God Speaks
How Can a Person Get on in Life–wealth/poverty, laziness/diligence, marital relations, children, friendships, etc.?
Verse of the Day: A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weights the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. (Proverbs 21:2-3 NIV 2011)
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Watch TBR Day 160
We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Proverbs 19-21:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
Proverbs 19
1. The fear of the LORD leads to life. Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.
2. People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the LORD.
Proverbs 20
1. God abhors dishonesty, deception, and lack of discretion in social interactions, farming, business, and work situations, decision making, and family interactions.
2. People should avoid such behaviors and those who insist on doing them.
Proverbs 21
1. The LORD God searches hearts and directs them, rewarding the godly and punishing the wicked as their actions warrant.
2. People can choose to live righteously and receive blessings or wickedly and incur curses.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Proverbs 19-21?
Dear LORD God, teach me to properly fear You; that will lead me to eternal life, now and forever. Then I will rest content, undisturbed by whatever trouble comes my way. Help me to remember not to be angry at You, LORD, (or other people) when I have ruined my life by my own foolishness. Please draw me to return to You instead and receive the mercy and grace You extend to me because of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Help me to practice integrity regardless of my situation in life. I need to slow down and really consider the consequences of my words and actions, exercising discretion as to when and how I express my emotions, especially anger. Show me how to discipline the children in my care in the right ways and to help them to live happy, responsible, meaningful, and long lives. Teach me to be wise and discerning so that I can avoid the punishment that follows foolish attitudes and behavior. I want to be a person who helps the poor, thus lending to You, LORD. This will bring me a reward and You glory, LORD. All-wise and loving Father God, may only You control my thoughts and actions, not alcohol or drugs of any kind. I claim Your peace to help me avoid quarreling, especially with people with whom I strongly disagree. May I resolutely but politely stand for the truth. Help me not only to be open to wise advice, but also to seek it out. I want to be a loyal, reliable friend as well as having at least one. Please show me when I am being lazy and assist me to be more productive. May I be honest in my business dealings and relationships. Thank You for hearing, sight, and Your many other gifts I so often take for granted. Most of all, thank You for the cleansing and freedom from sin that Jesus provided for me through His suffering and death on the cross. Please forgive me for the rash promises I have made to You and not carried through. Only Jesus’ blood can cleanse that guilt. It is Your love and faithfulness, O LORD, that will guide my steps through life. Penetrate my human spirit, exposing every hidden motive. Your discipline purifies my heart. Above all, I desire to bring glory to Your name. O LORD and Father God, please help me to remember that You are in charge even when my leaders seem to be doing the wrong things. May my acts of justice and righteousness be pleasing sacrifices to You. Keep me from lying, laziness, or contentiousness. Purge pride, haughtiness, and deception from my life. Let me learn from the unwise actions of others and not repeat them. May I truly hear the cries of the oppressed and respond appropriately. Keep me on the path of understanding that I might live. May I be wise in my use of the resources You give me. Thank You that I can know that all Your plans and purposes are good and will succeed. All for Your glory, LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Proverbs 19-21? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will not let a person’s poverty or wealth keep me from being a true friend to them.
- I will fear the LORD, which will lead me to Life. Then I will rest content, undisturbed by whatever trouble comes my way.
- I will avoid using alcohol or other intoxicants, anything that would tend to prevent me from thinking clearly and/or acting wisely.
- If called on to make a judgment, I will use discernment and wisdom based on scripture (not my own preferences) and consider people’s actions (not my guess as to their motives).
- I will use physical punishment sparingly with the children for whom I am responsible while telling them, “I love you too much to let you get by with that bad behavior.”
- I will apologize to a person with whom I have been quarrelsome.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.