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TEN VERSES FROM PROVERBS

My mother owned a beauty shop in our home, and I loved spending time with her on Saturdays “helping” her. We all know the reputation of beauty shops. One only has to watch a few episodes of “Murder, She Wrote” to get the picture. Loretta’s beauty shop is the source of all the gossip in the small northeastern town. Mother didn’t allow anyone to gossip in her beauty shop. She has, on more than one occasion, asked someone to refrain from repeating information about someone. Since many of her customers were church members, she felt it was imperative to maintain an atmosphere of wholesome conversation. So, there was no profanity and no gossip.

When I started school, my mother had some clear advice for me about my communication with others. Mother’s advice to me was, “Don’t talk too much. Don’t repeat what you hear. If you can’t say something good about someone, don’t say anything.” All of these are important standards for anyone, young or old, male or female. If we all followed this advice, think how different our world would be. I would like to say that I always followed Mother’s advice; but like most people, I have failed on many occasions. I can look back and see how different situations would have been had I followed her advice.

Usually when we hear lessons on communication, the speaker uses passages from the book of James. Those references are wonderful instructions for us, but Solomon also had much to say about the way we communicate. His little gems, as I call them, are sandwiched between other warnings and instructions. I think we have passed over these without giving them the emphasis they deserve. In his wisdom, he knew this was and would always be a problem for mankind. Here are ten of his “little gems.”

“Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you” (Proverbs 4:24 ESV). Solomon is advising that we are not to be dishonest or twist what we say. Perverse or devious speech is that which is unacceptable. Unfortunately, the language of today—cursing, swearing, and bad euphemisms—have become acceptable to many, but Solomon says that this type of language needs to be put away.

“There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers” (Proverbs 6:16-19). Here Solomon lays out the various forms lying takes—purposeful lying, devising wickedness, falsely accusing, and sowing discord. He says that the Lord hates these. 

“A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention” (Proverbs 10:18). Simply said, don’t say things to damage someone’s reputation. 

“When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent” (Proverbs 10:19). Don’t talk too much. The more we talk, the greater is the chance that we will say something we shouldn’t.

“Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered” (Proverbs 11:13). Solomon says don’t be a talebearer. Even if it is true, we should refrain from revealing secrets.

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1). Watch what you say! There is a medieval rhyme that says, “Anger, however great, Is checked by answer sweet.” Remember how Abigail calmed David’s anger at her husband. She did it with kindness. We should not respond to anger with anger.

“The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things” (Proverbs 15:28). Ponder your words. Don’t just say what you think.

“If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame” (Proverbs 18:13). In other words, listen carefully. How many times are we guilty of answering, speaking up, even arguing a point before we have heard what the other person had to say? Listening is a gift. It is too bad we don’t take better advantage of it.

“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips” (Proverbs 27:2). We should be generous with praise of others and not live with the expectation of constant praise for ourselves.

“Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall” (Proverbs 28:18). We need to learn to say, “I’m sorry.” We have a real problem with that one. No one likes to admit he is wrong, but it is a huge part of repentance. We can’t be forgiven if we never repent.

There are other Proverbs that address our communication. The book of James also addresses it. If we could just use these ten verses to control our speech, would we not all be better Christians?

Sandra Oliver

don’t know about you, but it seems to me that we are living in a slightly stressful world these days. This may or may not be a good thing, but I hardly ever watch the news. In fact, if it weren’t for some of our friends at church, I would not have known about the last two tornadoes that were in the area recently or the snow storms that we have experienced over the past couple of months. But now that I know I can count on them for the weather, I really see no need to start! Next, I’ll slowly delete my social media accounts (where the news still seems to be loud and clear) and then happily retreat into my own little hermit world where the sad, scary, and anxiety-provoking headlines can’t find me. Now, I realize this isn’t really the answer, but sometimes it sounds like a good idea. Did you know that, according to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, over 50 million Americans report dealing with anxiety? I don’t know how accurate that number is, but I do know that 50 million is a really big number.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines anxiety as “a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.” If I had to describe that in my own non-dictionary words, I would simply say “a lack of peace.” For many, peace can seem so elusive sometimes. Now, I understand that some people suffer from clinical anxiety due to chemical imbalances and things outside of their control. This is not an attempt to cause guilt or shame to those people. However, some of us create these feelings of unease in our own lives when we simply don’t have to.

In Philippians 4, we read about the God of peace:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

The Cliff Notes of this text:

1. We are given the following command: ”Do not be anxious about anything.”

God doesn’t just leave us hanging, but is offering us help. Christians have the incredible blessing of belonging to a God at whose feet we can lay our greatest (and smallest) problems. And not as a burden to Him, but by His own command because that’s how much He loves us.

2. If you have known the peace of God, then you know that it truly does surpass all understanding. The verse says, that if we will let our requests be made known to Him, “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” What a priceless blessing!

3. We are given practical instructions on how to avoid unnecessary anxiety. Here are the things we should think about:

Anything:

1. True
2. Honorable
3. Just
4. Pure
5. Lovely
6. Commendable
7. Excellent
8. Worthy of praise

Eight things we are given in this verse to fill our minds with. We should elevate our thoughts to a higher, holier mindset by constantly focusing on these types of things. The “Elevated Eight,” we shall call them. If we watch movies and shows filled with bad language, violence, and obscenities, or listen to music and podcasts centered around worldly topics, we can’t expect to have thoughts based on the “Elevated Eight.”

4. At the end of this verse, Paul and Timothy give us one last piece of advice: “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” We must take action and put these things into practice. They have given us great examples in their own lives and we would be wise to learn from them. If we just twiddle our thumbs and cross our fingers, while hoping to find peace, we will be greatly disappointed. We are not told that the God of peace will be with us by sitting idly by. However, we are promised that if we practice these things, then He will. And we may not be perfect at it at first, but as we’ve surely learned throughout life so far, practice makes perfect!

https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/facts-statistics

By Janelle Pollard

But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the royal delicacies or the royal wine. He therefore asked the overseer of the court officials for permission not to defile himself. Then God made the overseer of the court officials sympathetic to Daniel. Daniel 1.8-9

A decision is a resolution to act in a determined way. It involves a firmness of will to carry out what has been determined. Some decisions are not earth shaking. They will not bring about catastrophes if we fail to stand by our decision. Others can have eternal consequences.

Daniel had been carried to Babylonia with many other Israelites. King Nebuchadnezzar had commanded Ashpenaz, who was in charge of his court officials, to choose some of the young men who were of royal and noble descent to be taught the literature and language of the Babylonians. They were to be fed from the king’s table and to be given wine to drink.

Many people would just go where life had taken them. They would not see the possibility for them to continue serving God in a foreign land. Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the royal delicacies or the royal wine. He proceeded to ask the overseer of the court officials for permission not to defile himself. He took action that resulted in his remaining pure and undefiled. God blessed his decision.

In a world where sin has come to be acceptable, have you made the decision not to defile yourself? Will you remain pure and undefiled?

by Vicki Matheny

Joshua 24:15 “And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve . . . but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

My nightly routine rarely varies. I wash my face, brush my teeth, and slip into my p.j.’s. Then before retiring for the night, I head to my closet. I stand silently, gazing at the clothes hanging before me, all patiently waiting to be chosen. I ponder my next day’s schedule and consider the upcoming weather report. Then using this data, I lay out tomorrow’s wardrobe.

My husband chuckles over this routine, but little does he realize its importance. If I fail to choose wisely, my entire day is at stake. Uncomfortable clothing restricts my commitments. An inappropriate style of clothing can leave me either sweating or freezing. And a poor shoe choice guarantees aching feet. So, my solution is to choose tomorrow’s attire today, before the rush of chaos, in advance of the morning’s battles, and prior to the pressures of time.

Making decisions impulsively is risky business. Joshua in scripture, embraced the habit of making choices ahead of time. As Joshua stood before Israel, he instructed them, “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.” He knew the people had options to consider. They could serve the gods of their past, the gods of their present day, or the mighty God of their future. But their decision should be made in the rationale of today, before the battles of tomorrow rolled in, before the dark of night descended, and before the temptations of the future appeared. Once tomorrow arrived, Israel would be forced to choose in haste.

I find my closet-routine reminiscent of our faith. We ought to immediately consider where our devotion lies. Have we formed a concrete allegiance to a faithful and loving God TODAY, prior to the heat of upcoming battles? Do we know whom we serve TODAY, before temptations engulf our emotions? Have we settled on our values TODAY, so the darkness of sin cannot lure us away?

Joshua’s admonition to Israel holds great truth; serving the Lord is best. So, before the clashes of tomorrow arrive, dear friend, choose for yourself today whom you will serve.

P.S. I am pretty sure Joshua belonged to my tribe of people who laid out their clothes the night before.

Father God, may we give serious forethought to placing our allegiance with You.

Blessings,

Rita Cochrane

When enemies emerge from former cohorts.

When I am so weary at setting of sun

I can’t process knowing my work’s just begun.

Sometimes my heart’s breaking over somebody’s sin,

But each time I turn, there’s a crisis again.

No time to grieve over today’s mournful losses

Just picking up pieces and heavy new crosses.

But one thing is certain, and really that thing

Is the one thing that matters and makes my heart sing.

God’s still on the throne, and around every bend

There may be His answer, for He knows the end.

He knows the reason for burdens I bear.

He knows inequities, when life seems unfair.

He knows the consequence for all of my steps

He knows, He cares. He pities and helps.

He is the refuge. I am the hidden.

He’s the commander. I am the bidden.

He is the rest-giver. I am the weary.

He has the tear-bottle. My eyes are teary.

He is the strength. I am the weak.

He offers comfort. It’s comfort I seek.

He is the Prophet. I need to know.

He is the way. In Him I can go.

He is the truth. I was lost till I knew it.

He is the life. I am just walking though it.

He is my portion. I am the filled.

He is the Spirit. I am the sealed.

He is the Father. I am the child.

He is the Christ. I’m reconciled.

He is the hope. I am the clinging.

He’s the Redeemer about which I’m singing.

He is my only. I am just one.

He is the end. I’ve just begun.

He is the buckler. My arm is weak.

He’s the revealer. I’m but to seek.

He is the door. I am the guest.

He is the answer to every request.

He is the treasure. I’m on the search.

He is the Founder. I’m in the church.

He is the succorer. I am the babe.

He’s the Provider, come to my aid.

He is the beauty from ashes to make.

My all-in-all. I will never forsake!

You have kept count of my tossings;

put my tears in your bottle.

Are they not in your book?

Then my enemies will turn back

in the day when I call.

This I know, that God is for me.

In God, whose word I praise,

in the Lord, whose word I praise,

in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.

What can man do to me?

from David in Psalm 56

Cindy Colley

When I was a little girl, I knew better than to argue with my mother. When she said do something, I did it. Occasionally, I would ask the typical question children ask. I would say, “Why?” The answer was always, “Because I said so.” I found myself saying that same thing when my children would ask why they had to do something.

Solomon said there is nothing new under the sun, and this process of telling children to do something and their asking why is not new. Sometimes we have this same feeling when we are commanded to do something by our Lord. When it doesn’t make sense to us, we want to know why we need to do it or why it needs to be done in a certain way.

In chapter 14 of the book of Exodus, we read about the Israelites leaving Egypt and beginning their journey to the land of promise. You would think that after seeing all the miracles of the plagues and the death of the firstborn, the people would have had confidence in God. Maybe it was that they didn’t have confidence in Moses.

The people saw the army of Pharaoh coming, and they immediately began complaining. They were afraid. Moses stood his ground with them and told them not to be afraid but to “stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today, For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent” (Exodus 14:13-14 ESV).

It sounds as though Moses had strong faith that the outcome would be favorable for the Israelites. That’s not exactly the case. Look at verse 15. “The LORD said to Moses, ‘Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward.’” It would seem that Moses told the people everything was going to be ok, but he must have gone to the Lord with more questions or more petitions. The Lord wasted no time in instructing him again to get on with the plan. Moses knew what to do, but he kept dragging his feet, hesitating to move forward.

All through the travels in the wilderness, the Israelites looked backward. They looked at what had been, not what lay ahead. Part of the reason for that was because they did not obey the plan God had lain out for them. They tried to hold on to their idol worship and worship God at the same time. From Mount Sinai God ordered, “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments” (Exodus 20:3-6). While Moses was receiving the law, the people were making a golden calf to worship. They even gave the gods of Egypt credit for delivering them from bondage.

This is a lesson for us today. When we submit to the will of the Father and obey the gospel, we have to leave our old life behind us. We have to examine the things we did in the past and determine if those things fit into the Christian life. If they do not, we must put them away. We need to understand that, on our obedience to the gospel, our past sins are forgiven, erased, and treated as though they never happened.

The apostle Paul had a past, one he regretted his entire life. He considered himself one of the least of the apostles, even unworthy to be called an apostle because he persecuted the church (First Corinthians 15:9). Before his death, he told Timothy, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (Second Timothy 4:7-8).

 God has given us the plan. We simply need to put the plan into action and “go forward.” Don’t look back. Don’t live in the past. Don’t do things your way; do them God’s way. Don’t ask “why”; just do what He says. Move on to the goal—heaven.

Sandra Oliver

“Who is God putting in front of you?”  This question was asked by Pam Randall.  She is a soul-winner so when she talks about how to reach others, I want to listen.  She is always involved in a Bible study and usually multiple studies.  She cares about people and wants them to know the Savior.  One time she even struck up a conversation with a stranger in Costco.  That stranger is now our sister in Christ!  How does she do it?  Here are a few of her tips:

• You can’t wait until you’re good enough.  You just start.
• Have a plan for soul-winning.  Then you can be ready at any time.  Pam uses the Open Bible Study method.
• Attach Scriptures to emails, payroll checks, or any other correspondence.
• Remember you can study anywhere.
• Be a big respecter of their time and they will invite you back.
• If you are asked a question you can’t answer, never try to guess it.  Write it down and tell them you’ll get back with them.
• Send written thank-you notes in the mail.  There’s power in that.
• Take failure or rejection.  If Christ and the apostles were rejected, why shouldn’t we be?
• Be slow to be offended.  Try never to offend.
• Never say, “I think,” or “I believe.”  Let the Word speak.
• Never put down other religions.
• Do the Open Bible Study with your children and grandchildren.  Don’t just assume they know it.
• Go to assisted living homes and show the “Searching for Truth” DVD.
• Remember that when God sees us trying, He will help us (Ex. 4:11,12).

Pam treats the opportunity to share the Good News as an honor.  She said, “Isn’t this a wonderful thing that we get to do?”  Indeed it is!

Suggestions for the Week:

1.  Create your soul-winning action plan.  Be prepared for open doors.
2.  This week ask someone, “Would you like to study the Bible with me?”
3.  Think souls.  See people as you go about your day.  Smile, interact.

Read it.  Memorize it.  Live it.

Kathy Pollard

by Iris Ramsey.

So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you could be joined to another, to the one who was raised from the dead, to bear fruit to God. Romans 7.4

It is not under the old covenant that we are living. We live through Jesus and are a part of his body. Paul was writing to the Christians in Rome. He made it clear that they were no longer under the law of Moses.

Merely living their physical lives, sinful passions were awakened. The law brought knowledge of what was defined as sin which bore fruit for death.

However, upon becoming a Christian, we are dead to the law and belong to Christ. The fruit that we bear is for God. Jesus makes it possible for us to have life and be freed from our sinful nature. His blood washes us clean and makes us holy.

by Vicki Matheny