Proverbs 15 spoke to me of God’s consideration of everyone.  He is truly cognizant and knowledgeable of everyone’s actions.  I was left thinking about my growing up in my Parents’ home; it truly was a righteous/wise place!

We were not swimming in riches, but had a stable home built upon the wisdom of God. My Parents instilled the importance of honoring the Lord and loving others in our work and deeds.  I have followed their example of going to God for everything, and He has never let me down.

In contrast, In observing and studying some rich families in America I have noticed instability and unnecessary chaos. It truly is better to dine on simple meals where there is peace rather than bountiful dinners!

The last thought I had while studying this chapter was how we can count on God to provide for us. He promised blessings to this who supported the widows…that means the disadvantaged are noticed by the Lord. I praise Him that we can count on His hearing and noticing the needy!

Today’s characteristic of wisdom is understanding, careful consideration.  It takes time to calculate what is the best route to take to make oneself or situation better.  Once the wise person has pondered this, he or she must be willing to see a period of messiness.

As a wife, I am asking God to help me find the best way to build my house.  I need wisdom as to how to encourage my husband as he is working for our family. I am asking the Lord to help me not become discouraged, as I may see some messiness in our situation.  In our restoration of our marriage, there will be periods of it appearing to be overwhelming…in our faithfulness to God and each other, grace will be poured out on us.

May we all be people of more than just words! It is my desire that Alan and I will remain strong in God and will not lose our resolve. Both of us have the deep down yearning to do what is right; but, we are seeking God for the strength to put in the hard work required. I do know that when we put our hands to the plow, God will enable us to get the work done! In Matthew it mentions Christ’s yoke being easy and His burden light.

When I was reading Proverbs 13, the Spirit was highlighting to me the importance of seeking His direction/wisdom.  It was instructed through Solomon how to speak with each other, how to gain our wealth, and how to discipline our children.

When communicating with people, we should not just blurt out the first things coming to our minds.  It would save us the pain we will probably cause people in doing this so quickly.  It takes the Spirit’s guidance in knowing what to say.  He has promised us that He would give us the right words at the right time, when we are witnessing, so I am sure the same God can anoint our tongues when we are speaking in general.

The topic of earning money/wealth was brought up several times.  It is not right or profitable to try to earn wealth rapidly using whatever measures we can think of.  When we resort to gaining riches right away, it usually ends up that we will see them quickly leave us. It does mention in Scripture that the love of money is the root of all evil.

It also was sharing that the evil people see coming from their children can be curtailed by proper discipline.  It does take proper care and nurturing when correcting our offspring.  It should be done at the time of offense with the proper love; explanation should be given as to why we are correcting them.  When I have had some time with children, I have noticed they respond better with attention and nurturing. 

Lord, please give us the ability to trust you for the speed in attaining things in life, and I pray for the faith that you will hear and provide for us.  You do not need us trying to accomplish things in our own power. 

In Your precious name, Amen!

Chapter 12 of Proverbs was dealing with the importance of knowledge. God has given us His Word and others to learn from. It is vital that we heed the knowledge that is shown us.

The Lord has given us His knowledge; His laws are written on our heart. In Micah it states that God has told us to do what is just, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God. When we are walking humbly with God, we seek Him for direction on how to handle things.

Pastor Kevin was so right this morning when he shared that only God has the just payment on things. When we try to pay back people for what they have done against us, it always ends up off balance.

The rest of Chapter 12 spoke about issues like the righteous taking care of their animals. It always seems that when people try to highlight things that will make a great statement, or what they think is important, they end up missing out on taking care of the little important things. Lord, I ask that you will give us insight as to what are important things to focus on, and to let You judge people. In your name, Amen!

While reading Proverbs 11, it was highlighted for me how balanced wisdom is. This is our God! We can have perfect stability in His wisdom!

For instance, it mentioned how wisdom can be used in finances…being honest with business transactions. If you practice unfair trading, you are bound to have a collapse of people coming to you for sales.

If you are one to make up bad scenarios about people, it will end up coming out. We are to be peacemakers and truthful. Since people have a tendency to be liars and unstable, it is not good to put your total trust in mortals.

We should all remember who is balanced and stable at all times…God, the all wise one! When we focus on filling our days around people and things, we will have a life filled with wind…people and things will pass away. That is why this world feels so empty and destructive.

Proverbs 10 spoke to me of how secure the way of the righteous is, who walk in the way of wisdom. God honors the heart that seeks Him, wants to please Him. There is stability and fruit for him.

The unwise/ungodly will have their efforts ultimately blocked. What they will try to do will eventually crumble. How sad…I know, especially the older I have gotten, I do not want to look back on my life and be regretful! I want to hear the Lord pleased with me!

What a word of advice for the world! Those who desire peace and security, need to desire the Lord and His wisdom! It does not take a bunch of violent actions to bring about change. Obviously God wants individuals to defend themselves when attacked; but, He is the one to bring about the desired changes. God’s Spirit has mighty power and wisdom!

In Proverbs 9 it gives the invitations of both wisdom and folly. Wisdom is highlighting the health and well-being of following her. Folly’s invitation struck me as sad and scary. Many individuals give into the latter choice.

Just because folly claims to be the better choice and can be gotten right away, it has been chosen many times by the foolish. They have been told that they should try to steal benefits for themselves, and that doing things undercover has many benefits. If only people would realise that God is there providing everything they need at that perfect time. May we be the wise and listen to wisdom’s voice! May we not be the foolish who will heed Satan’s call!

Wisdom has been calling for ages. In fact, before God created the Earth it has been. When Jesus spoke everything into existence, it was exhibited.

The more that is discovered by scientists about creation, the more it is evident that wisdom was there. It is awesome to see such design and order in the galaxy, and even in the microscopic world. Wisdom is very priceless; it is more expensive than gold!

I find it interesting that in my translation prostitutes are called wayward.  Those who choose to lure others into sexual sin have truly gone from the Way!  God is the one who has the correct path.

Solomon was instructing men to heed his instruction like they would protect their eyesight (apple of the eye). His father, David, mentioned God’s Word as being a lamp to his feet and a light unto his path. Focusing on God’s direction is the way everyone will not stumble and possibly die.

In closing, Chapter 7 made we think how relying on the Spirit’s instruction and strength, and focusing our attention on satisfying our spouses’ needs will keep us from being wayward.  Those who are single have the ability to spend even more of their time in a ministry, and should not be hunting for someone to fill the gap that only Jesus can fill.  He is life!

I find it interesting that in Proverbs 6 it mentions not committing yourself to a bond of surety, and in not procrastinating. These are situations to avoid at all costs. I remember in our Financial Peace class, Dave Ramsey warned against having agreements made to pay for strangers if they defaulted, and in putting off paying debts. Wise counsel!

It is not worth putting yourself under the bondage of debt…God wants us free! I was also thinking about the factor of procrastination. God was speaking to me that we do not see the future, and we need to take care of what He has us to do while we can. Lord, help us all be wise stewards! Let us be like the ants who gather in the appropriate season!