1 A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke. Part of a father’s job is to rebuke
2 From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things, but the unfaithful have a craving for violence. Power in the tongue
3 He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.
4 The sluggard craves & gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied. Because they work for it & because God honors diligence (rule that governs the righteous & unrighteous alike)
5 The righteous hate what is false,
but the wicked bring shame & disgrace.
6 Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
7 One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth. Live humbly no matter how much you have, don’t live a showy life
8 A man's riches may ransom his life, but a poor man hears no threat. There are dangers associated with wealth
9 The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
10 Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. Remember this!
11 Dishonest money dwindles away,
but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow. Prudent, consistent investing – steady plodding
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. Do not withhold good from people
13 He who scorns instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command is rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death. Seek this out
15 Good understanding wins favor,
but the way of the unfaithful is hard. Take time to be one of understanding
16 Every prudent man acts out of knowledge, but a fool exposes his folly. Don’t be quick to act (or speak)
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.
18 He who ignores discipline comes to poverty & shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.
19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil. Change is hard, but important
20 He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. Walk with the wise – seek them out
21 Misfortune pursues the sinner, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous.
22 A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous.
23 A poor man's field may produce abundant food, but injustice sweeps it away.
24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him. This applies to business as well
25 The righteous eat to their hearts' content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
The Importance of Instruction (Pvb 13)
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Prayer Focus for Bakersfield
Persistence "...persistent calling upon the Lord breaks through every stronghold of the devil, for nothing is impossible with God." Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, Jim Cymbala p.66
- Pray for the men and women in law enforcement involved in gang suppression
- Matthew 5:9(NIV) [Jesus said] "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God"
- Pray for the families impacted by default's and foreclosures
- 1 Peter 5:11 "Be shepherds of God's flock that are under your care, serving as overseers - not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be"
Monday, February 11, 2008
Truth of Fear
So what is the one thing that cripples us? What is it that no matter how great we are, or how many gifts we have, we hide in a corner hoping for someone or something to helps us out of our hurts, pain, self doubt, worry. Fear is the name of the great crippler. It enfolds around us and holds us back from doing and being God's best. We must explore these thoughts of fear and call them out for what they really are. They are lies from the enemy trying desperately to damage us; keeping us from being affective warriors for God.
Pain and fear some how are always in the back of our minds. We try so hard to avoid them. We would do anything not to have this pain in our lives. Sometimes we try to avoid it so much that we end up drawing more attention to it. Giving pain and fear a window gives it an opportunity to thrive in our hearts and minds. Can we avoid it all together…yes. We can be free from fear! We can have victory. Of course the enemy will always try to use it against us. But once we can identify it for what it is, it we can begin to have victory. You will need the help of God; you can’t do it alone, no matter how much will-power you have. Will-power can only bring you to the point of wanting freedom. But once you bring God on board He can repair the way you think, and how your spirit feels. Then He can begin to recondition you for hope, love and healing. And not only hope, love and healing, but He can then use you to touch others and impact the kingdom of God in ways you never knew possible. - Rece Davies
Friday, February 8, 2008
Proverbs 8
1 Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? (not hidded – clear – if you are listening)
2 On the heights along the way, where the paths meet (decisions), she takes her stand;
3 beside the gates leading into the city,
at the entrances, she cries aloud:
4 "To you, O men, I call out;
I raise my voice to all mankind. (not just Christians (not the HS) woven into the fabric of the world – Logos)
5 You who are simple, gain prudence;
you who are foolish, gain understanding.
6 Listen, for I have worthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right. (you can miss it)
7 My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness.
8 All the words of my mouth are just; none of them are crooked or perverse.
9 To the discerning all of them are right; they are faultless to those who have knowledge.
10 Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold,
11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
12 "I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.
13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power.
15 By me kings reign and rulers make laws that are just;
16 by me princes govern, and all nobles who rule on earth.
17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.
18 With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.
19 My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver.
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,
along the paths of justice,
21 bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.
22 "The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old
23 I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began.
24 When there were no oceans, I was given birth, when there were no springs abounding with water;
25 before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth,
26 before he made the earth or its fields
or any of the dust of the world.
27 I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,
28 when he established the clouds above & fixed securely the fountains of the deep
29 when he gave the sea its boundary
so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.
30 Then I was the craftsman at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence,
31 rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.
32 "Now then, my sons, listen to me;
blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.
34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.
35 For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD.
36 But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death."
