Prov. 3

Wow! Something people have been striving for for years - long life, and, with the added bonus of peace. How do we get that long life? By keeping the Lord's commandments and teachings. This may sound rather difficult or boring to some, but Jesus said in Matthew 11:30 that His yoke is easy and His load is light. He basically boils it all down to loving Him. When we love the Lord and trust Him (not our limited understanding of what's going on), and allow Him to work, He directs our paths. Again, Wow! Many times I have no idea where the path is going that He's taking me on, but I know it's better than any path I could strike out on by myself.

Today, March 19th, 2008, is our 20th anniversary. This has been quite a journey and the path has sometimes been rocky and difficult, especially when I've been walking on my own. However, when I trust the Lord and let Him lead me, He makes the way straight. I know what I'm supposed to do and He gives me the strength to do it, if I will lean on Him.

I love the next verse - do not be wise in your own eyes. How many times have I thought I had something under control, or given "advice" to someone, only to have it be sooo wrong. We're back to that fearing the Lord idea again. Interesting that this verse has 1. not being wise in your own eyes, 2. fear the Lord and 3. turn from evil, all together. Hmmmm, I do believe He's trying to tell me that when I think I've got it all together, it's actually evil, because, I'm not fearing Him. In other words, I'm taking His place (He alone is wise) and not needing Him. Ouch.

Verse 9 tells us to honor the Lord with the *first* of our produce and our wealth. God doesn't need our money. He owns it all. But, we need to give it to Him, to remind us that we don't own it all.

Verses 11 and 12 remind me that the Lord is a loving father that will discipline and reprove when necessary. Just as we correct our children out of love (or at least that's supposed to be why we correct them), God does with us. Hebrews 12:4-11 expands this idea that the Lord disciplines those He loves. Verse 8 says that if He doesn't discipline us, that we are not His children. Verse 11 says that the discipline doesn't feel good for a time, but in the end, when we've been *trained* by it, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. I'm so thankful for God's correction. Does it hurt? Oh yes. Does it train? Most definately.

The next several verses talk of wisdom and how blessed the man is who finds it. Where do we go to find wisdom? Again, James 1:5 tells us if we lack wisdom to ask of God, and He'll give it generously and without reproach. There's lots of wisdom out there today. Alot of it is the world's wisdom. Some of it is my wisdom (or what I think is wisdom). The only wisdom that grants us the benefits listed in these verses is from the Lord. The only way to get His wisdom is to ask Him for it.

There is so much more in this chapter, but I've gone on long enough. However, I, too, will point out that the Lord curses the house of the wicked (that's simply those who act as if there is no God), but blesses the home of the righteous (those in right standing with Him). Lord, may I and my family be right before You.

Kim

Mona's comments on Proberbs 3

To start this comment let me take a minute and let you all know how much I enjoy Bible Gateway. It is so helpful to me to have the ability to look up the same verse in different versions.
At the beginning of this chapter it talks about never forget the things God has taught you. I think this is very important due to the fact you will never know when you can share what you have learned with someone else to help them out or even show them the love of Christ. If you do this you will have a "satisfying". Again like we discussed before not without pain, suffering or other hurts. But SATISFYING. I love how it talks earning a good reputation. This reminds me of the old saying if you were on trail for being a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict you? In version of the Message "Trust God from the bottom of your heart and to listen for God's voice in everything you do and everywhere you go" all I can say is "WOW"! Honor God with everything you own in one version and honor God with your wealth in another version. I think that this speaks for it self. Something for all of us to think about.
I love how it talk about not to be upset when God corrects you or give you discipline. I don't know about you but I have learned how to "love" this. I remembering being younger and being caught red handed in doing something wrong how I would try and cover up the wrong by lying or hiding things from my parents. It would always snowball and the punishment would be so much bigger. Now when it is brought to my attention I truly try and accept the wrong apoligize and repent (uturn from wrong). I find that this way is so much easier than trying to blame someone else or lye about the problem.
I also like how you are encouraged to guard, hang on to Clear Thinking, Common Sense and Discernment that they will refresh your soul, keep you fit and attractive.
Never walk away from someone who needs help. It is not telling us to investigate if they truly need help That your hand is God's hand to those in need. NIV state " Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it's in your power to help them" This could be a word of encouragement, helping someone around the house, giving of material gifts or even paying their bills. Again ours is not to question if they truly need the help.
In closing I would just like to remind you that God curses the house of the wicked, but blesses the home of the upright. verse33. I don't know about you but I would much rather live in an upright home that is blessed.

I love doing this study and wanted it to be a light to a dark world. I am truly sorry it has been so long since my last post. Please hang in there with me as I try and get my thoughts on Gods word in a little bit more timely fashion. May God Bless You!!
Mona

Prov. 2 - Kim

Mona - I agree, walking a straight, clear path is much easier, and safer. That doesn't mean it's not challenging, just clear where we should be.

One of the things that strikes me in Prov. 2 is in the first verse: "... if you will..." . That means I have a choice. I can choose to receive God's instructions and treasure them in my heart, or I can choose to throw them out the window and do things my own way. The last three verses clearly state the outcome of the choices, but it's still my choice. God isn't going to force me to seek Him. I also know that if I choose to seek Him that I can ask for wisdom (James 1:5) and He'll freely give it, without shaming me for asking.

The next thing I notice is that there are two "then"s. One is in verse 5. If I will recive, treasure, be attentive, incline my hear, cry for discernment, lift my voice for understanding, seek wisdom as silver and search for it as hidden treasure, then I will discern the fear of the LORD and discover knowledge. Those words are all action words, meaning, I don't just sit like a bump on a log waiting for this sudden flash of understanding. I need to be in prayer and in His Word.

Also, verse 9 says "Then I will discern righteousness and justice and equity and every good course." Again, I'm not going to be able to do these things if I'm not actively seeking after the Lord.

The final thing I noticed is that the word "discern" or "discernment" is used 3 times in the first 9 verses. Websters defines discern as:1. To make out as with the eye or by the mind; to see; to understand; to detect. 2. To identify as separate and distinct; to discriminate. ie. To see or understand the difference; to make a distinction. A synonym is perceive. Plug these definitions into where the word is used and it kinda opens up some meaning.

Lord, may these thoughts first and foremost be Yours, and may they not go in one ear and out the other. May I be willing and seeking. Amen.

Proverbs 2

I have to tell you if you have not visited the link Bible Gateway you really need to... I enjoyed reading this chapter in "The Message" although I did my views on the NIV. In this chapter at the beginning where it talked about searching for wisdom, understanding and knowledge like you were seaching for silver or for a hidden treasure. This made me think of the movie National Treasure, they were consumed about finding the treasure. It was all they thought of and that it was something that he had studied for almost his whole life. It was also not an easy to find some of the clues. I think so many of us think as Christians our lives will be easy and it is really not. I love how later on in the chapter it talks about about victory and walking blameless... I think what that means to me is that we can not let what others do or believe let us stray... We have to be responsible for our own actions and words. I love in Proverbs 3:6 it states In all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make your path straight. I have done a lot of hiking and would rather hike a straight path then a crocked one. It also speaks of how wisdom will enter your heart I never thought of wisdom in my heart to me it seems like a brain thing... And knowledge in my soul. I have to think about these things for awhile... It describes wicked, evil, crooked, adulteress and other horrible things. I would much rather walk in the ways of good men and keep to the paths of righteous and live in the land. To me i think that is where accountability takes hold.. We as sisters and brothers in Christ need to be able to say things like I don't think what you are doing is okay.. or meet with other believers and study His word to help some of us choose a path that is crooked.
I look forward to hearing what you have gotten out of this chapter. If I can pray for you for anything please let me know. Love Ya and carry on!!

Proberbs 1 - Kim

I really enjoy looking at what is said about "the fear of the Lord." We'll see this phrase many times in the book of Proverbs. This kind of fear is what I always felt for my dad, magnified hundreds of times. I never wanted to hurt my dad or see him disappointed in me. Magnified over and over is what fearing the Lord is, not wanting to do or say anything that would hurt my heavenly Father. In this case not wanting to do anything to hurt my Father is the begining of knowledge.

I also think about the fool who despises wisdom and instruction. Psalm 14:1 says,"The fool has said in his heart 'There is no God.'" A fool is someone who has no need of God. I can even be a fool for a time when I'm living life on my own, not trusting in and seeking the Lord. When I'm living that way, I do despise wisdom and instruction, as I generally am not in the Word and prayer. It's a good reminder to be walking with the Lord, not on my own.

Proverbs 1 - Mona

As I read this first chapter several things come to mind. It talks in parrables which is hard to understand and leaves a lot to how each one reads it in certain times of there lives. I keep going back to To fear the Lord is the begining..... What exactly does that mean to me??? It is hard to think of fear for me I feel respect is more how i feel. Then to achive a diciplined and prudent life.... This actually sounds like music to my ears. Very predictable and easy although I am sure that is not what was intended. My life seems to be running in several directions and not to prudent. In a footnote it says translation for a fool is morally deficient.... and simple without moral direction, inclined to evil. So I guess I don't want to be a simple fool that is for sure.

I am so excited to see what others bring to the table with chapter one in Proverbs.... I would like to say a special THANKS to Bekah for spending so much time making this site look so beautiful!!