Month: May 2021

Proverbs 24, Warning those who are going to the slaughter!

Pro 24:1-2, Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them; For their heart devises violence, And their lips talk of troublemaking.

There are times when evil men seem to prosper, and many would become envious of their prosperity. Know this, it’s only temporary, there is no future for them and their lives will be put out!

Pro 24:20, FOR THERE WILL BE NO PROSPECT FOR THE EVIL MAN; THE LAMP OF THE WICKED WILL BE PUT OUT. 

Pro 24:3-4, Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; By knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.

By understanding & wisdom a home is built with the schematics of an architect; it’s the same for the moral values of a home! Building a family in the wisdom and understanding of the LORD is true wisdom; for the foundation of our homes are built on the ROCK!

Mat 7:24-25, “THEREFORE WHOEVER HEARS THESE SAYINGS OF MINE, AND DOES THEM, I will liken him to A WISE MAN WHO BUILT HIS HOUSE ON THE ROCK: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, FOR IT WAS FOUNDED ON THE ROCK.

Pro 24:11, Deliver those who are drawn toward death, And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.

There are so many people headed the wrong way, and have no clue what’s awaits them in the end! AS CHRISTIANS WE MUST WARN PEOPLE OF THE COMING JUDGEMENT

Pro 24:12, IF YOU SAY, “SURELY WE DID NOT KNOW THIS,” Does not HE who weighs the hearts consider it? HE who keeps your soul, does HE not know it? And will HE not render to each man according to his deeds?

If, we don’t warn people of the coming judgement then their blood is in our hands! We can’t say, “We didn’t know”; for we know HIS word!

Eze 3:18-19, When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ AND YOU GIVE HIM NO WARNING, NOR SPEAK TO WARN THE WICKED FROM HIS WICKED WAY, TO SAVE HIS LIFE, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; BUT HIS BLOOD I WILL REQUIRE AT YOUR HAND. YET, IF YOU WARN THE WICKED, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; BUT YOU HAVE DELIVERED YOUR SOUL.

Rev 22:12, “AND BEHOLD, I AM COMING QUICKLY, AND MY REWARD IS WITH ME, TO GIVE TO EVERY ONE ACCORDING TO HIS WORK.

Proverbs 23, Life is short, and Eternity is long!

Pro 23:1-3, When you sit down to eat with a ruler, Consider carefully what is before you; And put a knife to your throat If you are a man given to appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, FOR THEY ARE DECEPTIVE FOOD.

If a rich man has placed a banquet before you consider, why is he doing this? The rich do not give away their favors for free, but want something more valuable from you!

Dan 1:8, BUT DANIEL PURPOSED IN HIS HEART THAT HE WOULD NOT DEFILE HIMSELF WITH THE PORTION OF THE KING’S DELICACIES, NOR WITH THE WINE WHICH HE DRANK;…

Daniel would have ruined his relationship with the living GOD by eating defiled food offered to idols and demons!  

Pro 23:9, DO NOT SPEAK IN THE HEARING OF A FOOL, FOR HE WILL DESPISE THE WISDOM OF YOUR WORDS. 

A while back I was talking to some co-workers of mine about the LORD and HIS word. One of them mocked me over and over again for several weeks! HE was a fool!

Pro 23:13-14, DO NOT WITHHOLD CORRECTION FROM A CHILD, FOR IF YOU BEAT HIM WITH A ROD, HE WILL NOT DIE. YOU SHALL BEAT HIM WITH A ROD, AND DELIVER HIS SOUL FROM HELL.

If you love your child then correct him/her with the rod of correction! BUT IF YOU REFUSE, DON’T WORRY FOR THE STATE PENITENTIARY WILL CORRECT HIM FOR YOU!

Pro 23:17-18, DO NOT LET YOUR HEART ENVY SINNERS, BUT BE ZEALOUS FOR THE FEAR OF THE LORD ALL THE DAY; FOR SURELY THERE IS A HEREAFTER, AND YOUR HOPE WILL NOT BE CUT OFF.

The world says, “LIFE IS SHORT, ENJOY IT”, but HIS word tells us, “ETERNITY IS LONG PREPARE FOR IT”! Don’t envy sinners for their eternal reward will be found in the pit! Seek the LORD and live!

Isa 38:18, NLT, For the dead cannot praise YOU; they cannot raise their voices in praise. Those who go down to the grave can no longer hope in YOUR faithfulness. 

Rev 20:15, And ANYONE NOT FOUND WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE WAS CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE. 

IS YOUR NAME WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE?

Proverbs 22, Whom the LORD loves HE chastens!

Pro 22:2, THE RICH AND THE POOR HAVE THIS IN COMMON, THE LORD IS THE MAKER OF THEM ALL. 

People often treat a person of wealth with more dignity and respect than a poor man! GOD has made them both! Never show favoritism to any person, (James 2:2-5)!

Deu 10:17-18, FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD IS GOD OF GODS AND LORD OF LORDS, THE GREAT GOD, MIGHTY AND AWESOME, WHO SHOWS NO PARTIALITY NOR TAKES A BRIBE. He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing.

Pro 22:6, TRAIN UP A CHILD IN THE WAY HE SHOULD GO, AND WHEN HE IS OLD HE WILL NOT DEPART FROM IT. 

We, as parents, need to teach our kids the proper path to take in life. Teaching them the word of GOD, and being examples on how to live life! They made depart for a season or two, YET, when they get older and wiser they will return!

Deu 6:7, YOU SHALL TEACH THEM DILIGENTLY TO YOUR CHILDREN, AND SHALL TALK OF THEM WHEN YOU SIT IN YOUR HOUSE, WHEN YOU WALK BY THE WAY, WHEN YOU LIE DOWN, AND WHEN YOU RISE UP. 

Pro 22:15, FOOLISHNESS IS BOUND UP IN THE HEART OF A CHILD; THE ROD OF CORRECTION WILL DRIVE IT FAR FROM HIM. 

Our children are beauty in our eyes, but they are little sinners at heart! It’s up to the parent to drive away foolishness with the rod of correction; NOT THE ROD OF ABUSE!

Heb 12:11, Now NO CHASTENING SEEMS TO BE JOYFUL FOR THE PRESENT, BUT PAINFUL; NEVERTHELESS, AFTERWARD IT YIELDS THE PEACEABLE FRUIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS TO THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN TRAINED BY IT. 

Pro 19:18, CHASTEN YOUR SON WHILE THERE IS HOPE, AND DO NOT SET YOUR HEART ON HIS DESTRUCTION. 

It may not be joyful for the parent or child, but it is a necessary thing to do! Remember, even the LORD disciplines those HE loves!

Heb 12:6, FOR WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE CHASTENS, AND SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.”

Proverbs 21, The LORD searches the heart of man!

Pro 21:2, EVERY WAY OF A MAN IS RIGHT IN HIS OWN EYES, BUT THE LORD WEIGHS THE HEARTS. 

We tend to justify our own actions; whether good or bad it seems right in our own eyes! Many say, “Just follow your heart and you will be fine”! GOD knows our hearts, our intentions, our desires, our motives; HE sees it all!

Jer 17:10, I, THE LORD, SEARCH THE HEART, I TEST THE MIND, EVEN TO GIVE EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS WAYS, ACCORDING TO THE FRUIT OF HIS DOINGS. 

Pro 21:3, TO DO RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUSTICE IS MORE ACCEPTABLE TO THE LORD THAN SACRIFICE. 

The way we treat others is more important than how much you give to HIS work. Remember HE own everything and Lacks nothing; what can we give HIM? Remember JESUS’s story of the good Samaritan!

Luk 10:30-33, …”A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. … priest … And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, … came and looked, and passed by on the other side. BUT A CERTAIN SAMARITAN, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, HE HAD COMPASSION.

Pro 21:13, WHOEVER SHUTS HIS EARS TO THE CRY OF THE POOR WILL ALSO CRY HIMSELF AND NOT BE HEARD. 

We will reap what we have sown. If we see our brother or our friend in need, and we say without helping “I’ll pray for you”, How did we help him?  The LORD will repay all of us even for a glass of water we give!

Mar 9:41, FOR WHOEVER GIVES YOU A CUP OF WATER TO DRINK IN MY NAME, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, HE WILL BY NO MEANS LOSE HIS REWARD. 

Pro 21:21, HE WHO FOLLOWS RIGHTEOUSNESS AND MERCY FINDS LIFE, RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HONOR. 

Living righteously and having mercy on others is a conscious choice we make! It isn’t the easiest path to take and often mocked by others, YET it has tremendous rewards from the LORD! WE SHALL BE KNOWN AS FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST JESUS BY OUR LOVE FOR OTHERS!

1Co 15:58, Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, KNOWING THAT YOUR LABOR IS NOT IN VAIN IN THE LORD. 

Proverbs 20, HE guides our way!

Pro 20:6, MOST MEN WILL PROCLAIM EACH HIS OWN GOODNESS, BUT WHO CAN FIND A FAITHFUL MAN? 

Once, I asked this guy if he was a good person? He responded, “YES, I’m not a drug dealer”! IN ORDER TO RAISE HIMSELF UP HE HAD TO COMPARE HIMSELF TO SOMEONE HE CONSIDERED LOWER THAN HIM! A drug dealer would respond, Yes, I’m not a murderer! BUT, A FAITHFUL MAN DOESN’T NEED TO BOAST, HIS WORKS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES!

Gal 6:9, And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 

Pro 20:9, WHO can say, “I HAVE MADE MY HEART CLEAN, I AM PURE FROM MY SIN”? 

Only a fool who is deprived of knowledge can proclaim this; for scripture says that ALL HAVE SIN AND FALLEN SHORT OF HIS GLORY!

1Jn 1:8, IF WE SAY THAT WE HAVE NO SIN, WE DECEIVE OURSELVES, AND THE TRUTH IS NOT IN US. 

Pro 20:12, The hearing ear and the seeing eye, The LORD has made them both. 

God made the ear and eye that we may observe and listen! Look around was all you see created by mere chance or by a designer? Wisdom enters from the eye and ear, but are we paying attention?

Psa 19:1-3, The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard.

Pro 20:15, There is gold and a multitude of rubies, BUT THE LIPS OF KNOWLEDGE ARE A PRECIOUS JEWEL. 

Gold, and riches are all short-lived, but the knowledge of GOD is true wisdom which leads to eternal life!

Pro 8:11, For wisdom is better than rubies, And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.

Pro 20:24, A man’s steps are of the LORD; How then can a man understand his own way?

It’s a good thing to have plans and to walk in them, but the LORD guides our walk!

Pro 16:9, A man’s heart plans his way, BUT THE LORD DIRECTS HIS STEPS. 

Proverbs 19, JESUS became poor to make us rich in HIM!

Pro 19:4, 6, WEALTH MAKES MANY FRIENDS, BUT THE POOR IS SEPARATED FROM HIS FRIEND… Many entreat the favor of the nobility, AND EVERY MAN IS A FRIEND TO ONE WHO GIVES GIFTS. 

Wealth draws many, so called friends, yet many of them may not be sincere; lets see what we can get from him/her! But, when riches flee so those these friends! Remember Job, the riches man in the land, but when he lost everything he was left alone!

Job 19:13-14, “He has removed my brothers far from me, And my acquaintances are completely estranged from me. My relatives have failed, And my close friends have forgotten me.

Pro 19:7, All the brothers of the poor hate him; How much more do his friends go far from him! He may pursue them with words, yet they abandon him.

While men abandon the poor and needy, JESUS gave up HIS wealth, in heaven, to seek the poor and needy!

2Co 8:9, FOR YOU KNOW THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THAT THOUGH HE WAS RICH, YET FOR YOUR SAKES HE BECAME POOR, THAT YOU THROUGH HIS POVERTY MIGHT BECOME RICH.  

Pro 19:11, The discretion of a man makes him SLOW TO ANGER, AND HIS GLORY IS TO OVERLOOK A TRANSGRESSION.

While a raging man rages, a man of understanding and self-control will overlook an offense! It’s not weakness, but true strength!

Luk 23:34, Then JESUS said, “FATHER, FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY DO.” …

Pro 19:27, CEASE LISTENING TO INSTRUCTION, MY SON, AND YOU WILL STRAY FROM THE WORDS OF KNOWLEDGE. 

If we stop seeking the wisdom and knowledge of GOD, sinful man will be led astray by our own perverse thoughts!

2Pe 2:21, FOR IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER FOR THEM NOT TO HAVE KNOWN THE WAY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, THAN HAVING KNOWN IT, TO TURN FROM THE HOLY COMMANDMENT DELIVERED TO THEM.

Pro 16:25, There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.  

Proverbs 18, Seeking HIM who is closer than a brother!

Pro 18:2, A FOOL HAS NO DELIGHT IN UNDERSTANDING, BUT IN EXPRESSING HIS OWN HEART.

It is foolishness not to seek GOD’s wisdom and understanding; for life is short and eternity long!

Amo 5:4, For thus says the LORD to the house of Israel: “SEEK ME AND LIVE; 

Pro 1:7, THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF KNOWLEDGE, BUT FOOLS DESPISE WISDOM AND INSTRUCTION. 

Pro 18:6-7, A fool’s lips enter into contention, And HIS MOUTH CALLS FOR BLOWS. A fool’s mouth is HIS DESTRUCTION, AND HIS LIPS ARE THE SNARE OF HIS SOUL.

It is in the nature of a fool to argue and his words demonstrates his stupidity! Never argue with a fool it only makes you like him!

Pro 26:4, Do not answer a fool according to his folly, LEST YOU ALSO BE LIKE HIM. 

Pro 18:10-11, The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. THE RICH MAN’S WEALTH is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own esteem.

There are many who place their trust in their wealth, but only the righteous can see true wealth in the LORD! Wealth comes and goes, but the LORD is always present!

1Ti 6:17-19, Command those WHO ARE RICH in this present age not to be haughty, NOR TO TRUST IN UNCERTAIN RICHES BUT IN THE LIVING GOD, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, THAT THEY BE RICH IN GOOD WORKS, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation FOR THE TIME TO COME, THAT THEY MAY LAY HOLD ON ETERNAL LIFE.

Pro 18:24, A man who has friends must himself be friendly, BUT THERE IS A FRIEND WHO STICKS CLOSER THAN A BROTHER. 

Having good friends only brings joy to one’s life, but we need to seek HIM is closer than any brother or friend, JESUS!

Joh 15:14-15, YOU ARE MY FRIENDS IF YOU DO WHATEVER I COMMAND YOU. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; BUT I HAVE CALLED YOU FRIENDS, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.

Do you know HIM? Do you know what HE did for you? Seek the LORD for the time of HIS coming is near! Be ready!

Proverbs 17, Love covers up sin!

Pro 17:1, Better is a dry morsel with quietness, Than a house full of feasting with strife. 

Imagine a home filled with hatred, envy, and strife; not even the best food in the world would taste good in the mist of these people! A dry piece of bread in quietness / peace is by far more enjoyable!

Pro 15:17, Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred. 

Psa 37:16-17, A LITTLE THAT A RIGHTEOUS MAN HAS IS BETTER THAN THE RICHES OF MANY WICKED. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, BUT THE LORD UPHOLDS THE RIGHTEOUS.

Pro 17:3, The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, BUT THE LORD TESTS THE HEARTS. 

As fire refines both silver and gold, the LORD test the heart of his servants! Do we serve to glorify the LORD or ourselves? Our works will be tested by the LORD for HE seeks true faith in HIM!

1Pe 1:7, THAT THE GENUINENESS OF YOUR FAITH, BEING MUCH MORE PRECIOUS than gold that perishes, THOUGH IT IS TESTED BY FIRE, MAY BE FOUND TO PRAISE, HONOR, AND GLORY AT THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST, 

1Co 3:13, EACH ONE’S WORK WILL BECOME CLEAR; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; AND THE FIRE WILL TEST EACH ONE’S WORK, OF WHAT SORT IT IS. 

Pro 17:9, He who covers a transgression seeks love, BUT HE WHO REPEATS A MATTER SEPARATES FRIENDS. 

What type of friend are you? Do you spread rumors of someone or do you cover/hide someone’s shame?

1Pe 4:8, And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “LOVE WILL COVER A MULTITUDE OF SINS.” 

Pro 17:27-28, He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.

I’m reminded of this quote from Abraham Lincoln, “It is better to keep your mouth shut and let them think you a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt”!  SOMETIMES IT’S JUST BEST TO KEEP QUIET AND LISTEN; BE THERE FOR A SOMEONE IN THEIR TIME OF NEED!

Jas 1:19, SO THEN, MY BELOVED BRETHREN, LET EVERY MAN BE SWIFT TO HEAR, SLOW TO SPEAK, slow to wrath;