There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.

Proverbs 21

There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord. v30

Having worked my entire career in technology, I see many around me that place their trust and faith in themselves.  While it is important to be thoughtful and desire wisdom, it is more important to seek God's wisdom and then align our lives with God's wisdom (Romans 12:2).

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10 (see also Psalm 110:10, Proverbs 1:7).

Check out other posts on the futility of human plans or our own plans vs those of God.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, abounding in love, compassion, mercy, patience, etc.  I know You have blessed me with an abundance of second, third chances, etc. Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such blessings!  I am lazy...a sluggard!  Please forgive me for my neglect of my time with You Jesus and help me turn towards You...daily and throughout the day!  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith.  Help me lead Zach and Dustin to You and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me lead and serve my family and serve You and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.

Proverbs 21

Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. v23

We are to love and encourage one another.  Solomon warns us that otherwise we are to experience calamity...this is true as I have experienced this myself far too many times.  Thank You Jesus for Your great mercies.

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. Hebrews 3:13-14

See other posts here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are! You are so full of love, mercy, compassion, kindness, patience, etc.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such efforts.  I continue to be harsh with my words...please forgive me!  Help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Give me strength. Give Lisa strength.  Help me use words to encourage others and not tear them down.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and the side effects of chemo.  Help me lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and that they choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me lead and serve my family and serve You and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.

Proverbs 21

Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered. v13

Jesus came to served, not to be served (Matthew 20) so we are to serve.  Plus, Jesus created us for His glory, not to serve our own desires.

As part of our efforts to serve, we are to serve the poor and the least of these (see also posts here).

My Prayer: Jesus, You are a great God, generous, abounding in love and compassion and mercy for me.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such blessings.  I am often harsh with others and I also gossip or speak badly of others.  Please forgive me.  Help me overcome my sin and turn towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind. Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects of chemo.  Help me lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus so they choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me lead and serve my family and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.

Proverbs 21

A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart. v2

In the midst of sin, we often find ways to rationalize our actions.  Yet God knows our hearts and there is no justification for sin.  God also knows that once hardened, our hearts become slaves to sin.

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1:13-15

 

God helps us with our temptation and frees us from being slave to sin - see also this post.  This same freedom also enables us to better carry our God's will for our lives.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are!  You nailed my sin to the cross and give me life - life to the full!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I am lazy and I neglect my relationship with You.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Protect me from temptation and strengthen me.  Strengthen Lisa.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus - I pray that they choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me lead and serve my family and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

 

A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way?

Proverbs 20

A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way? v24

God is in control (Colossians 1:16-17) and it is futile and full of folly to pursue our own desires and plans.  We exist to glorify God, so our efforts should be on renewal of the mind (Romans 12:2) and understanding of God's will for our lives.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You have brought me up to incredible highs and dreadful lows.  You never leave me and I know You are for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I am lazy and I worry too much.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead Zach and Dustin to You and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me lead and serve my family and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing.

Proverbs 20

Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing. v4

God wants us to be in action...it's not just about listening but doing.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25

The question becomes what do we do.
1. We love God with our all of our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22)
2. We love others as ourselves (Matthew 22)
3. As a consequence of #1 and #2, we deny ourselves and our desires and live for God (that is why we exist) for others - to serve and not to be served.

My Prayer: Lord You are an awesome God that never ceases to love me and You bless me beyond what I deserve.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such an awesome God.  I am often lazy - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects of chemo.  Help me lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and have them accept You as their Lord and Savior as their choice.  Help me serve You and my family Jesus.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

Proverbs 19

The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble. v23

God is in control (Colossians 1), He is all knowing and we should fear Him - out of a loving respect for who He is and what He has done for us.  Whatever trouble we may encounter, God is with us and He is our shield.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

I know God is with me.

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are...You know everything about me yet You love me and suffered and died for me.  You never leave me.  Thank You Jesus.  This gives me a peace that I hope protects from the sting of trouble, sin and death.  I am not worth such love.  I worry too much among my many sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome these sins and turn towards You instead.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Help me lead and serve my family and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 19

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. v21

I have posted many times on the subject of my own plans and of human plans - vs those of God.  The bottom line is that we exist to glorify God and although God may allow us to pursue our selfish desires, it is His plan that always prevails.  We must know and submit to God's plan for our lives (Romans 12:2).

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are!  You have blessed me well beyond what I deserve and You have saved me from wretched places and even from the ultimate consequences of my own sin!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such efforts.  I am lazy.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal her from her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for You to be their Lord and Savior by choice.  Help me lead and serve my family and You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.

Proverbs 19

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. v17

In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus gives us both a command and a warning:

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

 

³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

⁴¹ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ⁴² For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

⁴⁴ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

⁴⁵ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

⁴⁶ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

God wants us to care for the "least of these" - it is not an option.  If we don't we will be held to account.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You provide for all things and You provide abundantly...in times of need You are always there!  Thank You Jesus.  You do provide abundantly...my cup overflows.  I am not worth such blessings.  I worry too much.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me be a good steward of what You have provided.  Give me strength. Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve my family. Help me lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to accept You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 18

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. v21

James also speaks of the power of the tongue:

Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. James 3:5:12

Earlier in Proverbs 18 it says:

To answer before listening—that is folly and shame. v13

As such James says:

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19-20

I must guard my heart so my words can be used to build up others, encourage them and not tear them down.

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Word and the Word is You and it is flawless, alive, and suitable for all purposes.  Thank You God for sending Your Son, the Holy Spirit, the Word, the church, brothers and sisters in Christ, etc...all for me!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such efforts.  I am very often slow to listen, quick to speak and quick to anger.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead both Zach and Dustin to You Jesus so that You become their Lord and Savior.  Help me lead and serve my family in ways that You desire and intend.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 18

Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. v12

I know one of my struggles is arrogance and pride; I too often - without feeling the need to go to the Lord in prayer - believe I know the correct course of action or words to say.  Yet we should be going the Lord for wisdom in all things.


For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. Colossians 1:9-12

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:18 

Reading God's word is important but is not sufficient - we must also go to God in prayer.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus what an awesome God You are - You are so full of patience and love for me - even though I know I continue to fall short of what You expect and desire for me.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Help me lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus so that You can be their Lord and Savior as their choice.  Help me lead and serve my family and You Jesus.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.

Proverbs 18

The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale. v11

This world teaches us that money provides security.  Yet wealth comes from God and belongs to Him.  See the story of Ananias and Sephira - who are struck down by God for withholding money from God (money that belongs to Him!).  We are entrusted with money, and should be good stewards of such money, but we should not cling to it too tightly.  We must be cheerful givers.


Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are - You provide and we don't need to worry.  Thank You Jesus!  Yet I know I am not the man You intend for me.  I too often think of my own needs and desires above You and others.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind. Help me love others as You love me.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please help me lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to accept You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me lead and serve my family.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.

Proverbs 18

One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys. v9

I've previously posted on being lazy, and this brings to mind how we are to live not for the selfish pleasures of today and for ourselves but for the glory of God and for the eternal.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1

We should be examining our idle time to determine how we can rather be in action doing something for the glory of God.  Yes, we can rest and have fun in our lives but we should also challenge ourselves here. 

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12

 

See also posts on eternal focus, etc. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are!  You are so full of grace, compassion, mercy, patience, etc.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I am lazy and often focus on my selfish desires...please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help focus on serving and glorifying You vs myself!  Help me lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and to have them love and accept You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.

Proverbs 17

The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. v27

I have studied much lately, particularly in Proverbs, on how use of words is important in our relationships.  This morning the focus is on how important it is is use words with restraint and to be quiet and listen.  Too often I react quickly to what people have to say rather than listening and understanding.

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19-20

Lord Jesus, help me become more even-tempered and to use words with restraint.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are that You are full of patience, restraint, compassion, mercy, etc. for me...even though I know I am quite not deserving!  Please forgive me for my anger and my harshness towards others.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength. Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and that they accept You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me lead and serve my family and serve You and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom, when they are not able to understand it?

Proverbs 17

Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom, when they are not able to understand it? v16

One of the key themes of Solomon in Proverbs is the importance of wisdom and most importantly wisdom that comes from God.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7

Proverbs 1 is filled with many wise sayings as received from God.  In 2 Chronicles 1, God grants Solomon whatever he wishes for and God is pleased that Solomon chooses wisdom (as ordained by God) above earthly possessions.  God wants us to love Him first and He promises that for those that hunger and thirst for righteousness they will be filled (Matthew 5:6). 

The subject of wisdom and God as a priority is an important consideration right now as Zach grows into his high school years.  I don't want to fret about his career success but instead want to focus on his relationship with Jesus as I believe his career success - as do all things during our time here - hinge on making God a priority, just as David and Solomon did (at least for part of their lives).

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are!  You are truth, wisdom, and life...and life to the full!  You have blessed me beyond what I deserve...thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love and blessing Jesus.  I am impatient and harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Help me lead Zach and Dustin to You and have them choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me lead and and serve my family and serve You and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.

Proverbs 17

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart. v3

God created us and did so for a reason and all the days of our lives are ordained by Him (Psalm 139) for His glory and purpose.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

God is always molding us and preparing us for our next tasks.  

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

So, gold and silver are refined through the crucible, God refines us...we must be aware of how God is preparing us.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are!  You are there always for me, full of compassion, mercy, patience, encouragement, training, wisdom, etc.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I continue to lack patience and am quick to anger and slow to listen.  Please forgive me and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength. Help me love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Help me be aware of how You are training me.  Help me lead Zach and Dustin to You and that they choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve and lead my family and serve You and the church.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.

Proverbs 16

Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. v32

With arrogance as one of my most difficult struggles, impatience often results as well.  I often communicate my displeasure with someone's words or actions out of arrogance - that my view/actions are more important than someone else's.  Yet Solomon's words here are encouraging for me as I strive to be humble and to be more patient.

With the help of prayer, my brothers and sisters in Christ and the Holy Spirit, I can overcome such sin.  After all, self-control is a fruit of the Spirit.


But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23

Also, I am comforted in knowing that God is in control (Colossians 1:17) and that His thoughts and ways are not our ways...that His thoughts are ways are PERFECT!


“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8           


My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are!  Your thoughts and ways are perfect for I have seen the fruits of Your labor in the world and in my life.  Thank You for the many blessings You provide.  My cup overflows.  I am not worth such love and blessings because I am impatient and full of arrogance.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind. Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength. Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and have them choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You and my family and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.