HOPE

Proverbs 23:18 “There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” The biggest word in the English language is supercalifragilisticexpialidocious meaning extremely good or wonderful.  At least, that is what Mary Poppins leads is to believe.  How about this—Hope is an absolute which our God has freely given each of us.  Hope is only a 4 letter word, but it has meaning beyond our comprehension.  Which of the two words will you base your eternity on?

I want more

Proverbs 23:15 “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.” What are you doing today?  A common question we ask ourselves every morning.  Is a common answer—now, let’s see—how can I serve the One who loves me the most?  The One who even died for me.  Certainly I should show appreciation for that great love.  Is that how we start our day?  Or do we start the day by thinking—-what do I do today for gain for myself and for my pleasure?  We all have a choice.  Let’s make the right choice! Have a great weekend.

A wise heart

Proverbs 23:15-16 “My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad indeed; my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.” Lips speak and hearts rejoice—souls are glad when wisdom is spoken.  Every faith filled Christian listens with an enjoyable and comfortable mind and heart when God’s Words are explained with all the wisdom God wants us to learn and apply.  Even when we read His Word there is joy both in your and my heart, and also on our Savior’s part as His lambs hear His voice.

Wasted words

Proverbs 23:9  “Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words.” When you or I are in the presence of a wise faith filled person we become wiser by carefully listening and absorbing what is being spoken.  Many, however, not realizing the benefit of the words being spoken, listen as just another opinion or philosophy to be discarded at will.  Eventually the opportunity for learning will be no more and the foolish will only remain foolish.

Repeated thought for emphasis

Proverbs 23:5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.” If you were given a choice of getting a few million dollars or one Bible–you can’t have both and you can’t get the money and then buy a Bible–like some of you might be thinking—one OR the other.  With one you gain a little happiness for a few seconds, with the other you gain peace, comfort, security, hope and eternal life.  Is the choice very hard?  Why do so many make the wrong choice?

Get rich??

Proverbs 23:4 “Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness.” Earthly wealth can disappear in the blink of an eye.  Why would one strive for something that lasts for a very short time period, that far from guarantees happiness and is often the ruin of a person?  Yet, many strive for earthly treasures while forfeiting eternal life.  Nothing could be more foolish.

Want to be wise?

Proverbs 22:17 “Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach.” We all have a constant choice—listen to the Teacher or listen to the teacher.  A capital T will give us wisdom while a small t will gain this world’s thoughts.  One is eternal, while one is very temporary.  Each of us make continual choices.  Where are you?  Where am I? Have a great weekend.

Two fatal financial disasters

Proverbs 22:16 “One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.” All of us are to use our blessings and talents to honor our God, improve ourselves and help our fellow man.  Any other use of what God has freely given each of us is simply wrong and is a precursor to disaster.  God couldn’t be more explicit in expressing truth.

Choose friends carefully

Proverbs 22:10 “Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended.” Surround yourself with those who have faith filled values.  Whenever this mentality is ignored dissension and chaos will rule the atmosphere like a red tide where it is impossible to breath clearly.  Calm can only present itself where a peaceful and wholesome atmosphere is desired and created.  

Be generous–Be blessed

Proverbs 22:9 “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.” Keep and save all you can because some day you might need it is not the mentality Solomon writes about—just the opposite.  God’s wisdom tells us to be generous and He will bless us.  Very simple, yet profound—Want to be blessed?  Be generous.

Manage your $

Proverbs 22:7 “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.” If a person does not have either a rent or mortgage or car loan payment, that person can earn that much less money and be in the same financial position.  Or with no payments and being debt free a person’s income increases by the amount of former debt.  A wise lifestyle is to be debt free. Thank you to all veterans for serving us and our Country.

Parenting

Proverbs 22:6 “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” Parenting well is the most important responsibility any mother or father has.  Every Christian parent trains their children and prays for their children.  Unfortunately, other influences affect children, young adults and children as they become adults.  Although this passage is certainly true, as is all of Scripture, we all know sin infests even our children and though they are trained well, sometimes our children fall.  We parents live praying for our children that they avoid the calamities of this world. Have a great weekend.