Encourage

 Proverbs 31:26

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; 

and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

I am thinking again about the month of November.

- a month focused on giving thanks - 

- a month of recognizing blessings around us - 

Shouldn't this focus overflow into our relationships?

Shouldn't we verbalize our thankfulness to both God and others?

The Proverbs 31 woman knows how to speak.

She uses Godly wisdom to speak kindness and encouragement to others.

It is so easy to tear others down.

It is easy to let pride stop me from building up others.

It is easy to want to wait until I can merely reciprocate after receiving praise from others.

It is easy to just hold my tongue.

But why not be the first?

Use your mouth to encourage someone.

It is in acknowledging the good in others that we will change our attitudes.

It is in acknowledging the good in others that we will fill up the tank of others.

It is in acknowledging the good in others that you may just recognize the difficulties that they are facing today.

And while you are at it, speak kindly to yourself.

Remember that you are God's creation!

Little, But Wise (Part III of IV)

Proverbs 30:27 

The locusts have no king, 

yet go they forth all of them by bands;

The ant is diligent and prepared.

The coney seeks a strong rock, foundation, protection.

The locust understands the value of unity and teamwork.

Do I value the efforts of others?
Do I work well with others?
Am I working toward a common goal with others?
Of course there must be a commonality -
and that commonality should be Christ.

Little, but Wise (Part II of IV)

Proverbs 30:26 

The conies are but a feeble folk, 

yet make they their houses in the rocks;

The small ant was wise in its preparations.

The coney recognizes its weakness

and seeks protection.

Makes me think of the childhood song

"The Wise Man built his house upon the rock."

Where are you building your life and home?

Are you trusting in the world and its riches?

Are you trusting in yourself?

Are you trusting in a husband or boyfriend?

Run to the ROCK!

Seek your protection in the right place.

Psalm 18:31 

For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?

Little, but Wise (Part I of IV)

Proverbs 30:25 

The ants are a people not strong, 

yet they prepare their meat in the summer;

I am nearing the end of the trek through Proverbs.

In fact, since I had already blogged about the Proverbs 31 woman,

 I thought that my last Wednesday post would be the last of this series.

Until I thought on this section.

Little, but wise.

How many people feel little, small, insignificant?

Do you ever wonder what you can do?

Do you tend to belittle your role in the home?

Be like the ants -

busy, diligent, active, ... they look ahead, they prepare

Can you be like the ant in your home?

Are you diligent and prepared?

Make an effort to bless your home by planning ahead.

Does everyone have clothes to wear tomorrow?

Do you have a plan for each meal tomorrow?

Will you be diligent to clean something in the house today?

How will you bless your husband (or brother or dad - single girls)?

Is there something you can do today to free up time later?

As I right this,

my mind flew to Christmas cards.

I like to hand-make cards and write personal greetings in each.

It is not too early to start those.

I need to start planning my Sunday School lesson and corresponding worksheet early in the week.

I need to plan to be an intentional blessing to someone in the church each week.

Ignore, Thank, or Curse

Proverbs 30:8-9

 Remove far from me vanity and lies: 

give me neither poverty nor riches; 

feed me with food convenient for me:

 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or 

lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

How do you view your life?

Are you in "cruise mode"

just ignoring God and expecting the best?

Are you angry and bitter - 

mad that God hasn't given you more?

Or do you accept that God is a good God?

Psalm 145:9 

"The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works."

Well-placed Trust

Proverbs 29:25 

The fear of man bringeth a snare: 

but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

Where am I looking for approval?

Am I looking to men?

Do I fear looking "bad" in the eyes of others?

Do I seek to please God first?

Do I do what He wants and trust Him with the results?

I needed this verse today.

It has been one of those weeks when I feel run down.

Typically that means that I am not saying "no" when I need to,

because I seek the approval of others.

I need to rest and trust in the Lord.

Self-Control

Proverbs 29:22 

An angry man stirreth up strife, 

and a furious man aboundeth in transgression. 

Do you know of people who live in a cloud of confusion and strife?

Do you feel like you are always in a cloud of struggle?

Perhaps it is you! (or me!)

My disposition affects others.

Am I angry,

bitter,

furious,

upset?

I can be sure that it will stir up strife and sin.

So let the Spirit show His fruits in your life - 

practice love, longsuffering, and temperance.

Not Even A Piece

Proverbs 29:11 

A fool uttereth all his mind: 

but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

How often do I want to open my mouth and give someone "a piece of my mind?"

A reminder:

speaking my mind is a trait of a fool

The wise man/woman is controlled by the Spirit.

Fruit of the Spirit ...

love, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, temperance

Show the love that you desire.

Be patient.

Answer with care.

Keep strength under control.

Exercise self-restraint.

Fool or Wise?

Easily determined, not easily practiced.

Self-Destruction

Proverbs 29:1 

He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, 

shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

Have you ever looked at an event in your life and wondered

"How did that happen?"

Perhaps you have looked at a family that came to ruin "suddenly" and been amazed.

Could this Proverb provide the answer?

Ignoring reproof and correction will lead to destruction.

In your own life perhaps you can trace back to the times you "hardened your neck."

You should be able to understand why your life was crumbling, imploding, falling apart.

The people around you that you wondered, "What happened? they were such a model family/individual,"

I could most certainly guarantee that there was some "secret" rebellion,

some mocking of righteousness,

some disdain for the concern and warnings of others,

some contempt for the work of the Holy Spirit.

Take heed (me too) - 

do not be stiff-necked.

Accept reproof.

Avoid destruction.

Not Your Heart

Proverbs 28:26 

He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: 

but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

You've heard it,

seen it on t-shirts,

maybe even said it.

"Follow Your Heart."

Dangerous and unwise words.

My heart is wicked and full of sinful lusts.

My heart wants pleasure, the easy way ...

It is foolish to rule your life based on feelings.

The one who is wise walks in the fear of the Lord.

The way may not be easy.

But it is the path of deliverance.

Follow God's plan, not the feelings of your heart.

Not Always Easy

Proverbs 28:20 

A faithful man shall abound with blessings: 

but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

This verse reminds me of the Aesop's fable about the tortoise and the hare:

"Slow and Steady Wins the Race."

or perhaps Robert Frost's poem:

"I - I took the road less traveled by ..."

It is easy to be swayed by "the easy way."

Who hasn't contemplated the easier path?

the fast fix?

the miracle diet?

fast money?

The reward - the blessings - 

belong to the faithful.

Are you faithful in your work today?

Did you look for a way to bless your husband?

Is your "domain" clean?

Did you impart character to your children?

Are you tossed about today or a secure anchor in your home?

Be faithful - 

and wait for God's blessings

when and where He wants to bestow them.

Poverty or Wealth

Proverbs 28:19 

He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: 

but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.

Another reminder to stay focused and diligent.

Work = Food

It is so simple and so lacking in society today.

The welfare mentality teaches us that we deserve gifts,

that we can have what we want for minimal effort.

It is not God's plan.

Vain - empty, useless

Who are my friends and companions?

Do they edify, strengthen, and encourage?

or is it all vain activities and conversation?

Wasting time in useless activities and with useless people 

will only breed poverty in body AND soul.

Faithful in All Things

Proverbs 27:23 

Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, 

and look well to thy herds.

This week's Proverb reminds me of the need to be faithful

with my tasks and ministries.

There are so many things vying for my attention ...

 so many ministries ...

so many needs ...

so many "good" things.

God wants me to be diligent to my work.

I know he has given me a husband to care for,

a home to tend,

definite church responsibilities.

These things need to be cared for FIRST!

Then there are the extras.

Later in this chapter, we read the results of diligence ...

Proverbs 27:26-27

 The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.

 And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, 

for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.

I do not know what your "herd" or list of responsibilites looks like ...

but I do know that we should be responsible with what we have been given,

whether it be small or great.

God will provide.

Be busy and diligent doing His work.

Luke 16:10 

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: 

and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

Delayed Reward

Proverbs 27:18 

Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: 

so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.

Being a homemaker can be a thankless job

(though it does not have to be).

There may be days of discouragement,

days when you want to quit,

days when you wonder if it is worth it.

There is a reward for a job well done.

Remember the laws of sowing and reaping?

You reap what you sow.

You reap later than you sow.

You reap more than you sow.

Do not be discouraged.

Give your all today!

Sharper

Proverbs 27:17 

Iron sharpeneth iron; 

so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

It happens to me  -  a challenge by a friend that makes me better.

My run times are better when my hubby is beside me.

I am more conscious of my eating when others around me are being careful.

I work harder when I know someone will be checking up on me.

So - this Proverb reminds me to choose my friends wisely.

If I want to be "iron," I must surround myself with "iron."

I want to choose friends who will challenge me,

those who are not afraid to rebuke, challenge, and exhort.

I must also be that friend.

I must maintain a high standard.

I must encourage and challenge my friends.

Get Sharp ... and Keep Sharp. 

Look Ahead

Proverbs 27:12 

A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; 

but the simple pass on, and are punished.

Whenever I read the word prudent in the Bible,

I sit up and take notice.

I want to be a prudent wife/

A prudent woman looks ahead.

She does not think that "ignorance is bliss."

Look ahead.

Plan.

Contemplate the Consequences.

How will my plans today affect my future?

How will my words affect my family?

What testimony does my dress leave?

What are my priorities teaching in my home and to those around me?

Will I like the crop that I reap from today's actions?

What Kind of Friend?

Proverbs 27:5-6

Open rebuke is better than secret love.

 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; 

but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

What kind of a friend am I?

These verses remind me of the duty of a friend.

Do I give godly rebuke?

Do I receive the rebuke of others?

It is so much easier not to "rock the boat."

It is easier to get angry at a friend then to deal with my pride and sin.

But who longs for flattery,

for false loyalty,

for a superficial friendship?

It is not easy,

but it is good!

What Are You Looking For?

Proverbs 27:2 

Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; 

a stranger, and not thine own lips.

It is human nature ...

and it is easier to see in others than in ourselves.

We long for praise, for affirmations, for a "pat on the back."

We long for these things so much that we will give them to ourselves,

or we will lead others to give us the praise we desire.

PRIDE!

Oh, the evil pride that will not serve unnoticed.

You may have a thankless job - 

in the work force,

in your home,

in your ministry.

Remember,

you serve the King of Kings

and He does not forget.

He is a debtor to no man.

Seek His approval and praise.

Let Go!

Proverbs 27:1 

Boast not thyself of to morrow; 

for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

Sounds a lot like the book of James - 

my life is a vapor ... a nothingness ... 

There are "planners" in this world and I am one of them.
I do not particularly care for surprises.

I like to know what is coming ...

and I like to prepare.

Planning is not a bad trait.

It is good to be prepared,

to plan for the future,

to use my resources wisely ...

... but in context - always in context!

My days are in God's hands.

He can direct them as He sees fit.

I like to fight against change ...

to hold onto MY plans,

but sometimes change is part of  God's plan and it is best.

Start the Fire or Douse It

Proverbs 26:20-21

Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: 

so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; 

so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

Do strife and turmoil seem to follow you?

Are you looking for peace?

Perhaps the answer is not in a change of your circumstances,

but in a change of your mouth.

The wise writer of Proverbs reminds us of the danger of our tongue - the fires that it can start.

Our flesh longs to have all of the news,

to be the one who knew first,

to be "in the know."

That knowledge can in turn burn us and others.

Do you have information?

Perhaps it is best to hold it.

Practice discretion.

Put out fires rather than starting them.