Tag Archive | Proverbs 4:23

Of course, every man has a right to his rights – though they are wrongs – unless they hurt others. But his having this privilege settles nothing, other than his claim to personal freedom. For no question is ever answered until it is answered right

May1

We have been hearing quite a lot about “rights,” which is not news.  We seem to all want our “rights.”

This morning and last evening I saw pictures in my news feed showing people lined up blocking paths of an Interstate. This behavior has happened in at least three places throughout the country, and it got me to thinking.  Is this how any of us would want to be treated?  Would we want someone to prevent us from getting to work, picking up a loved one, helping a loved one, taking a loved one to the hospital, delivering food to communities, helping someone in an emergency, wreck, or robbery?  Is it all about us?

“Our “rights end where another’s begin.”

There is is a much larger problem here and it has to do with the heart.

“Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”      Proverbs 4:23

“Have you not read?”     Matthew 19:4

“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all they strength:  this is the first commandment.  And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  There is none other commandment greater than these.”      Mark 12:30-31

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it.  Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”      Matthew 22:37-40

“And He answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind;  and thy neighbour as thyself.”    Luke 10:27

“Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.”   I John 4:11

“Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself:  I Am the Lord.”    Leviticus 19:18

There are numerous passages which speak of loving God and our fellowman.  In light of what He has to say, can anyone rightly question how we are to treat one another?

Blocking your neighbor’s path is not found in the Bible.  Treating our neighbor how we would like to be treated is.

“Therefore, all things whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them:  for this is the law and the prophets.”     Matthew 7:12

“People need to learn their actions affect other people.  Be careful what you say and do, it’s not always about you.”     ~ Unknown

“By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have love one to another.”      John 13:35

“But not all will choose the correct way.  Of course, every man has a right to his rights – though they are wrongs – unless they hurt others.  But his having this privilege settles nothing, other than his claim to personal freedom.  For no question is ever answered until it is answered right.”      ~ Leroy Brownlow

Eileen Light

 

“Better to be alone, than in bad company.”

Nov10

We are influenced by many things in this life..  Movies, commercials, music, television, fashion, magazines, sports, books and right on down to our language.  How many of us have heard “a woman’s right to choose” and incorporated that into our daily living without giving the statement much thought?  That statement was preached in magazines, newspapers, commercials, movies, television until it became a part of our culture.  We don’t think.  Statements like that have a ring, sounds good, but underneath the statement is evil.  We need to think on our ways and place it under the microscope of God’s Word.  ….and while placing that statement under the scrutiny of His Word,  or other statements, let us ask ourselves these questions.  Is it right?  Is it a statement God would approve?  He is our final Authority, not the media nor the government.

Fashion dictates what we will wear, but is it modest?  Would it lead another to immoral thinking and to stumble?  We have to be careful in our dress and that we are dressing in a way that is pleasing to Him.

We are influenced by politicians, but let us seek to find the truth about them and make sure we are voting moral choices for our nation, states, communities and not listening to smooth words and  what we want to hear or voting for our personal benefit, but what is beneficial for the nation, states,   communities and our families.  “Righteousness exalteth a nation:  but sin is a reproach to any people.”  Proverbs 14:34

I love music and listen daily while working around my house, but what I listen to is important to me for I know of the influence for good or evil in the lyrics of those songs.  I like songs that have a moral and substance to them.  Music is great gift from God, but let us make sure that the music we listen to is free of lyrics that have cursing or promote immoral activity.  God knows what we listen to and what we allow ourselves to be influenced by.

Movies and television, books and magazine articles promote immoral lifestyles as a normal way of life, but in view of God’s Word these lifestyles are immoral.  If these shows do not fit God’s criteria for viewing then we should not be watching them either.  We must be guided by His Book and not the book of Hollywood.  Our nation has taken an immoral turn due to the influence of all media and the influence it has had upon us.  Let us seek those things from above that are righteous and not be influenced any longer by those things that are of no profit to the soul.

“O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself:  it is not in man, that walketh to direct his steps.”  Jeremiah 10:23

Our friends, acquaintances have a huge influence on us.  “Bad days come from bad associates and good days come from better associates.”  “Better to be alone, than in bad company.”

Prisons and jails are filled with people that have had bad influences upon them and leading them into drugs, alcohol, deceit, stealing and all manner of evil.  Let us instead,  be influenced for good by reading the Book of Books, God’s Word.  When you read His Word, you are reading the Mind of God and He alone wants what is best for us.  He loves us and cares for us and before you think that His Word is too dry to read.  Dust it off.  In it you will find the pattern to heaven and greatest comfort known for all mankind, IF we obey that Word.

“Be not not deceived:  evil communications corrupt good manners.”  I Corinthians 15:3

“Keep thy heart with all diligence;  for out of it are the issues of life.”   Proverbs 4:23

“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”

Eileen Light

Sticks and Stones

Jan23

Words. I love words. I love to read, write, and talk. Words are powerful. Words are precious when offered out of love, and painful when spewed out of spite. Words can build up; words can tear down. Words can mend wounds or words can create wounds that may never heal. Proverbs 12:18 says, “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Words, once spoken, can NEVER be taken back. Just like feathers carried away by the wind they can never all be gathered back again.

We are the only one who can choose how and when we use our words. With that in mind, let us consider ways to cultivate the use of good words and eliminate the use of bad, hurtful words.

1. Guard Your Heart
We read in Proverbs 4:23 “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.” The source of all of our words is our heart or mind. We are to protect our hearts with all that we have. If we are filling our minds with worldly entertainment that glamorizes strife and discord, we are sowing the seeds to grow similar words in our hearts. However, if we are feeding our hearts the bread of life and living water, we are preparing the soil of our hearts to bring forth words of love, joy, empathy, and encouragement.

2. Purpose to be Prudent
“Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.” Proverbs 17:27 Restraint is accomplished by purpose and practice. We should pray for the abilty to be wise when it comes to the use of our words. Restraint, like many other desirable qualities, can be improved upon when put into daily practice. The perfect place to exercise this practice is in the home. We must meditate on the appropriate way to respond to our spouse and children in all types of situations. It can mean the difference between a happy home or cold abode.

3. Think Before you Speak
We have all heard about the “count to ten method” and there really is something to be said about this skill. “Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” Proverbs 29:20  How many times have we said something in haste without considering the implications involved? If we will only utilize those few seconds before we speak to analyze our words before we release them, we may save ourselves and others from many hurt feelings.
The poet John Dryden said, “Words are but pictures of our thoughts.” They are the fruit of our hearts. What kind of fruit are you cultivating? The fruit of the spirit or the works of the flesh? Praying we will not grow weary of doing good by using our words with wisdom. Just remember, we will reap in due season.

Shanna  Mathis Anderson