Proverbs 25

Today I chose Proverbs 25:28 which reads: "Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control." When I think of someone with a lack of self-control I think of a person with poor boundaries. A person with a lack of self-control would be quick to let something or someone bother them and in turn be quick to lash out in response. If you were to look at a person's boundaries as a wall around a city the wall would keep people or at least irritations out. If there are no walls/boundaries how easy is it for people to barge in.

Proverbs 24

Today I chose Proverbs 24:10 which reads: "If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength!" I think this goes beyond the obvious statement of being weak if you falter in times of trouble. It is easy to feel confident and secure when times are bad but the real test is one bad times come. This can also be applied to times when we are being tested by the devil or tempted. Shows how important it is to continue to read the word even if we are doing fine spiritual. If we don't have any thing to fall back on to help us we will succumb to the temptation more easily.

Proverbs 23

Today I chose Proverbs 23:15-16 which reads: "My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad; my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right." Wisdom is not only good for us, it not only keeps us out of trouble, it not only brings us closer to God, it also makes God glad and rejoice.

Proverbs 22

As you can see, I have fallen behind (way behind) on doing my one proverb a day. Rather than just saying forget it I will simply pick up today where I left off. Today I chose Proverbs 22:3 which reads: "A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it." This reminds me of another expression or question. What is the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over again expecting to get different results. While this is probably not exactly what is meant here it is very close. We have all heard people ask the question "Why does this keep happening to me?". If you were to look close enough you would probably find that they are doing a particular action that results in the troubles. For example, I have had many female friends who get into relationships that are doomed to fail. I am not saying this is just women or all women but the friends I am referring to have been women. They meet a guy who ignores them and does not give them time and complain about it rather than moving on to find someone who does treat them well. They will go after guy after guy who does the exact same thing. Yet others will continue to go back to the same person over and over and expecting different results each time. I guess this came to mind since I recently had a conversation with one of these friends about to do the same thing with the same person for the third time. Just in case anyone would read this and think of me nuts for making that connection to this scripture.

Proverbs 21

Today I chose Proverbs 21:23 which reads: "He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity." I like this one because I cannot count the number of times I have either put my foot in my mouth or said something I wish I could take back. I was thinking before I spoke or guarding my tongue.

Proverbs 20

Today I chose Proverbs 20:1 which reads: "Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise." Only thing I can say is this question. How many times do you know of that someone made a really good decision after they have been drinking?

Proverbs 19

Today I chose Proverbs 19:19 which reads: "A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do it again." I'm sure anyone reading this knows someone who is constantly making the same mistake. Over and over and over. Be it an addiction, spending money, or just poor decision-making. Some people make a mistake and you help them and they go on their way. Other people you bail out once and they keep coming back to be bailed out for the same things.

Proverbs 18

Today I chose Proverbs 18:11 which reads: "The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it an unscalable wall." This verse is not saying that wealth is secure. It is saying exactly the opposite. The rich imagine what that their wealth will make them secure. Real security comes from God and from within and not from material things.

Proverbs 17

Today I chose Proverbs 17:22 which reads: "A cheerful heart is good medicine, part a crushed spirit dries up the bones." You ever wonder why two people with the exact same condition can have completely different outcomes? One person will die quickly and the other will actually recover or at least live much longer than the first. All other things being equal it has a lot to do with attitude. A negative attitude and you will see everything as a disaster and lose hope. A positive attitude and you see hope. I personally believe that a positive attitude is why I am still alive and kicking while so many others with my condition die younger. Don't get me wrong, I do not mean to say or imply they didn't live this long simply because they were negative. There are a lot more factors that go into something like that. But the positive attitude is very helpful and can add years to your life.

Proverbs 16

Today I chose Proverbs 16:9 which reads: "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." We as humans can make what ever plans we like but ultimately it is God who determines what actually happens. I always like to say if you want to make God laugh tell him your plans. We like to plan as if we are in complete control but that is impossible or at least an illusion.

Proverbs 15

Today I chose Proverbs 15:1 which reads: "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." If you approach someone angrily how do you think they will respond? Angrily in return. If someone comes to you angry and you stay calm and gentle and loving chances are they will calm down. Not a guaranteed of course. You will definitely get better results returning kindness.

Proverbs 14

Today I chose Proverbs 14:29 which reads: "A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly." I think the reason a patient man has great understanding is because he allows himself the time to gain understanding. Someone who is impatient is going to try to find shortcuts. He might get there but it is going to take at least twice as long. Also, someone who is quick with their tongue and temper usually looks very foolish. They are quick to judge and criticize which leads to them jumping to conclusions only to be corrected later. Looking foolish.

Proverbs 13

Today I chose Proverbs 13:20 which reads: "He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm." If you want to be wise you should seek out people to be around who are wise. If you are looking for advice on a topic you look for someone who is an expert on that topic. If you were looking for advice on how to run a business would you ask someone who never has run a business or worse yet run one in the ground? Of course not. You wouldn't ask someone who runs or has run a successful business.

I am not in control

Today on the way back from church we were discussing whether or not to go to the night of worship at the CityPlace campus at 7 p.m.. We get home and tried to open the back doors of the van to let the lift down so I could get out. The door refused to open. A few months ago someone had tampered with the lock for that door but it would still open. Then about a month after that it would only open from the inside. So my father had to carry me from the van into the house and then lift the chair onto the ground. So needless to say any plans we had made were mute. Further evidence that I am not in control, God is.

Proverbs 12

Today I chose Proverbs 12:16 which reads: "A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult." I can remember several instances in my life when I had quickly taken offense to a comment someone has made causing me to respond inappropriately only to find out I had misunderstood them or their intentions. If I would have stayed calm and asked them to clarify I would have avoided embarrassment.

Proverbs 11

Today I chose Proverbs 11:25 which reads: "A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." I guess another way of stating this would be you have to give to receive. Self-help gurus have been saying this for the past several years thinking they are saying something new or unique. I find that most things they say can be found in the Bible. God will take care of or reward if you will those who learn generous and take care of others. This is not to say we should be stupid and give away money that we don't have to give away or that we need to provide our own basic needs. But if we have faith God will take care of everything.

Proverbs 10

Today I chose Proverbs 10:12 which reads: "Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs." Have you ever seen someone who is hateful tried to get things done or have interactions with people? More times than not an argument is what happens. On the other hand, have you ever seen someone who is loving handle adversity or someone who is angry? Most times the love will overtake the hatred and anger and the angry or irritated person will become calm. Any parent can probably think of times when the love they have for their children has allowed them to overlook or forgive even the worst offenses of their children. This is the same love God has for us.