The book of Proverbs

18/03/2019

I am embarking on a journey through the book of Proverbs for personal edification brothers, if you would like to join me. I would like to read a chapter every day for the next 31 days starting tomorrow. Read and pray… read and pray. Read Prov 1 v 1 – 7 as an introduction and know that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge [and that]
fools despise wisdom and instruction” (v 7)

Have a wonderful week in the presence of our Saviour, knowing He will never leave you nor forsake you. Thank you Lord for your provision in abundance every day.

Proverbs 1 v 23

“Repent at my rebuke!  Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you My teachings.”

Proverbs 2 v 6

“For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

I pray for wisdom, knowledge and understanding – not according to the world’s standards, but God’s standard.  Remember the natural man cannot understand the things of God…. We cannot live from bread alone but from every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.  Have a blessed day

Proverbs 3 v 3 – 6

Love and faithfulness….  Wisdom, understanding and knowledge.  That seems to be the underlying theme of this book with so many hidden treasures.  Read today’s chapter and read it again.  Bind these treasures around your neck and write it on the tablets of your heart, knowing the Lord will be with you every step of the way.

Proverbs 4 v 23

“Above all else, guard your heart, for evreything you do flows from it.” 

Remember it is written that, it’s not what goes into your body that defiles or corrupts it, but what comes out of your body, i.e.  your thoughts, desires, etc.  [paraphrase].  Have a blessed Friday and acknowledge the Lord in everything you do.

Proverbs 5 v 21

“For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and He examines all your paths.”

Run this race on the straight and narrow brothers.  Do not become distracted and do not lose your focus.  This chapter is a warning to all of us.  Pray for knowledge and understanding because all wisdom (and discernment) comes from the Lord.

Proverbs 6 v 16 – 19

“There are six thing the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to Him; haughty eyes,  a lying tongue,  hands that shed innocent blood,  a heart that devises wicked schemes,  feet that are quick to rush into evil,  a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.”

May we not be found guilty of the above and stand blameless before the Lord – today, tomorrow and when He comes, either for us individually or when He returns.  I pray that Thy Word be a lamp onto our feet and a light unto our path.

Proverbs 7 v 1 – 4

Brothers,  my prayer this morning is that the Lord will grant you wisdom and insight into the mysteries of His Kingdom – which is not of this world.  Seek Him with everything you have and I believe He will reveal the hidden treasures in store for us should we obey Him in our walk of faith. Be vigilant and ruthless towards the flesh and long after God’s Word.  May you have a week filled with blessings from above knowing that it is He who sustains us.

Proverbs 8 v 10 & 11

“Choose my instruction instead of silvet, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.”

Seek the Lord’s instruction in all you do brothers for those who find Him find life together with His favour.  I pray for wisdom and discernment with every decision we have to make today.  Amen

Proverbs 9

The table is set brothers…  for those that follow the Lord and also for those who mock Him.  Let’s be found and counted among those who sit around the Lord’s table, for outside there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  Therefore be wise as a serpent yet righteous as a dove, for folly sits around every corner, inviting us in to feast in the dark.  Remember this battle is not against flesh and blood.  Stand firm in your faith for we are entering and have already entered a time where our faithfulness is tested.  Pray with me for God’s protection over us and our loved ones and that we may receive the required discernment to walk in continued faith until the end.  Blessings in Jesus

Proverbs 10 v 9

“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.”

Travel on the straight and narrow brothers during your journey in this life.  Walk in the Spirit and thereby do not fullfill the lusts of the flesh.  Do not take short cuts but do everything diligently in humility and yielding before the Lord.  Have a blessed day

Proverbs 11 v 30

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.”

The Lord says somewhere “you will know them by their fruit…” let’s be a living testimony and bear spiritual fruit, without saying too much so people will notice their is a difference, therefore be wise in your dealings with others in order that they might come to the knowledge of the truth.  Thank you Lord Jesus

Proverbs 14 v 12

“There is a way which seems right to man, but it’s end is the way of death.”

There is this constant contrast between those who are UPRIGHT and those who are WICKED.  Those who are RIGHTEOUS and those who as DECEITFUL.  Those who are SENSIBLE and WISE and those who are FOOLISH.  May we be found among the UPRIGHT  where “Wisdom rests in the heart of the those who have understanding…” (v33)

May your Monday be the start of a blessed week where you walk with Christ in humility and dependance.

Proverbs 15 v 33

“Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honour.”

My thoughts…  “Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of God is understanding”.  (Prov 9 v 10)

Pride and arrogance is the downfall of many a believer.  Been down that path…  I know of the damage it causes.  I don’t want to preach, not my purpose, but once we start showing God the reverance He deserves, we start to understand how insignificant we really are and that we are no better than the next person.  Our sin just has a different name, yet when we humble ourselves before Him and allow His Spirit to work in us and change our whole being, I believe we start to gain insight into what the nature of God is really like.  Were we not made in His image after all?  I pray that the Lord will touch you today and that you will allow Him to have His way.  Amen

Proverbs 16 v 6

“Through love and faithfulness, SIN is atoned for;  through the fear of the Lord EVIL is avoided.”

Need I say more?!  Have a blessed Wednesday.  May the Lord straigthen your path and establish your every step.  Praise to the God of Heaven and Earth!

Proverbs 17 v 3

“The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for golf, but the Lord tests [our] hearts.”

Somewhere it is written “the heart is wicked and deceitful above all things” [paraphrase].

Often we say that our heart says one thing and our mind somethings else.  Shouldn’t that make us think…  think with what?  Or we believe that the Lord has put something on our heart…  Is the heart just a pump then, like some doctors would say?  I don’t believe it for a second.  I believe that our judgement can be overshadowed by our emotions, whether we follow our heart or keep it clinical by simply using our mind – or so we think…  Bottomline for me is that if we do not listen to His still small voice and allow His Spirit to be our guide, we will follow our own way…  which leads to death.  I pray that when the Lord tests your heart and mine, today, that He will find us blameless and innocent like little children, despite our sinful nature

Proverbs 19 v 21

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose [councel] that prevails.”

I believe that regardless of our free will, the Lord will “nudge” us in the right direction, if we continually seek His councel and long to do His will.  As believers we should acknowledge Him in everything we do and trust that He will make everything work together for good for those who love Him.  I have seen how He has made less good decisions work out for good and even with purpose when you turn back to Him.  Thank you Lord for your abundant grace.  Amen

Proverbs 20 v 27

“The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all the innermost parts of his being.”

I believe we are 3-dimensional beings, made in the image of God, (Who is 3-in-1), consisting of spirit, soul and body.  Would you agree?  I believe we have a spirit, regardless of whether one is saved or not…  an awareness that He exists, an awareness of right and wrong, I believe this is where the work of the Spirit in regeneration comes in.  Thank you Lord for giving us your Spirit.  For having opened our eyes, heart and mind to receiving your light.  Brothers, let us run this race in the true spirit of God to receive the ultimate prize when our journey here is complete.  Amen

Proverbs 21 v 3

To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrafice.”

Even though we don’t physically offer sacrafices for our sin, many people believe that “sacraficial works” will grant them the Lord’s favour.  God says that He does not long for offerings, but for us to obey His commandments.  He also says that faith without works means nothing [paraphrase].  I believe one would want to reach out, for example and help those in need, purely as a result of a changed heart and not to score “brownie points”!  My absolute goal is to do what is right and just in the Lord’s eyes simply because it’s the right thing to do.  Are you with me?!

Proverbs 22 v 11

One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend.”

I pray that God will purify our hearts, through the work of His Spirit and that He will guard our tongues so we may speak words of wisdom, words of life, words of grace and words of peace, while being a blessing unto others and be called a friend of the Most High.

Brothers, we are so blessed to serve a living, righteous and just God who is personal and wishes for us to be His children, wanting to have a relationship with Him.  We have received the Word in this country for so long that we have almost become complacent with the truth.  a Truth that has become synonymous with our “christian” lifestyle of going to church (mostly once a week), followed by mid-week bible study, listening to praise and worship on our way to work, etc.  this is not the problem…  I have been there and can testify to what it’s like when you simply go through the motions. 

Why am I mentioning this tonight?  It might seem that I am “preaching” to the converted…  Simply because I see the times ahead of us and it urges me to seek God more and more, like Moses did, like Daniel did and like Paul did.  Living each day as if its my last and trusting in the Lord for provision and direction.  I might sound like I have a bee in my bonnet, probably true but my soul cries out and my spirit longs after God and my body simply has to keep up 😉 let’s pray together to our God in Heaven and seek His will, ask for His guidance and bring each other before His thrown of Grace. 

My prayer this evening is that you will be a light in this world so that those who are lost may find their way to our saviour and receive everlasting life!  Thank you for your involvement in this ministry.  May God bless you and your loved ones. Greetings in Jesus

Proverbs 23 v 12

“Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.”

Verse 14

“My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad indeed;  my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.”

Let’s obey the Lord by opening ourselves up to His instruction. It is pleasing to Him if what we say is right, fair, upbuilding and a blessing to Him and others.  Speak what is right in the Lord’s sight brothers, Utter words of wisdom, bless those around you and above all bless the Lord for He is good.  Amen

Proverbs 24 v 3-4

“By wisdom a house is built and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.”

Let’s say for one moment this house is your whole being…  body, soul and spirit and it has many rooms, of which most of them is only accessible by the Lord as He is the One who searches our hearts – our innermost parts.  Let’s fill up our rooms with treasures that are not destroyed through moth and rust (Matt 6 v 19-20) by living holy lives and as a result be transformed into the image of Christ.  Blessings in Jesus

Proverbs 25 v 21-22

“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;  if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reqard you.”

It’s the hardest thing to give away

And the last thing on your mind today

It always goes to those who don’t deserve

It’s the opposite of how you feel

When they pain they caused is just too real

Takes everything you have to say the word

Forgiveness, forgiveness

It flies in the face of all your pride

It moves away the mad inside

It’s always anger’s own worst enemy

Even when the jury and the judge

Say you’ve got a right to hold a grudge

It’s the whisper in your ear saying set it free

Forgiveness, forgiveness

Forgiveness, forgiveness

Show me how to love the unlovable

Show me how to reach the unreachable

Help me now to do the impossible

Forgiveness, forgiveness

Help me now to do the impossible

Forgiveness

It’ll clear the bitterness away

It can even set a prisoner free

There is no end to what its power can do

So let it go and be amazed by what you see through eyes of grace

The prisoner that it really frees is you

Forgiveness, forgiveness

Forgiveness, forgiveness

Show me how to love the unlovable

Show me how to reach the unreachable

Help me now to do the impossible

Forgiveness

I want finally set it free

Show me how to see what your mercy sees

Help me now to give what You gave to me

Forgiveness, forgiveness

Forgiveness, forgiveness

Proverbs 26 is a chapter of similitude and instructions to be cautious, lest we become like fools and think we are wise in our own eyes…  I believe pride and ignorance is the downfall of many a christian and we should guard our hearts against that.  Do you remember the parable of the pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18 v 9-14)?  You might ask is this relevant?  In vers 12 the Lord says “do you see a man wise in his own eyes, there is more hope for a fool than him.” 

The pharisee surely thought he had arrived, while the tax collector pleaded for mercy and he was no fool.  Moral of the story?  “Humble yourself before the living God and He will exalt you… “ (James 4 v 10)

Proverbs 27 v 1

“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”

Somewhere it is written that we plan for tomorrow, that we will do this and that and go here and there…  yet we don’t know what the next 5 minutes will bring, let alone tomorrow?!  Not that I think for a minute that there is something wrong with planning, as long as our trust is in the Lord. 

This life and the times we live in, is so unpredicatable.  Live each moment of every day as if it is your last.  Love one another, have patience with each other and as mentioned before make time for one another.  Be the shoulder for someone to cry on in their time of need.

Most importantly – seek our Creator with your whole being – do not let a second of a minute or a minute of an hour go by where you do not long fellowship with the Lord. 

Proverbs 28 v 26

“Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.”

Dear brothers in Christ

As we are drawing near to the end of this reading plan I have realized how easily one can rather trust in your own abilities than in the Lord’s timing and provision.  Don’t put your trust in people, the work place and most of all, yourself.  I am guilty of that and should know better.  I pray for wisdom, knowledge and understanding.  I pray that our trust and hope should be put in our Lord and Saviour.  I pray that your walk with Him might be filled with the riches of His blessings – peace, good health, hapiness, joy, laughter, love, wisdom and discernment.  Have a blessed week.  With love in Jesus’ name

Proverbs 29 v 25

“The fear of man brings a snare, but he who trusts in the lord will be exalted [also kept safe].”

We have all probably heard the line “I would rather stand with God and be judged by the world, than stand with the world and be judged by God.”?  Why do we fear men rather than God?  Yes, We have to adhere to certain laws and regulations, but not to such an extent that we reject God’s law and surely we shouldn’t fear men for the sake of our ego?!  Trust in the Lord, fear (revere) Him and He will exalt you.  May the Lord be your safe haven, the rock on which you build your house and may the Lord’s grace carry you through the pain and heartache this world has to offer.  Blessings brothers

Proverbs 30 v 5

“Every word of God is flawless, He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.”

God’s Word provides comfort in times of trouble, brings peace in times of turmoil and gives us hope in times of despair.  Whether written or spoken to us through His Spirit, we can count on every Word to be perfect, flawless and true.  How do we know this?  Not only because it is written, but when we seek and love God with our whole being, when we trust in Jesus for our salvation and sanctification and take refuge in Him – He will reveal Himself to us and his spoken Word will become a light for our path and a lamp for our feet.

Brothers, as we come to the end of a month on Proverbs, I have been blessed in so many ways and also humbled.  For the first time I have read proverbs like this and realize where we (as believers) often go wrong.  If we compare ourselves to the world, do we really live any different?  I hope so.  Do we treat people with respect?  I hope so.  What do we pray for?  I hope it’s for wisdom, knowledge and understanding.  Are we content?  I hope so.  Do we have patience with others. 

There’s always that one person, right?  Do we love others as commanded by the Lord?  I struggle with that sometimes.  Are we in right standing with the Lord.  I pray we are!   Are we really humble?  Be honest with yourself about this.  Do we live knowing that there is life after death and that it matters what we do in this life?  We better or else we could be the ones facing the Almighty when He says, “go away, I never knew you”

My prayer today is that the Lord will give us the strength in Christ, Jesus to overcome the one thing that holds us back from growing closer to Him – our flesh – and as a result project the love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control as believers in order to win others for His kingdom, as they will see the difference – His light – shining through us and would hopefully want to be changed into new creations as we should be. 

Plant that seed brothers through your actions and carefully selected words, especially in the times we live in (be smart) and allow the working of the Spirit to water that seed and watch the power of our Creator go to work.  Amen