by lighthouse | Aug 23, 2022 | Uncategorized
Proverbs 23:18 “There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” Hope is a wonderful word. A confident assurance your faith, like the confident trust a child enjoys while being raised in a family where security and comfort are enjoyed without even realizing the joy he basks in. You and I can live with that comfort and peace without even understanding the wonderful present and future our Heavenly Father provides in the little word of hope.
by lighthouse | Aug 22, 2022 | Uncategorized
Proverbs 23:17 “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.” All of us have a human tendency to not want to be singled out. We do not want to look weird, act weird, say something weird. We tend to want to blend in even though the truth is not being represented. God, through Solomon, tells us to always defend Him, tell others about Him and never be afraid of representing Him as His adopted child.
by lighthouse | Aug 19, 2022 | Uncategorized
Proverbs 23:12 “Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.” We all have a choice of listening and applying or listening and ignoring. A wise person will listen, evaluate, and determine the effect of the words whether written or spoken. Wisdom should always produce evaluation. Have a great weekend.
by lighthouse | Aug 18, 2022 | Uncategorized
Proverbs 23:4 “Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint.” Many think drugs or alcohol or pornography or gambling are life threatening addictions—and they are, but what about being a workaholic, one obsessed with screens, an unsatisfied desire always for more of stuff, eating and becoming obese, or…the list is endless. The wise idea is to be careful in all decision making, asking yourself and myself—is this how my Heavenly Father would have me live?
by lighthouse | Aug 17, 2022 | Uncategorized
Proverbs 22:27 “If you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.” Credit cards can be a curse or a blessing. How can that be? Everyone has multiple cards. Credit cards encourage buying impulsively unaffordable desires. Or credit cards can help organize purchases so one has records needed for business deductions. One use is very good while one use is very bad. Our author is very practical. How are you or I using our credit cards?
by lighthouse | Aug 16, 2022 | Uncategorized
Proverbs 22:17 “Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach.” We all live with choices. We can listen and learn from God, or we can ignore what He has to say and teach. We can choose to determine our own path, ignoring God’s wise counsel, as much of the world does, or we can pray for the wisdom which comes from our Heavenly Father. God has given man a free will. Man’s choices ignoring God’s wisdom lead to failure while man’s choices learning from our Creator never fail. The choice is yours and mine.
by lighthouse | Aug 15, 2022 | Uncategorized
Proverbs 22:16 “He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich–both come to poverty.” Many live to manipulate others for their personal gain. The results of manipulation are always negative, and eventual result is failure and rejection. Personal gain while helping others succeed will always increase the wealth and enjoyment of life for both.
by lighthouse | Aug 12, 2022 | Uncategorized
Proverbs 22:10 “Drive out the mocker and out goes strife, quarrels and insults are ended.” Whoever you or I surround ourselves with is who you or I become. Whoever you admire is who you or I become. If the idea is to be wise, have those with wisdom in your and my lives. Analyze those who you daily come in contact with and whose company you enjoy and you will identify yourself. Isn’t that an interesting thought.
by lighthouse | Aug 11, 2022 | Uncategorized
Proverbs 22:9 “A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.” Sharing earthly goods like food and clothing is a trait America is known for. Where I live the amount of food at food shelves or pantries is huge. There is never a shortage. Where you live the story might be different, but where there is an urgent need Americans respond. Even though there is political turmoil, God continues to bless America. You and I, whenever possible, must continue to be generous.
by lighthouse | Aug 10, 2022 | Uncategorized
Proverbs 22:7 “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” Become debt free. Don’t struggle with credit card debt. Prepare for an economically independent future. Wisely manage your finances identically as you manage the rest of your life. Never put yourself in a situation where you live paycheck to paycheck. Living abundantly, which is God’s promise, carries throughout all aspects of our lives. This is practical and wise thinking.
by lighthouse | Aug 9, 2022 | Uncategorized
Proverbs 22:6 “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” A child is like a piece of clay to a potter or a block of wood to a woodworker at a lathe. The clay or piece of wood will be formed into something creative and beautiful and that shape will always be creative and beautiful. Once formed, its structure is determined. Your and my job is to form God’s children so they are beautiful, creative and full of God’s intended purpose.
by lighthouse | Aug 8, 2022 | Uncategorized
Proverbs 22:4 “Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life.” Realizing God is the author of all your talents, the Giver of all you achieve and the Creator of your entire being makes you a blessed child of His. To be a child of your Heavenly Father is the greatest gift you or I will ever receive.
