Proverbs

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“Don’t fail to discipline your children. They won’t die if you spank them. Physical discipline may well save them from death” (Proverbs 23:13-14)

September 15, 2012

It is hard work, but the appropriate spankings you give between 2 and 12 will make the years from 13-18 much easier. Physical discipline is non verbal reinforcement that aids in the training of your child’s own self-discipline. When you correct, aim past behavior change to heart change. You correct not to punish, but to discipline. In teaching your child to obey you, you are preparing your child’s heart to be receptive to obeying to God.

“A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away” (Proverbs 22:15)

September 2, 2012

Sin and foolishness are synonyms in Proverbs. Wise parents recognize their God-given responsibility to discipline their children to obey. This is hard work. Yet, God has given us this holy stewardship. A parent’s discipline becomes the child’s self-discipline later in life. Better to root out the seed of foolishness in your 3-year old, than to wait and deal with the tree of rebellion in your 13-year old. Parents, do your job!

“Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it” (Proverbs 22:6)

August 27, 2012

Parents, discipline your child and teach them the right way while they are still young. It’s much easier to correct a 3-year old than a 13-year old. Focus on heart change, asking the Lord to help you, and perhaps someday you will know the joy of having your 30-year old walk beside you, holding the hand of their 3-year old doing the same.

“Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give!” (Proverbs 21:26)

August 21, 2012

God is love. To be “godly” is to express this trait. Perhaps the greatest verse in the Bible is John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave…” To be like God we must have the kind of love that gives. God is a giver, not a taker. Are you a consumer, or a contributor? Are you greedy, or a giver? Do you desire to be godly? Receive God’s gift of salvation through Jesus, and then start loving and giving!

“The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get (Proverbs 21:20)

August 18, 2012

Have you learned to live beneath your means? Wise stewards have learned to pay God first (tithe), pay themselves second (save) and live off the rest (budget). Stop following this foolish consumer culture. Live on less, so that you can give more!

“The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?” (Proverbs 20:24)

August 6, 2012

We waste time asking God “Why?” questions. Some things we understand after years of perspective, others may escape comprehension until Christ’s return. In the meantime, we can trust God and ask better questions, like: “What’s my next step, Lord?”

“Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without wise advice” (Proverbs 20:18)

August 2, 2012

Do you seek wise counsel before making plans? No matter how wise the leader there is always much to be learned from another’s perspective. We all have blind spots, so we need others to enlarge our vision. These counselors are not to be mere ‘yes’ men agreeing with us. They are to be wise in the biblical sense. Having heard wise advice, be humble enough to follow it.

“Fear of the Lord leads to life, bringing security and protection from harm” (Proverbs 19:23)

July 21, 2012

Do not fear the things of this world, instead fear God. The news is filled with reports of terrorists and gunmen killing. Yet, we trust God. Living in respect and awe of Him we are found safe.

“Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs” (Proverbs 19:11)

July 15, 2012

Uncontrolled anger and lack of forgiveness are at the root of many hurting families and suffering souls. Keeping record of those who wrong us leads to isolation. Because eventually everyone will do something (intentional or not) to wrong us. Put away anger and start forgiving. Forgive as God forgave you in Christ.

“People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord” (Proverbs 19:3)

July 11, 2012

Have you seen this? This type of person will not take responsibility. They have to find someone to blame. God is a convenient scapegoat. Funny thing is… He has already made provision for their foolishness (sin) through Christ. If only they would repent (admit their foolishness) and believe, then they could know true life, full and overflowing.