Walk with the Wise
Socrates said that an unexamined life is not worth living. One cannot read the proverbs without feeling a Holy Searchlight revealing, as Crabb calls it, "the Shame of Exposure or the Appeal of Wisdom." Romans 2:4 says it is the Kindness of our God that leads us to repent. I can't stop thinking about verses like one we read yesterday in Proverbs 12:16 about fools on a short fuse exploding in anger instead of being prudent and quietly shrugging off the insults. Oh, that's how I want to live with a Quiet Heart. Fight or Flight takes over in me. God, please give me and my friends here a quiet heart (Psalm 131:2) in our mess. The verses of Proverbs haunt and allure.In today's reading I was stirred in shame and appeal by several verses. Here are some:Proverbs 13:
2 The good acquire a taste for helpful conversation;
bullies push and shove their way through life.
3 Careful words make for a careful life;
careless talk may ruin everything.
7 A pretentious, showy life is an empty life;
a plain and simple life is a full life.
Proverbs 14
3 Frivolous talk provokes a derisive smile;
wise speech evokes nothing but respect.
7 Escape quickly from the company of fools;
they're a waste of your time, a waste of your words.
27 The Fear-of-
so you won't go off drinking from poisoned wells.
Proverbs 15
3 God doesn't miss a thing—
he's alert to good and evil alike.
9 A life frittered away disgusts
he loves those who run straight for the finish line.
11 Even hell holds no secrets from
do you think he can't read human hearts?
32 An undisciplined, self-willed life is puny;
an obedient, God-willed life is spacious.
33 Fear-of-
first you learn humility, then you experience glory.
Wisdom comes in many short sentences. Many spoke to me today personally, but one I hope we all pray for our country to turn around today:
ReplyDeleteProv 14:34 God-devotion makes a country strong; God-avoidance leaves people weak.
Prov 14:11
ReplyDelete"holy living builds soaring cathedrals."
Praying for all of us to allow God the ability to build us into soaring cathedrals filled with His presence. Every room sparkling with treasures of the Spirit. All doors open and welcoming for Him to come and sup. Towering into the very heights of heaven. Strong and protected from evil and disgrace. Filled with His presence forever.
Prov 15:4
"Kind words heal and help;"
Praying that our words would reveal the kindness God has planted in each of our hearts. May we be the ones in this life who endure with hope and kindness.
Proverbs 15:9
"he loves those who run straight for the finish line."
Praying for those of us who are in battles between frittering our lives away or running for the finish line...that we would set our faces like flint and RUN for the finish line in the strength and joy of the LORD. I'm running and so are each one of us here. Lord, Bev is running. Nothing stops her! We know You have our hands and we are running with You.
Prov 15:15
"a cheerful heart fills the day with song."
Praying for our hearts to be filled with cheer and our lips to respond with song. May we listen to the Spirit and welcome his fruit of Joy in our lives.
Prov 15:30
"A twinkle in the eye means joy in the heart, and good news makes you feel fit as a fiddle."
Praying for our eyes to reflect Christ and our steps to be light and free. May the twinkle in our eyes be Jesus. No matter what, he adores us and we are loved beyond measure. May our body reflect our belief that He loves us.
Praying for Sara this morning...
ReplyDeletePraying for Connie this morning...
Syl and Deb---let us know how they are doing...sweet girls. May God show up for them in all His Glory. Prov 15:33 ---experiencing His Glory. Isa 40:2 - lower their mountains and raise their valleys that they may know Him.
Britt left for Kanakuk this a.m. Please pray for him. His prayer request was that God would draw Him close. He's been through a lot in the past four years and it's not over either. Prov. 13:12--I wrote it down this a.m. in my Bible and put his name down...unrelenting disappointment (and he has been through quite a lot) leaves the heart sick but a sudden good break turns a life around. May this Kamp experience be a good break for him. Thanks for praying for my boy.
I'm exhausted over here. A new chapter begins today and I am so full of hope to face an examined life under the searchlight of a very Good God. Love to you all. Bev
Good news!
ReplyDeleteMy niece had her baby very early this morning and both are doing fine! Thank you for prayers for them.
On this Sabbath Day, she delivered Daniel Ryan. I've already received a picture and he is wonderful! Cannot wait to hold him...
Proverbs 15:9 - God loves my husband who is running straight for the finish line. Bob is pursuing righteousness in midst of challenges. He loves his God and is running the right race, a very good race.
ReplyDeleteFight the good fight.
Finish the race.
Keep the faith.
2 Tim 4:7
Bob is a runner and when I read verse 15:9 something inside of me stood up to run with him.
Deborah, rejoicing with you over this precious new life and all is well. Wonder what God holds for this dear boy?
ReplyDeleteAnnette, I am so in agreement with what you gleaned. I felt the same way. Love you Pearls. Be wise today.
ReplyDeleteBev, praying with you for Bob and Britt...Kankuk is special to me and my daughter's family..so will remember him especially. Praying for you and Bob as you run this race that God has set before you. Praying you will both not faint or be weary, for in due time you will reap the good reward. Would appreciate prayer for David and I in the same light and for my son who is a believer, but keeps making poor choices that affect all of us, how my heart breaks for him and all that he has missed so far in life. All of the dear ones on here are so precious and so full of wisdom and love for Him and for the Body. Blessings on each one today. May we all mount up as eagles and soar above our circumstances.
ReplyDeleteMy Precious String of Pearls. Thank you for praying for Connie, my sister in law. She was transferred to Denton Memorial this morning and still in ICU. Just a few minutes ago her (1st born) college soph son called to say Connie would have her surgery about 8 a.m. in the morning (Sunday). She has been divorced about eight or nine years. We believe she has some other health issues going on besides an infection in her lower right lung and praying she will be willing to make the lifestyle changes necessary to maintain better health and be their to see her sons continue to grow up. Again thank you for your prayers.
ReplyDeleteAlso next week I have more doctor visits of my own. I am can see my own progress which is so encourageing. Thus I am looking for good reports. Yes, I continue to examine my life to improve the quality of life to better serve the LORD.
This blog means so much. I am constantly discovering someone on this blog shares some of my own life experiences. I so love each one of you.
Thinking about Annette a.k.a. Mimi today as Liam came to visit with Lauren and Mike what a blessing.
God blessed me with some speical time today with my own Valerie and grandson Cooper that encouraged me and gave me more reason just to praise the LORD.
Ang, as you struggle with your issues I pray God's amamzing Grace and Mercy to bless you richly as you discover how to play your life symphony with the orchestra of life as you make the time to hear from Elohim, our Almighty God. You can do it(whatever that is) and do it well. It is about perservance among other things. Love you.
Bev, I pray for you to experience God in a way this week as you love and support Bob and discover how God is makimg a way when there seems to be no way for the issues that face your lives today.
Deborah, I continue to lift you up as you seek God's Grace and direction to restore your marriage. Among other things you are a very gifted writer. You bless me richly sweet Twinkle in the eye of God.
Jan H. a.k.a. Wonder Woman or JHPainter Girl. I pray God's continued healing on your back but also for wisdom and discernment as the medical team performs surgery on your precious Dad next week.
Mary Lou, thanks for sharing your heart as you describe your son...I believe even in these negative moments God can use this for His Glory and pray for the day when your son will see the Light as Never Before and be totally consummed by the lavish love of our Heavenly Father.
I did it again "too long" I come by it honestly but This is a Song I must sing.
Sylvia
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ReplyDeletecan anyone find the verse in proverbs that we just read this week that says to not look to the left nor to the right but straight ahead? can't find it...it's for me
ReplyDeleteSyl, take as many lines and words as you want...you are always invited to go long...
ReplyDeleteBev, I think the verse is 4:24 you are referring to. How good God is to give us just what we need at the right time. Words of life. Words of direction. Words of healing. Words of comfort. The beauty isn't in the words themselves but His transforming power in our lives. Praying this morning through these needs and for each of you as I re-read the comments. Love you all, Annette
ReplyDelete