April 30 | Commit to the Lord

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 1

Scripture | Proverbs 16:3, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”

Lesson 30 | Commit to the Lord

Have you ever seen two children fight over a toy?  One yells out, “Its mine!”  The other responds, “But I had it first- give it to me!”  I feel the same is true many times with God; however, we’re the only ones acting like selfish children.  Many times God says as our Father, “Place your plans in my hands.”  And we respond, “No God, my plans are mine, I don’t want to share them.”

Examine your life and think about how many times you have taken your life and put it in your own hands.  You did what you wanted, when you wanted to, and felt you didn’t need to answer to anyone.  Now also remember how those things worked out… probably not well, especially spiritually speaking.  Someone might respond, “I’ve done good without God in my life, I’m a self-made man.”  However, when you look into the spiritual condition of such a person they may be “self-made,” but they’re a “self-made mess!”

Just because someone thinks they can succeed at building a business, a career, or a bank account without honoring God doesn't mean they’re a success.  The Bible says that people like that are actually fools because all their riches and success will disappear like a vapor of smoke when they die, James 4:14!

As a result, King Solomon is teaching us in the above proverb to always commit our ways to the Lord to have our plans succeed.  And the first major plan we need to commit to the Lord is our “plan after death.”  Then we should commit our plans for marriage and family to God.  And lastly, our jobs and careers should go into His hands.

Of course, giving God the things that are most dear to us is not always easy.  However, if we humble ourselves like a child, we can joyfully and willing respond when we hear our Father say, “Please give me your plans!”

Reflection | Are you willing to commit your plans to the Lord? 

Action | (1) Think of three things in your life you should commit to the Lord. (2) In prayer surrender and commit those things to God. (3) Lastly, ask God to give you plans that lead to success in each of the three areas.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Judges 11:1-12:15, John 1:1-28, Psalm 101:1-8, &Proverbs 14:13-14. Click here to read online.

April 29 | Humility Before Honor

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 1

Scripture | Proverbs 15:33, “The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.”

Lesson 29 | Humility Before Honor

Solomon gives two important principles in the above proverb with their positive outcomes.  First, he mentions that the “fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom.”  The fear of the Lord is an honor and respect for God and His Word.  Plus, it is a sense of terror to what will happen on judgment day to those who live in disobedience to Him.  Therefore, when a person truly honors and obeys God they will have “wisdom.”  Wisdom is the “proper application of knowledge.”  As a result the wise person in life knows what to do and how to do it.

Second, Solomon notes “humility comes before honor.”  Humility means to, “to be modest, respectful, and aware of one’s position in life.”  In other words, when a person understands their place with God is as a child with a Father and respectfully follows God’s ways, he or she will be honored in life.  Honor is what other people give you when they see something in your life worthy of respect and adoration.  Thus, God desires you to be respected and looked up to by people in your life not because you are a “rock star,” but because you are “humble” before God and man.

I believe that without humility one truly cannot fear the Lord because pride will not let him.  Humility in my opinion is the most important characteristic a believer should have after love.  For if a disciple doesn’t have humility their pride can cause them to fall from the grace of God just like Satan and Adam did.  Therefore, ask God to remove any and all pride from your life and to led you by His Spirit in the way of humility.

Lastly, Jesus said in Matthew 18:3-4, “3 And he said: Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”  Live as a humble child of God and you will be honored in life! 

Reflection | Do you fear the Lord and walk in humility? 

Action | (1) Ask God to reveal any pride that may be in your life. (2) Walk humbly before the Lord as a child with his or her father. (3) Lastly, when God honors you before men, never forget how you got there, always give the honor back to God.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Judges 9:22-10:18, Luke 24:13-53, Psalm 100:1-5, &Proverbs 14:11-12. Click here to read online.

April 28 | Life-Giving Rebukes

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 1

Scripture | Proverbs 15:31, “He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.”

Lesson 28 | Life-Giving Rebukes    

My Mom is Italian and my Dad is Polish.  Both of their grandparents came from the mother country.  They were the first generation to marry outside of their nationality- up until that time their parents and relatives married within their own culture.  So I grew up literally half Italian and half Polish.

The Italian side from my Mom would come out through her cooking, passion for life, and loud way of talking.  My friends said they could her my Mom “talking” to me all the way done the street!  So if you weren’t used to people being loud when they talked and you came into my house you might think we were always yelling!

My Dad’s Polish side was more subtle but it would also come out if you knew what to look for.  Polish people love to talk, but they have a habit of repeating things over and over again.  My Polish Grandma would tell her same stories over and over again, not just because she was old and a grandma, but because that's what my Polish family would do at events- tell the same stories over and over again.  Sometimes my Dad would repeat himself 3x and then say, “No let me tell you in Polish.”  Which just meant he was going to say again, but in a different way.  So if you came into my house and heard us talking, you might think we all needed hearing aids and lessons on comprehension- but that's just the way we were in our home.

King Solomon in the above proverb gives the test to whether or not you will feel at home among the wise.  The way you can know if you fit right in is whether or not you can listen to life-giving rebukes.  Solomon uses the image of people sitting around in a house sharing life-giving rebukes with each other and no one gets offended, because the wise love to listen to life-giving rebukes for the wisdom they bring.

This is similar to the concept found later in proverbs called, “iron sharping iron.”  Life giving rebukes are advice and instruction giving with passion.  They are more than just suggestions and they’re not negotiable- without compromise, but their benefit is worth receiving them as is.  Though they may seem harsh or too personal to an outsider but to the wise life-giving rebukes make them feel right at home!

Reflection | Do you feel at home receiving life-giving rebukes?   

Action | (1) Repent of any wrong attitudes of pride you may have had towards rebukes. (2) When being giving a rebuke from trusted friends and leaders receive it with joy. (3) Lastly, share some life-giving rebukes with your brothers and sisters!  

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Judges 8:18-9:21, Luke 23:44-24:12, Psalm 99:1-9, &Proverbs 14:9-10. Click here to read online.

April 27 | Success With Advisers

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 1

Scripture | Proverbs 15:22, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”

Lesson 27 | Success With Advisers   

One of the most recent failures that I faced as a pastor was moving into a large facility and having to break our lease because of the lack of finances.  Words cannot describe how defeated and discouraged I felt.  I have always boasted in not owing people anything, paying bills on time, and being an excellent tenant.  However, because of the recession and loss of people’s jobs we just couldn’t pay what we agreed to.

We were in a five-year lease and things went south within the first year.  So for the following year, almost every month, I earnestly tried to negotiate and rewrite the lease.  However, because the building owners were in over their head with the bank there was nothing they could do either.  Eventually, we had to break our lease and move back to our old building.

After this failure I started to seek advice from Christian lawyers, accountants, and local businessmen in our church and they all could relate to the kind of situation the church had faced.  However, each one of them had an advice to give in moving forward.  Their advice could be summed up as the following, (1) Don’t move into a new building without a minimum of six months savings, (2) Raise all your monies first before you look for a building, that way your not trying to raise money and pay monthly bills, and lastly, (3) Give the people a minimum of 6 months to pledge and get behind the project before you move.

After learning these lessons the hard way I thought to myself, “If I'd only gained this wisdom from them before I signed the lease for the building!”  Immediately moving forward I set up a new financial committee and we made safety measures to make sure we never got in that same situation again.  Afterward, within six months the church returned to saving, staying within our budget, and being a joy to the landlord- success! 

What are some things in your personal life or business that you should seek counsel for?  Whether it’s buying a new home, moving your family, engaging in a new business deal, overcoming sin, or saving for the future be sure to make your plans with good advice! 

 
Reflection | Are you willing to listen to good advice? 

Action | (1) Seek out three trusted advisors to have in your life. (2) Before you make a big decision seek their counsel. (3) Lastly, ask God to make you an advisor for people in their times of need.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Judges 7:1-8:17, Luke 23:13-43, Psalm 97:1-98:9, &Proverbs 14:7-8. Click here to read online.

April 26 | Gentle Words

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 1

Scripture | Proverbs 15:1, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Lesson 26 | Gentle Words  

I don’t know about you but before I came to Jesus the last thing that would ever come to my mind when I was anger was a “gentle answer!”  Usually harsh words flooded my mind and the only discretion I used was to pick the words that hurt the most and I wouldn’t even feel any remorse.

After I got saved and had the Holy Spirit living on the inside of me, things began to change.  I remember one time when I was working in a local pizza shop I got into an argument with my boss and cussed her out.  However, this time on my way home I felted so grieved.  I knew immediately that it was the Holy Spirit convicting me for speaking harsh words.  I told my mom what happened and she counseled me to call her back up and apologize.

Over the last 18 years of serving Jesus there is not a day that goes by that the Holy Spirit doesn’t remind me how to talk to people.  Sometimes I hear and listen to God’s voice before I say the wrong thing and other times I say things I later have to repent for.  Since being married and having children I find I’m tested more often, but God’s voice always remains the same.

How are you in times of anger?  Are you always under control and able to answer someone with gentleness or do you, like me, sometimes say the wrong thing?  The Bible says in James 3:9-10,“9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”  Therefore, we shouldn’t be content to allow both good and evil to come from our mouths.

We have been saved and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, God has promised us a way of escape from every temptation in every situation, and we have been given the mind of Christ.  In turn, there is no excuse to not talk like Jesus.  Make a decision with me today to guard your words and choose gentleness over wrath!   

 
Reflection | Do you talk to people with gentleness? 

Action | (1) Repent of the times you may have not spoken to people with gentleness. (2) Ask God to guide your words. (3) Lastly, next time you’re upset with someone, remember to not speak with harsh words, but answer in gentleness.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Judges 6:1-40, Luke 22:54-23:12, Psalm 95:1-96:13, &Proverbs 14:5-6. Click here to read online.

April 25 | Exalting a Nation

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 1

Scripture | Proverbs 14:34, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”

Lesson 25 | Exalting a Nation

Solomon was the King of Israel after his father David.  King Solomon had learned first hand the disgrace that came to Israel because of his Dad’s sin, 2 Samuel 12:11.  However, this did not stop him as the King from making some of the same mistakes.  Even though Solomon was the richest and wisest man on earth, he was led astray by women to worship idols and likewise suffered disgrace, 1 Kings 11:4.

Plus, many of the kings after Solomon and David sinned and brought disgrace to the nation as well.  Not only did these kings not learn from the mistakes of the previous kings, but it almost seemed like they grew even worse over time.  When God’s patience ran out; He had to punish the Jewish people and actually allow Israel to be captured and brought into captivity two different times, Jeremiah 20:5.

Even in America’s brief history it can be seen that when we as a nation had special times of prayer, honored the ten commandments in our courts, and sought God’s will in major decisions- God exalted and blessed us.  However, in the last 50 years as we have taken the Bible and prayer out of school, pulled down the ten commandments, and placed money and power above God and His Word we have suffered more disgrace than our founding fathers could have ever imagined.

Therefore, reader, be warned, no matter who you are.  If you and your nation sin you will be disgraced and brought low.  However, if you and your nation live righteously before God He will exalt you and your people.

Reflection | Do you live a righteous life?   

Action | (1) Repent of any unrighteousness you may have. (2) Repent of all the wickedness you see in your nation. (3) Lastly, pray for God to raise up more righteous people in your nation- in government, education, etc…  

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Judges 4:1-5:31, Luke 22:35-53, Psalm 94:1-23, &Proverbs 14:3-4. Click here to read online.

April 24 | Disciplining Children

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 1

Scripture | Proverbs 13:24, “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.”

Lesson 24 | Disciplining Children  

Today as parents we have a choice to either obey what God said in His eternal unchanging word or what the trendy every changing culture says.  In the past corporal (physical) punishment for children was a given.  It’s how children from Biblical times to colonial times were disciplined and taught respect.  And lets just think about how well it worked… chances are your grandparents were spanked, thus, do you think your grandparents were better behaved then our children today?  Of course!  The question itself is almost laughable.

Our current generation, especially in the US, has the highest level of obesity, crime, rebellion, lack of respect, violence, perversion, and laziness known to the planet!  So why do parents keep following Dr. Phil and Oprah’s advice over the Bible?  Simple, parents have been convinced that spanking their children is the same as child abuse.  They have believed the lie of our “politically correct culture” that punishment shouldn’t “hurt.”  This kind of thinking has even lead to the removal of the death penalty for murders and rapists and made the prison system a joke to criminals.  Hence, the reason criminals have no fear or respect for the law.

Some might ask, “What about the parents that have abused their kids?”  To that I answer, “The parents should be arrested and put into jail!”  Just because someone abuses a thing doesn’t mean we should reject it.  Abuse and misuse shouldn’t lead to disuse, but rather proper use.

Here are some helpful ways to carefully discipline your child, (1) Never spank out of anger, (2) Only spank to give the sense of discomfort, not injury.  Red marks should totally disappear within 20-30 minutes, anything that last more than that is injuring the skin, tissue, and muscles, (3) Only spank on their butt (or a simple swat on the hand), (4) Do not spank more than 2-3 times, (5) Never spank with your full strength, (6) Always give a teaching before and after the spanking so the child can understand why they are getting spanked, (7) Afterwards, comfort the child to let them know you still love them, and (8) Spanking is less affective after 10-11 years old, thus be sensitive to when to discontinue the practice.  

If you cannot carefully spank your child and follow the guidelines above, than please don’t spank your child at all because you may injury and abuse them.  However, I believe by the power of the Holy Spirit God can lead you to discipline them in a healthy way and thus show your love for them by reminding them of the consequences of sin.

Reflection | Do believe its Biblical to spank your children? 

Action | (1) Repent of any wrong thinking you may have had about spanking, whether to not do it at all or to do it in an abusive way. (2) Ask God to teach you the best way to discipline your child. (3) Lastly, next time you discipline your child, remember, your heavenly Father is watching and one day will judge you on how you raised your kids.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Judges 2:10-3:31, Luke 22:14-34, Psalm 92:1-93:5,Proverbs 14:1-2. Click here to read online.

April 23 | Walking With the Wise

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 1

Scripture | Proverbs 13:20, “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.”

Lesson 23 | Walking With the Wise

This proverb has to be one of my all time favorites.  I remember reading this when I first got saved and it was like a huge spot light just turned on and I could see everything so clearly.  I grew up in the suburbs of Fort Wayne Indiana, a city with about 300,000 people.  My parents had both been from the Chicagoland area but choose to move to the "Fort” for a better place for their family and job.

They literally gave me every good thing a child could ever want.  I always had new clothes, great home cooked meals, and was raised in a God-fearing environment   On top of all the essentials, my parents choose to live in a neighborhood where we had three outdoor swimming pools, a clubhouse with racketball courts and pool tables.  Plus, the neighborhood had a golf course and two outdoor tennis and basketball courts.  Sidewalks ran for miles safely behind our home so I could literally ride my bike to my friend’s house, then to the basketball court, to the pools, and then relax in the club house without even crossing one street!

You would think that all the great things my parents provided for me would have guaranteed my success.  However, there was one thing that they couldn't provide that I had to choose myself- my friends.  By the time I was in 5^th grade I had chosen the wrong friends and the rest is history.  Long story short, by the time I was 18 years old I had been kicked out school over 5x times, I was a high school drop out, drug dealer, arrested 8x, and had already been locked up for over 3 months in juvenile facilities.

I look back and wish I would’ve listened to Solomon and choose wise friends and instead of foolish ones.  I suffered so many needless hardships and pain.  Some of the scars I still have to this day to remind me of those terrible times.  But the story doesn’t end there, now because of those life lessons I have for the last eighteen years made the right friends and because of walking with them and sharing life together I have grown wise everyday.

What kind of friends do you have?

Reflection | Do you hang out with wise or foolish people? 

Action | (1) Ask God to show you the kind of friends you have. (2) Remove any foolish friends you may have from influencing your life (you can still stay friends with them for the sake of preaching to them, but you don’t have to always be around them or follow their ways). (3) Lastly, be a wise person so that when people hang out with you, they grow in wisdom.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Judges 1:1-2:9, Luke 21:29-22:13, Psalm 90:1-91:16, &Proverbs 13:24-25. Click here to read online.

April 22 | Why We Argue

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 1

Scripture | Proverbs 13:10, “Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.”

Lesson 22 | Why We Argue

King Solomon gives the root cause to all arguments and quarrels- pride!  Think about it… pride has been at the foundation of all arguments.  From Satan’s fall from heaven to the Jewish leaders who argued with Jesus- pride has always been “the root of the fruit of quarreling.” 

Now apply this truth to your life and the arguments you’ve been in.  Can you clearly see that when you had pride, you started the argument?  Or that when you were discussing something with someone else who had pride and he or she started the argument?

However, one of the biggest problems with pride is that it is always easier to see in others than in yourself.  Thus, most of the times you’re in pride, you cannot recognize it because of the very nature of pride itself.  Pride by definition means, “to be unteachable, above correction, and to hold false views about one’s self.”  As a result, pride deceives you to believe that you’re never in pride, but it’s actually always the other person in pride!

Some might be discouraged now and ask, “How then can I know if I’m in pride, since pride is self-deceiving?”  Don’t fret or fear King Solomon’s wisdom is here!  The answer is given in the parallel statement, “wisdom is found in those who take advice.”  Therefore, the way to know if you’re in pride is to see if you are receiving the advice given.  Of course, all advice you receive in life is not to be received, but by the leading of God’s Holy Spirit He will guide you into all truth!

So next time you’re in an argument, ask God in meditative prayer (to yourself), “Who is not receiving the advice?”

Reflection | Do you readily and humbly accept good advice? 

Action | (1) Ask God to expose any areas in your life you have pride in. (2) Pray for God to give you humility. (3) Lastly, avoid pride- accept good advice and try to avoid arguments with people who have pride and are unwilling to accept advice, Matthew 7:6.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Joshua 24:1-33, Luke 21:1-28, Psalm 89:38-52, &Proverbs 13:20-23. Click here to read online.

April 21 | Protected

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 1

Scripture | Proverbs 13:6, “Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.”

Lesson 21 | Protected

Solomon in the proverbs loves to employ the literally technique called, “antithetical parallelism,” which basically means, “the second line contrasts with the first.”  For example, “The sinner goes to hell, but the righteous go to heaven.”  In the above proverb the antithetical parallel is between the “righteousness of the man of integrity” and the “wickedness of the sinner.”

Solomon makes the contrast by stating righteousness “guards” the man of integrity, but wickedness “overthrows” the sinner.  Thus, you as the reader are left with a simple choice, “Do I want to be ‘guarded’ or ‘overthrown?”’  As a result, if you want to be guarded and not overthrown you should then live righteously.

Another way to look at the proverb is from your personal point of view.  Are you a righteous person of integrity or a wicked sinner?  For who you are by your actions will determine your consequences.  If you are wicked, your sins will overthrow your life, however, if you are righteous you will be guarded against being overthrown by the devil’s schemes.

Therefore, choose today to be righteous!  First, accept Jesus’ righteousness by having faith in His saving work on the cross, 2 Corinthians 5:21. Second, hunger and thirst daily to be filled with God’s righteousness, Matthew 5:6.  And lastly, seek first God’s righteousness, according to His Word, in all you do, Matthew 6:33.

As a result, the righteous of God is promised to guard your life from all sin, evil, and temptation! In other words, "God’s got your back!"

Reflection | Are you righteous of wicked? 

Action | (1) Seek righteousness in your life. (2) Avoid wickedness. (3) Lastly, ask God to guard your life from sin, temptation, and evil.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Joshua 22:21-23:16, Luke 20:27-47, Psalm 89:14-37, &Proverbs 13:17-19. Click here to read online.

April 20 | Overlooking an Insult

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 1

Scripture | Proverbs 12:16, “A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.”

Lesson 20 | Overlooking an Insult

“I’m so mad at you right now I could scream!” “Shut up, who do you think you are to talk to me that way?” “How dare you say that to me, you better stop before I snap and lose my temper!”  Have you ever reacted to an insult like this before? I know I have… many times.

However, Solomon in the above proverb is giving a better way for people to act who desire to be wise in conflict- the way of prudence.  The word “prudence” means, “the ability to control one’s self.”  Therefore, Solomon is boldly stating that when a person loses their temper at once they are acting like a fool.  On the other hand, when a person possesses prudence (self-control) they can overlook an insult.

Who do you think was the most prudent person in all-human history?  A person who overlooked many great offenses and didn’t lose His temper and act like a fool?  Jesus.  Jesus is the disciple’s greatest example of prudence in all of human history. He was God in the flesh, yet He allowed wicked men to insult him with mocking, spitting, beating, and even crucifixion.  And after all that they did to Him He still responded, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing,” Luke 23:34.

At the same time, overlooking an insult doesn’t mean becoming a doormat for everybody in life.  For there were times when Jesus did respond to the insults, like the time when he whipped the money changers and drove them out of the temple, Matthew 21:12.  However, Jesus always knew how to control His emotions even in those times.  In turn, make a habit to always keep your emotions under control and try to overlook an insult first before responding too quickly.

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

Reflection | Are you prudent when people offend you? 

Action | (1) Ask Jesus to forgive you of times when you lacked self-control. (2) Ask God to give you the fruit of self-control (prudence). (3) Lastly, next time you’re offended take a few moments before you respond to insure you're in total control and when you do respond, do so with prudence.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Joshua 21:1-22:20, Luke 20:1-26, Psalm 89:1-13, &Proverbs 13:15-16. Click here to read online.

April 19 | Don’t Be Stupid

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 1

Scripture | Proverbs 12:1, “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.”

Lesson 19 | Don’t Be Stupid

“Stupid is as stupid does,” Forest Gump. There is now way according to the Bible to avoid correction and discipline in the Christian life, Hebrews 12:5-7.  As a matter of fact the word discipline is from the word “disciple,” thus Jesus wants His disciples to receive discipline- they go hand in hand.  However, some people think that when they get corrected or disciplined in the church that the church leadership is on a power trip but every good organization must have leadership that gives discipline and the church is no different, Hebrews 13:17.

At the same, the church shouldn’t be rude, legalistic, or a micro manager.  The balance of Biblical leadership and their use of the Word of God with God’s people is given in 2 Timothy 4:2 where Paul wrote, “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage —with great patience and careful instruction.”  The church should consider its preaching and teaching to be 1/3 correction, 1/3 rebuking, and 1/3 encouraging.  However, most Christians think the church should give its people 1/3 encouragement, 1/3 good times, and just 1/3 correction and rebuking! 

The above proverb clearly teaches that whoever loves discipline (to be corrected and rebuked) loves knowledge. However, whoever hates correction is stupid. Here are some ways to see if you love discipline or act in stupidity when it comes to discipline and correction;

(1) When corrected by a good leader, do you accept it or make excuses? (2) After being shown your wrong, do you repent or first try to show someone else his or her wrong?  (3) If you are asked to changed something about yourself do you do it just when people are looking or at all times even when you’re by yourself. And lastly, (4) Do you have strong leaders in your life who can discipline you or do you just have people that tell you what you want to hear?

Take sometime today to examine your heart to truly see if you are a person who loves knowledge by loving discipline.  Also, if you’re not currently in a church being discipled and disciplined find one and start today! 

Reflection | Do you love discipline? 

Action | (1) Repent of any stupidity you might have from hating correction. (2) Ask God to make you humble and teachable- a lover of discipline. (3) Lastly, find a good church with great leaders who can disciple you!

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Joshua 19:1-20:9, Luke 19:28-48, Psalm 88:1-18, &Proverbs 13:12-14. Click here to read online.

April 18 | Riches Will Fall

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 1

Scripture | Proverbs 11:28, “Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.”

Lesson 18 | Riches Will Fall

Do you want to thrive or fall in life? I believe most sane people would honestly answer, “thrive.” However, if most people would rather thrive than fall, why are more people pursuing and trusting in their riches rather than righteousness?  There should be millions more people daily reading their Bible, than playing the lottery.  And masses of people should be lining up for church, like how they line up to go to work to make a pay check.  Sunday morning should be the busiest day on the roads!

However, in our culture the emphasis for a good life seems to be on having riches, not righteousness. Our businesses, sitcoms, music, politics, magazines, talk shows, movies, and sports all seem to exalt the people who have the most money! Think about it, when was the last time you saw in business, media, politics, or entertainment the applauding of “righteousness,” i.e., “doing the right thing according to God’s word?”

King Solomon is giving a stern warning to all people- “don’t trust in riches, but pursue righteousness.”  Thus, if you’re not living a righteous life by God’s standard and are trusting in your money to give you a good life- you are going to fall.  Your fall may be in your marriage, with your kids, or your money itself; but no matter what you will fall in this life.  Plus, one day you will fall from heaven into the pits of hell.  Jesus said you cannot serve both God and money, Matthew 6:24.  Therefore, even if you seem to have a good life here on earth for 70-80 years, you will fall for eternity.

However, if you do what Jesus taught in Matthew 6:33 and seek first God’s Kingdom and His righteousness you will have all you need in this life and you will thrive in eternal life like a green leaf, Psalm 1.  

Therefore, choose today to focus first on righteousness in all you do and then second on the things of this world like money.  You will both thrive here on earth and with God forever!

Reflection | Do you trust in your riches? 

Action | (1) Remove any trust you may have in your riches. (2) Lastly, place all your trust in God and seek His righteousness.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Joshua 16:1-18:28, Luke 19:1-27, Psalm 87:1-7, &Proverbs 13:11. Click here to read online.

April 17 | Gold in a Pig’s Snout

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 1

Scripture | Proverbs 11:22, “Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.”

Lesson 17 | Gold in a Pig’s Snout

Ouch! King Solomon in the above proverb gives a stern rebuke to beautiful women who have no discretion. The word “discretion” means, “lacking good judgment.” In other words, Solomon is saying when a beautiful woman lacks good judgment she is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.

The illustration of a gold ring in a pig’s snout is meant to show the ridiculous nature of something beautiful in something disgusting. The picture the reader is to have is of defilement, waste, and disgust. Thus, Solomon is saying that when beautiful women lack good judgment in their sexual behavior it is disgusting and their beauty is wasted.

Now with this being true God is not giving Christians permission to be rude and vulgar to women who lack judgment and call them “pigs, sluts, or whores.” The Bible teaches we are to treat others with love as we would want to be treated. However, he is teaching that both men and women need to understand the concept of discretion (sound judgment). Because if a handsome man lacks good judgment his behavior is just as disgusting as the foolish woman.

Therefore, each person reading this proverb should be encouraged to use good judgment in regards to their sexuality. If a woman lacks good judgment and begins having sex before marriage, wears revealing clothes, talks perverted then she is wasting her beautify and acting in a disgusting way. The same is true with a man who cannot wait to be intimate with a woman until marriage, talks dirty, and watches pornography- he too is acting like a pig with a gold ring. 

As a result, each person should then act with discretion and not let the body be defiled by sin. Make a decision today to act with good judgment in regards to sexuality and live a life of holiness and purity pleasing to God!

Reflection | Do you possess discretion (good judgment) in your sex life? 

Action | (1) Ask God to show you if you lack any discretion in your sexuality. (2) Repent of any indiscretion you may have. (3) Lastly, ask God daily to give you discretion (good judgment).

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Joshua 15:1-63, Luke 18:18-43, Psalm 86:1-17, &Proverbs 13:9-10. Click here to read online.

April 16 | How a Nation Stands and Falls

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 1

Scripture | Proverbs 11:14, “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.”

Lesson 16 | How a Nation Stands and Falls   

John Dickinson in 1768 wrote a powerful song during the American Revolution called, “The Liberty Song.”  One of the most powerful verses was, “Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all, By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall; In so righteous a cause let us hope to succeed, For heaven approves of each generous deed.”

As a result Dickinson’s song made popular the saying, “United we stand, divided we fall.”  The phrase simply meant, that we are better off together than we are separated.  Take for example one piece of paper, its super easy to tear it apart.  However, when you put hundreds of pieces of paper together in a phone book it’s almost impossible to tear apart bear handed! 

The same is true with the proverb mentioned above.  For a nation to succeed it needs guidance from many wise advisors.  However, if a nation doesn’t listen to wise council from many different people they will fall.  Thus, whether a nation stands or falls is based on its ability to gather together people of wisdom and listen to them. 

The United States has three branches of government, (1) Executive (The President’s Office), (2) Judicial (The Supreme Court), and (3) Legislative  (The Congress).  Now consider if all these people, well over 500 leaders, worked together for the common good of the people of the United States with the wisdom of God.  What do you think would happen?

I believe God would bless our land as He did in days past with safety, prosperity, and godly influence upon the world!  And if a nation needs advisors, how much more people like you and me.  If mothers received advice from other mothers there would be better mothers today raising our kids.  If husbands took advice from other husbands we would have better husbands and fathers today.  If pastors, businessmen, and all people in leadership could learn to receive godly advice- our world would be a better place! 

Make a decision to start today and receive good advice from wise counsel! 

Reflection | Do you listen to good advice? 

Action | (1) When was the last time you received good advice? (2) When was the last time you gave good advice? (3) Lastly, be open to giving and receiving good advice. 

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Joshua 13:1-14:15, Luke 18:1-17, Psalm 85:1-13, &Proverbs 13:7-8. Click here to read online.