Contentment

Proverbs 14:30 “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” Jealousy never has nor will in the past, present or future accomplished anything positive.  Jealousy–rots the bones–what could be more descriptive?  To be content, to use your God given talents, to walk with your Savior at your side–what a pleasure it is to live such a life. 

Patience vs. Temper

Proverbs 14:29 “A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.” Instant anger will never allow wisdom to be displayed.  Instant anger will always bring later regret.  Silence and careful thought should always dominate as such a mentality gives God a chance to enter and whenever God enters wisdom will prevail.

security=fortress

Proverbs 14:26 “He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.” Having a close relationship with your Heavenly Father allows you to live without fear; that is, fears in life and the fear of death.  None of us will live life without disappointments, but none of us need live in fear.  The wonderful news of this Proverb is:  the thinking of your and my Savior walking by our side is a great inheritance we can give our children and grandchildren while we live.  Nothing we can buy for them can give more security and comfort than this wisdom we can pass on to them.

Definition of a wise person

Proverbs 14:16 “A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.” Fear does not mean to be afraid of, but rather to stand in awe of.  As human beings it is impossible to understand the magnificence and power of God.  We mistakenly reason that God is a super human.  The truth is:  God is God–there is NOTHING to compare Him to.  The Creator of the universe.  The One who carries you and me.  The Savior who calls you and me His own and has adopted us as His precious children—That indescribable God we stand in awe of and try the best we can, in our meager way, to return His great love.

Where do steps lead?

Proverbs 14:15 “A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.” You and I will be listening, talking and walking as we live another day.  Will our activities display a serving of ourselves or will we realize that all we do is to give glory to our Heavenly Father in appreciation for His loving care of each of us.  This walk is not just theory, rather, this daily walk is in honor of the Oe who lived, died and rose for each of us.

Destroyed or flourish

Proverbs 14:11 “The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.” If you were guaranteed a successful life with rich blessings and a contentment so you could live a joyful and relaxed life, wouldn’t you be foolish to say no to such a life?  Well, what do I have to do to enjoy such a life?

Impetuous vs. wisdom

Proverbs 14:8 “The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.” We all need to carefully think before we speak.  It is always, without exception, always good to listen carefully to another person’s words and then to evaluate the meaning intended of those words before offering a response.  An impetuous or impulsive response will never produce the wisdom gained and spoken through careful and wise listening.

Discipline displays love

Proverbs 13:24 “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.” A loving parent, a loving friend, a loving mentor will always lovingly teach, direct or train the person being led.  Without discipline success will not happen.  Control over one’s life is essential for order and is certainly necessary for leading a God pleasing life.  Discipline is key to morality, contentedness and happiness.   Have a great weekend.

Who are your friends?

Proverbs 13:20 “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.” I am sure you have heard the expression–you are what you eat.  How about the thought—you are who you hang out with?  It is impossible to become wise if you hang with those with foolish or detrimental thinking.  Your mental, physical and spiritual health will take a giant hit.  Hang out with the mentally, physically and spiritually wise and your life will take giant steps of gaining wisdom.

Practical financial advise

Proverbs 13:11 “Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow” Averages can be meaningless, but they can also be interesting.  Well over half of American families have no savings and live from paycheck to paycheck.  God never says what % of your income you should save, but He does say to save and you will develop a financial safety net.  Common advise suggests having 6 months to a year of expenses saved.  That safety net will not happen instantly, but little by little it certainly will.  Over 2300 Bible passages talk about money and 11 0f Jesus’ 39 parables refer to finances while teaching other important lessons.

Pride vs. wisdom

Proverbs 13:10 Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advise.” A wise person always carefully listens and then comes to a conclusion as to the worthiness of the words spoken.  A wise person will never stubbornly defend a position and take a bullying attitude only defending a prideful mentality.  Wisdom listens and evaluates.

Use your talents

Proverbs 13:4 “The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.” Have you ever heard others say—I want to be like you, I want to have what you have, you are so lucky, or any other complimentary yet useless expressions of desire?  God has blessed each of us with talent to accomplish a successful and meaningful life.  You and I have to use our talents, pray for God’s help to give us an attitude of desire and persistence and then work hard with an mentality of accomplished success.  Expectations of free handouts never enters one’s mind.