“Righteous”
“Righteous”
Blessings folk!
The Righteous will be rewarded.
The Wicked also.
Pro 11:29-31
He who troubles his own house will inherit wind,
And the foolish will be servant to the wise-hearted.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
And he who is wise wins souls.
If the righteous will be rewarded in the earth,
How much more the wicked and the sinner!
The wicked/sinner/fool will all be rewarded with judgment for what they do.
They will inherit the wind.
They will be servant to the wise.
They will undergo the wrath of God.
The Righteous?
Their fruit will be the tree of life…
Rev 22:14
Blessed are those who wash their robes,
so that they may have the right to the tree of life,
and may enter by the gates into the city.
The Righteous will be reward “in the earth”. Now. Later.
Pursue righteousness…
“Diligently Seek”
“Diligently Seek”
Blessings folk!
What do you seek?
Good?
Evil?
Are you certain?
Pro 11:27
He who diligently seeks good seeks favor,
But he who seeks evil, evil will come to him.
The favor of the Lord will be upon those who seek good.
Those who seek evil?
Evil will come…upon them!
Pro 11:28
He who trusts in his riches will fall,
But the righteous will flourish like the green leaf.
Do not trust in riches.
Failure will come.
Rather, trust in the righteousness of the Lord.
The Righteous will flourish…like the green leaf.
As we have seen throughout the Proverbs, we have a choice.
Good…Righteousness.
Or…
Evil.
Which are you choosing?
“Scatter!"
“Scatter!"
Blessings folk!
Are you generous?
Or…
Are you a miser?…a word that came into some folk vocabulary today.
(another story&hellip
The principles and way of the Lord are often antithetical to the way so man.
Such it is with that which the Lord has granted to us…
Pro 11:24-26
There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more,
And there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want.
The generous man will be prosperous,
And he who waters will himself be watered.
He who withholds grain, the people will curse him,
But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.
Do you “scatter” your resources?
Do you share?
Do you give as the Lord directs?
Such will increase more.
The generous man will be prosperous.
Blessings will be upon your head.
Do you withhold?
That which is justly due?
That which provides sustenance for people?
Then, you will suffer want.
The people will curse you.
Choose to be generous.
Reject greed and be not miserly.
“Discretion”
“Discretion”
Blessings folk!
Some of the Proverbs bring forth truth in humor.
Such is this one.
The modern equivalent is “putting lipstick a pig”…
Pro 11:22
As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout
So is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion
So, how does a gold ring in a pig’s snout look?
What would be the function?
A beautiful woman who lacks discretion is like this?
Yep!
Beauty is but on the outside.
Lack of discretion within destroys that without.
“Discretion” speaks of “taste, judgment, understanding, reasoning”.
It is a vivid picture.
It is also correct.
Seek discretion.
“Assuredly…”
“Assuredly…”
Blessings folk!
Fear not!
Rest assured!
Know this!
Pro 11:21
Assuredly, the evil man will not go unpunished,
But the descendants of the righteous will be delivered.
Without doubt.
The evil man will not go unpunished.
God will deal with evil.
He will bring forth justice.
The Righteous?
They will be delivered, as will their descendants.
Jump a verse ahead…
Pro 11:23
The desire of the righteous is only good,
But the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
The wicked know.
They know that the wrath of God is coming.
They expect it.
The Righteous?
They know that God’s good is coming.
His justice.
His righteousness.
His perfect judgment.
Be certain of your status…
Give Thanks
“Give Thanks”
Blessings folk!
Thanksgiving Day 2021!
Be certain to first give thanks to the Lord…in all things.
Not “for” everything.
In everything.
Give thanks!
Determine to do the following:
1Th 5:16-22
Rejoice always;
pray without ceasing;
in everything give thanks;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
not quench the Spirit;
do not despise prophetic utterances.
But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;
abstain from every form of evil.
Give thanks - in everything
Rejoice - always
Pray - without ceasing
This is the will of God for us in Christ Jesus.
Give thanks along these truths.
Do not quench the Spirit.
Do not despise prophecies.
Examine everything carefully.
Hold fast to the good.
Abstain from evil.
Give thanks!
Col 3:17
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
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Thank the Lord
“Thank the Lord”
Blessings folk!
In the united States tomorrow is “Thanksgiving”.
A day of giving thanks.
As I’ve said many times before, this is good.
The problem arises in “who is receiving the thanks”?
In this the world is vague.
They “thank” all sorts of things - “goodness”, “heavens”, “nature”, etc.
Dreadfully close, but perverted in the end.
To where do we direct our “thanks”?
The Word makes it abundantly clear…
1 Ch 16:34
O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Thanks begins with the Lord.
True thanks is in/through the Lord.
Give thanks to the Lord.
He is Good.
He loves us…forever.
Determine to give thanks to the Lord and praise Him…
Psa 111:1
Praise the LORD!
I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart,
In the company of the upright and in the assembly.
Thank Him with all your heart.
Thank Him among the upright.
Thank Him in all place.
Then, true thanks will flow…
Way of the Wicked
“Way of the Wicked”
Blessings folk!
The Lord hates wickedness.
He hates the way of the wicked.
Wickedness is an abomination to the Lord…
Pro 15:9
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
But He loves one who pursues righteousness.
Pro 15:26
Evil plans are an abomination to the LORD,
But pleasant words are pure.
The way of wickedness and evil plans are an abomination to the Lord.
He hates them.
But, He loves the one who pursues righteousness.
He loves the one who speaks “pleasant words” of righteousness are pure before Him.
Each must examine themselves.
Which be we?
Wicked?
Righteous?
The Lord's Delight
“The Lord’s Delight”
Blessings folk!
Which do you choose?
The Way of the Lord?
The abomination of the Lord?
There is only one way that is pleasing.
If “it” is not the Way of the Lord, then it is displeasing.
Read more…
Pro 11:20
The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD,
But the blameless in their walk are His delight.
Pro 12:22
Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD,
But those who deal faithfully are His delight.
Pro 15:8
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
Perverse in heart…
Lying lips…
Sacrifice of the wicked…
All are abominations to the Lord.
(In addition to all we have seen so far!)
Contrast?
Those that are blameless in their walk (not perverse of heart) are the Lord’s delight.
Those who deal faithfully, (not lying lips) are the Lord’s delight.
Those who are upright and pray (not the sacrifice of the wicked) are the Lord’s delight.
Do you delight in the Lord?
Does the Lord delight in you?
The Devious
“The Devious”
Blessings folk!
The Lord tells us plainly.
He tells us what is sin.
He tells us what is an abomination to Him.
Yet, we seem to think in our “enlightened” (sin-filled, perverted?) mind that things are different today?
As we have seen, an idol, of any form…anything that receives more attention than the Lord, is an abomination to the Lord…
Deu 27:15
‘Cursed is the man who makes an idol or a molten image, an abomination to the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman,
and sets it up in secret.' And all the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen.'
Such a person will be cursed.
We have seen that false balance/weight is an abomination to the Lord…
Pro 11:1
A false balance is an abomination to the LORD,
But a just weight is His delight.
Now…
Pro 3:32
For the devious are an abomination to the LORD;
But He is intimate with the upright.
The devious…
The crooked…
The wrong…
The perverse…
Are an abomination to the Lord.
But!
The Lord is intimate with the upright.
The Righteous.
The Just.
The Correct.
Reject the evil way of the devious.
Pursue righteousness.
Act Unjustly
“Act Unjustly…”
Blessings folk!
We’ve been doing a little rabbit-chasing…abomination to the Lord.
What is an abomination?
We’ve seen several things in the past days…now, read this…
Deu 25:16
“For everyone who does these things,
everyone who acts unjustly is an abomination to the LORD your God.
Everyone who acts unjustly is an abomination to the Lord!
Whoa!
What are “these things”?
Make note of what the Lord mentions within the biblical context…
Deu 25:1-15
“If there is a dispute between men and they go to court, and the judges decide their case, and they justify the righteous and condemn the wicked,
then it shall be if the wicked man deserves to be beaten, the judge shall then make him lie down and be beaten in his presence with the number of stripes according to his [fn]guilt.
“He may beat him forty times but no more, so that he does not beat him with many more stripes than these and your brother is not degraded in your eyes.
“You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing.
“When brothers live together and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the deceased shall not be married outside the family to a strange man. Her husband’s brother shall go in to her and take her to himself as wife and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her.
“It shall be that the firstborn whom she bears shall assume the name of his dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel.
“But if the man does not desire to take his brother’s wife, then his brother’s wife shall go up to the gate to the elders and say, ‘My husband’s brother refuses to establish a name for his brother in Israel; he is not willing to perform the duty of a husband’s brother to me.’
“Then the elders of his city shall summon him and speak to him. And if he persists and says, ‘I do not desire to take her,’
then his brother’s wife shall come to him in the sight of the elders, and pull his sandal off his foot and spit in his face; and she shall declare, ‘Thus it is done to the man who does not build up his brother’s house.’
“In Israel his name shall be called, ‘The house of him whose sandal is removed.’
“If two men, a man and his countryman, are struggling together, and the wife of one comes near to deliver her husband from the hand of the one who is striking him, and puts out her hand and seizes his genitals,
then you shall cut off her hand; you shall not show pity.
“You shall not have in your bag differing weights, a large and a small.
“You shall not have in your house differing measures, a large and a small.
“You shall have a full and just weight; you shall have a full and just measure, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you.
Abominations?
- Muzzling a threshing ox (some folk need to learn of this principle)
- Refusing to perform the duty of a husband’s brother
- Grabbin’ what you shouldn’t
- Differing weights in bag…cheating when weighing payment, etc.
- Differing measures
Have full/just weights.
See the promise?
That your days may be prolonged in the land that the Lord gives you.
Harlot and the Dog
“Harlot and the Dog"
Blessings folk!
What is an “abomination to the Lord”?
What is the action?
Is it action or person…or both?
We have seen that the following are an abomination to the Lord.
- graven images…worshipping them
- desiring the gold/silver of graven images
- men/women “cross dressing” apparel
There is more…
Deu 23:18
“You shall not bring the hire of a harlot or the wages of a dog into the house of the LORD your God for any votive offering, for both of these are an abomination to the LORD your God.
Well, this will not endear one to the “progressive” of political or religious organizations.
Harlotry is an abomination to the Lord.
Hiring a harlot is an abomination to the Lord.
Hiring a “dog” - a male prostitute/sodomite - is an abomination to the Lord.
Did you see where “they” were taking the harlot/dog?
They were bringing them into the house of the Lord for votive offerings.
They were bringing them in to “worship” with them?
Looks like.
Churches do the same today.
Many say, “well, we just have to love them”.
Yes, we love.
But, too many are loving sinners into the lake of fire.
Truth must be taught.
Truth must be spoken.
The standard of Truth must be manifest.
You can not be in correct relationship with the Lord and retain your favorite sin.
One must confess, repent, call upon the name of the Lord and be baptized for the remission of sin…
Act 2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
You will receive the Holy Spirit.
Your life will never be the same!
This is what the harlot and the dog need!
“Perverse In Heart”
“Perverse In Heart”
Blessings folk!
Are you walking steadfastly in righteousness?
Are you attaining life?
Or, are you pursuing evil…and thereby, death?
Know this…
Pro 11:20
The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD,
But the blameless in their walk are His delight.
The Lord delights in those who walk blamelessly before Him.
Those that do not?
They are an abomination to the Lord.
They are perverse in heart.
The phrase “abomination to the Lord” appears often in the Word.
What are the things that are “abominations”?
Let’s chase a rabbit and see…
Deu 7:25
“The graven images of their gods you are to burn with fire; you shall not covet the silver or the gold that is on them, nor take it for yourselves, or you will be snared by it, for it is an abomination to the LORD your God.
Graven images are an abomination.
But, did you read closely?
Coveting the silver/gold on the images is the true abomination to the Lord.
Hummm…
One more…
Deu 22:5
“A woman shall not wear man's clothing, nor shall a man put on a woman's clothing; for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD your God.
Well, that gives clarity to some things going on today.
Role-playing as another gender is an abomination.
True. Styles/types of clothing vary from cultures and age to age.
The one who takes on the countenance/persona of the opposite gender is an abomination to the Lord.
Oh yes!
They are perverse in heart.
There are more…later…
“True Reward”
“True Reward”
Blessings folk!
What is your pattern of life?
Holiness?
Righteousness?
Wickedness?
Deception?
Manipulation?
Pro 11:16-18
A gracious woman attains honor,
And ruthless men attain riches.
The merciful man does himself good,
But the cruel man does himself harm.
The wicked earns deceptive wages,
But he who sows righteousness gets a true reward.
A woman’s grace and beauty will bring her honor…attention, status, acclaim.
A ruthless man will attain riches…thereby the “honor” of man and acclaim.
But, the cruel man does harm to himself in his life style.
The wicked earns wages of/by deception.
The “unwicked”?
The merciful man does himself good.
The one who sows righteousness gets a true reward.
Hum…
A true reward.
What reward will come from that which you are sowing?
“Guarantor”
“Guarantor”
Blessings folk!
How different would our lives be if we put into practice the advice, instruction, commandments of the Proverbs?
I suspect much pain would be avoided.
I suspect that much joy would be manifest.
Some of the Proverbs sound alien to our ears.
So many things we consider to be “normal” are not so.
Read…
Pro 11:15
He who is guarantor for a stranger will surely suffer for it,
But he who hates being a guarantor is secure.
Guarantor means “to pledge”.
The Word warns us to beware of “making a pledge/guarantee” for a stranger.
In modern vernacular, “do not co-sign” for a stranger.
You will suffer for it.
The biblical understanding of “borrowing”, “interest”, “usury” is interesting.
We would do well to learn some truths from the Word.
One who hates being a guarantor is secure.
The one who does not charge usury (excessive interest…in the mind of the Jewish leadership “more than 1-2%”…and Jews did not charge interest to one another) will be blessed.
Exo 22:25
If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee,
thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.
Lev 25:36
Take thou no usury of him, or increase:
but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee.
Lev 25:37
Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury,
nor lend him thy victuals for increase.
Deu 23:19
Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother;
usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury:
They could charge interest to strangers…
Deu 23:20
Unto a stranger thou mayest lend upon usury;
but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon usury:
that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all that thou settest thine
hand to in the land whither thou goest to possess it.
Selah!
What if we considered this…
November 14, 2021 “Victory” Blessings folk! Let us look a little closer at a verse… Pro 11:14 Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory. What type of “guidance” do the people need? Not the guidance of “man”. Not the guidance of “self”. Not the guidance of “greed”. Not the guidance of “pride”. The people need… The people cry for…whether they know it or not… The people must have… Guidance from the Most High. The people need an abundance of counselors… Full of the Word of God Full of the Spirit of God Full of the Power of God In this fulness is Victory. Anything else will fail. Believers, arise and manifest the Counsel of the Most High God. Our communities need such counsel. The Body of Christ needs it. Be the vessel of the Counsel of the Lord. We are victorious in the Lord. Live the Victory! Daily Blog/Bible Studies Daily Podcast Support
“Victory”
Blessings folk!
Let us look a little closer at a verse…
Pro 11:14
Where there is no guidance the people fall,
But in abundance of counselors there is victory.
What type of “guidance” do the people need?
Not the guidance of “man”.
Not the guidance of “self”.
Not the guidance of “greed”.
Not the guidance of “pride”.
The people need…
The people cry for…whether they know it or not…
The people must have…
Guidance from the Most High.
The people need an abundance of counselors…
- Full of the Word of God
- Full of the Spirit of God
- Full of the Power of God
Anything else will fail.
Believers, arise and manifest the Counsel of the Most High God.
Our communities need such counsel.
The Body of Christ needs it.
Be the vessel of the Counsel of the Lord.
We are victorious in the Lord.
Live the Victory!
“Abundance of Counselors"
“Abundance of Counselors"
Blessings folk!
It is an exciting truth.
A city rejoices when it goes well for the Righteous.
A city is exalted when it is blessed by the Righteous.
It does beg the question.
Does it go well for the Righteous now?
Consider our major cities.
Consider the smaller?
How do we as Righteous “bless”?
How do we exalt the city?
Pro 11:10-14
When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,
And when the wicked perish, there is joyful shouting.
By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
But by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.
He who despises his neighbor lacks sense,
But a man of understanding keeps silent.
He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets,
But he who is trustworthy conceals a matter.
Where there is no guidance the people fall,
But in abundance of counselors there is victory.
We as Righteous must…
- not despise our neighbor, such lack sense
- be understanding, keep silent, do not spread evil and dissension
- not be a talebearer revealing secrets
- be trustworthy, concealing matters and not spreading such
- provide the guidance of the Lord
- join with fellow Righteous in bring forth the abundance of the Counsel of the Lord!
The Evil//Wicked?
- they will tear down by their mouth
- they will despise their neighbor
- they will not have understanding
- they will be talebearers and revealers of secrets
- they will be untrustworthy
- they will bring guidance and counsel of wickedness
Which are we?
“Bless the City”
“Bless the City”
Blessings folk!
Are you ready?
Receive this Word of Truth and Exhortation from the Lord.
This will change much, if will live by it…
Pro 11:10-11
When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,
And when the wicked perish, there is joyful shouting.
By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
But by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.
Could it be clearer?
When things go well with the righteous, the city rejoices.
By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted.
The contrast is vivid.
By the mouth of the wicked the city is torn down.
We literally can look about us and see this manifest in the western world, especially the united States of America.
Once great cities are now in ruin and disarray because of wicked leadership that promotes that which is abhorrent before the Lord…the list is long…of cities, of evil.
But, there is hope.
Righteous!
Rise up!
Shout unto the Lord!
Allow not the wicked to prevail!
Live lives of holiness, righteousness and power.
Then, watch the hand of the Most High cleanse, purge, purify and exalt Himself!
Bless your city, your community, your oikos = circle of influence.
Speak blessing in faith.
Speak blessing in expectation.
Speak blessing in the Power of the Most High that dwells in you as a True Believer.
Exalt the Lord!
Allow Him to exalt the city/community.
“Righteous Delivered”
“Righteous Delivered”
Blessings folk!
Know this!
Righteousness does us well.
Individuals.
Community.
The next few Proverbs speak to this.
Give close heed.
Pro 11:7-9
When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish,
And the hope of strong men perishes.
The righteous is delivered from trouble,
But the wicked takes his place.
With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor,
But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.
The Righteous will be delivered from trouble.
Sometimes in this life.
Always at the ultimate deliverance of eternity with the Most High.
Through the knowledge that the righteous has of the Most High he will be delivered.
The Wicked?
When he dies all his expectation dies.
He lives only for this existence.
Regardless of strength and status, death terminates the plan of the wicked.
One last thought, “with his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor…”
We will see more on this next….
For now, be Righteous.
Reject wickedness.
“Be Upright”
“Be Upright”
Blessings folk!
Is there benefit to walking the path of righteousness?
Is there really purpose in seeking to be upright?
But of course.
We have seen many so far in the Proverbs.
Read these…
Pro 11:3-6
The integrity of the upright will guide them,
But the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them.
Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
But righteousness delivers from death.
The righteousness of the blameless will smooth his way,
But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.
The righteousness of the upright will deliver them,
But the treacherous will be caught by their own greed.
Righteousness:
- brings integrity that will guide
- delivers from death
- provides a smooth way
- will deliver the upright
Wickedness?:
- will destroy by crooked treachery
- will experience the day of wrath from which riches will not save
- will cause them to fall
- will be caught by their own greed
Choose the way of righteousness.
Be upright!
“False Balance. Pride”
“False Balance. Pride”
Blessings folk!
In Proverbs 11 the Proverbist fires off a rapid-fire teaching contrasting the Righteous vs. the Wicked.
Each Proverb…verse…carries truth worthy of our consideration and meditation…
Pro 11:1
A false balance is an abomination to the LORD,
But a just weight is His delight.
God hates cheating.
He hates deception.
A “false balance”…scales that are inaccurate to the favor of the seller…is an abomination to Him.
Just, fair weight is His delight.
In other words, do not cheat…at business, in relationship, in anything.
Do not deceive.
Do not “take advantage of”.
Many are the ways in which man has been creative in presenting false balances.
Pro 11:2
When pride comes, then comes dishonor,
But with the humble is wisdom.
The world is all about “pride”.
School “pride”.
“Pride” of work and endeavors,
Etc.
But, pride opens the door to things of the evil one.
Then comes dishonor.
The Righteous walk in the humility of the Lord.
The Righteous are humble of spirit.
Humility releases Wisdom!
Isa 66:2
“For My hand made all these things,
Thus all these things came into being,” declares the LORD.
“But to this one I will look,
To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.
1Pe 3:8
To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit;
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“Mouth/Lips of the Righteous”
“Mouth/Lips of the Righteous”
Blessings folk!
The Proverbist is often bold and blunt in his statements.
Such as…
Pro 10:31-32
The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom,
But the perverted tongue will be cut out.
The lips of the righteous bring forth what is acceptable,
But the mouth of the wicked what is perverted.
Clear is the juxtaposition.
The mouth and lips of the righteous…
- flow with wisdom
- brings forth what is acceptable.
The mouth of the wicked…
- perverted tongue…that will be cut out
- speak perversion
Out of the mouth and heart flow the issues of the heart…the truth of who we are.
Remember?
Pro 4:23
Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.
What are your mouth and lips revealing?
What is your tongue reflecting?
A pure heart of the Lord?
A corrupted heart of the flesh of man?
Be sound of speech…
Tit 2:8
…sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.
“The Way of the Lord”
“The Way of the Lord”
Blessings folk!
The Proverbs bring all sort of thoughts to mind.
One struck me today from this passage - in which way do we walk?
The walk of the Lord?
Any other way…
Pro 10:29-30
The way of the LORD is a stronghold to the upright,
But ruin to the workers of iniquity.
The righteous will never be shaken,
But the wicked will not dwell in the land.
The way of the Lord!
A Stronghold to the Righteous.
The way of the Lord!
Ruin to workers of iniquity.
The way of the Lord!
The Righteous will never be shaken in walking in it.
The way of the Lord!
The wicked choose to not walk in God’s way.
They will not dwell in the land.
Walk the way of the Lord!
“Vinegar and Smoke”
“Vinegar and Smoke”
Blessings folk!
The wicked.
The lazy.
The slothful.
Etc. etc.
The Proverbs warns us about such.
Are we listening?
Do we “take it to heart”?
Hear more…
Pro 10:26-28
Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
So is the lazy one to those who send him.
The fear of the LORD prolongs life,
But the years of the wicked will be shortened.
The hope of the righteous is gladness,
But the expectation of the wicked perishes.
LOL
“Like vinegar to the teeth”.
“Like smoke to the eyes”?
Well, that is clear.
(Never tried vinegar?) Give it a shot.
So are the lazy ones that are sent.
What is that?
Someone…a boss, friend, etc….sends someone for a purpose.
The lazy do not fulfill the purpose.
Vinegar and smoke to those who sent them.
Fear the Lord?
Life is prolonged.
Wicked?
Life is shortened.
Hope of the Righteous?
Gladness! Joy!
Hope/expectation of the wicked?
None. Perishing.
Again, which do you choose?
“Fool Vs. Righteous”
“Fool Vs. Righteous”
Blessings folk!
Are you choosing well?
Wickedness?
Righteousness?
Foolishness?
Wisdom?
Hear the Word of the Proverbist…
Pro 10:22-25
It is the blessing of the LORD that makes rich,
And He adds no sorrow to it.
Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool,
And so is wisdom to a man of understanding.
What the wicked fears will come upon him,
But the desire of the righteous will be granted.
When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more,
But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.
Do you not love that phrase…?…”doing wickedness is like sport to a fool”…
Wickedness is what fools do.
In like manner, a man of understanding will manifest wisdom.
The Fool:
- wickedness
- what he fears comes upon him
- after the whirlwind, he will be no more
The Righteous:
- blessed of the Lord
- no sorrow from the Lord
- wisdom
- understanding
- his desire will be granted
- has an everlasting foundation
How sad that many who “know the truth” choose to walk in foolishness.
“MO-Ments”
“MO-Ments”
Blessings folk!
This popped up on the ole FB memories feed this morning.
Twelve years ago!!??
Thought I’d reshare/recycle…more appropriate/applicable today than ever.
(Longer than normal…LOL)
November 4, 2009
“Mo”
Blessings Folk!
In the words of the late, great Paul Harvey, I’m about to tell you more than I know.
That phrase continues to ring in my spirit more than 30 years after first hearing it...just when I think I understand it completely, more comes.
We had an interesting encounter in our home this past week.
A happening that occurs all the time, especially if you live in the country on a desolate lane.
A situation that all too often we would simply note, then carry on.
Yet, I think there was something significant to the event.
A kitten appeared.
In the natural the likely cause is that someone abandoned the kitty...now called “Mo”… at the end of the driveway.
Mo was soon discovered by my wife.
Mo’s the cutest little kitten one has ever seen. Bouncy. Major motor running all the time.
Initially we sought a home for him with “cat friends”...I can be somewhat allergic to ‘em.
But, this was not to be.
Immediately he was attached to my wife...liked to ride and rest on her shoulders.
So for a period of 4 days or so Mo was always on a shoulder, in a pocket, on a lap.
Last Monday evening I arrived home ‘bout 9:30 and was greeted by Mo.
Wife arrived a little later, greeted by Mo...but he was not acting right. She tried to feed him...uninterested. She wrapped him up, snuggled with him...and watched him die in the middle of the night.
Sad?
Yes.
Heartbreaking?
Yes.
But, I think there is more than meets the natural eye here.
I know that with me, God is revealing some things.
I don’t have my mind nor spirit wrapped around all of it, but something is there.
I do know that it has to do with preparation.
I do know that it has to do with seeing things the way the Lord does.
I do know that Mo had more love in a few days than most of his contemporaries will have in a normal life span.
Consider a couple of things.
Do we seek the Lord in every event of our life?
Do we “see Him”?
Do we allow Him to transform and conform us to His likeness with every breath...even in mundane things?
I believe that Mo was sent our way...whether abandoned or otherwise...to prepare and equip us to love the unlovely, to help the helpless, to respond to the unexpected...all in the Love of the Lord.
I know that we have been told that we might entertain “angels unawares.”
Heb 13:2
2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
KJV
The Lord is preparing His Body to function in the most perilous of times.
2 Tim 3:1
3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
KJV
Many are saying that the worse if over, especially related to “economic” things.
This is not true.
How do I know this?
I know from historical precedent.
What we see today is exactly...again, exactly...what occur in 1930...only worse.
Man’s strategies and insights always fail.
I also know what the Scriptures say. In the last days, difficult times will come, folk will be deceived…
1 Tim 4:1
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
KJV
I also know that the Kingdom of God is not dependent upon “economic conditions.”
Therefor, today, let us determine to see what the Lord sees in each “mo” event.
Let us be the ones that the Lord “sees”.
2 Chron 16:9
9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.
KJV
Ps 34:15
15 The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
KJV
Prov 5:21
21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord , and he pondereth all his goings.
KJV
Prov 15:3
3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
KJV
Prov 22:12
12 The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.
KJV
Let us seize all the “Mo”ments that the Lord provides to the praise and glory of His grace.
Blessings!!
Here is Mo…
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1250129941429
“Tongue/Lip”
“Tongue/Lip”
Blessings Folk!
How are you doing as to your tongue and lips?
Huh?
Are you speaking forth the word of the righteous?
Or… Are you speaking forth unrighteousness?
Hear some Proverbs…
Pro 10:18-21
He who conceals hatred has lying lips,
And he who spreads slander is a fool.
When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable,
But he who restrains his lips is wise.
The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver,
The heart of the wicked is worth little.
The lips of the righteous feed many,
But fools die for lack of understanding.
Tongue/lip of the fool…
- conceals hatred…hatred underlying the words
- spreads slander
- reveals a heart of little worth
Fools die for lack of understanding.
Tongue/lip of the righteous…
- shows wisdom through restraint
- as choice silver
- feeds many
You chose what you speak…
“Heed Instruction”
“Heed Instruction”
Blessings folk!
How are you doing in the walk of life?
Consider…
Pro 10:17
He is on the path of life who heeds instruction,
But he who ignores reproof goes astray.
Do you receive instruction?
From whence do you receive instruction?
True Believers receive instruction from…
- The Word
- The Spirit
- The Body
Such will keep us on the path of life and righteousness.
Such will empower us to walk with/for the Lord.
What of those who ignore instruction and reproof?
They go astray.
They go their own way.
Isa 53:6a
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way;…
Beware!
Be warned!
Heb 2:1
For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard,
so that we do not drift away from it.
2 Pe 1:10-11
Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;
for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.
“The Wages of Righteousness Is Life”
“The Wages of Righteousness Is Life”
Blessings folk!
What are you producing with the words of your mouth?
What are you storing up with your words?
The Proverbist gives us much insight.
He continues…
Pro 10:13-16
On the lips of the discerning, wisdom is found,
But a rod is for the back of him who lacks understanding.
Wise men store up knowledge,
But with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.
The rich man’s wealth is his fortress,
The ruin of the poor is their poverty.
The wages of the righteous is life,
The income of the wicked, punishment.
Wisdom is found on the lips of discernment.
Wise men store up knowledge.
The rich man’s wealth is his fortress.
Our fortress it the Most High God!
The wages of righteousness? Life!
But what of the wicked, the evil?
A rod is for those who lack understanding.
The mouth of the foolish brings forth ruin.
The mouth of the wicked will bring forth poverty.
The income of the wicked, punishment.
Choose the way of Wisdom, Understanding and Righteousness.
Choose life!
Reject the way of evil.