Lord, Direct my thoughts and my dreams. Direct me to the path you have chosen. In Your Name I Pray, Amen
Proverbs 20:4,7,11,13,20,21
Again I am reminded to renew my integrity (or to find it) and to not be lazy. I must remain patient and diligent. I must not rush things. Blessings are not rushed, they are cultivated. My children are young now and they try my patience even on my best days. But I must remember that God entrusted them to me to raise up to love him and to be intelligent, productive, God-fearing members of society. It is my job to train them, to teach them right from wrong and all the life skills that they will need in their future. I am equipped with this knowledge and I know that God will continue to guide my hands when need be.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Proverbs 19
Lord, I come to you humble and alone. Even though my family is large, I have distanced myself from them. I ask for your guidance and instruction as I read your word. In Your Name I Pray, Amen.
Proverbs 19:1 "Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool."
This is something that I noticed in the last few chapters. God is really pressing the issue of integrity upon me. I must become a woman of integrity before I can move forward.
Proverbs 19:11 "The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression."
We have a choice. We can make the choice to become angry or to remain calm.
Proverbs 19:15 "Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, And an idle person will suffer hunger."
Have you ever noticed how the less you move the more tired you feel? That's me. The longer I sit the more tired and listless I feel. As for being idle and hungry, does the term couch potato ring a bell? How many of these truths do we already know but we refuse to acknowledge?
Pray to the Lord for guidance and he will show you a multitude of things. Remember that those without wisdom are the ones who are quick to anger and who are ready to constantly put people down and belittle them. I am just as guilty as the next person. But I don't want to be that person any more and now I have the knowledge staring me in the face so I can no longer play dumb.
Proverbs 19:1 "Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool."
This is something that I noticed in the last few chapters. God is really pressing the issue of integrity upon me. I must become a woman of integrity before I can move forward.
Proverbs 19:11 "The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression."
We have a choice. We can make the choice to become angry or to remain calm.
Proverbs 19:15 "Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, And an idle person will suffer hunger."
Have you ever noticed how the less you move the more tired you feel? That's me. The longer I sit the more tired and listless I feel. As for being idle and hungry, does the term couch potato ring a bell? How many of these truths do we already know but we refuse to acknowledge?
Pray to the Lord for guidance and he will show you a multitude of things. Remember that those without wisdom are the ones who are quick to anger and who are ready to constantly put people down and belittle them. I am just as guilty as the next person. But I don't want to be that person any more and now I have the knowledge staring me in the face so I can no longer play dumb.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Proverbs 18
Lord, I come to you humble. I am at your mercy and I know that you are the one that meets our needs. I pray many blessings and forgiveness on those that I feel anger toward. I know that I must forgive them for my sake if not forget what they do. I ask for you to teach me with your word. In Your Name I Pray, Amen.
Again I was overwhelmed with the number of verses that spoke to me. I shall simply list them. Proverbs 18:1-2,8-10,21
I am constantly asking for alone time, seeing as how I am the mom of 4 kids, I have come to realize recently that I am alone. Not in the physical form, but in the emotional form. I am not connected to my family. I often feel as if it is them against me. However, I still speak angrily and sometimes downright ugly even to my 1 year old. This is going to stop. I took a look at my behavior (after reading this proverb). I looked at me as if a stranger looking at my family. And do you know what? I was appalled. There is no other word for it. Ok, you can add shocked, hurt, disturbed. After studying over this past month I have come to learn that I must go to the Lord with my troubles, that no one can change my world except me and God, and that my words are weapons. You would think that as a writer I would know that already. But it has taken a good spiritual slap in the face to really get me to see it. The one word that has been plaguing my last few days of study is: integrity.
Integrity: steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code; completeness, unity
Have you ever examined your life through a stranger's eyes? It's a brand new experience.
Again I was overwhelmed with the number of verses that spoke to me. I shall simply list them. Proverbs 18:1-2,8-10,21
I am constantly asking for alone time, seeing as how I am the mom of 4 kids, I have come to realize recently that I am alone. Not in the physical form, but in the emotional form. I am not connected to my family. I often feel as if it is them against me. However, I still speak angrily and sometimes downright ugly even to my 1 year old. This is going to stop. I took a look at my behavior (after reading this proverb). I looked at me as if a stranger looking at my family. And do you know what? I was appalled. There is no other word for it. Ok, you can add shocked, hurt, disturbed. After studying over this past month I have come to learn that I must go to the Lord with my troubles, that no one can change my world except me and God, and that my words are weapons. You would think that as a writer I would know that already. But it has taken a good spiritual slap in the face to really get me to see it. The one word that has been plaguing my last few days of study is: integrity.
Integrity: steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code; completeness, unity
Have you ever examined your life through a stranger's eyes? It's a brand new experience.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Proverbs 17
Lord, lead me to you and away from my sin. Help me to be the woman I was meant to be and the mother I desire to be.
Proverbs 17:14 "The beginning of strife is like releasing water;Therefore stop contention before it starts."
I see this as when I get upset with my kids or when they begin to fight. If I were to prepare and head off the beginning of the fight then they wouldn't get into a physical altercation or I wouldn't say things that I shouldn't.
Proverbs 17:22 "A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones."
They say happy people live longer. That laughter is the best medicine. I believe that that is true and now the Bible confirms it. Isn't God good?
Proverbs 17:27-28 "He who has knowledge spares his words,And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive."
Do you ever notice that smart people don't have to prove they're smart? They don't boast and go on and on with how much they know. (at least REAL people with REAL wisdom don't do this.) The man who KNOWS he can win a fight is normally the one willing to walk away from a confrontation. See where I'm going with this? Smart people know they're smart and it doesn't matter what other people think.
The last verse reminds me of an old saying, "Better to remain silent and let people think you're stupid then to open your mouth and prove them right."
In other words, keeping your mouth closed could be the smarter thing to do.
Proverbs 17:14 "The beginning of strife is like releasing water;Therefore stop contention before it starts."
I see this as when I get upset with my kids or when they begin to fight. If I were to prepare and head off the beginning of the fight then they wouldn't get into a physical altercation or I wouldn't say things that I shouldn't.
Proverbs 17:22 "A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones."
They say happy people live longer. That laughter is the best medicine. I believe that that is true and now the Bible confirms it. Isn't God good?
Proverbs 17:27-28 "He who has knowledge spares his words,And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive."
Do you ever notice that smart people don't have to prove they're smart? They don't boast and go on and on with how much they know. (at least REAL people with REAL wisdom don't do this.) The man who KNOWS he can win a fight is normally the one willing to walk away from a confrontation. See where I'm going with this? Smart people know they're smart and it doesn't matter what other people think.
The last verse reminds me of an old saying, "Better to remain silent and let people think you're stupid then to open your mouth and prove them right."
In other words, keeping your mouth closed could be the smarter thing to do.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Proverbs 16
Father God, Thank you for the many blessings you have given me. I come to you with a sense of peace. I focus all that I am on you. I pray for guidance. Guidance for my day and my life. In Your Name I Pray, Amen
There are too many verses in this chapter that spoke to me. I mean too many for me to put them all here. So I will list them and then have my say.
Proverbs 16:3,7,9,18,21,24,32
I have learned that I must look to God to show me the way that he wants me to go. If we let God direct our path then we will have peace and wisdom.
We must speak with kindness and compassion, not with ager or judgment. Harsh words only wound and harm people (especially my kids) and nice words will help heal their souls and their bodies and help them to learn instead of be angry like mommy. I need to be slow to anger. Be patient. They say be careful what you wish for. I used to pray for patience, now I have four kids, a dog and a gecko (yes like on the commercial). See I thought that God would just bless me with patience. Nope. He simply keeps adding to my plate until I figured out that patience was inside of me all along. He just wants me to use it. Whenever something happens that makes me angry I have to take a deep breath and realize that whatever it is normally is a result of something I didn't do. Are the kids extra cranky this morning? Did I try to wake them up at the same time I should have so that they don't have to rush to get out the door? Are they whining at me at dinner time? Did I wait too late to make dinner? Or did I not give them an adequate afternoon snack?
So the next time you lose your temper, remember, stop, breath, and think. What did I do to contribute to this situation or my anger level? What could have I changed before or during the event to keep my temper in check? These are questions I'm going to be using quite often.
There are too many verses in this chapter that spoke to me. I mean too many for me to put them all here. So I will list them and then have my say.
Proverbs 16:3,7,9,18,21,24,32
I have learned that I must look to God to show me the way that he wants me to go. If we let God direct our path then we will have peace and wisdom.
We must speak with kindness and compassion, not with ager or judgment. Harsh words only wound and harm people (especially my kids) and nice words will help heal their souls and their bodies and help them to learn instead of be angry like mommy. I need to be slow to anger. Be patient. They say be careful what you wish for. I used to pray for patience, now I have four kids, a dog and a gecko (yes like on the commercial). See I thought that God would just bless me with patience. Nope. He simply keeps adding to my plate until I figured out that patience was inside of me all along. He just wants me to use it. Whenever something happens that makes me angry I have to take a deep breath and realize that whatever it is normally is a result of something I didn't do. Are the kids extra cranky this morning? Did I try to wake them up at the same time I should have so that they don't have to rush to get out the door? Are they whining at me at dinner time? Did I wait too late to make dinner? Or did I not give them an adequate afternoon snack?
So the next time you lose your temper, remember, stop, breath, and think. What did I do to contribute to this situation or my anger level? What could have I changed before or during the event to keep my temper in check? These are questions I'm going to be using quite often.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Proverbs 15
Lord, Help me to be the woman you want me to be. Teach me the way that I need to change. I open my heart, my mind, and my soul to you. I want to become moldable and teachable so that I may change and therefore create change in the life that I lead. In Your Name I Pray, Amen
Proverbs 15:1-2 "A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh tongue stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness."
My take: Speaking in soft tones (not yelling) and choosing your words(not just speaking in anger) will help to keep the situation calm and help us to effectively communicate with others. If we yell and scream and say whatever we feel like then the person or persons that we're yelling at will only become angry with us and nothing gets solved.
Proverbs 15:4 "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life. But perverseness in it breaks the spirit."
Proverbs 15:12-13 "A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, Nor will he go to the wise. A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness."
My take: If we speak with kindness, wisdom and a content heart then people will actually seek out our guidance. If we are rude, nasty and make judgemental or foolish comments then people will not want to be around us.
Proverbs 15:18 "A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention."
Proverbs 15:28 "The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil."
My take: Someone (like me right now) who gets angry easily and then starts yelling and screaming like a crazy person only creates more anger and confusion and resentment. But those who have patience (like I am striving for right now) and chooses their words carefully will not only live in a more peaceful atmosphere, but they will be a leader for those around them.
These scriptures have been speaking to me a great deal. One of my biggest obstacles is my anger and temper. Once I can control that, then other aspects of my life will be a great deal easier.
Proverbs 15:1-2 "A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh tongue stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness."
My take: Speaking in soft tones (not yelling) and choosing your words(not just speaking in anger) will help to keep the situation calm and help us to effectively communicate with others. If we yell and scream and say whatever we feel like then the person or persons that we're yelling at will only become angry with us and nothing gets solved.
Proverbs 15:4 "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life. But perverseness in it breaks the spirit."
Proverbs 15:12-13 "A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, Nor will he go to the wise. A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness."
My take: If we speak with kindness, wisdom and a content heart then people will actually seek out our guidance. If we are rude, nasty and make judgemental or foolish comments then people will not want to be around us.
Proverbs 15:18 "A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention."
Proverbs 15:28 "The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil."
My take: Someone (like me right now) who gets angry easily and then starts yelling and screaming like a crazy person only creates more anger and confusion and resentment. But those who have patience (like I am striving for right now) and chooses their words carefully will not only live in a more peaceful atmosphere, but they will be a leader for those around them.
These scriptures have been speaking to me a great deal. One of my biggest obstacles is my anger and temper. Once I can control that, then other aspects of my life will be a great deal easier.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Proverbs 14
Lord, I come to you in a time of need. I am stretched thin and in a bit of a confused state. I pray for clarity, for my mind to be unfuzzy, for my spirit to be open and for my mouth to only speak good, wonderful, praiseworthy words. I pray for you to take away the spiteful tongue that has taken root in my mouth and seems to only tear down those around me. I thank you for my wonderful family and pray that you will give my husband strength to make it through each day. I pray that he will be rewarded for his hard work. Help me to be an efficient helpmate.
Proverbs 14:1 "The wise woman builds her house, the foolish woman pulls it down with her hands."
My take: I have been struggling with the motivation to keep my house up to certain standards and now I see that it is unwise to allow my home to fall by the wayside no matter what comes my way.
Proverbs 14:16-18 (16)"A wise man hears and departs from evil, But a fool rages and is self-confident. (17) A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, And a man of wicked intentions is hated. (18) The simple inherit folly, But the prudent are crowned with knowledge."
Proverbs 14:23 "In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty."
Proverbs 14:29-30 "He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly. A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones."
All I have to say is ask and you shall receive. I try to write the prayers as I say them and before I read the chapter. It never ceases to amaze me how God puts the prayer in my heart and then lays the answer before me. I have been struggling to get my anger and yelling under control. It has gone on long enough and I have realized that it has been controlling me and not me controlling it. I get it now. Only fools yell and scream. (That's my take on it.) God wants us to stop and think before we act so that we act wisely and not foolishly.
Proverbs 14:1 "The wise woman builds her house, the foolish woman pulls it down with her hands."
My take: I have been struggling with the motivation to keep my house up to certain standards and now I see that it is unwise to allow my home to fall by the wayside no matter what comes my way.
Proverbs 14:16-18 (16)"A wise man hears and departs from evil, But a fool rages and is self-confident. (17) A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, And a man of wicked intentions is hated. (18) The simple inherit folly, But the prudent are crowned with knowledge."
Proverbs 14:23 "In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty."
Proverbs 14:29-30 "He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly. A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones."
All I have to say is ask and you shall receive. I try to write the prayers as I say them and before I read the chapter. It never ceases to amaze me how God puts the prayer in my heart and then lays the answer before me. I have been struggling to get my anger and yelling under control. It has gone on long enough and I have realized that it has been controlling me and not me controlling it. I get it now. Only fools yell and scream. (That's my take on it.) God wants us to stop and think before we act so that we act wisely and not foolishly.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Praise
Before I begin my normal Proverbs entry I would like to take the time to give God praise. I don't remember what prompted me to start this blog. I believe it was simply a feeling that if I were to blog my spiritual journey that perhaps I would be more diligent.
Then the book of Proverbs came to mind. I am sure that it was God inspired just as it was a few years ago when the lady told me to read it. However I'm slow and wasn't really ready to accept the things God had to tell me until now.
Now for the praise. Since I began studying Proverbs and putting it more into action, my life has been changing. Slowly, but noticeably. I am having more success in my career, a closer relationship with my kids and my marriage is getting better. It's not hugh dramatic changes, but my husband actually asked me out on a date last Friday. He hasn't done that in almost a year. And he's starting to be more affectionate (hand holding, hugging).
I just wanted to praise God and thank Him for all the blessings He is already bringing into my life and I am looking forward to a much more fulfilled and happy life as I grow closer to Him.
Lord, I praise you and thank you for never moving. I thank you for all the beautiful things in my life. Thank you for never leaving me and though I ran far away you were there to take me back. In Your Name I Pray, Amen
Then the book of Proverbs came to mind. I am sure that it was God inspired just as it was a few years ago when the lady told me to read it. However I'm slow and wasn't really ready to accept the things God had to tell me until now.
Now for the praise. Since I began studying Proverbs and putting it more into action, my life has been changing. Slowly, but noticeably. I am having more success in my career, a closer relationship with my kids and my marriage is getting better. It's not hugh dramatic changes, but my husband actually asked me out on a date last Friday. He hasn't done that in almost a year. And he's starting to be more affectionate (hand holding, hugging).
I just wanted to praise God and thank Him for all the blessings He is already bringing into my life and I am looking forward to a much more fulfilled and happy life as I grow closer to Him.
Lord, I praise you and thank you for never moving. I thank you for all the beautiful things in my life. Thank you for never leaving me and though I ran far away you were there to take me back. In Your Name I Pray, Amen
Friday, August 1, 2008
Proverbs 13
Lord, Guide me in your wisdom. Lead me into your understanding. Help me to leave myself and bask in our glory. I thank you and praise you for your many blessings and for never leaving my side. In Your Name I Pray, Amen
Proverbs 13:3 "He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction."
Again I am reminded that I must think before I speak, because my words may cause harm to those around me.
Proverbs 13:4 "The soul of the lazy man desires, and has nothing;But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich"
I almost fell over when I read this. I an wonderful at planning things, but horrible about following through. This verse spoke straight to my heart. I will have nothing that I desire as long as I am "lazy" in other words until I learn to diligently seek my goals by putting actions behind my desires.
Proverbs 13:25 "The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul, But the stomach of the wicked shall be in want."
This was interesting to me. I am currently overweight and I know that I constantly crave food even if I am not hungry. I love food. However, gluttony is a bad thing, as is being overweight because it affects my health and my quality of life. About five years ago I was in the best shape of my life. I ate just enough to fill me up. I in essence "ate to live" instead of what I do now which is "live to eat"
Proverbs 13:3 "He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction."
Again I am reminded that I must think before I speak, because my words may cause harm to those around me.
Proverbs 13:4 "The soul of the lazy man desires, and has nothing;But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich"
I almost fell over when I read this. I an wonderful at planning things, but horrible about following through. This verse spoke straight to my heart. I will have nothing that I desire as long as I am "lazy" in other words until I learn to diligently seek my goals by putting actions behind my desires.
Proverbs 13:25 "The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul, But the stomach of the wicked shall be in want."
This was interesting to me. I am currently overweight and I know that I constantly crave food even if I am not hungry. I love food. However, gluttony is a bad thing, as is being overweight because it affects my health and my quality of life. About five years ago I was in the best shape of my life. I ate just enough to fill me up. I in essence "ate to live" instead of what I do now which is "live to eat"
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