Day 9 – Chapter 9
Another reminder of where wisdom begins, with God. Vs. 10 ( NIV) “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
Vs. 10-12 (message) Skilled living gets its start in the Fear-of-God,
insight into life from knowing a Holy God.
It's through me, Lady Wisdom, that your life deepens,
and the years of your life ripen.
Live wisely and wisdom will permeate your life;
mock life and life will mock you.
I love, “insight into life from knowing a Holy God.” BEAUTIFUL!!!
Next “it’s through me, Lady Wisdom, that your life deepens,” I have truly been experiencing this over the past couple years and I want to go deeper and deeper, I just can’t seem to get enough and that’s exciting!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
Day 8 - Chapter 8
Day 8 – Chapter 8
Few things going through my mind all day as I contemplate chapter 8 in my head… it’s amazing how sometimes I can sit down and write a novel and other days I need time to embrace what I’m reading, even re-reading a few times.
Vs 5-6 (Message) “Listen, you idiots – learn good sense! You blockheads- shape up! Don’t miss a word of this – I’m telling you how to live well, I’m telling you to live at your best.”
Vs 33 (Message) “Mark a life of discipline and live wisely”
These two verses stick out to me because my thoughts have recently been wrapped around the idea that so many Christians think it’s ok to live however they so choose. That God will always forgive them, granted YES he will…. God will always forgive us but it makes me wonder if we continue to “do whatever we want” knowing that we can always repent afterwards – is that right? Not in my bible, we must sincerely repent and walk away from the ungodly lifestyle. The more we know God, the easier this is. I never want to be accused of having the ‘he’ll (God) forgive me tomorrow attitude.” I want the “I have chosen to walk awake from the darkest and into the light FOREVER and in ALL aspects of my life attitude.” I am grateful for a loving, forgiving God but I don’t ever want to assume I can live however I want because God will always forgive me. I want to know his words and live accordingly always. In vs. 5-6 Hello!! God is shouting the answer out to us, vs. 33, if we truly lived a disciplined life than our desire to walk down the wrong path won’t be there, it’s our choice.
1 Th 5:23-24 (NIV) May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he'll do it!
1 Th 2:13 (NIV) 13And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.
The chapter ends with such a clear cut answer vs. 35-36 (NIV), “For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord, but whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”
I FOUND JESUS!!!! Have you???
Few things going through my mind all day as I contemplate chapter 8 in my head… it’s amazing how sometimes I can sit down and write a novel and other days I need time to embrace what I’m reading, even re-reading a few times.
Vs 5-6 (Message) “Listen, you idiots – learn good sense! You blockheads- shape up! Don’t miss a word of this – I’m telling you how to live well, I’m telling you to live at your best.”
Vs 33 (Message) “Mark a life of discipline and live wisely”
These two verses stick out to me because my thoughts have recently been wrapped around the idea that so many Christians think it’s ok to live however they so choose. That God will always forgive them, granted YES he will…. God will always forgive us but it makes me wonder if we continue to “do whatever we want” knowing that we can always repent afterwards – is that right? Not in my bible, we must sincerely repent and walk away from the ungodly lifestyle. The more we know God, the easier this is. I never want to be accused of having the ‘he’ll (God) forgive me tomorrow attitude.” I want the “I have chosen to walk awake from the darkest and into the light FOREVER and in ALL aspects of my life attitude.” I am grateful for a loving, forgiving God but I don’t ever want to assume I can live however I want because God will always forgive me. I want to know his words and live accordingly always. In vs. 5-6 Hello!! God is shouting the answer out to us, vs. 33, if we truly lived a disciplined life than our desire to walk down the wrong path won’t be there, it’s our choice.
1 Th 5:23-24 (NIV) May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he'll do it!
1 Th 2:13 (NIV) 13And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.
The chapter ends with such a clear cut answer vs. 35-36 (NIV), “For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord, but whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”
I FOUND JESUS!!!! Have you???
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Day 7 - Chapter 7
Wow, right away we are reminded, vs 1-3
“1 My son, keep my words
and store up my commands within you.
2 Keep my commands and you will live;
guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
3 Bind them on your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
God definitely knew that we don’t listen well for him to remind us the importance of hiding Gods word in our heart. A switched just flipped in my head so stress the importance of this, if we know God than life IS easier, I can personally attest to this. Going on to Vs 4 reminding us that Gods wisdom will keep us from adultery. It’s amazing the power behind wisdom!
The rest of the chapter I picture in my head a movie we have all seen a hundred times! That a woman’s husband is gone and she’s beautiful, and that poor man is so easily ‘sweet talked Proverbs 5:3-4). This poor soul who must not have a firm grip on Gods commands; let’s face it, the more we know our heavenly father the easier it is to recognize satan’s traps.
“1 My son, keep my words
and store up my commands within you.
2 Keep my commands and you will live;
guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
3 Bind them on your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
God definitely knew that we don’t listen well for him to remind us the importance of hiding Gods word in our heart. A switched just flipped in my head so stress the importance of this, if we know God than life IS easier, I can personally attest to this. Going on to Vs 4 reminding us that Gods wisdom will keep us from adultery. It’s amazing the power behind wisdom!
The rest of the chapter I picture in my head a movie we have all seen a hundred times! That a woman’s husband is gone and she’s beautiful, and that poor man is so easily ‘sweet talked Proverbs 5:3-4). This poor soul who must not have a firm grip on Gods commands; let’s face it, the more we know our heavenly father the easier it is to recognize satan’s traps.
Day 6 - Chapter 6
Day 6 – Chapter 6
The first verse that catches my attention in chapter 6 is vs. 6, “you lazy fool, look at an aunt, Watch is closely; let it teach you a thing or two.” The very beginning of this verse is so much more impacting than I would have realized a few years ago, “Lazy fool” I read this and I think of being a lazy, (Uncommitted, putting other things before God, “Martha Spirit.”) Than the next word fool meaning someone who is completely without moral standings. Psalm 14:1”The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.” Psalm 92:6 “The senseless man does not know, fools do not understand,” There are a hundred verses and that clearly help us understand the meaning of fool. How would I explain what God is saying in verse 6: “Do not allow stuff to get in the way of finding God, make is a priority to dig into God daily, or you will end up not understanding His ways.”
Next few verses that I want to remember are verses 16-19
Seven Things God Hates
16-19 Here are six things God hates,
and one more that he loathes with a passion:
eyes that are arrogant,
a tongue that lies,
hands that murder the innocent,
a heart that hatches evil plots,
feet that race down a wicked track,
a mouth that lies under oath,
a troublemaker in the family.
*Speaks for themselves…
Again in chapter 6 ‘adultery’ is brought up. Vs. 20 “My son, keep your father’s commands and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck.” Wow, we have definitely heard this before going back to chapter 1:8-9 and 2:1-2, I am glad this has caught my attention- King Solomon continues to repeat this and we are only 6 chapters in, hence, the importance of knowing Gods word.
Again I read the adultery section and I think it is discussing the physical and spiritual. Spiritual adultery against God as well as physical against God and your commitment to your spouse. Reminds me of lent, that we committed to giving something up something in honor of God and we can easily become persuaded into given into our temptation.
The first verse that catches my attention in chapter 6 is vs. 6, “you lazy fool, look at an aunt, Watch is closely; let it teach you a thing or two.” The very beginning of this verse is so much more impacting than I would have realized a few years ago, “Lazy fool” I read this and I think of being a lazy, (Uncommitted, putting other things before God, “Martha Spirit.”) Than the next word fool meaning someone who is completely without moral standings. Psalm 14:1”The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.” Psalm 92:6 “The senseless man does not know, fools do not understand,” There are a hundred verses and that clearly help us understand the meaning of fool. How would I explain what God is saying in verse 6: “Do not allow stuff to get in the way of finding God, make is a priority to dig into God daily, or you will end up not understanding His ways.”
Next few verses that I want to remember are verses 16-19
Seven Things God Hates
16-19 Here are six things God hates,
and one more that he loathes with a passion:
eyes that are arrogant,
a tongue that lies,
hands that murder the innocent,
a heart that hatches evil plots,
feet that race down a wicked track,
a mouth that lies under oath,
a troublemaker in the family.
*Speaks for themselves…
Again in chapter 6 ‘adultery’ is brought up. Vs. 20 “My son, keep your father’s commands and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck.” Wow, we have definitely heard this before going back to chapter 1:8-9 and 2:1-2, I am glad this has caught my attention- King Solomon continues to repeat this and we are only 6 chapters in, hence, the importance of knowing Gods word.
Again I read the adultery section and I think it is discussing the physical and spiritual. Spiritual adultery against God as well as physical against God and your commitment to your spouse. Reminds me of lent, that we committed to giving something up something in honor of God and we can easily become persuaded into given into our temptation.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Day 5 - Chapter 5
Day 5 – Chapter 5
First I have to say I had a hard time getting this chapter down on paper, I explain and discussed it with my dad, I talked about with some ladies at lunch but I going t osay I firmly believe what is typed is suppossed to be.... no less.... no more....
When I first read chapter 5 I was thinking hmm… this is a chapter for men. Than realize this chapter is King Solomon discussing the topic of adultery with his son. Then the light bulb went off on my head that this is can be applied to any parent that has kids, even anyone with kids in the life, roll models etc…
After reading this we can easily assume the topic is clear cut about adultery but I believe if we look further into the message in the proverbs is also about commitment. When we make a commitment to another person (vowels) or God, or anyone we need to fully ‘jump in” spiritually and physically. When we lack at all in our spiritual walk how easy it is for ‘adultery’ to enter into our lives. Hence, the first sin, adultery against God. Reconfirming the importance in staying connected to God on a daily basis.
As anyone in any kind of leadership, authority over a child- mentoring a young adult, we must remember the importance of how easily satan can temp us and get us off track if our focus is not on God – we need to teach this to our children, God first.
First I have to say I had a hard time getting this chapter down on paper, I explain and discussed it with my dad, I talked about with some ladies at lunch but I going t osay I firmly believe what is typed is suppossed to be.... no less.... no more....
When I first read chapter 5 I was thinking hmm… this is a chapter for men. Than realize this chapter is King Solomon discussing the topic of adultery with his son. Then the light bulb went off on my head that this is can be applied to any parent that has kids, even anyone with kids in the life, roll models etc…
After reading this we can easily assume the topic is clear cut about adultery but I believe if we look further into the message in the proverbs is also about commitment. When we make a commitment to another person (vowels) or God, or anyone we need to fully ‘jump in” spiritually and physically. When we lack at all in our spiritual walk how easy it is for ‘adultery’ to enter into our lives. Hence, the first sin, adultery against God. Reconfirming the importance in staying connected to God on a daily basis.
As anyone in any kind of leadership, authority over a child- mentoring a young adult, we must remember the importance of how easily satan can temp us and get us off track if our focus is not on God – we need to teach this to our children, God first.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Day 4 - Chapter 4
”I give you sound learning, so not forsake my teaching” ( Vs. 2 NIV) or “I’m giving you good counsel; don’t let it go in one ear and out the other.” (Vs. 2 Message) People all over can tell us they have perfect advice, or teach exactly the way it should be done etc….. The truth is we all need to go deeper into Gods word and find it for ourselves. I absolutely believe that God prompts the Holy Spirit to speak through people all the time; I also believe that it is most important that we take the initiative to find the answers as well and not always rely on others.
Vs. 6 “Never walk away from wisdom – she guards you life.” (M) This might be hard to grasp, Find God- find wisdom- and we will know what paths we should walk down. By obtaining wisdom from God we are protected by simply knowing right from wrong which in the end leads us to eternal life or not.
“Evil people are restless unless they’re making trouble; they can’t get good night’s sleep unless they’ve made life miserable for somebody.” (Vs 16-17 M) Can we say, ‘misery loves company.’
The message bible titles these next few verses as, “Learn it by Heart.” Vs 20-27 to me this is the way to live – can’t get any clearer than this….
20-22 Dear friend, listen well to my words;
tune your ears to my voice.
Keep my message in plain view at all times.
Concentrate! Learn it by heart!
Those who discover these words live, really live;
body and soul, they're bursting with health.
23-27 Keep vigilant watch over your heart;
that's where life starts.
Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth;
avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.
Keep your eyes straight ahead;
ignore all sideshow distractions.
Watch your step,
and the road will stretch out smooth before you.
Look neither right nor left;
leave evil in the dust.
Verse 23 in the NIV says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” This verse take me to Matthew 12:33-35 (New International Version) 33"Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. 34You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 35The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.
I want nothing more than good- overflowing from my heart -out of my mouth and into others lives!!!
Vs. 6 “Never walk away from wisdom – she guards you life.” (M) This might be hard to grasp, Find God- find wisdom- and we will know what paths we should walk down. By obtaining wisdom from God we are protected by simply knowing right from wrong which in the end leads us to eternal life or not.
“Evil people are restless unless they’re making trouble; they can’t get good night’s sleep unless they’ve made life miserable for somebody.” (Vs 16-17 M) Can we say, ‘misery loves company.’
The message bible titles these next few verses as, “Learn it by Heart.” Vs 20-27 to me this is the way to live – can’t get any clearer than this….
20-22 Dear friend, listen well to my words;
tune your ears to my voice.
Keep my message in plain view at all times.
Concentrate! Learn it by heart!
Those who discover these words live, really live;
body and soul, they're bursting with health.
23-27 Keep vigilant watch over your heart;
that's where life starts.
Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth;
avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.
Keep your eyes straight ahead;
ignore all sideshow distractions.
Watch your step,
and the road will stretch out smooth before you.
Look neither right nor left;
leave evil in the dust.
Verse 23 in the NIV says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” This verse take me to Matthew 12:33-35 (New International Version) 33"Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. 34You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 35The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.
I want nothing more than good- overflowing from my heart -out of my mouth and into others lives!!!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Day 3 - Chapter 3
I love God’s sense of Humor!! Yesterday I wanted more - today there was so much to be taken in I thought, this chapter could be a 2 day process!!!!!!!! LOVE IT!!!!!!
The first topic of choice would be vs. 3, love and loyalty. “Don’t lose your grip on Love and Loyalty, Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart.” (Vs 3 Message) Showing our love for God can be done in many ways, learning and understanding his word is a great way to start. Becoming Mrs. Loyal seems to be the tricky part. When I read about Lady Loyal the thoughts that spin through my mind are, ‘commitment, honor, change, our actions.” Looking at Christianity overall we have become an un-loyal group of followers, not everyone but a sad percentage. We say we love God but then choose to only follow half the time, we MUST be sold out in EVERY aspect of life, which will require the sacrifice of ‘worldly things’ because in the end do the things of the world really fulfill our hearts - NOPE. Vs.35 (message) “Wise living gets rewarded with honor; stupid living gets the booby prize.”
My second topic of choice that was clear in the chapter tends to be a touchy one but with extremely high value in our lives and our walk with the Lord- tithe. Vs. 9 (NIV) “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with your first fruits of all your crops.” Vs 9 (message) “Honor God with everything you own, give him the first and the best.” I am not sure why this topic is such a touchy, sensitive topic, but it really bothers me that is has become one. Tithing IS a part of worship and God directs us to give our ‘first - the best’ to Him before anyone or anything else. I have recently grown into my tithing experience, I have always tithed because it’s biblical but I have found the true excitement behind tithe - I look forward to tithing because I have experienced the many blessing that come from being faithful. Malachi 3:10 “10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”
My third topic of choice is vs. 5-12, I won’t type it all out but this to me is what it is saying. We need to trust God with 100% of our life, in EVERY situation, and NOT ‘figure everything out on our own’ (vs. 5). This is extremely hard to do but I can honestly say that when we completely let go of our own grip, the journey is much easier to cope with. I love how the message says, Vs. 7b “Run to God!” with a big exclamation point. We tend to run to everyone else first… but we must first Run to God, give it to Him and KNOW that he always has the best outcome for us. This section ends with us being reminded that God teaches us in tough times, those times that we tend to feel like he isn’t there - He is! And we need to open our eyes and see what he is trying to show us. He instructs us for our own good.
The next few verses that made a big impact in my heart were verses 21-2 (message)
21-26 Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life;
don't for a minute lose sight of them.
They'll keep your soul alive and well,
they'll keep you fit and attractive.
You'll travel safely,
you'll neither tire nor trip.
You'll take afternoon naps without a worry,
you'll enjoy a good night's sleep.
No need to panic over alarms or surprises,
or predictions that doomsday's just around the corner,
Because God will be right there with you;
he'll keep you safe and sound.
I hope that after these 31 days you will experience a new freedom and joy - a direct result from spending quality time with God everyday! Ending, “Because God will be right there with you; he’ll keep you safe and sound.” He walks with us through everything, he never leaves us - we just don’t look for Him. It is our responsibility and blessed opportunity to seek Him in everything, because when we do…we will find Him!
The first topic of choice would be vs. 3, love and loyalty. “Don’t lose your grip on Love and Loyalty, Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart.” (Vs 3 Message) Showing our love for God can be done in many ways, learning and understanding his word is a great way to start. Becoming Mrs. Loyal seems to be the tricky part. When I read about Lady Loyal the thoughts that spin through my mind are, ‘commitment, honor, change, our actions.” Looking at Christianity overall we have become an un-loyal group of followers, not everyone but a sad percentage. We say we love God but then choose to only follow half the time, we MUST be sold out in EVERY aspect of life, which will require the sacrifice of ‘worldly things’ because in the end do the things of the world really fulfill our hearts - NOPE. Vs.35 (message) “Wise living gets rewarded with honor; stupid living gets the booby prize.”
My second topic of choice that was clear in the chapter tends to be a touchy one but with extremely high value in our lives and our walk with the Lord- tithe. Vs. 9 (NIV) “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with your first fruits of all your crops.” Vs 9 (message) “Honor God with everything you own, give him the first and the best.” I am not sure why this topic is such a touchy, sensitive topic, but it really bothers me that is has become one. Tithing IS a part of worship and God directs us to give our ‘first - the best’ to Him before anyone or anything else. I have recently grown into my tithing experience, I have always tithed because it’s biblical but I have found the true excitement behind tithe - I look forward to tithing because I have experienced the many blessing that come from being faithful. Malachi 3:10 “10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”
My third topic of choice is vs. 5-12, I won’t type it all out but this to me is what it is saying. We need to trust God with 100% of our life, in EVERY situation, and NOT ‘figure everything out on our own’ (vs. 5). This is extremely hard to do but I can honestly say that when we completely let go of our own grip, the journey is much easier to cope with. I love how the message says, Vs. 7b “Run to God!” with a big exclamation point. We tend to run to everyone else first… but we must first Run to God, give it to Him and KNOW that he always has the best outcome for us. This section ends with us being reminded that God teaches us in tough times, those times that we tend to feel like he isn’t there - He is! And we need to open our eyes and see what he is trying to show us. He instructs us for our own good.
The next few verses that made a big impact in my heart were verses 21-2 (message)
21-26 Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life;
don't for a minute lose sight of them.
They'll keep your soul alive and well,
they'll keep you fit and attractive.
You'll travel safely,
you'll neither tire nor trip.
You'll take afternoon naps without a worry,
you'll enjoy a good night's sleep.
No need to panic over alarms or surprises,
or predictions that doomsday's just around the corner,
Because God will be right there with you;
he'll keep you safe and sound.
I hope that after these 31 days you will experience a new freedom and joy - a direct result from spending quality time with God everyday! Ending, “Because God will be right there with you; he’ll keep you safe and sound.” He walks with us through everything, he never leaves us - we just don’t look for Him. It is our responsibility and blessed opportunity to seek Him in everything, because when we do…we will find Him!
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