Words of Wisdom Wednesday

 Proverbs 25:15 KJV

By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

When I was young, I was taught a rhyme to say to myself (and sometimes others) when they would say mean things.

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."

Even though I would say this, I never truly believed it. Words can hurt and sometimes for many years. They can break us even if they are said gently. Words have power. Use them wisely.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

 

Proverbs 24:27 KJV

Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.

Today I would like to view this scripture in light of marriage. Before one can be ready to build their house (ie: get married), they must know who they are in Christ. If you are dealing with any issues emotionally or spiritually, deal with those before trying to move on where those issues can affect others.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

 

 Proverbs 23:13 KJV

Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.

It is our job as parents to discipline our children. It is up to us to correct bad behavior. Sometimes that may mean spanking, but it does not mean to cause harm. When we do it, it is our goal to turn them from the  bad road they are on. We want them to experience God's best for them.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 6:5

Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

If we are in debt, we are to work as if our lives depended on it to get out of debt. The truth is, our lives DO depend on it! We are slaves to debt because we must work to pay it back. Set yourself free!

Words of Wisdom Wednesdays

Proverbs 5:19

Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.

When I read this, I look at how God is calling me to live in my role as a wife.

If my husband is to be satisfied and ravished, then I must be loving and pleasant. I can not just do enough to "get by", but I must lavish him with love. I must not deprive him of my body or my love.

This also makes me thing about how men feel loved-by being respected. I must show respect to my husband if he is to truly be ravished with my love.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 4:25

Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

How do you win a race?

By keeping your focus on the end goal and not getting distracted by what is happening beside or behind you. It is the same with life.

We must keep our eyes on God, His Words, His commands. We must not get distracted with what the world is doing.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 24:3

Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:

While this fits with the actual, physical building of a house, I would like to look at it in view of marriage. Most people do not just rush into marriage. It is wise to make sure you are marrying who God has for you. Also, it is wise to realize that love is a choice and make that commitment. Once married, living in understanding for your spouse will strengthen your marriage, thereby, establishing your house. You must seek to understand your spouse if you desire a strong marriage.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 23:4

Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.

What really caught my eye in this verse is the second part. The world will tell you that money, and lots of it, will fix your problems. However, riches are temporary. Yes, it may make aspects of our lives on earth easier, but it will not solve all our problems. God gave us brains to use, but that doesn't mean that we always know best. Our wisdom is nothing compared to God's wisdom.

Words of Wisdom Wednesdays

Proverbs 22:7

The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

I was raised that debt was normal. I didn't see how enslaving it was until after we had our first child and I wanted to become a stay-at-home mother. We couldn't do what God was calling me to do because of payments. It wasn't until a few years later that I was able to quit my job and even then we had some pretty hard times. We couldn't give to others the way our hearts desired either. Even now, we would love to do more for God's kingdom, but my husband is tied down to a job that makes X amount so we can pay our house payments. We are striving to get the house paid off early so we are free for God to use us as He wills.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 21:20

There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

Here we learn the wisdom that comes from saving and preparing for the future. Only a foolish person would spend all they have. What does this say about Americans? We have the lowest savings in all the world. We are in debt up past our eye balls. We need to make wise decisions and start saving.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 20:5

Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

The Bible mentions numerous times the importance of seeking counsel. There is strength in asking advice from godly people. Unfortunately, many times our pride gets in the way of asking or we just don't want to take the time to ask. That is just foolishness! We must remember that wisdom can come from asking others for help. We must take the time and make the effort to seek advice.

Don't Miss the Benefits

Proverbs 14:4

Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

Obviously if you don't have an animal to take care of it will be easier to keep things clean, but you miss out on the many benefits of the animal as well. The ox can help you work fields faster and more efficiently which would increase your joy.

The same can be said for a large family. Yes, it would be easier to keep a clean home and not have so many emotional "messes" and sometimes financial "messes"; however, we would miss out on the numerous benefits! We would miss out on the hugs and kisses, the cuddles and laughter, the friendships, the help a brother or sister gives in the time of need. We would miss out on the daily opportunities to be like Christ and put others above ourselves. Ultimately, we would miss out on love.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 24:11 & 12c

If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain . . . and shall not he render to every man according to his works?

We must protect life from abortion! We can not stand idly by as millions of babies go to death. We must help end hunger. We can not stand by as children starve to death. We must fight chemical use and the poisoning of our food. We can not stand by as millions die from chemical use. We must save people from death!

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 19:18
Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

If you truly love your children, you will train them and the time to train them is when they are young and before they are set in their ways. They will not like it ,but when they are old, they will be thankful.

Many people will say, "Let them be children;" however, childhood is the best time for training.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 18:14

The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

Proverbs 18:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

I think these verses go hand-in-hand.

We often see people, who have a spirit to live, overcome serious injury as well as those who do not have that spirit to live succumb to a minor wound. The spirit truly affects the physical. While the saying is, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me," it is the farthest from the truth.

Words can bring life!

When you see someone down, speak encouraging words to uplift their spirit. An uplifted spirit can help someone through the hardest of times.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 17:9 

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

Continually bringing up an old hurt does no good. You show love by forgiving and then forgetting about it. Your love needs to be greater than the hurt or it will drive a wedge between you.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 16:9 

A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

We can plan all we want, but what happens is the Lord's doing. It is best to devise our steps according to God's will in the first place. We may have a dream, but God will direct how it plays out and when.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

 Proverbs 15:16-17

Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

Money is not everything. Following God is. It is better to have a mess and more work to do than to have money but no love. Work on relationships and contentment with little will come.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 14:15

The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

Do not believe everything you hear even if it is from an "expert". Do your own research. Find out for yourself. Find your own way and do not simply follow the crowd.

Word of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 13:12

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

God gives us desires. We can hope those desires come to fruition, but if it takes longer than what we expect, it can bring sadness. When it does come to life, it is energizing.