by lighthouse | Oct 10, 2024 | Uncategorized
Proverbs 20:6 “Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?” Isn’t it interesting how God defines the difference between phony and real. One friend only wants something while a true friend gives something. One type of friend looks to themselves while a true friend looks to the needs of others. One type of friend makes claims while a true friend performs actions without any claims. One type of friend is easy to find while a true and faithful friend is rare. The wisdom of this passage: To have value–be a faithful friend.
by lighthouse | Oct 9, 2024 | Uncategorized
Proverbs 20:4 “Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing.” What are the results of ignoring or wasting the individual talents God has given to each of us? Answer: A life of poverty which is not necessarily only financial. How can I improve my life, the life of my family, serve God, serve mankind are questions each of us should ask along with the prayer–God, help me use the talents You have given me to accomplish the purpose You have also given me on this earth? God answers prayer—enjoy a blessed life!
by lighthouse | Oct 8, 2024 | Uncategorized
Proverbs 20:3 “It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.” Count, breath intentionally and slowly, stand and walk slowly, fold your hands and pray, think a calming phrase like “all is well’, do a short mild exercise–all these suggestions keep a person from exploding with words later regretted and give a person time to leave a volatile temporary environment and control their emotions, avoiding strife and returning to wise thinking.
by lighthouse | Oct 7, 2024 | Uncategorized
Proverbs 20:1 “Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.” In all my years of counseling those who have been former alcoholics and helping those who are receiving the benefits of our Lighthouse Ministry, I have never heard anyone expressing a pride in all that was lost through their time as an alcoholic and the extreme difficulty in regaining the relationships lost through their alcoholism. And their sense of guilt is difficult to accept forgiveness within themselves. This passage very mildly expresses the lack of wisdom of an alcoholic.
by lighthouse | Oct 4, 2024 | Uncategorized
Proverbs 19:27 “Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.” At what time in a person’s life is his/her bushel basket of knowledge full? Obviously, this rhetorical question is personally recognized by everyone as unnecessary as the answer couldn’t be more evident. Or is the answer obvious? How many of us think we know all about God and eternity and successful living that a continual gaining of wise knowledge and studying the Bible is unnecessary? That % is large. Keep studying–gain wisdom, gain knowledge—continually develop your relationship with your Savior. Never stray. Have a great weekend.
by lighthouse | Oct 3, 2024 | Uncategorized
Proverbs 19:23 “The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.” The wealth in America is unprecedented. At the same time the level of anxiety and depression in America is unprecedented.Suicide rates are higher than ever before. Opportunity in America is unprecedented. These conflicting facts don’t make any sense. Doesn’t wealth bring contentment? Obviously not. Contentment comes with having a continually growing and bonding relationship with our Savior. Nothing else is more powerful. All the therapy available is meaningless without an understanding of God and His loving relationship with each of us. Enjoy the contentedness found with our Almighty Loving God.
by lighthouse | Oct 2, 2024 | Uncategorized
Proverbs 19:21 “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” The first thought: You and I should have a purpose for living our life on this earth. The second thought: Your and my purpose for living must include the wise prayer to our God—Heavenly Father, help me live fulfilling the purpose You want me to live.Realizing those two thoughts your and my life on this earth will be both purposeful and successful. We will be successful in serving both our Savior and our fellow man.
by lighthouse | Oct 1, 2024 | Uncategorized
Proverbs 19:20 “Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.” How does one acquire the treasures enjoyed by experiencing a life—thoughts, words and actions—ruled by wisdom? This Proverb gives us the answer. First–do you and I want to live such a life? For every Christian the answer is–definitely. How do we enjoy such a life? Surround ourselves with the wise and carefully listen and then make that wisdom a part of our being. Study the Bible–be friends with those who do the same–and then apply the written and spoken words of wisdom and discipline.
by lighthouse | Sep 30, 2024 | Uncategorized
Proverbs 19:18 “Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death.” Love demands discipline. Ignore discipline and one ignores love. That simple truth is ignored by many parents who define loving discipline as an overbearing taskmaster mentality. That thinking will produce, not a well mannered and successful person, but rather, as this wise passage states, the death of potential success and wisdom the child could have had. Loving discipline is essential in the training of both children and adults.
by lighthouse | Sep 27, 2024 | Uncategorized
Proverbs 19:17 “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.” A Christian, being wise and faith-filled, is always mindful of serving his/her Savior. That mentality will always include an attitude of service. Our Savior, our Teacher, is the foremost example of humility and service when He certainly could have done just the opposite. This passage tells all of us to help those who need help. We use our God-given wisdom to help those in need with the blessings we have so generously been given. Have a great weekend.
by lighthouse | Sep 26, 2024 | Uncategorized
Proverbs 19:14 “Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.” God is the Giver of a wonderful spouse. Any guy who is given the gift of a faithful and faith-filled wife has been given a treasure of such value that it can come from no other source than as a gift from God. Those of us who have been given this valuable gift should not only appreciate and cherish the gift but also realize from where that gift comes and thank the Giver.
by lighthouse | Sep 25, 2024 | Uncategorized
Proverbs 19:8 “The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.” There is a recording of Earl Nightingale titled–“The Greatest Secret in the World”. His conclusion as to why so many fail is because they just do not think. Solomon, in this verse also explains the “secret” road to success: Gain wisdom, cherish understanding. How? Study your Bible and develop a close relationship with the one and only True God. That is the “secret” to success! Enjoy life and prosperity!
