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The Word:

Proverbs 15:1 (HCSB) A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.

My observation:

I have written on the first page of one of my hard copy study bible a verse that is my prayer every time I open my bible to read the Word of God.

Psalm 119:18 (HCSB) Open my eyes so that I may contemplate wonderful things from Your instruction.

Today, I did not have to read very far to see what the Lord wanted me to contemplate from his wonderful words of instruction. The reading of Proverbs 15 and then Psalm 39 confirmed what my eyes first saw, and my heart first response.

Some translations use soft speech, but I like the choice of gentle used in the Holman version. This highlights the conciliatory nature of the verse. The gentle word restores peace where there is conflict. The choices we make when we open our mouth are important. Words are powerful, and how we speak matters. The Old Testament has a wonderful example of the power of gentle speech, and its ability to diffuse conflict.

Judges 8:1-3 (HCSB) ¹ The men of Ephraim said to him, “Why have you done this to us, not calling us when you went to fight against the Midianites?” And they argued with him violently. ² So he said to them, “What have I done now compared to you? Is not the gleaning of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer? ³ God handed over to you Oreb and Zeeb, the two princes of Midian. What was I able to do compared to you?” When he said this, their anger against him subsided.

My inspiration:

Psalm 39:1 (HCSB) I said, “I will guard my ways so that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle as long as the wicked are in my presence.”

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am greatly encouraged by the knowledge that I don’t have to attempt to control my tongue by my human strength alone.

Father God, I thank you and I praise you that you provided for your children a helper. Therefore, with the aid of the Holy Spirit, I can guard my mouth.

Oh, Holy Spirit of God, I ask that you enable and help me today to speak gentle words that will restore peace where there has been confusion and conflict. Help me Holy Spirit to be meek and gentle like Jesus.

My song:

Jesus, Meek and Gentle (Click on link below for lyrics and midi):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/421

The Word:

Deuteronomy 33:27 (HCSB) The God of old is ?your? dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He drives out the enemy before you and commands, “Destroy!”

My observation:

It is comforting to know that the eternal God has made his dwelling place in the hearts of his people. How awesome is that? The eternal God lives in you and me.

When you need him you can reach out and touch his almighty hand. Whatever you are going through, if you are a child of the living God, he is near you. His everlasting arms are underneath you. He is a mighty God so you can trust him to keep you from harm from the raging storms of life.

Why put your trust in the strength of the flesh when you can put your life in the everlasting arms of the Lord God who is almighty.

My inspiration:

Psalm 37:17 (HCSB) For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord supports the righteous.

Psalm 89:13 (HCSB) You have a mighty arm; Your hand is powerful; Your right hand is lifted high.

My Counsel:

Proverbs 3:5 (HCSB) Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding;

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank you for the sweet time that I have had this morning walking through the Word of God.

Father God, I thank You for the confidence and comfort I have in knowing that your everlasting and powerful arms are resting underneath my soul keeping me from whatever storms I encounter during my journey through this world.

Father God, I am so thankful that you are a forever God who is always near your children.

My song:

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms (Click on link below for lyrics and midi):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/558

The Word:

Proverbs 11:3 (HCSB) ³ The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the treacherous destroys them.

My observation:

This chapter presents the contrast between the righteous and the wicked. Today my focus is on verse three, and the blessings that come from following the Lord.

When you look for key words in a passage, integrity is the word that spoke into my heart today. What does this word mean? It means to be blameless.

Proverbs 11:20 (HCSB) ²⁰ Those with twisted minds are detestable to the Lord, but those with blameless conduct are His delight.

One of the earliest people in the bible described as having this attribute was Job. The book begins with this description of Job.

Job 1:1 (HCSB) ¹ There was a man in the country of Uz named Job. He was a man of perfect integrity, who feared God and turned away from evil.

One of the things that I have discovered in my sixty years of walking with the Lord is that he will lead you and guide you through life. If you follow him in the way that he leads, things turn out well.

Proverbs 11:23 (HCSB) ²³ The desire of the righteous ?turns out? well, but the hope of the wicked ?leads to? wrath.

My inspiration:

Psalms 36:7 (HCSB) ⁷ God, Your faithful love is so valuable that people take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful for the faithful love, the abundant grace, and the unlimited forgiveness that you provide your children.

Father God, I can truly say that “I am blessed”. The Lord has been so good to me, and I delight to give him the praise, honor, and glory that he so richly deserves.

My song:

We’re Blessed (Click on link below to listen to this song):

YouTube - Fred Hammond & RFC - We’re Blessed - 1995

The Word:

Proverbs 10:24-25 (HCSB) ²⁴ What the wicked dreads will come to him, but what the righteous desire will be given to ?them?. ²⁵ When the whirlwind passes, the wicked are no more, but the righteous are secure forever.

My observation:

In this life the people of God have to face storms. It is practically impossible to get through life without encountering trials and troubles. In every life some rain eventually falls. We don’t get through life without eventually getting wet. However, when these storms come, we have the promise of God that he will be with us.  Our God is a shelter in the time of storms. The umbrella of being in the arc of the care of Jesus is the ultimate protection from whatever you may be going through today or in all of your tomorrows. God’s protection plan is secure and will last forever.

My inspiration:

Psalm 107:28-31 (HCSB) ²⁸ Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. ²⁹ He stilled the storm to a murmur, and the waves of the sea were hushed. ³⁰ They rejoiced when the waves grew quiet. Then He guided them to the harbor they longed for. ³¹ Let them give thanks to the Lord for His faithful love and His wonderful works for ?all? humanity.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I thank you for the solid foundation that you provide that enables your people to persevere to the end of the race.

Father God, I acknowledge that I can’t make it through the storms of life in my strength alone. I need Thee, and thank God, I have Jesus to carry me through.

Psalms 107:1 (NKJV) ¹ Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

My song:

He’ll Give You Peace in the Midst of the Storm (Click on link below to listen to this hymn):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WG6fvjo54vY

The Word:

Proverbs 9:9 (HCSB) ⁹ Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will learn more.

My observation:

In the Proverbs we see the wise and the righteous linked. The reason for this is that they are the same person.

One of the characteristics of wise people is that they welcome feedback. I have heard it said that, “Feedback is the breakfast of champions”. The feedback of Godly people is a blessing. However, the wise person can even profit from the feedback of their harshest critics.

The key character traits of the wise and righteous person are to be teachable and to be able to listen. We receive much instruction in the educational system on reading, but I don’t recall receiving a lot of instruction on the art of listening. The wise observer will notice that God gave us two ears and only one mouth. Could it be because we should listen twice as much as we talk?

Proverbs 1:5 (HCSB) ⁵ a wise man will listen and increase his learning, and a discerning man will obtain guidance—

Proverbs 27:6 (HCSB) ⁶ The wounds of a friend are trustworthy, but the kisses of an enemy are excessive.

My inspiration:

Psalms 35:27 (HCSB) ²⁷ Let those who want my vindication shout for joy and be glad; let them continually say, “The Lord be exalted. He takes pleasure in His servant’s well-being.”

Psalms 141:5 (HCSB) ⁵ Let the righteous one strike me— it is ?an act of? faithful love; let him rebuke me— it is oil for my head; let me not refuse it. Even now my prayer is against the evil acts of the wicked.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I thank you for the knowledge that I can gain by listening to the feedback of my friends and my foes.

Lord, I thank you that when we live our lives in total dependence upon the Lord as our source, we need not fear the opposition we encounter along our earthly journey. When we walk with Jesus, we can experience joy everyday because our joy comes from being joyful in the Lord.

I am so thankful that I can be joyful in any circumstance I encounter in life because my joy is not dependent upon right things happening, but my joy is in the Lord, my Savior.

Psalms 35:9 (NKJV) ⁹ And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; It shall rejoice in His salvation.

My song:

This joy that I Have (Click on link below to listen to Shirley Caesar sing of being joyful in the Lord):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFr9U-o3GKM&feature=related

The Word:

Proverbs 8:17-18 (NKJV) ¹⁷ I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me.¹⁸ Riches and honor are with me, Enduring riches and righteousness.

My observation:

When I read this Proverb, it stirs up in me a heart that overflows with gratitude for God, and his darling son Jesus.

Solomon very early in his rule as king sought wisdom from God, and God gave him wisdom. Then as I read on in this Proverb and got to verse twenty-two, I saw a picture of my Savior. Yes, Jesus is the wisdom of God.

1 Corinthians 1:30 (NKJV) ³⁰ But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God–and righteousness and sanctification and redemption–

Colossians 2:3 (NKJV) ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

The search for wisdom ends when we find Jesus, and accept the gift of eternal life that he offers to all who receive him.

John 1:12 (NKJV) ¹² But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:

My inspiration:

Psalms 8:3-4 (NKJV) ³ When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,⁴ What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am awed by your amazing love for mankind. Lord, I see clearly the love that you have for me in the Proverb written by Solomon, and in the Psalm written by his father, David.

Who would not seek Jesus when you consider the benefits and the blessings that flow from having a personal relationship with the creator and your maker?

Psalms 34:8 (NKJV) ⁸ Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

My song:

Just Taste and See That the Lord is Good (Click on link below for lyrics and midi):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/1331

The Word:

Proverbs 5:21 (HCSB) For a man’s ways are before the Lord’s eyes, and He considers all his paths.

My observation:

It should be a sobering thought to ponder that everything that a person does in this world is within the view of an all seeing and all knowing God. The hymn writer got it right in the gospel hymn, “There is No Hiding Place down Here”.

Proverbs 15:3 (HCSB) The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, observing the wicked and the good.

Hebrews 4:13 (HCSB) No creature is hidden from Him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of the One we must give an account to.

People may think they are free to do as they please. However, this does not square with the bible or with the experiences of life. How free do you think that famous golfer is today? To the contrary, sin enslaves.

Proverbs 5:22 (HCSB) A wicked man’s iniquities entrap him; he is entangled in the ropes of his own sin.

Here is the bottom line. If you pay attention to the call of wisdom, you will experience top line growth. Seek wisdom, do not stay from the path of righteousness, and you will be pleasing in the all seeing eyes of God.

Proverbs 4:26 (HCSB) Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established.

My inspiration:

Psalm 33:13-15 (HCSB) ¹³ The Lord looks down from heaven; He observes everyone. ¹⁴ He gazes on all the inhabitants of the earth from His dwelling place. ¹⁵ He alone shapes their hearts; He considers all their works.

Psalm 33:20-22 (HCSB) ²⁰ We wait for Yahweh; He is our help and shield. ²¹ For our hearts rejoice in Him because we trust in His holy name. ²² May Your faithful love rest on us, Yahweh, for we put our hope in You.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that the truth of this Proverb will motivate each of us to walk in the pathway of righteousness.

Lord, I pray that you will help each of us to learn to walk in the Spirit so that we will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

Galatians 5:16 (HCSB) I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

My song:

Lord, Keep Me from This Evil and Perverted Age (Click on link below for lyrics and midi):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/ns/220

The Word:

Proverbs 4:10-13 (HCSB) ¹⁰ Listen, my son. Accept my words, and you will live many years. ¹¹ I am teaching you the way of wisdom; I am guiding you on straight paths. ¹² When you walk, your steps will not be hindered; when you run, you will not stumble. ¹³ Hold on to instruction; don’t let go. Guard it, for it is your life.

My observation:

The plea to the son to choose the pathway of wisdom is the theme of this chapter. There are two paths available to each of us as we travel through this world. There is the path of the righteous and the path of the wicked.

The path that any godly parent would teach their children to follow is the path of the righteous. It is the way of wisdom, and the book says that nothing compares to this way.

Proverbs 3:13-15 (HCSB) ¹³ Happy is a man who finds wisdom and who acquires understanding, ¹⁴ for she is more profitable than silver, and her revenue is better than gold. ¹⁵ She is more precious than jewels; nothing you desire compares with her.

The path of wisdom is a straight path. When you travel through life on this path you will not stumble. On this path your walk will be unhindered, and when you run you will not stumble. This is not to say that life will be a piece of cake, but you will make it to the finish and receive the prize. You will be able to say like the Apostle Paul said at the end of his journey.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 (HCSB) ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ There is reserved for me in the future the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved His appearing.

My inspiration:

Psalm 32:10-11 (HCSB) ¹⁰ Many pains come to the wicked, but the one who trusts in the Lord will have faithful love surrounding him. ¹¹ Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones; shout for joy, all you upright in heart.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I cry out to you for the sons and daughters that you have entrusted to us who are parents.

Father God, these precious ones belong to you, and not to us. Lord, as a steward I pray that we will be good stewards and teach our children to walk the straight path.

Father God, and when they stray, I pray that they will make a U turn, and get back on the straight path that will take them safely to our heavenly Father’s house.

My song:

I’ve Wandered Far Away from God (Click on link below for lyrics and midi):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/1052

The Word:

Proverbs 3:21-26 (HCSB) ²¹ Maintain ?your? competence and discretion. My son, don’t lose sight of them. ²² They will be life for you and adornment for your neck. ²³ Then you will go safely on your way; your foot will not stumble. ²⁴ When you lie down, you will not be afraid; you will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant. ²⁵ Don’t fear sudden danger or the ruin of the wicked when it comes, ²⁶ for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from a snare.

My observation:

In most of the world peace and security are highly valued. However, though they have been highly sought after the success in obtaining them are scarce.

In this Proverb we discover that what is highly sought after by the majority of people in the world is readily available for those who will seek it in the right place. Where can you find peace and security? Well prayerfully open your eyes, your ears, and your heart to the word of God.

Proverbs 2:6 (HCSB) For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

The Lord will give you wisdom, knowledge and understanding. This choice Proverb, Chapter 3, is all about seeking wisdom, and walking with the Lord.

Learn what this Proverb has to say about life, and how to live it. Put your trust in the Lord, and he will give you wisdom and discretion. The Lord will clothe you with the garments essential for living the abundant life.

Lastly, when you find wisdom, determine by faith to guard it, and to walk in it. Then, get ready to receive your blessings.

My inspiration:

Psalm 31:19 (HCSB) How great is Your goodness that You have stored up for those who fear You and accomplished in the sight of everyone for those who take refuge in You.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that you will tenderize my heart, bend my will, and quicken my feet to walk in your ways, and do your will all of the days of my life.

Father God, I pray that I will not find any peace or security except in the arms of my dear Savior. Lord, others might choose the world and its pleasure, but as for me I choose Jesus.

My song:

Lord, there’s nothing in this World like You (Click on link below for lyrics and midi):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/ns/109

The Word:

Proverbs 2:8 (HCSB) so that He may guard the paths of justice and protect the way of His loyal followers.

Proverbs 2:11 (HCSB) Discretion will watch over you, and understanding will guard you,

My observation:

Oh how we need to find the pathway that leads to life and not end up on the path that leads to death. The path you travel is so important in life. It determines your destiny. Every road leads somewhere. Do you know where the road you are traveling will take you? As for me and my house we have chosen to walk with the Lord, and to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

Our focal verses tell us of the provisions of God for his dear children as they travel along life’s highway. The world can be a dismal, dark, and dangerous place. If you are to successfully journey through this world and reach the Promised Land, you must follow the right leader, and you must travel on the path that leads to the Father’s house.

Take comfort in the promises of him who is able to lead you safely through this world. He knows the way to his Father’s house.

My inspiration:

Psalm 30:4-5 (HCSB) ⁴ Sing to Yahweh, you His faithful ones, and praise His holy name. ⁵ For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor, a lifetime. Weeping may spend the night, but there is joy in the morning.

Psalm 16:6 (HCSB) The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank you for your faithful love. Lord, there is nothing that compares to being loved, cared for, and protected by the almighty hand of my God who is able, and who can do anything but fail.

Father God, by faith, I choose to walk in the pathway of righteousness, and to follow wherever my Savior leads me. Lord, I choose to follow the one who knows the way because He is the way.

John 14:6 (HCSB) Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

My song:

When we walk with the Lord (Click on link below for lyrics and midi):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/582