Proverbs 9

Have you caught a repeating words in Proverbs? the last few chapters have metioned "simple" when talking about wisdom. twice in chapter 9 we read, "Let all who are simple" come in here. I did a little work for ya and I understand simple to be naive. A naive person is led astray easily - or maybe even willingly. So it made me think that if I don't want to be a fool I must put aside my naivity about sin and my selfishness and be on guard to protect wisdom in my life. It's a proactive thing - it's an agressive thing - we must be on the offense to protect wisdom in our life and on the defense to avoid foolishness and sin. Are you simple when it comes to sin (ie: its too easy for you to justify sinning like it's not a big deal?)

Proverbs 8

Could you imagine someone talking about you and when they did they said, "all the words of his/her mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse"? Jesus once said that from the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. So to get to the point where our words are just we have dig deeper into our heart and v.13 connects our heart to our words - they will be just if we "fear the LORD" and "heat evil". How about you? How are your words? Are your words just? Do you hate evil?

Proverbs 7

Unguarded moments...these are the moments we allow ourselves to be in when we are not in the Word of God and walking in the Spirit. this young man left wisdom and pursued foolishness quickly in chapter 7. I think the heart ache in this chapter is in verse 22 when it says, "all at once he followed her..." - it really is like that isn't it? Foolishness happens in a split second...an instant. So how do we prevent ourselves from a moment of weakness? "My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you!" Afterall, Jesus when he was tempted by Satan in the New Testament "at once" quoted scripture. Store up the words of God!

Proverbs 6

16-18: There are six things 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 man who stirs up dissension among brothers. Are any of these descriptors in verses16-18 a part of your life? This chapter shows that following after God is the way to a full life, not an empty one full of deceit. Are you pursuing after God through admitting your faults both to him and others you might have hurt?

Proverbs 5

Wow this chapter really portrayed with vivid language the reality and the importance to steer clear of adultery. I think its amazing the words God uses to describe just how tempting adultery can be. Then turn around and use equally as vivid wording and show how void or even bad you could feel as a result of falling into temptation. Our culture says that it is okay to do whatever and some people believe that everything other than sex is okay or acceptable. But when we look at God's word, it tells us in verse 8: "Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house," We are called to come nowhere close to sexual impurity! How are we doing with purity are we following God's higher standard or settling and accepting the world's excuses?

Proverbs 4

4:13 "Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life."
4:20-21"My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;"

These verses really stood out to me. Do we really hold on to instruction and guard it? How are we doing at keeping God's words in our heart? Are you memorizing Scripture?

Proverbs 3

3:3 "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart." These words are so strong and great imagery about how important love and faithfulness are. This whole chapter is about the benefits of wisdom and reiterating how precious a gift it is from God. Do you see other benefits of wisdom? and if so what are they and how do they play into your life?

Proverbs 2

2:4-5 "and if you look for it (wisdom) as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God." That is so against our culture these days. No one wants to put forth effort, they just want things handed to them. But God calls us to search out wisdom as if we were looking for silver, thats intense! How and what are you doing to earnestly search out wisdom?

Proverbs 1

1:10 - "my son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them." - right off the bat in Proverbs, God challenges us to make sure our friends are good for us and to us! Friends can either bring us closer to God or drag us away from him (both if we let them). So choosing friends is a big deal. How do you go about deciding who your friends are?

Facebook

If you'd rather comment on our facebook group feel free to join the Grace HSM group on facebook. It will be replacing the WOOGSM group on facebook at the end of the summer, so jump on board with our facebook group and start posting your thoughts from Proverbs!

How Not to be a fool

How not to be a fool? Summer is here and there is a lot of empty time in your life already I'm sure. This is a blog designed to challenge us to read God's Word and share what He is doing in our lives together for the summer. What's the challenge? Read a Proverb a day for 31 straight days starting Sunday, June 22nd. As we read, jump onto the blog and post your thoughts and what you're struggling with in life.

It's true that God has designed a satisfying life for you...are you experiencing it? Let's begin the journey together...