This morning I woke up completely dragging. It's for several reasons. Mostly, I'm terribly burdened for a friend of mine. Then I have bits of conversations from yesterday going through my head. I'm missing my husband terribly, as are the kids. I'm struggling with how to deal with Timothy in a couple of different areas. And the list could go on and on. I'm bombarded with these thoughts! Since Dan is gone I've been trying to keep the kids busy, but when Timothy was willing to forgo the movies this morning, I took him up on it. I need time-to sort through all these swirling emotions. It was with that mind set that I went to Proverbs 12 this morning....
12:1-Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. I can understand this verse in theory because I'm trying to train my son to accept my instruction. But the real question is...do I love discipline? LOVE it. I don't think so. And do I hate correction. Sometimes. Especially when everyone around me knows I should be corrected.
12:4a-A wife of noble character is her husband's crown. We'll be reading about what a "wife of noble character" is like when we get to chapter 31.
12:5-The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful. It's so important that those of us who know the truth of God's word give Godly advice to those who are lost. I've counseled women who received advice from someone wicked (someone apart from God), and their heart was deceived from even recognizing it as a bad path. The original "wicked" person doesn't even have to know they are being intentionally misleading. They probably don't know better, but their words become deceit nonetheless. And what is the best Truth we can present? Jesus Christ....he IS truth.
12:10-A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel. We obeyed this scripture this morning by making our guinea pigs very happy with some carrots.
12:15-The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice. I just keep wondering if I listen to the advice around me. Do I listen?
12:16-A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. How many times am I going to read I do the same things fools do?
12:22-The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful. I want the Lord to delight in me! I must be truthful.
12:25-An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up. Wow, an anxious heart is what I felt when I began reading Proverbs today. I need to talk to some people who will give me kind words!
If you want to read all of Proverbs 12 you can go to BibleGateway.com. I've typed the verses in NIV, but if you want to read it in a paraphrased version, you can read The Message.
12:1-Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. I can understand this verse in theory because I'm trying to train my son to accept my instruction. But the real question is...do I love discipline? LOVE it. I don't think so. And do I hate correction. Sometimes. Especially when everyone around me knows I should be corrected.
12:4a-A wife of noble character is her husband's crown. We'll be reading about what a "wife of noble character" is like when we get to chapter 31.
12:5-The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful. It's so important that those of us who know the truth of God's word give Godly advice to those who are lost. I've counseled women who received advice from someone wicked (someone apart from God), and their heart was deceived from even recognizing it as a bad path. The original "wicked" person doesn't even have to know they are being intentionally misleading. They probably don't know better, but their words become deceit nonetheless. And what is the best Truth we can present? Jesus Christ....he IS truth.
12:10-A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel. We obeyed this scripture this morning by making our guinea pigs very happy with some carrots.
12:15-The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice. I just keep wondering if I listen to the advice around me. Do I listen?
12:16-A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. How many times am I going to read I do the same things fools do?
12:22-The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful. I want the Lord to delight in me! I must be truthful.
12:25-An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up. Wow, an anxious heart is what I felt when I began reading Proverbs today. I need to talk to some people who will give me kind words!
If you want to read all of Proverbs 12 you can go to BibleGateway.com. I've typed the verses in NIV, but if you want to read it in a paraphrased version, you can read The Message.
4 comments:
Again, insights that I did not reach. Thanks for sharing. I am sorry you are missing Dan. Keith is out of town too but just until late tomorrow night. We started of super strong today and then it all stalled out around naptime. More chances for me to work on my words and tone.... God is shaping and molding me.... burning away the chaff...oach, it hurts!
I especially like the verse about having an anxious heart. How often do we become anxious or worrisome about things completely out of our control and lose precious moments? Thanks for sharing your insights!
Vs 17- A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies.
Let's ponder this for a minute!
Am I an honest witness? Am I truthful in all my accounts? This goes to the heart of a person. Down to our intentions! Do I answer friends honestly or do I lie just to not offend them? This can be related to the wise man overlooking an offense (16) and being cautious in a friendship (26). Do we invest in friendships that prefer lies or honesty even if it is offensive at times? I believe also that the honest person would also live by the prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself (23). An honest man doesn't need to tell everything all the time!
Lord, teach me to be cautious in my friendships. Help me to keep my knowledge to myself. When the time comes that I must speak help me to be honest, trusting that my friend will accept the truth, without offense. Make me a friend who can hear my friends wisdom and knowledge, without becoming offended, thereby proving myself a fool. Amen
Alicia, I'm sorry I didn't get to comment earlier...you know how it goes. Thank you for honoring me in this post!
As you know, I'm a dreamer, but verse 11 hit me hard regarding that end:
He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment.
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