
Parental Discresion Advised!!!:
Discresion is such an important thing. Like it's counter-part discernment, it is the base of not only knowing right and wrong, but being able to see it and have the discipline to turn down the wrong and find the right. having this one-two punch will bless us like a fountain forever!
Verse 25 is a verbatim of a verse from a chapter or two ago.
"There is a path before each person that seems right, but it leads to death."
It is so easy to be deceived in this world. The empire of sin that is our Earth is a giant trap for humans to fall into the wrong hands and slip away from Christ and to slip away from good. This is an example that the Discernment, Discresion, Discipline, combo is so important, and it's convenient that it follows the warning to have discresion right away. with God inside us, we have his x-ray vision into the heart of the people trying to lead us somewhere, whether that be somewhere good or somewhere bad. Fear of the Lord is the root of all wisdom, and wisdom is the root of all Discernment, Discresion and Discipline, and those will protect us from all evil we face. I think this is the one thing that sticks out of this chapter that Solomon was trying to get out. Without a good sense of right and wrong, as cheesey and cliched as that sounds, is the base for staying pure and close to God, then you add in discresion and discipline enough to stay away from what you know is wrong and God will bless you richly!
Brilliance, Solomon!
This is my favorite chapter so far. Loving these words so much!
-Evan
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Proverbs Chapter 15
1-11
"A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare."
It's so hard to cool down in a fight. This is something I've been trying to get better at for a while. If you're yelling at each other back and forth it will only increase the fighting. It's really hard for the other person to stay flared and angry if you're very calm, controlled, and gentle. very important verse.
God is watching. I know it's cheesey when mom's say that, but it's so true. God sees all evil and all good in the world. If you do something wrong, God sees you. If you do something good, God sees you. When you mess up or you prevail, God is watching, and what a good and just supervisor we have!
"...Whoever learns from correction is wise..."
We should be like children in this sense. When we do something wrong, we are supposed to learn from it, and do better the next time. When someone rebukes us and corrects us, we are supposed to listen and be taught. It's hard for me because sometimes people rebuke and correct very harshly and in ways that are not gentle and kind, and I don't want to listen to mean people. but, even then, God is double testing us. he is testing our patience and gentleness as well as our ability to hear and learn. Sneaky.
11
"Even death and destruction hold no secrets from the Lord! How much better does he know the human heart?"
God knows everything about you. better than you know yourself. He made you, and he knows of every sin you have ever commited. At first thought that scares me. God knows EVERYTHING I've ever done? But then I think about the blessings I have even through those sins, and all I can say is "What a wonderful, merciful and forgiving savior I have!"
12-22:
"A glad heart makes a happy face, a broken heart crushes the spirit." -Verse 13
"...For the happy heart, life is a continual feast." -Verse 15
I cannot say enough how much it has been a blessing to me just to be joyful. Just having this wisdom in me lets me see everything in a different light. All the same crap keeps happening, the same situations still suck, but I'm truly happy about it! God knows far more than I do that's for sure!
"Better to have little and fear the Lord, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil."
God is such a treasure. He is more valuable than any treasure on the earth or in space or anywhere else NASA is looking at. I would rather be poor and have God, than to be the most wealthy man in the world and be a lost child screaming for an answer.
"A bowl of vegetables with someone you love, is better than steak with someone you hate."
This verse rocks. especially for me, I don't like steak. I would rather have the bowl of veggies anyway! Veggies AND somebody I love. Word.
20:
"Sensible children bring joy to their father, foolish children despise their mother."
Solomon knows a very important realtionship in life is with your parent's. Personally I despise dissapointing my parents. It's such a let-down depressing day. I would like to bring joy to my parents, not only for their favor, but just so that they are not stressed or troubled.
22:
"Plans go wrong for lack of advice,
many advisers bring sucess."
This is vital and often overlooked. It's so important to have people older than you that understand where you are giving you help through your decisions. I can't tell you how many stupid things I've avoided doing with the guidance of my parent's, my sister, christian, etc. Before I do anything, I just ask other people close to me what they think. This is a smart move for a charger.
23-33
"...It is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time."
You know that moment where you just simply nail it? You gave the perfect response in the perfect moment with the perfect outcome. SUH-WEET! What a victory. Score one for the home team! I love that moment. Who doesn't like to suceed?
28:
"The heart of the Godly thinks carefully before speaking. the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words."
This reminds me of that John Mayer song "My Stupid Mouth" where he basically illustrates every guy's moment of "Oh snap...I just said that." He talks about how his mom always told him to think before speaking, and how he wishes he had a filter in his head. This. is. me. That is the advice my mom has given me the most times in my life. being a charger, that is another place where I am reckless and stupid. So many times I have just blurted out whatever comes to mind. That doesn't go well ever. ever ever ever. Think before you speak. The bible tells me so.
30:
"A cheerful look brings joy to the heart;
good news makes for good health."
I love that Solomon is finally talking some happiness this time. Honestly I was getting kinda bummed about all the "Wicked are foolish" stuff. I wanted something cheery! here it is! This is just purely telling us more ways to stay joyful. Find good news in things, be happy for people. SMILE!! It fixes everything!
33:
Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom..."
I think he could end every chapter with this verse and it would get me every time. It's so powerful! So strong!
The End.
-Evan
"A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare."
It's so hard to cool down in a fight. This is something I've been trying to get better at for a while. If you're yelling at each other back and forth it will only increase the fighting. It's really hard for the other person to stay flared and angry if you're very calm, controlled, and gentle. very important verse.
God is watching. I know it's cheesey when mom's say that, but it's so true. God sees all evil and all good in the world. If you do something wrong, God sees you. If you do something good, God sees you. When you mess up or you prevail, God is watching, and what a good and just supervisor we have!
"...Whoever learns from correction is wise..."
We should be like children in this sense. When we do something wrong, we are supposed to learn from it, and do better the next time. When someone rebukes us and corrects us, we are supposed to listen and be taught. It's hard for me because sometimes people rebuke and correct very harshly and in ways that are not gentle and kind, and I don't want to listen to mean people. but, even then, God is double testing us. he is testing our patience and gentleness as well as our ability to hear and learn. Sneaky.
11
"Even death and destruction hold no secrets from the Lord! How much better does he know the human heart?"
God knows everything about you. better than you know yourself. He made you, and he knows of every sin you have ever commited. At first thought that scares me. God knows EVERYTHING I've ever done? But then I think about the blessings I have even through those sins, and all I can say is "What a wonderful, merciful and forgiving savior I have!"
12-22:
"A glad heart makes a happy face, a broken heart crushes the spirit." -Verse 13
"...For the happy heart, life is a continual feast." -Verse 15
I cannot say enough how much it has been a blessing to me just to be joyful. Just having this wisdom in me lets me see everything in a different light. All the same crap keeps happening, the same situations still suck, but I'm truly happy about it! God knows far more than I do that's for sure!
"Better to have little and fear the Lord, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil."
God is such a treasure. He is more valuable than any treasure on the earth or in space or anywhere else NASA is looking at. I would rather be poor and have God, than to be the most wealthy man in the world and be a lost child screaming for an answer.
"A bowl of vegetables with someone you love, is better than steak with someone you hate."
This verse rocks. especially for me, I don't like steak. I would rather have the bowl of veggies anyway! Veggies AND somebody I love. Word.
20:
"Sensible children bring joy to their father, foolish children despise their mother."
Solomon knows a very important realtionship in life is with your parent's. Personally I despise dissapointing my parents. It's such a let-down depressing day. I would like to bring joy to my parents, not only for their favor, but just so that they are not stressed or troubled.
22:
"Plans go wrong for lack of advice,
many advisers bring sucess."
This is vital and often overlooked. It's so important to have people older than you that understand where you are giving you help through your decisions. I can't tell you how many stupid things I've avoided doing with the guidance of my parent's, my sister, christian, etc. Before I do anything, I just ask other people close to me what they think. This is a smart move for a charger.
23-33
"...It is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time."
You know that moment where you just simply nail it? You gave the perfect response in the perfect moment with the perfect outcome. SUH-WEET! What a victory. Score one for the home team! I love that moment. Who doesn't like to suceed?
28:
"The heart of the Godly thinks carefully before speaking. the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words."
This reminds me of that John Mayer song "My Stupid Mouth" where he basically illustrates every guy's moment of "Oh snap...I just said that." He talks about how his mom always told him to think before speaking, and how he wishes he had a filter in his head. This. is. me. That is the advice my mom has given me the most times in my life. being a charger, that is another place where I am reckless and stupid. So many times I have just blurted out whatever comes to mind. That doesn't go well ever. ever ever ever. Think before you speak. The bible tells me so.
30:
"A cheerful look brings joy to the heart;
good news makes for good health."
I love that Solomon is finally talking some happiness this time. Honestly I was getting kinda bummed about all the "Wicked are foolish" stuff. I wanted something cheery! here it is! This is just purely telling us more ways to stay joyful. Find good news in things, be happy for people. SMILE!! It fixes everything!
33:
Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom..."
I think he could end every chapter with this verse and it would get me every time. It's so powerful! So strong!
The End.
-Evan
Monday, February 14, 2011
Proverbs Chapter 14
Happy Valentine's day e'rr'body! Hope you enjoyed a day with a special someone, as for me, my special someone today is JC! Jesus date!
Proverbs Chapter 14:
I need to pop through this fairly quickly so I can have movie time with my sisters!!
I'm going to pop out some thoughts on particular verses here, instead of a full recap.
Verse 3:
Pride gets you nothing. In all the time you can spend talking about what you've done, you can do 10 more good things! People see what you do and get the point on their own, you don't have to tell them, that's just annoying and it will beat you like a stick.
8:
Those with wisdom see ahead of themselves it says here. they can sense the good and bad of the trials to come, but the fools who do not acquire godly wisdom are lost, and they trick themselves into thinking they know where they are, where they are going, and what they are getting. If we can see ahead, perhaps we can guide those fools.
10:
"Each heart knows it's own bitterness, and no one else can fully share it's joy."
You are the only person that truly understands your heart. You have to be the one to control what you do with it. You know what makes you angry, and what makes you joyful, and you have to use that to your advantage and think about your steps before you take them. Like I said, I'm a charger. I suck at this.
12:
"There is a path before each person that seems right, but it leads to death."
I play God into everything. Whenever something good happens to me, I immediately turn glory to God. But, I also trick myself into thinking God has given me a sign or given me a promise. I often follow the path that seems right, and start sprinting at death, and that's when God snaps you back to reality. If christianity was easy...there would be no point.
13:
This verse is so powerful to me. When I'm grieving, sad, or broken, I try very hard to cover it up and be cheerful and happy. This is a dangerous thing. If you cover your sorrow with fake laughter, it only digs you in deeper. I'm not saying I should mope around like Eeyore, but it's good to open up your troubles to someone.
And a tip to everyone:
Sometimes it's not just good to comfort the lonely, sad looking people. Everyone has problems no matter how they seem.
16:
I'm a charger. Reckless and foolish. But with the wisdom I am gaining I am becoming more and more slow to jump into things. It's amazing how this book this month and the holy spirit the last 6 have transformed my heart. I love it,
23:
Work brings profit. get stuff done! The lazy are lost and will fall prey to those with a mission.
26:
Those who fear the Lord are secure and safe. A lion scares you when you see it, but imagine you were best friends with the lion. You get to know it's lamb heart. ( I know, cheesey lion and lamb reference). Then you are protected and secure walking around with your lion friend. (That's God, fyi)
34:
"Godliness makes a nation great!"
A God lead place is blessed and will thrive fully! It will be well nourished well guided and will never fail to uphold it's foundation. If we set our plans, and our life upon God, we will be protected, safe, and we will make good decisions. That sounds amazing to me, I'm tired of doing dumb things!
-Evan
Proverbs Chapter 14:
I need to pop through this fairly quickly so I can have movie time with my sisters!!
I'm going to pop out some thoughts on particular verses here, instead of a full recap.
Verse 3:
Pride gets you nothing. In all the time you can spend talking about what you've done, you can do 10 more good things! People see what you do and get the point on their own, you don't have to tell them, that's just annoying and it will beat you like a stick.
8:
Those with wisdom see ahead of themselves it says here. they can sense the good and bad of the trials to come, but the fools who do not acquire godly wisdom are lost, and they trick themselves into thinking they know where they are, where they are going, and what they are getting. If we can see ahead, perhaps we can guide those fools.
10:
"Each heart knows it's own bitterness, and no one else can fully share it's joy."
You are the only person that truly understands your heart. You have to be the one to control what you do with it. You know what makes you angry, and what makes you joyful, and you have to use that to your advantage and think about your steps before you take them. Like I said, I'm a charger. I suck at this.
12:
"There is a path before each person that seems right, but it leads to death."
I play God into everything. Whenever something good happens to me, I immediately turn glory to God. But, I also trick myself into thinking God has given me a sign or given me a promise. I often follow the path that seems right, and start sprinting at death, and that's when God snaps you back to reality. If christianity was easy...there would be no point.
13:
This verse is so powerful to me. When I'm grieving, sad, or broken, I try very hard to cover it up and be cheerful and happy. This is a dangerous thing. If you cover your sorrow with fake laughter, it only digs you in deeper. I'm not saying I should mope around like Eeyore, but it's good to open up your troubles to someone.
And a tip to everyone:
Sometimes it's not just good to comfort the lonely, sad looking people. Everyone has problems no matter how they seem.
16:
I'm a charger. Reckless and foolish. But with the wisdom I am gaining I am becoming more and more slow to jump into things. It's amazing how this book this month and the holy spirit the last 6 have transformed my heart. I love it,
23:
Work brings profit. get stuff done! The lazy are lost and will fall prey to those with a mission.
26:
Those who fear the Lord are secure and safe. A lion scares you when you see it, but imagine you were best friends with the lion. You get to know it's lamb heart. ( I know, cheesey lion and lamb reference). Then you are protected and secure walking around with your lion friend. (That's God, fyi)
34:
"Godliness makes a nation great!"
A God lead place is blessed and will thrive fully! It will be well nourished well guided and will never fail to uphold it's foundation. If we set our plans, and our life upon God, we will be protected, safe, and we will make good decisions. That sounds amazing to me, I'm tired of doing dumb things!
-Evan
Friday, February 11, 2011
Proverbs Chapter 11
I don't have time, but I'm making time, this is the best chapter so far I think!
1-7
Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. I think thats so hard. When you do something good, you want attention for it right? that was your victory for the world to see......wrong......GOD'S GLORY! Good reminder for me.
Honesty.
Verse 3 says honesty guides good people, but dishonesty destroys treacherous people. I'd say thats a pretty easy choice.
Money doesn't get you any closer to God. Anyone remember that verse about a camel through the eye of the needle? It's that hard.
Godliness:
Godliness rescues us! Just having God-like qualities keeps us safe, woah!
8-20
"The whole city celebrates when the Godly suceed." I wish that were totally true today...
12:
"It is foolish to belittle one's neighbor, a sensible person keeps quiet."
See chapter 11 verse 19!
Repetition really drives the point home!
16:
"A gracious women gains respect, but ruthless men gain only money, and we know that helps us none!
Have to leave! BYE!
1-7
Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. I think thats so hard. When you do something good, you want attention for it right? that was your victory for the world to see......wrong......GOD'S GLORY! Good reminder for me.
Honesty.
Verse 3 says honesty guides good people, but dishonesty destroys treacherous people. I'd say thats a pretty easy choice.
Money doesn't get you any closer to God. Anyone remember that verse about a camel through the eye of the needle? It's that hard.
Godliness:
Godliness rescues us! Just having God-like qualities keeps us safe, woah!
8-20
"The whole city celebrates when the Godly suceed." I wish that were totally true today...
12:
"It is foolish to belittle one's neighbor, a sensible person keeps quiet."
See chapter 11 verse 19!
Repetition really drives the point home!
16:
"A gracious women gains respect, but ruthless men gain only money, and we know that helps us none!
Have to leave! BYE!
Proverbs Chapter 10
I don't have much time to write, I'm being a youth leader on a middle school retreat this weekend! Firecrackers in the bathroom? I'm so afraid.
I'll just have to write on a couple good verses from 10
5
"A wise youth harvests in the summer, but one who sleeps in the harvest is a disgrace."
I think summers are so important to work, as I intend to do this summer. Summer goes by so quick, before you know it, you've gone to a couple pools, parties etc, and it's september, and here comes GCN!! whew.
Take your summer days and put them to good use, and the Lord would will.
19
"Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut."
This is hard for me. I'm a extreme extrovert, social, talker. My sprititual gift is hospitality and exhortation. How can you be slient and do that? For the most part it's good to speak and have things to say, but from my own experience, I can tell you, being a talker can get you into trouble. BIG TROUBLE! Does anyone know how much a brain filter costs these days? I need one. Guard you words with your thoughs, guard your thoughts with your heart, and guard your heart with wisdom through a fear of God. You can always keep safe this way.
Seriously that's all the time I have. have a good weekend people!
-Evan
I'll just have to write on a couple good verses from 10
5
"A wise youth harvests in the summer, but one who sleeps in the harvest is a disgrace."
I think summers are so important to work, as I intend to do this summer. Summer goes by so quick, before you know it, you've gone to a couple pools, parties etc, and it's september, and here comes GCN!! whew.
Take your summer days and put them to good use, and the Lord would will.
19
"Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut."
This is hard for me. I'm a extreme extrovert, social, talker. My sprititual gift is hospitality and exhortation. How can you be slient and do that? For the most part it's good to speak and have things to say, but from my own experience, I can tell you, being a talker can get you into trouble. BIG TROUBLE! Does anyone know how much a brain filter costs these days? I need one. Guard you words with your thoughs, guard your thoughts with your heart, and guard your heart with wisdom through a fear of God. You can always keep safe this way.
Seriously that's all the time I have. have a good weekend people!
-Evan
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Proverbs Chapter 9
Chapter 9 is ver much a continuation of chapter 8. I'm glad I'm doing them both at once, cause I'm still on a roll from the last chapter!
1-9
Wisdom has made us a banquet! She calls out to us and calls us to come join her and drink her wine and soak up her knowledge! We will begin to live at this banquet of wisdom! It'll be the party of the year!
verses 7 and 8 are some of the best and probably overlooked pieces of advide I've read in Proverbs so far!
It says that we should not correct the foolish, or rebuke the mockers, for they will hate us and insult us back!
I know these people and it's true! You will get nowhere telling them how wrong they are, for they are uptight and they will not listen to you! It will only dig a hole you will not be able to get out of. Treat these situations with tenderness and care, as you would a baby. (assuming you would treat a baby with tenderness and care, I should hope you would!)
10-19
Once again the editor did a wonderful job seperating this verse from the others for emphasis!
Verse 10:
"Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the holy one will result in good judgement."
I shall say it again! Just a love of God and understanding of him, results in wisdom, and then when we dive into wisdom specifically, we grow and grow and grow some more! This is so powerful!
Wisdom will give us a long life. I'm still not sure if this applies to the good who always die young (or so I'm told). But in relativity to God's plan, wisdom will increase our life, and make it good! It will be a steady blessing that will not falter, or change!
Folly calls for a hearing:
This is just like when wisdom called for a hearing except it's folly this time. Thus the name, Folly calls for a hearing.
She is ignorant and doesn't know it! This doesn't mean it's our job to inform her of her foolishness (see verse 7).
"She calls out to men going by who are minding their own business. "Come in with me," she urges the simple."
She is a temptress! She will stop at nothing to pull you into sin! Her guests are in the grave! (This reminds me of the ghost of the bride in the Haunted Manion ride at Disney World. Holla, Ash!)
Do not be enticed by her stolen water and secret food! (See verse 17, NLT)
Her path will lead you astray. Stay on the path of righteousness. dare I say it, Follow The Yellow Brick Road!
-Evan
1-9
Wisdom has made us a banquet! She calls out to us and calls us to come join her and drink her wine and soak up her knowledge! We will begin to live at this banquet of wisdom! It'll be the party of the year!
verses 7 and 8 are some of the best and probably overlooked pieces of advide I've read in Proverbs so far!
It says that we should not correct the foolish, or rebuke the mockers, for they will hate us and insult us back!
I know these people and it's true! You will get nowhere telling them how wrong they are, for they are uptight and they will not listen to you! It will only dig a hole you will not be able to get out of. Treat these situations with tenderness and care, as you would a baby. (assuming you would treat a baby with tenderness and care, I should hope you would!)
10-19
Once again the editor did a wonderful job seperating this verse from the others for emphasis!
Verse 10:
"Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the holy one will result in good judgement."
I shall say it again! Just a love of God and understanding of him, results in wisdom, and then when we dive into wisdom specifically, we grow and grow and grow some more! This is so powerful!
Wisdom will give us a long life. I'm still not sure if this applies to the good who always die young (or so I'm told). But in relativity to God's plan, wisdom will increase our life, and make it good! It will be a steady blessing that will not falter, or change!
Folly calls for a hearing:
This is just like when wisdom called for a hearing except it's folly this time. Thus the name, Folly calls for a hearing.
She is ignorant and doesn't know it! This doesn't mean it's our job to inform her of her foolishness (see verse 7).
"She calls out to men going by who are minding their own business. "Come in with me," she urges the simple."
She is a temptress! She will stop at nothing to pull you into sin! Her guests are in the grave! (This reminds me of the ghost of the bride in the Haunted Manion ride at Disney World. Holla, Ash!)
Do not be enticed by her stolen water and secret food! (See verse 17, NLT)
Her path will lead you astray. Stay on the path of righteousness. dare I say it, Follow The Yellow Brick Road!
-Evan
Proverbs Chapter 8
This chapter rocks! That wisdom chick has got it going on here!
1-16
Thus chapter is basically wisdom herself crying out to us! Verse 4 says "I call to you, to all of you! I raise my voice to all people!" For wisdom is not just available for the righteous and pure, it is available to any foolish man, should he decide to turn from his ways, and seek it. When you start a speech, you have to get their attention. Even if it's meaningless, you say "I have something important to say!" and most people being raised by good parents will listen. Well hopefully wisdom get everyone's attention, because she is a vital piece for our Jesus puzzle. "For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies, nothing you desire can compare with it." God's wisdom is stronger than anything on this earth we could ever desire. It fills us with such a deep satisfaction and better equips us to do our work here on earth.
"All who fear the Lord will hate evil..." It's a natural fix being close to God. Everything pure comes easier, everything evil is easier to stay away from. I know I have tricked myself into thinking that being a christian would keep me from ever doing wrong, but that's a lie, and I'm a dumb boy.
"Because of me, kings reign, and rulers make just decrees. Rulers lead with my help, and nobles make righteous judgements."
I guess we'll always be able to tell if a leader of a country has wisdom or not :p
17-27
"...Those who search will surely find me..."
Wisdom says here that she will fill our treasuries with treasure better then even the purest gold! I need to get a treasury to put all that goodness in!
"The Lord formed from the beginning, before he created anything else."
No heavens, no earth. Wisdom. It is the most important thing we can have. God picked it first, isn't that enough to drive you mad for wisdom??? Yes it is.
Wisdom goes into great detail about all the things it beat into creation. Adam didn't do that to Eve did he?
Anyway, these verses are very poetic as wisdom details alot of the most wonderful creations, never letting us forget that she was there before them. Much like an older sibling who would never let you forget their rights as firstborn, except they aren't wisdom so they don't have much to gain by this, besides a cell phone.
The one verse that got me here was verse 27
"I was there when he established the heavens, when he drew the [horizon] on the oceans."
This just reminds of the amazing detail in which God created the universe with. I actually picture God with a giant God crayon, drawing the horizon, or tossing stars into the sky, or building the mountains like a kid building sand castles on the beach. If you look at a snowflake and see it's intricate (vocabulary lessons are paying off!) design. or look at the patterns of a minuscule chigger. How could a big bang make that creativity? How can you deny a creator when such things have been created? Just saying. Oh, and who put the monkeys on earth we evolved from? Darwin? genius (Sarcasm? yes.)
28-36
Still Wisdom is speaking of it's prescence when the universe was created. Wisdom was with God, because the wisdom WAS God. The root of all knowledge is God because he is the root of all things entirely! He created the world with a wisdom we could never know. A-mazing!
"...All who follow my ways are joyful..."
Boy ain't that true! Ever since I started seeking God again, I've been so happy! Nothing is as frustrating as it was, life still sucks but you live with it with a happy heart! Whoever finds wisdom, finds God, and thus finds life eternally.
Suhweet!
-Evan
1-16
Thus chapter is basically wisdom herself crying out to us! Verse 4 says "I call to you, to all of you! I raise my voice to all people!" For wisdom is not just available for the righteous and pure, it is available to any foolish man, should he decide to turn from his ways, and seek it. When you start a speech, you have to get their attention. Even if it's meaningless, you say "I have something important to say!" and most people being raised by good parents will listen. Well hopefully wisdom get everyone's attention, because she is a vital piece for our Jesus puzzle. "For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies, nothing you desire can compare with it." God's wisdom is stronger than anything on this earth we could ever desire. It fills us with such a deep satisfaction and better equips us to do our work here on earth.
"All who fear the Lord will hate evil..." It's a natural fix being close to God. Everything pure comes easier, everything evil is easier to stay away from. I know I have tricked myself into thinking that being a christian would keep me from ever doing wrong, but that's a lie, and I'm a dumb boy.
"Because of me, kings reign, and rulers make just decrees. Rulers lead with my help, and nobles make righteous judgements."
I guess we'll always be able to tell if a leader of a country has wisdom or not :p
17-27
"...Those who search will surely find me..."
Wisdom says here that she will fill our treasuries with treasure better then even the purest gold! I need to get a treasury to put all that goodness in!
"The Lord formed from the beginning, before he created anything else."
No heavens, no earth. Wisdom. It is the most important thing we can have. God picked it first, isn't that enough to drive you mad for wisdom??? Yes it is.
Wisdom goes into great detail about all the things it beat into creation. Adam didn't do that to Eve did he?
Anyway, these verses are very poetic as wisdom details alot of the most wonderful creations, never letting us forget that she was there before them. Much like an older sibling who would never let you forget their rights as firstborn, except they aren't wisdom so they don't have much to gain by this, besides a cell phone.
The one verse that got me here was verse 27
"I was there when he established the heavens, when he drew the [horizon] on the oceans."
This just reminds of the amazing detail in which God created the universe with. I actually picture God with a giant God crayon, drawing the horizon, or tossing stars into the sky, or building the mountains like a kid building sand castles on the beach. If you look at a snowflake and see it's intricate (vocabulary lessons are paying off!) design. or look at the patterns of a minuscule chigger. How could a big bang make that creativity? How can you deny a creator when such things have been created? Just saying. Oh, and who put the monkeys on earth we evolved from? Darwin? genius (Sarcasm? yes.)
28-36
Still Wisdom is speaking of it's prescence when the universe was created. Wisdom was with God, because the wisdom WAS God. The root of all knowledge is God because he is the root of all things entirely! He created the world with a wisdom we could never know. A-mazing!
"...All who follow my ways are joyful..."
Boy ain't that true! Ever since I started seeking God again, I've been so happy! Nothing is as frustrating as it was, life still sucks but you live with it with a happy heart! Whoever finds wisdom, finds God, and thus finds life eternally.
Suhweet!
-Evan
Monday, February 7, 2011
Proverbs Chapter 7: The Bad Lady
At first I thought Solomon was going to be rambling on about the same old don't go near the temptress' house and it leads to death and blah blah blah. But, he approaches it differently here. he uses an example; a story, to give you a clear example. I thought it was interesting the way the woman apporaches the man here. Even with the changes in culture, cars, music, politics, and everything, the one thing that has stayed exactly the same is the immoral woman.
1-5
Solomon repeats this promise that if we follow in his wisdom we will live! Sometimes repetition in saying something can get old, but I love the encouragement he gives here. And, the different examples he uses bring a new perspective every time. This time he says to love wisdom like a sister. This is easy for me, I have two of those! If a boy walks within 5 feet of my sister, my brother senses go full blast and I'm ready to pounce if something happens. In the same way, I should protect my wisdom, and let is protect me. Ain't nobody gonna be layin the moves on MY wisdom! (Neckroll? yes)
6-27
How many immoral women does it take to ruin a man? One. Solomon has a nice tale for us here.
This guy was totally in the wrong place at thr wrong time. I think it's funny that Solomon saw a few naive young men, but says that one of them in particular lacked common sense. I imagine this guy doing something dumb before the encounter with the bad chick. He must've had his shoes untied or something for Solomon to say he especially lacked common sense. You got a guy as dumb as this, and now you're gonna throw some immoral woman on him? No chance for this dude. He was just crossing this street (Probably while cars were crossing), and walked right in front of this bad lady's house. It was twilight and it had become dark. This lady is bad news I tell ya's. it says she was seductively dressed, but her husband wasn't even home. She was looking to do bad before this guy even came along! She had gone to a bunch of preparations. Planned Evil!
It didn't just "happen", she set a trap for this poor street crossing fool! She told the guy her husband would be gone untill te end of the month. So, if we know this chick well enough, we know this probably happened more than once. He didn't even think about, he had absolutely no wisdom to stop and consider this horrible scene. He was like an ox going to the slaughter it says. He was trapped right from the start.
Don't let yourself even become a possible victim of this situation. don't go anywhere near the bad lady's house! This will happen to you too, and you will die! Build your foundation in the fear of God and wisdom, and you can surely avoid any temptation thrown at you.
-Evan
1-5
Solomon repeats this promise that if we follow in his wisdom we will live! Sometimes repetition in saying something can get old, but I love the encouragement he gives here. And, the different examples he uses bring a new perspective every time. This time he says to love wisdom like a sister. This is easy for me, I have two of those! If a boy walks within 5 feet of my sister, my brother senses go full blast and I'm ready to pounce if something happens. In the same way, I should protect my wisdom, and let is protect me. Ain't nobody gonna be layin the moves on MY wisdom! (Neckroll? yes)
6-27
How many immoral women does it take to ruin a man? One. Solomon has a nice tale for us here.
This guy was totally in the wrong place at thr wrong time. I think it's funny that Solomon saw a few naive young men, but says that one of them in particular lacked common sense. I imagine this guy doing something dumb before the encounter with the bad chick. He must've had his shoes untied or something for Solomon to say he especially lacked common sense. You got a guy as dumb as this, and now you're gonna throw some immoral woman on him? No chance for this dude. He was just crossing this street (Probably while cars were crossing), and walked right in front of this bad lady's house. It was twilight and it had become dark. This lady is bad news I tell ya's. it says she was seductively dressed, but her husband wasn't even home. She was looking to do bad before this guy even came along! She had gone to a bunch of preparations. Planned Evil!
It didn't just "happen", she set a trap for this poor street crossing fool! She told the guy her husband would be gone untill te end of the month. So, if we know this chick well enough, we know this probably happened more than once. He didn't even think about, he had absolutely no wisdom to stop and consider this horrible scene. He was like an ox going to the slaughter it says. He was trapped right from the start.
Don't let yourself even become a possible victim of this situation. don't go anywhere near the bad lady's house! This will happen to you too, and you will die! Build your foundation in the fear of God and wisdom, and you can surely avoid any temptation thrown at you.
-Evan
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Lazybones: Proverbs Chapter 6
Solomon is all over the place in this chapter I think. ADD definitely existed back then. Don't put up security for your friend's debt, six things god hates, and have I mentioned prostitutes? Nonetheless a very instructive chapter. here we go:
1-11
Don't promise to pay off someone's debt. What if you find out after that promise that you can't pay it after all? What kind of friend would you be to back out of that? Then, your friend can use that against you. If you have done something like this, Solomon insists we fix the problem now! Don't rest untill you do!
I love in my translation how he calls procrastinators "Lazybones". I guess saying that they are rotting away in their procrastination. He tells us that we should learn from the ants, and their natural inclination to get stuff done! Sometimes I need help when I have something to do. I don't need you to do work for me, just make a list of what needs to be accomplished. I have to have a list. There's no excuse to put things off the way we do. If you go ahead and do what you need to, you're free to have it off your plate the rest of the day, and never worry with it again. you feel so much better.
12-22
Wicked people are constant liars. They find your weaknesses and entice you with their lies, to pull you in and plan your downfall. The Enemy has sent these people to bring us away from God! The devil doesn't make you bad, he just makes you busy. But, these people will be destroyed suddenly, broken in an instant, beyond any hope of healing. I think it's interesting the way God uses the element of suprise when dealing in judgement. "Like a thief in the night..." it comes when you least expect it. This is the outcome of those who turn their backs on God, who turn their backs on wisdom.
God hates six thing (7, Solomon decides after reconsidering)
1:Haughty Eyes
2:A lying tongue
3:Hands that kill the innocent
4:A heart that plots evil
5:Feet that race to do wrong
6: A false witness who pours out lies
7: A person who sows discord in a family
God has a very specific disdain for evil people, whose hearts are focused on doing wrong and causing trouble. I believe that number 6 hurts God so much. That people profess his name, and yet disobey his commands, and lead others astray. How much harder does that make it for those of us who are good to spread the gospel? Our claims to Christ are broken because false prophets and "un-christians" have made us look bad.
Solomon speaks again here about a parent's counsel for us. The one thing that sticks out here is verse 22:
"When you walk their counsel will lead you, when you sleep they will protect you, when you wake they will advise you."
They counsel will lead you. Did your mom ever tell you not to walk down dark alleys?
When you sleep they will protect you:
Mom reminded you to take your medicine before you went to bed so you could breathe right?
When you wake they will advise you:
Did you brush your teeth when you got up?
If we could just remember all the little things we learn growing up from our moms everything would be so much easier.
"Boys are dumb."
-Mrs. McKeel
23-29
See Chapter 5
30-35
We can make excuses and have good reasons for our sin, but if we sin, it's still a sin. we are still responsible for our actions no matter what inscentive we had.
Never sleep with another man's wife. Just in case you didn't already know that. Solomon talks about this alot, I think he knows this from experience. This time he talks alot about how it will come back to haunt you, particularly in the form of the husband. "He will be furious, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge. He will accept no compensation, nor be satisfied with a payoff of any size."
There is no way to make up for this. When you commit adultery, you are destroying yourself. Not only is it a sin because you betrayed your own wife, but you cause someone else's wife to betray them! It's a lose-lose (lose-lose). Everyone loses. Just don't do it. Bad idea.
-Evan
1-11
Don't promise to pay off someone's debt. What if you find out after that promise that you can't pay it after all? What kind of friend would you be to back out of that? Then, your friend can use that against you. If you have done something like this, Solomon insists we fix the problem now! Don't rest untill you do!
I love in my translation how he calls procrastinators "Lazybones". I guess saying that they are rotting away in their procrastination. He tells us that we should learn from the ants, and their natural inclination to get stuff done! Sometimes I need help when I have something to do. I don't need you to do work for me, just make a list of what needs to be accomplished. I have to have a list. There's no excuse to put things off the way we do. If you go ahead and do what you need to, you're free to have it off your plate the rest of the day, and never worry with it again. you feel so much better.
12-22
Wicked people are constant liars. They find your weaknesses and entice you with their lies, to pull you in and plan your downfall. The Enemy has sent these people to bring us away from God! The devil doesn't make you bad, he just makes you busy. But, these people will be destroyed suddenly, broken in an instant, beyond any hope of healing. I think it's interesting the way God uses the element of suprise when dealing in judgement. "Like a thief in the night..." it comes when you least expect it. This is the outcome of those who turn their backs on God, who turn their backs on wisdom.
God hates six thing (7, Solomon decides after reconsidering)
1:Haughty Eyes
2:A lying tongue
3:Hands that kill the innocent
4:A heart that plots evil
5:Feet that race to do wrong
6: A false witness who pours out lies
7: A person who sows discord in a family
God has a very specific disdain for evil people, whose hearts are focused on doing wrong and causing trouble. I believe that number 6 hurts God so much. That people profess his name, and yet disobey his commands, and lead others astray. How much harder does that make it for those of us who are good to spread the gospel? Our claims to Christ are broken because false prophets and "un-christians" have made us look bad.
Solomon speaks again here about a parent's counsel for us. The one thing that sticks out here is verse 22:
"When you walk their counsel will lead you, when you sleep they will protect you, when you wake they will advise you."
They counsel will lead you. Did your mom ever tell you not to walk down dark alleys?
When you sleep they will protect you:
Mom reminded you to take your medicine before you went to bed so you could breathe right?
When you wake they will advise you:
Did you brush your teeth when you got up?
If we could just remember all the little things we learn growing up from our moms everything would be so much easier.
"Boys are dumb."
-Mrs. McKeel
23-29
See Chapter 5
30-35
We can make excuses and have good reasons for our sin, but if we sin, it's still a sin. we are still responsible for our actions no matter what inscentive we had.
Never sleep with another man's wife. Just in case you didn't already know that. Solomon talks about this alot, I think he knows this from experience. This time he talks alot about how it will come back to haunt you, particularly in the form of the husband. "He will be furious, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge. He will accept no compensation, nor be satisfied with a payoff of any size."
There is no way to make up for this. When you commit adultery, you are destroying yourself. Not only is it a sin because you betrayed your own wife, but you cause someone else's wife to betray them! It's a lose-lose (lose-lose). Everyone loses. Just don't do it. Bad idea.
-Evan
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Proverbs Chapter 5
I don't need to make this one really long, and I'm not going to!
This is a more detailed warning of giving into the temptations of un-godly women. I like the words he uses in verse 5: "Het feet go down to death, her steps lead straight to the grave." The immoral woman is a one way ticket to disgrace, and death. If that isn't reason enough for you, I will list some more verses. "Don't go near the door of her house." Solomon knows about temptations! He doesn't just warn us to avoid any wrong-doing with immoral women! He says we should avoid all contact with them. just stay away! And don;t ever say "Well, gee I didn't know she was immoral." cause trust me, you know. It speaks in many ways here about the regret you will face. Other people will gain the fruits of YOUR labor, and achieve your wealth. "In the end, you will groan in anguish when desease consumes your body."
"Drink water from your own well, share your love with only your wife."
God has designed a perfect structure for marriage. It's perfect. Don't mess with it by throwing your love at someone else. And I wouldn't advise you to take Solomon's way out. He says only to love your wife, but that doesn't mean you should marry 700 wives like Solomon did. Wrong! No, No, Bad Dog!
"Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you, rejoice in the wife of your youth." I think you should also rejoice in your wife when shes old too! Just in case you were thinking otherwise.
Appreciate the woman/man that God has blessed you with! She was chosen to be yours and yours only. God picked one person just for you!
Honor and respect his plan for you, and honor and respect and love your wife. The End.
-Evan
This is a more detailed warning of giving into the temptations of un-godly women. I like the words he uses in verse 5: "Het feet go down to death, her steps lead straight to the grave." The immoral woman is a one way ticket to disgrace, and death. If that isn't reason enough for you, I will list some more verses. "Don't go near the door of her house." Solomon knows about temptations! He doesn't just warn us to avoid any wrong-doing with immoral women! He says we should avoid all contact with them. just stay away! And don;t ever say "Well, gee I didn't know she was immoral." cause trust me, you know. It speaks in many ways here about the regret you will face. Other people will gain the fruits of YOUR labor, and achieve your wealth. "In the end, you will groan in anguish when desease consumes your body."
"Drink water from your own well, share your love with only your wife."
God has designed a perfect structure for marriage. It's perfect. Don't mess with it by throwing your love at someone else. And I wouldn't advise you to take Solomon's way out. He says only to love your wife, but that doesn't mean you should marry 700 wives like Solomon did. Wrong! No, No, Bad Dog!
"Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you, rejoice in the wife of your youth." I think you should also rejoice in your wife when shes old too! Just in case you were thinking otherwise.
Appreciate the woman/man that God has blessed you with! She was chosen to be yours and yours only. God picked one person just for you!
Honor and respect his plan for you, and honor and respect and love your wife. The End.
-Evan
Friday, February 4, 2011
Proverbs Chapter 4
I'm glad this chapter isn't really long, I have like 5 minutes to write this! gah!
Proverbs Chapter 4
1-9
Solomon starts be repeating the advice about a parents counsel. Proving that repetition is key in giving an important point.
He speaks about his own father, David, and how he promised Solomon that if he took his words to heart and he would live. "don't forget my words, or turn away from them." I think this is important because we may hear the good wisdom, learn the food wisdom, but then we can still lose the good wisdom we've found. We have to guard it like it's a prince! A baby prince! or even.....HARRY POTTER!
"getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do." I Laughed right out loud when I read this! It's so simple, and so funny somehow. We are wising just in hoping to be so!
10-19
"When you walk you won't be held back, when you run you won't stumble." This is really important to me, because I run everywhere. Walking is for slow people, I'm a charger! Physically, and mentally, and spiritually, I always run, I don't like to have gaps in time between when I decided I'm going to do something, and when I do it. It comforts me to know that I even when I charge recklessly I will not stumble, but learn. God will keep me upright so that when I'm foolish and I get into a mess, I will not be hurt, but grow stronger!
"Take hold of my instructions, do not let them go. Guard them for they are the key to life!" Have you ever lost your car keys? or your house key? You freak out right? cause they are important, they are essential to getting places, and getting in your house. If we value our lives more then our cars and homes (which we should), then wisdom should be the most important thing to us, because it is the key to our life! Guard it like a baby prince! I shall say it again, a baby prince!!
He talks again here about evil people again, and I must admit and I'm starting to REALLY get the point, but everytime he covers this subject, something new gets my attention. Here he says: "Don't do as the wicked do, and don't follow the path of evildoers." (this next part really got me) "Don't even think about it, don't go that way!" even the thought of sinning makes God sad, it's such a powerful opposite to our faith. And yet we can do nothing to prevent it! ugh, I hate sin. You suck, Satan.
20-27
"My child, pay attention to what I say..."
Focus, Focus on wisdom. Let these verses we're reading not just impress you, and make you think. Let them impact your life and you're decisions entirely. "...let them penetrate deep in your heart, for they bring life to whoever find them."
"Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life."
Your heart condition is so important. If your heart is not open, and clean you cannot truly be close to God, and thus have joy. Do not put your heart in situations where you can be hurt. With a good sense of discernment and judgement, we should be able to avoid all situations that are harmful to our heart right? wrong. Like I said, I'm a charger. And when you charge, you often hit a wall, and you get hurt. But, then you find wisdom is God, and you have joy and it fixes everything, and like I sais before, you learn! and now I don't charge, I just kinda jog. and its way better for you!
verse 24 really struck me because of the way it stuck out. it was literally 2 inches apart from the rest of the verses in both directions for emphasis.
"Avoid all perverse talk, stay away from corrupt speech."
Once again, heart condition. If your heart is filthy and full of darkness, you drive God out! we must be clean! We must be gentle to our hearts! Use tear free L'oreal stuff in spritual form!
Solomon ends by telling us to look straight ahead, and fix our eyes on what's before us. (For today's musical reference, listen to "Peace of Mind" by Boston, where he regularly belts out "TAKE A LOOK AHEAD!")
"Mark a straight path for your feet, stay on a safe path. Don't get sidetracked, keep your feet from following evil."
I think it's important to keep yourself guarded, but so much to a point that you're away from any evil. We have to be near evil to help the people infested by it. My youth minister asked us at the beginning of the year if we were going to be "brave or safe?" in 2011. Meaning: Are we going to keep ourselves safe, and take the easy way out? Or are we going to reach out to others, and bring them also to safety by taking a risk!
-Evan
PS: Out of pop-tarts! TO THE GROCERY STORE!!
Proverbs Chapter 4
1-9
Solomon starts be repeating the advice about a parents counsel. Proving that repetition is key in giving an important point.
He speaks about his own father, David, and how he promised Solomon that if he took his words to heart and he would live. "don't forget my words, or turn away from them." I think this is important because we may hear the good wisdom, learn the food wisdom, but then we can still lose the good wisdom we've found. We have to guard it like it's a prince! A baby prince! or even.....HARRY POTTER!
"getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do." I Laughed right out loud when I read this! It's so simple, and so funny somehow. We are wising just in hoping to be so!
10-19
"When you walk you won't be held back, when you run you won't stumble." This is really important to me, because I run everywhere. Walking is for slow people, I'm a charger! Physically, and mentally, and spiritually, I always run, I don't like to have gaps in time between when I decided I'm going to do something, and when I do it. It comforts me to know that I even when I charge recklessly I will not stumble, but learn. God will keep me upright so that when I'm foolish and I get into a mess, I will not be hurt, but grow stronger!
"Take hold of my instructions, do not let them go. Guard them for they are the key to life!" Have you ever lost your car keys? or your house key? You freak out right? cause they are important, they are essential to getting places, and getting in your house. If we value our lives more then our cars and homes (which we should), then wisdom should be the most important thing to us, because it is the key to our life! Guard it like a baby prince! I shall say it again, a baby prince!!
He talks again here about evil people again, and I must admit and I'm starting to REALLY get the point, but everytime he covers this subject, something new gets my attention. Here he says: "Don't do as the wicked do, and don't follow the path of evildoers." (this next part really got me) "Don't even think about it, don't go that way!" even the thought of sinning makes God sad, it's such a powerful opposite to our faith. And yet we can do nothing to prevent it! ugh, I hate sin. You suck, Satan.
20-27
"My child, pay attention to what I say..."
Focus, Focus on wisdom. Let these verses we're reading not just impress you, and make you think. Let them impact your life and you're decisions entirely. "...let them penetrate deep in your heart, for they bring life to whoever find them."
"Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life."
Your heart condition is so important. If your heart is not open, and clean you cannot truly be close to God, and thus have joy. Do not put your heart in situations where you can be hurt. With a good sense of discernment and judgement, we should be able to avoid all situations that are harmful to our heart right? wrong. Like I said, I'm a charger. And when you charge, you often hit a wall, and you get hurt. But, then you find wisdom is God, and you have joy and it fixes everything, and like I sais before, you learn! and now I don't charge, I just kinda jog. and its way better for you!
verse 24 really struck me because of the way it stuck out. it was literally 2 inches apart from the rest of the verses in both directions for emphasis.
"Avoid all perverse talk, stay away from corrupt speech."
Once again, heart condition. If your heart is filthy and full of darkness, you drive God out! we must be clean! We must be gentle to our hearts! Use tear free L'oreal stuff in spritual form!
Solomon ends by telling us to look straight ahead, and fix our eyes on what's before us. (For today's musical reference, listen to "Peace of Mind" by Boston, where he regularly belts out "TAKE A LOOK AHEAD!")
"Mark a straight path for your feet, stay on a safe path. Don't get sidetracked, keep your feet from following evil."
I think it's important to keep yourself guarded, but so much to a point that you're away from any evil. We have to be near evil to help the people infested by it. My youth minister asked us at the beginning of the year if we were going to be "brave or safe?" in 2011. Meaning: Are we going to keep ourselves safe, and take the easy way out? Or are we going to reach out to others, and bring them also to safety by taking a risk!
-Evan
PS: Out of pop-tarts! TO THE GROCERY STORE!!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Proverbs Chapter 3: Trusting The Lord
I will just start by saying, I LOVE THIS CHAPTER! It had wonderful encouraging things in it. okay. go
1-10
"Store my commands in your heart." Lock them in. Save it for a rainy day.
"If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying."
This part confuses me. Some people do exactly what God wants but they die in a car accident at the age of 23....? Live many years, Solo-Man? Really?
I love this part in verse 3 about keeping kindness and loyalty in your life always. This is important for me, because I think that encouragement, and kindness are some of the best ways to reach someone.
We will earn favor with God, and a good reputation with people, as well as lift people up and make them happy. Who doesn't want to be happy all the time?
Here comes one of the most famous verses of all time, Proverbs: 3-5-6. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in al you do, and he will show you which path to take"
It really is one of the best verses there is. It gives a command, and a promise. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, not a little of your heart, not just when things are going well. Trust him ALWAYS with ALL of your heart. Lean not on your own understanding: Don't expect to know what you need to know by yourself. Are we smarter than God? Duh, no. If we know how brilliant God is, why would we ever try to figure things out by ourself? Seek his will in all you do and he will show you which path to take: This is a hard one for me. to seek his will in everything. 'Cause it's hard to do every single thing for God. I've always been the kind of kid who wasn't afraid to be payed attention to. The center of attention even, and because of the things I would like to do with my life, it's hard to want to lower myself for God sometimes. BUT! If we DO seek his will, and do what he has chosen for us, he will make it easier to do so, and show us which path to take. I'm a sucker for clarity. The goodness of vision, and the John Mayer song. Honor the Lord with your wealth, Solomon says, and with all the best of your produce. "He will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine" I don't have money, but if I did....I would probably stink at this. Seriously, how easy is it to give 10 dollars in offering? It's a sacrifice, but God says that if we sacrifice for him, he will pay us back for it. I don't have a barn to be filled with grain, but one day, when I'm 21, I'll appreciate that good wine. Not cheapo, wal-mart wine, but the legit, made in the mountains, wine!
11-20
Don't be upset if God corrects you. hard. It's hard to be told you're wrong. He uses parental advice as an example here, and that's a good one. It's tough when my parents tell me I've done wrong. But, it gets your attention, and it's usuallu good for you. He says here that people who find wisdom become joyful, and I can testify! I was in such a funk, a permanent bad mood, and ever since I started seeking God's wisdom again, I have been constantly happy! best thing ever. "The Lord founded the earth on wisdom, by understanding he created the heavens." So, in trusting God, we are given the same wisdom that built the earth and heavens?? WOAH BABY!! I want in! "By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth, and the dew settles beneath the night sky." Just his very knowledge makes the world turn. and his wisdom brings the dew in the morning? I've always wondered how that got there! IT'S GOD!! Amazing,.
21-30
Discernment. The knowing of what is right and wrong. The only time this doesn't come into play is when we abandon it. We all know right and wrong. I can't remember the last time I did something wrong, and I could truly say "I didn't know". It's not that hard. Solomon simply suggests not to lose sight of it. And the reason we all will find this part easy to understand, is becuse we already understand it. Thanks for the reminder, Sol.
Verses 25-26 say this: "You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from getting caught in the trap."
I've watched friends lose their friends in accidents, and I've watched people grieve in sudden disaster. Yet, we should not be afraid of this? This is a harsh command. We have to trust God so much to understand when a loved one dies. or a house burns down. he is our security. and he will keep us from getting caught. somehow.
"Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to help them. If you can help your neighbor now, don't say 'Come back tomorrow, and I will help you then.'"
It is our duty as christians, or even just as good people, to help each other. How many times has someone been stranded in a parking lot cause no one will give their car a jump? It's the little things like this that make someone's day, and bring us favor in God's eyes. Entertaining Angels, People!
"Do not pick a fight without reason, when no one has done you harm"
No explanation for that one. Just good advice.
31-35
"Don't envy violent people, or follow in their ways." Of course this is pretty easy for us, we don't feel like walking up and beating on someone do we? But, depending on who you're looking up to, it could be tempting to follow in the example. Who is the number 1 person, children want to be like? Their fathers. And if their fathers are criminals who beat on people, what are the children likely to do? Beat up on people and become criminals. It's sad, but true. How can we help these people? "These people are detestable to the Lord, but he offers friendship to the Godly." So, if we are Godly, and God offers us friendship, maybe we can introduce this friendship to those who are so lost.
Solomon ends here with his usual "Evil people are put to shame, those with wisdom are honored!" type thing.
but one thing he wrote got my attention.
"The Lord mocks the mockers"
The Lord looks down upon the evil. They are cast away from his love and promises because they have chosen to be. the fools are put to shame. the wise inherit honor. It was an odd place to end a chapter, so in turn, this will be an odd ending to a blog about it. Kind of a downer ending the, Solomon, don't you think?
"For the Lord is your security..."
-Evan
1-10
"Store my commands in your heart." Lock them in. Save it for a rainy day.
"If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying."
This part confuses me. Some people do exactly what God wants but they die in a car accident at the age of 23....? Live many years, Solo-Man? Really?
I love this part in verse 3 about keeping kindness and loyalty in your life always. This is important for me, because I think that encouragement, and kindness are some of the best ways to reach someone.
We will earn favor with God, and a good reputation with people, as well as lift people up and make them happy. Who doesn't want to be happy all the time?
Here comes one of the most famous verses of all time, Proverbs: 3-5-6. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in al you do, and he will show you which path to take"
It really is one of the best verses there is. It gives a command, and a promise. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, not a little of your heart, not just when things are going well. Trust him ALWAYS with ALL of your heart. Lean not on your own understanding: Don't expect to know what you need to know by yourself. Are we smarter than God? Duh, no. If we know how brilliant God is, why would we ever try to figure things out by ourself? Seek his will in all you do and he will show you which path to take: This is a hard one for me. to seek his will in everything. 'Cause it's hard to do every single thing for God. I've always been the kind of kid who wasn't afraid to be payed attention to. The center of attention even, and because of the things I would like to do with my life, it's hard to want to lower myself for God sometimes. BUT! If we DO seek his will, and do what he has chosen for us, he will make it easier to do so, and show us which path to take. I'm a sucker for clarity. The goodness of vision, and the John Mayer song. Honor the Lord with your wealth, Solomon says, and with all the best of your produce. "He will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine" I don't have money, but if I did....I would probably stink at this. Seriously, how easy is it to give 10 dollars in offering? It's a sacrifice, but God says that if we sacrifice for him, he will pay us back for it. I don't have a barn to be filled with grain, but one day, when I'm 21, I'll appreciate that good wine. Not cheapo, wal-mart wine, but the legit, made in the mountains, wine!
11-20
Don't be upset if God corrects you. hard. It's hard to be told you're wrong. He uses parental advice as an example here, and that's a good one. It's tough when my parents tell me I've done wrong. But, it gets your attention, and it's usuallu good for you. He says here that people who find wisdom become joyful, and I can testify! I was in such a funk, a permanent bad mood, and ever since I started seeking God's wisdom again, I have been constantly happy! best thing ever. "The Lord founded the earth on wisdom, by understanding he created the heavens." So, in trusting God, we are given the same wisdom that built the earth and heavens?? WOAH BABY!! I want in! "By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth, and the dew settles beneath the night sky." Just his very knowledge makes the world turn. and his wisdom brings the dew in the morning? I've always wondered how that got there! IT'S GOD!! Amazing,.
21-30
Discernment. The knowing of what is right and wrong. The only time this doesn't come into play is when we abandon it. We all know right and wrong. I can't remember the last time I did something wrong, and I could truly say "I didn't know". It's not that hard. Solomon simply suggests not to lose sight of it. And the reason we all will find this part easy to understand, is becuse we already understand it. Thanks for the reminder, Sol.
Verses 25-26 say this: "You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from getting caught in the trap."
I've watched friends lose their friends in accidents, and I've watched people grieve in sudden disaster. Yet, we should not be afraid of this? This is a harsh command. We have to trust God so much to understand when a loved one dies. or a house burns down. he is our security. and he will keep us from getting caught. somehow.
"Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to help them. If you can help your neighbor now, don't say 'Come back tomorrow, and I will help you then.'"
It is our duty as christians, or even just as good people, to help each other. How many times has someone been stranded in a parking lot cause no one will give their car a jump? It's the little things like this that make someone's day, and bring us favor in God's eyes. Entertaining Angels, People!
"Do not pick a fight without reason, when no one has done you harm"
No explanation for that one. Just good advice.
31-35
"Don't envy violent people, or follow in their ways." Of course this is pretty easy for us, we don't feel like walking up and beating on someone do we? But, depending on who you're looking up to, it could be tempting to follow in the example. Who is the number 1 person, children want to be like? Their fathers. And if their fathers are criminals who beat on people, what are the children likely to do? Beat up on people and become criminals. It's sad, but true. How can we help these people? "These people are detestable to the Lord, but he offers friendship to the Godly." So, if we are Godly, and God offers us friendship, maybe we can introduce this friendship to those who are so lost.
Solomon ends here with his usual "Evil people are put to shame, those with wisdom are honored!" type thing.
but one thing he wrote got my attention.
"The Lord mocks the mockers"
The Lord looks down upon the evil. They are cast away from his love and promises because they have chosen to be. the fools are put to shame. the wise inherit honor. It was an odd place to end a chapter, so in turn, this will be an odd ending to a blog about it. Kind of a downer ending the, Solomon, don't you think?
"For the Lord is your security..."
-Evan
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Proverbs Chapter 2
Ch. 2
Verses: 1-8
Tune your ears to wisdom, he says here. Listen to the wise words that are spoken. How much wisdom have we missed just be tuning it out with our ipods? "Concentrate on understanding" Why is this not our focus? We should be looking out for knowledge to make us stronger every day. And If this is not the case, we should wonder. What are we so focused on that we're missing out on wisdom? Solomon says that we should "Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding" proving once again that we can only gain this wisdom through God, by crying out to him, and asking. I've found that when I ask God for understanding, or I don't, I either do well through a situation, or I don't. Why doesn't this catch? "Seek for them as you would for silver, seek them like hidden treasures." We should strive for wisdom and understanding as much as we do any earthly thing. I should be seeking wisdom like I seek the pop-tart aisle in a new grocery store (Martins....ehh). "For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding!" When God breathes, wisdom comes out, he so little as speaks a word, and we should be pulling out our notepads and writing paragraphs of new thoughts! NEW WISDOM! "He grants 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!" This verse really struck me. Just striving to live a holy life, and a life unto the Lord, brings a natural sense of wisdom and common sense. Besides a specific search for wisdom, we already have a good wisdom foundation just from living our lives right and staying close to God!
9-15
Wisdom in us changes everything entirely. Our whole life outlook is different with this wisdom. "Wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy! Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe." It seems that wisdom in our lives kind of drops everything else into place. Knowing what is right will always protect us from wrong, if we add that to a relationship with God of course.
16-19
Solomon speaks here of wisdom saving us from the immoral woman. No knock on the guy, but he should know as well as anyone about this category. I find it interesting that it says "She....ignores the covenant she made before God." maybe saying that she once had a foundation of God, but it was upon the sand, and washed clear away when the world and it's temptations reached her. "Entering her house leads to death, it is the road to the grave." This is our "Beware of Dog" sign. Stay away from this chick, bros! I like living!
20-22
"Follow the steps of Good men instead, and stay on the path of the righteous." I think this speaks loudly of the christian life by example. Having people around us who are strong in their faith and can bring us up and make us strong! This speaks loudly for me, this being one of the biggest reasons I am the God fearer I am today. 'For only the godly will live in the land, and only those with integrity will remain there." I think Solomon hints here at the possibility of losing our benefits of God. I think as christians we think that once we have accepted God, we have a free pass to heaven forever. We have to hold our end of the deal! If we lose our love for God, stray far far away from him, and drop all searches for wisdom, we will hear the words "I knew you not!" How would you feel if you got to heaven just to be turned away? How would you feel if you saw a friend get turned back? "The wicked will be removed from the land, and the treacherous uprooted." So let us be the ones that remove them from their land, and bring them into the holy land, bringing them wisdom we have learned through our heavenly father!
-Evan
Verses: 1-8
Tune your ears to wisdom, he says here. Listen to the wise words that are spoken. How much wisdom have we missed just be tuning it out with our ipods? "Concentrate on understanding" Why is this not our focus? We should be looking out for knowledge to make us stronger every day. And If this is not the case, we should wonder. What are we so focused on that we're missing out on wisdom? Solomon says that we should "Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding" proving once again that we can only gain this wisdom through God, by crying out to him, and asking. I've found that when I ask God for understanding, or I don't, I either do well through a situation, or I don't. Why doesn't this catch? "Seek for them as you would for silver, seek them like hidden treasures." We should strive for wisdom and understanding as much as we do any earthly thing. I should be seeking wisdom like I seek the pop-tart aisle in a new grocery store (Martins....ehh). "For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding!" When God breathes, wisdom comes out, he so little as speaks a word, and we should be pulling out our notepads and writing paragraphs of new thoughts! NEW WISDOM! "He grants 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!" This verse really struck me. Just striving to live a holy life, and a life unto the Lord, brings a natural sense of wisdom and common sense. Besides a specific search for wisdom, we already have a good wisdom foundation just from living our lives right and staying close to God!
9-15
Wisdom in us changes everything entirely. Our whole life outlook is different with this wisdom. "Wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy! Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe." It seems that wisdom in our lives kind of drops everything else into place. Knowing what is right will always protect us from wrong, if we add that to a relationship with God of course.
16-19
Solomon speaks here of wisdom saving us from the immoral woman. No knock on the guy, but he should know as well as anyone about this category. I find it interesting that it says "She....ignores the covenant she made before God." maybe saying that she once had a foundation of God, but it was upon the sand, and washed clear away when the world and it's temptations reached her. "Entering her house leads to death, it is the road to the grave." This is our "Beware of Dog" sign. Stay away from this chick, bros! I like living!
20-22
"Follow the steps of Good men instead, and stay on the path of the righteous." I think this speaks loudly of the christian life by example. Having people around us who are strong in their faith and can bring us up and make us strong! This speaks loudly for me, this being one of the biggest reasons I am the God fearer I am today. 'For only the godly will live in the land, and only those with integrity will remain there." I think Solomon hints here at the possibility of losing our benefits of God. I think as christians we think that once we have accepted God, we have a free pass to heaven forever. We have to hold our end of the deal! If we lose our love for God, stray far far away from him, and drop all searches for wisdom, we will hear the words "I knew you not!" How would you feel if you got to heaven just to be turned away? How would you feel if you saw a friend get turned back? "The wicked will be removed from the land, and the treacherous uprooted." So let us be the ones that remove them from their land, and bring them into the holy land, bringing them wisdom we have learned through our heavenly father!
-Evan
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Proverbs Chapter 1
Alright! Day one of the proverbs project! I'm so excited to be blessed by these wise words. here we go!
Solomon starts here with a purpose for the book, saying that it is "To teach people wisdom and discipline....To help them to do what is just and fair......To bring knowledge and discipline to the young."
Even just from this I'm blown away by the wisdom and understanding God gave to Solomon. I can already feel the blood rushing through me with Godly Godness!
"Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline"
Solomon asks us to abandon our simple lives, and yet this concept is so simple and 1 stepped. If we turn our eyes to God, and strive to follow in his ways, we will be blessed with knowledge, or atleast a good foundation.
A Father's Exhortation:
One thing about the bible that still amazes me everytime I read it, is how relevant and still appliable it is to us today, as much as it was when it was written. Here, Solomon warns us to listen to our parents when they correct us, and instruct us. Even though, we don't always do a good job of this, we understand the importance of the teachings our parents have for us as we grow. Without the wisdom of our parents, who would teach us right and wrong? How would we know anything at all?
"What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honor around your neck"
This is something I forget so much, and that I think we all should become better about. Our parents are here for our own good, to help us, and teach us, and keep us on the right path. I'll remember this next time mom tells me the stove is still hot.
"My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them....My child don't go along with them, stay far away from their paths....These people set an ambush for themselves, they are trying to get themselves killed. Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money, it robs them of life."
As we have people in our lives to help us grow, we also have as many people that would do anything to tear us down. It is our duty as christians to run from this evil, but I find it is our tendency as humans to find it, and get pulled right into it. When the demons in people find our weaknesses, they can taunt us, and hurt us, and change us, and make us doubt what we know. This is where a solid relationship with God is key. When you have the spirit in you, you see everything in a different light. Those evils become less enticing in the first place, and you can run without any doubts in the opposite direction of them.
It's hard not to want money. We have to have money to have food, and shelter, and water to drink. But, how much do we neglect those who don't have any of that, in order to buy a 7 dollar cup of coffee or the new Black Eyed Peas CD? I know this is hard. I don't often have much money, but whenever I do come by some, I'm off to the store to get whatever CD I didn't get for christmas. What can we do with out good fortune to further the kingdom of God? I want to be a light to the lost instead of being corrupted by money. This is one of the greatest evils in our world, and one we don't often think of, or much less take a moment to be thankful for whatever money we DO have. Be wise with your wealth, and use it for the glory of God.
Wisdom Shouts In The Streets:
"Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square. She calls to the crowds along the main street..."
Wisdom is all around us. Wisdom is in the people we learn from the most. The world is full of wisdom, but are we full of wisdom ourselves? This isn't the kind of knowledge like math, or history, or science, but a Godly knowledge. Thoughts, ideas, actions, and decisions straight from the mouth of God to us. A wisdom of things to say, and things to do, and where to go, and when. Fools hate wisdom, and thus making them foolish, leading them to a life of sin, and destruction for they do not know how to do what is right anymore. they are lost. "Fools are destroyed by their own complacency. But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm." We are not the ones who will be destroyed by our complacency. We should always be striving to improve our hearts and our lives. Wisdom is all around us, but it is meaningless untill we embrace it, embrace God and his wisdom, and make it our own.
-Evan
Solomon starts here with a purpose for the book, saying that it is "To teach people wisdom and discipline....To help them to do what is just and fair......To bring knowledge and discipline to the young."
Even just from this I'm blown away by the wisdom and understanding God gave to Solomon. I can already feel the blood rushing through me with Godly Godness!
"Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline"
Solomon asks us to abandon our simple lives, and yet this concept is so simple and 1 stepped. If we turn our eyes to God, and strive to follow in his ways, we will be blessed with knowledge, or atleast a good foundation.
A Father's Exhortation:
One thing about the bible that still amazes me everytime I read it, is how relevant and still appliable it is to us today, as much as it was when it was written. Here, Solomon warns us to listen to our parents when they correct us, and instruct us. Even though, we don't always do a good job of this, we understand the importance of the teachings our parents have for us as we grow. Without the wisdom of our parents, who would teach us right and wrong? How would we know anything at all?
"What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honor around your neck"
This is something I forget so much, and that I think we all should become better about. Our parents are here for our own good, to help us, and teach us, and keep us on the right path. I'll remember this next time mom tells me the stove is still hot.
"My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them....My child don't go along with them, stay far away from their paths....These people set an ambush for themselves, they are trying to get themselves killed. Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money, it robs them of life."
As we have people in our lives to help us grow, we also have as many people that would do anything to tear us down. It is our duty as christians to run from this evil, but I find it is our tendency as humans to find it, and get pulled right into it. When the demons in people find our weaknesses, they can taunt us, and hurt us, and change us, and make us doubt what we know. This is where a solid relationship with God is key. When you have the spirit in you, you see everything in a different light. Those evils become less enticing in the first place, and you can run without any doubts in the opposite direction of them.
It's hard not to want money. We have to have money to have food, and shelter, and water to drink. But, how much do we neglect those who don't have any of that, in order to buy a 7 dollar cup of coffee or the new Black Eyed Peas CD? I know this is hard. I don't often have much money, but whenever I do come by some, I'm off to the store to get whatever CD I didn't get for christmas. What can we do with out good fortune to further the kingdom of God? I want to be a light to the lost instead of being corrupted by money. This is one of the greatest evils in our world, and one we don't often think of, or much less take a moment to be thankful for whatever money we DO have. Be wise with your wealth, and use it for the glory of God.
Wisdom Shouts In The Streets:
"Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square. She calls to the crowds along the main street..."
Wisdom is all around us. Wisdom is in the people we learn from the most. The world is full of wisdom, but are we full of wisdom ourselves? This isn't the kind of knowledge like math, or history, or science, but a Godly knowledge. Thoughts, ideas, actions, and decisions straight from the mouth of God to us. A wisdom of things to say, and things to do, and where to go, and when. Fools hate wisdom, and thus making them foolish, leading them to a life of sin, and destruction for they do not know how to do what is right anymore. they are lost. "Fools are destroyed by their own complacency. But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm." We are not the ones who will be destroyed by our complacency. We should always be striving to improve our hearts and our lives. Wisdom is all around us, but it is meaningless untill we embrace it, embrace God and his wisdom, and make it our own.
-Evan
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