What is The Power of Wisdom in our Lives? Proverbs 24:3

We would all like to be wise but what would happen to us if we really were?

"By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established." Proverbs 24:3.

WISDOM

Wisdom combines experience, knowledge, and good judgment; but more than that it is a gift from God and the result of diligently seeking it.

HOUSE

This reference can have multiple meanings. At first glance, you would think of a structure where a person lives as in a shelter and a place in a permanent community. Metaphorically it can refer to one's life, family and social standing. In both interpretations, several truths come to mind.

A house is built on a foundation, basic support that secures and gives stability to the structure. It can refer to a life that extends beyond oneself, a life that touches others and has an effect for generations to come. A house can be a place of identity and being.

BUILT

The effect of wisdom is intentional since it is actively building in a positive and desirable way.  We are all building a life and a legacy but not always with the counsel or guidance of wisdom.

UNDERSTANDING

Understanding does not just come it is the result of hard mental work. You need to think things through. You need to get informed and educated. Understanding takes time and effort.

ESTABLISHED
When something is established it is firmly set in place, it is ready and has an accepted place. It endures through difficulties and time. When our lives are established by wisdom and understanding they will be lives that others will respect and admire.

SOURCE

Wisdom and understanding are not something you can buy at a store or acquire in a classroom. These are unique things. The Bible teaches that the source of wisdom and understanding is God and He gives it to those who ask of him, James 1:5.

Seek wisdom from God and allow that wisdom to be your foundation then it will empower your works and your legacy will endure.

If you do not know God, who is the source of wisdom, and want to learn more about how to have a personal relationship with him then follow THIS LINK.

Thank you for visiting and reading my blog. I sincerely hope this post is helpful and encouraging.  For more like this see the most popular post in the left sidebar, or use the search box above.

(c) Adron 10/16/16

Six Traits Of An Upright and Righteous Person, Proverbs 16:17

If someone was an upright person what traits would characterize them?  The Bible gives some clues.

"The highway of the upright avoids evil, those who guard their ways preserve their lives." Proverbs 16:17.

HIGHWAY
This suggests the path we walk through life and not just an occasional moment of clear thinking but a lifestyle of being upright. The righteous person keeps on the path and sees the pathway of life as too purposeful to wander away from.

UPRIGHT
Here is a person who can endure scrutiny and still be standing. His life is public and without secrets.

AVOIDS EVIL
He has a definition of evil. It is not subjective or cultural and does not change with the fashion but absolute. He recognizes the way of evil and keeps off of it with intent.

This person does not explore evil, he doesn't look at it from a "safe distance," or toy with it; instead he plans intentionally to take actions which distance them from evil.

GUARD THEIR WAYS
A guard is diligent; he does not sleep on watch but constantly looks for danger. The righteous man does not take a holiday from being righteous; he is disciplined and ready to deal decisively with evil.

WAYS
They guard their habits. The way they go about life and the way they live is done with deliberation; they do not just drift through life.

PRESERVE
Something that is preserved is cherished, cared for, and maintained. This is the end result of the life of the upright because of a constant view that righteousness is a pathway that must be intentionally pursued, guarded and stayed.

The upright may have sorrows in life but they do not have regrets. The good they did and the good they became is not lost. Theirs is a highway worth walking on.

If you feel that righteousness is something you will never attain to see my other blog about knowing God in your life through the gift of salvation.

Thank you for visiting and reading my blog. I sincerely hope this post is helpful and encouraging.  For more like this see the most popular post in the sidebar, or use the search box above.

(c) Adron 1/14/15

What is The Best Advice Ever? Proverbs 4:23

What is the one bit of advice that Solomon the wisest man wrote in his book of proverbs that is a must? If you only learn just one what one should it be?

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." Proverbs 4:23.

ABOVE ALL ELSE
This is to give it the first importance, the highest priority, and make it the number one thing in the agenda book. This is a call to be diligent, and not sloppy.

There are many things that we need to attend to (and legitimate too) but the most crucial one is this.

GUARD
The palace guard stays on watch every hour of every day, they may change personnel but there is always someone on duty. A good guard stays alert, is ever ready, watches for danger, and keeps his equipment in order with his weapon ready.

YOUR HEART
In the Bible, the heart is the seat of affections, emotions, reasoning, and thinking. From this we have our moral center. This makes it too valuable to neglect.

Guard Your Heart

The heart needs to be watched since it is prone to wander and deceive.

EVERYTHING YOU DO
Our conduct comes from our heart; all the issues of life and every choice or decision you make will be guided by it.

FLOWS FROM IT.
The origon of everything you do flows from your heart. It is the source and birthplace of your thoughts and actions.

Something that is flowing can't be changed or stopped. This word is used in a present tense that the flowing is always going to flow.

TAKE ACTION
     * Keep yourself free of vanity.
     * Keep your doctrine free from error.
     * Turn from your sins,
     * Be faithful in prayer,
     * Meditate on God's Word.
     * Seek the companionship of good people who love God.
     * Keep your affections on God and His work.

If your heart is right with God your life will be right, if you fill your heart with garbage your life will be trashy.

To learn more about having God come into your life see my other blog post, CLICK HERE. 

(c)Adron Dozat

How To Make Our Dreams Come True.

We all have dreams and desires. It would be wonderful if there was a way to ensure our dreams come true.

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19: 21. NIV*

This Bible verse really describes so us so well, for "many are the plans in a man's heart," we have a long list of "if onlys."

We say...
     * "If only I had money, I would do this thing."
     * Or "If only I had resources to do this or that it could help so many people."
     * Or "If only my business idea would work out so I could do this or that."

And we have lots of goals; we say things like...
     * This year I want to do this or that.
     * I will publish my novel.
     * I will get healthy.
     * I want to start an art gallery.
     * I hope to open a bread and breakfast inn.
     * I want to take some college courses.

BUT
Halfway through the verse, we have to put on the breaks because there is that all-powerful word, "But." It says, "Stop, put everything on hold, and look again; here is the real heart of the issue about your plans."

GOD
The Lord has a purpose for everything in our lives; it is a given, after all, that to say 'He is the Lord' is to say 'He is Sovereign, the ruler, and ultimately in charge.' We need many daily reminders of the powerful and freeing truth that He is the Lord. The Lord God is involved in our lives in a loving, compassionate, and wise way. He has a divine and holy purpose for my day, week, and life. I need to make sure my plans are in harmony with his purpose; otherwise, I am wasting my life and missing his blessings for me.

It is comforting that "the Lord's purpose prevails," for his plans for me are going to be better than anything I can dream up anyway.

We must make sure our plans are:
     * In keeping with His will.
     * Prayerfully developed.
     * Free from sinful motivations.
     * Honoring Him.
     * Going to bring us closer to God.

Our plans may go in all kinds of directions, but God's purpose is spoken in singular terms in this verse. He has a purpose for each of us and all humanity; it is that we may know him and the one (Jesus) who He sent. John 17:3

*To read this verse in other translations, follow this link: Online Parallel Bible.

 To learn more about fulfilling God's plan for your life, then follow this link: Click Here.

(c) Adron Dozat 12/27/12

What Does The Bible Say About Success? Proverbs 16:2

How do we become successful, and what is the key?

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3, NIV.

At first, that looks like a clear, and simple verse.  It looks like a formula for easy success, but if you look deeper you find there's more to it because to commit something to the Lord is hard.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO COMMIT
Commit is not a word you hear every day.  You might hear someone had committed a crime, meaning it happened. You might say, I made a commitment, meaning a promise you will surely keep.  You may say I will commit something to memory, meaning I will put it to memory for good. You might say, I am committed to a cause, meaning you are given over to it.

To commit something to the Lord is all of this and it will also be...

• To honor the Lord.
• That the end will please Him.
• That He will be in charge.
• That I will be submissive to His instructions.
• That the cause of the Lord will be advanced.
• That people will look and see God, not me.
• And that He might (and probably will) change the plans.

A WAY OF LIFE
This is a way of life verse; it says, "whatever you do;" so it could be anything: a job, career, school, housework, or marriage. This verse is so totally open-ended it is like saying commit to the Lord anything you do; or maybe we should say, commit to the Lord everything we do. That might change everything for us!

OUR PROBLEM
We find we are very committed to ourselves. We need to begin with prayer and confession. We need to search our motivations because we know we cannot commit sinful plans to the Lord. We remember, he must increase and I must decrease.

WHAT HAPPENS
When we commit our plans to the Lord something will happen, we get more of the Lord.  We find him there and discover more about him, for his plan is that we know him.

GOD WILL SUCCEED
God's idea of success may not be what we had in mind. We may want a bigger paycheck, he may want us to have more trust; we may want loving relationships, he may want us to be forgiving; we may want a big title, he may want us to wash the disciple's feet. If we commit our plans to the Lord we are committed to his definition of success. When we are committed to allowing God to work our success as he sees fit we will find greater success than we originally envisioned.

To compare this verse in other translations visit this link: Proverbs 16:3.

If you want to find out more about how to have God in your life follow this link: Click Here.

© Adron 11/24/12

How To Be a Positive Influence. Proverbs 10:17

What does the Bible say about influencing people for good? If we knew this it would help us get the best for our lives and the lives of those around us?

"He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray." Proverbs 10:17.*  NIV.

When we trust Jesus as Savior we come into a family where God is our Father. We become a blessing to our families and friends because our relationship with God is like the engine on a train, if things are moving ahead with God things will be moving ahead with other people in our lives; but to be that blessing we often need to change in some way and change often requires God's loving discipline.

Discipline is not pleasant but it is beneficial. Discipline is...

• For our good.
• Enables us to serve Him effectively.
• Brings us in agreement with His purpose.
• Leads us to happier lives.
• Removes sin's practice from our experience.
• Corrects our character.
• The list goes on, and on.

God may use circumstances, events and trials to discipline us and bring about good in our character and lives. When we go through these trials in a positive way we become better people, wiser, more compassionate, and many more good things. If we pay attention to discipline the Father will direct our lives and we will be a positive influence to others around us.

To ignore God's correction is folly! We may even louse fellowship with the Father, and hurt the loved ones around us. We will fail to grow as people.

The real challenge is the effect our response to discipline has in the lives of other people. If we pay attention we will be a living example of the way of life to our kids, spouse, co-workers, dear friends, and others. If we "ignore correction" we will actually be "leading others astray." As Christians we are wearing a sign that says, "This is what God is all about," or, "This is what Jesus is," and everybody is reading that sign!

If we ignore God's discipline, we are a message that Jesus is sloppy, lazy, angry, foul mouthed, etc. If we pay attention to discipline we are saying Jesus is about growth, forgiveness, maturity, and many other good things.

We need to pay attention to what God is doing in our lives through trials and circumstances. We must be in tune with the engine; anything else will wreck the train.

To learn more about how to have God in your life follow this link: Click Here.

* To read this verse in different translations follow this link: Proverbs 10:17.

(c)Adron Dozat

____________________________

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Adron

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What Does The Bible Say About Revenge Proverbs 20:22

What should you do when you want to get revenge?

There are times in our life when others do some really mean hateful thing to us and we are deeply hurt. We would like to get back and settle the score.  The feelings that drive us to revenge are powerful and strong, their destructive nature is like cancer that consumes us and their bile can destroy those around us. Is there a better way?

"Do not say, 'I'll pay you back for this wrong!' Wait for the Lord and he will deliver you."Proverbs 20:22 NIV.

A COMMAND

The Bible responds with a "Do not..." statement, not just a word of teaching or advice but this verse is worded with the strength of a command.

HOW TO START

We need to stifle the thoughts of revenge early and quickly; we should not even speak about it.  When thoughts of revenge come we should redirect them to thoughts of waiting on the Lord.

WAIT
The teaching to wait comes up often in scripture.  There are many reasons why:
     * To wait without giving in or compromise is a statement of faith.
     * To wait reaffirms the lordship of God over us and our situation.
     * To wait is a testimony seen by men and angels that we believe in the promises of God and His commitment to us.

We wait, not for time to heal, or for some opportunity, or wait for the sake of waiting, we are to wait for The Lord. We wait on purpose for the one who created all things by His mighty power and who has the power to change all things, the one who rules the universe and will judge the hearts of all men. We wait with a focus on the Lord and not our grievances.

GOD'S PROMISE
This verse ends with a conditional promise.  The condition is not to act on our desire for revenge but to wait for the Lord instead.  The promise is that he will deliver.  That the Lord will make things right, it may be that the Lord delivers us from our enemies, or the situation or from ourselves and our bitterness.

DELIVERANCE
As much as we need to be delivered from our enemies we also need deliverance from our desire for revenge. Though God is a just God He may be more interested in changing our natures than balancing justice.  He allows circumstances in our lives to give us the challenges we need to grow. He may deliver us from ourselves and not our oppressors, that may be the greater deliverance.

A prayer:
Lord, I feel wronged and victimized.
I feel I do not deserve this.
I have an idea of justice,
Forgive me my anger
And my bitterness.
Waiting is hard Lord.
I want to see action now,
And change right away.
Please fill me with your Spirit
That we may be in accord
And accept your deliverance.
Let your divine will be done;
If it is to make right this wrong
Then I thank you,
If it is to make me a better person
May it be one in the image of Jesus
Who knew no sin
Died in the place of sinners.
As in all things let you will be done.

PostScript;
To learn more about what the Bible teaches about how to get saved follow this link: Jesus and Salvation

(c) Adron 3/22/12

What is Better Than Silver And Gold Proverbs 22:1

If you have a lot of money, you can get many good things and live comfortably; who doesn't want the good things that money buys? But there is something better.

A good name is more desirable than great riches: and to be esteemed is better than Silver or Gold." Proverbs 22:1 JKV.

DESIRE
To desire, something is to want it, and desirable means to be worthy of desire; it points to what people want most. Something that is esteemed is of high value or high opinion. These words have the idea of placing one over the other.

A GOOD NAME
A good name is what you are recognized for; it is what people think of you. You can buy things, and you can buy services. You can even pay someone for their time, but you can't buy their opinion. If you give all the wealth you ever accumulate, it will not purchase a favorable opinion; possibly the attempt to do so would create the contrary- a poor opinion.  A good name is more than being popular. It is the telltale of the relationship you have with society. To have people hold you in high esteem tells that you are a person of character and integrity.

The tabloids and media are full of the disastrous lives of the rich and famous. Their wealth does not protect them from foolishness, vice, pettiness, or poor choices. They are wealthy, but they have wrecked their own lives and the lives of those around them.

Someone might say don't care what other people think, but that only works until you have to do business with other people or want a relationship.

THE COST
Many people throw their reputation away to get wealth. Some people sacrifice their good name for money. This is foolish. In the end, you will only have money. You can't take wealth with you to heaven, but you can send it on ahead by living a life of good acts, charity, and love, for then you will have a reward in heaven.

History is full of millionaires and canonized saints. The millionaires accumulated wealth and are forgotten in the dust of the cemeteries; the saints served and sacrificed, and their names list the noble and best of humanity, serving as an example of what beauty life is in God's hands can be.

There is nothing wrong with riches, and being wealthy is not a sin, but a good name is to be chosen over wealth should the choice come.

To learn more about how to get saved, follow this link: Jesus and Salvation.

(c) Adron 3/14/12

What Puts God in Your Debt? Proverbs 19:17

What if you could do something that would put God in your debt, or earn God's gratitude?

"He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord. He will repay him for what he has done." Proverbs 19:17.

GOD THE FATHER
God is all-loving. He loves people great and little, wise and foolish. If God loves people and you are kind to people, (who God loves), then you are doing something kind to God.  God is the Creator and Father of us all, so if you are kind to a person He created you show kindness to God.  If a child is in trouble and someone helps the child the parents are extremely grateful.  Apply this to the verse above; we are all God's children, if we are kind to the ones who are less fortunate the Father, Creator and Lord will appreciate it- even be grateful.

In the entire universe, only human beings have the opportunity to show kindness to those God loves, only human beings may lend to the Lord in this way.

WHY THE POOR
God does not need our charity; He is not in trouble and looking for a handout. I t grieves us to see misfortune come, and hard to understand why God allows it, but misfortune gives context for good and gives good the opportunity to manifest itself as we respond in kindness. Because there are poor we have the opportunity to show kindness to the poor and hereby to show kindness to God.

LENDS
Would God default on a debt?  To ask is foolish.  God will be no man's debtor and He will pay back abundantly.  Yet for God to pay back our kindness to those less fortunate is gracious for we should be kind to those in need out of love and compassion.  It should be enough motivation that our kindness is done to those who our Savior loved and died for, and if God pays that kindness back it is to His credit not ours.

PEOPLE
Since God cherishes people we should too, if you love God you will take care to cherish and respect the things God loves- meaning people. If God loves that poor person who is digging through the trash for his dinner then that alone should be enough reason for us to act on their behalf.

ACT
The words above "is kind" directly points to the word "is done." though this verse reveals a truth about God it is really a verse about actions taken. Let us look for the opportunities to do actions of kindness to others for we are not rewarded until we are done.

© Adron 11/9/11

How do we have victory as Christians. Proverbs 2:7

Is victory bought through sacrifices or earned by charitable works or some other way?

"He holds victory in store for the upright; he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless." Proverbs 2:7 NIV.

VICTORY

God holds victory, which means victory is certain; it is in store, waiting to be claimed. The Lord offers victory to the upright, not the smartest, beautiful, educated, or even those who have correct doctrine but those who are upright or live right. Living right is not by our ideas but by His truth.

SHIELD

A shield offers defense and protection. God is our shield; he is our protection, not a system, philosophy, technology, but the Almighty One. Nothing can get through, past, or over Him; there is not a better shield. The implication is that if we do not live uprightly and blamelessly, we forfeit victory and God's protection.

THE KEY

The words upright and blameless are key to this verse and to victory. We know that God is holy and absolutely righteous, and no one can stand before him uprightly and without blame.

FAITH

How do we become upright and blameless? It can't depend on our efforts; it must come from God. We know that salvation is a gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-9). Salvation brings the gift of righteousness. We are given an upright position in Christ but shouldn't neglect it. We must turn from sin and live a life of short accounts where we constantly confess and repent our sins. Part of walking in blamelessness is a gift and part of our responsibility; it is a partnership between you and God. He gives uprightness as a gift, part of salvation, and we live upright lives by choice empowered by the Holy Spirit. We are given blamelessness before God regarding our sins in Christ, but we must also choose to live lives blameless before our fellow man.

HE IS OUR VICTORY, NOT US

Many feel defeated, but we don't lose victory- we reject it; it is in reserve to be provided for those who claim it as their privilege in Christ. If we feel no longer upright or blameless, we must come to God in confession; we must turn from our sin and receive his forgiveness and the accompanying victory.

This verse is positive and absolute. The words “He holds” and “He is” are affirmations that have no doubt. If you have come to God through Jesus, you can see God as one who holds victory and who is a shield.

To learn more about coming to God for the gift of salvation, click here to see my other blog.

* * * *

Thank you for visiting and reading my blog. I sincerely hope this post is helpful and an encouragement.  See the most popular post in the sidebar, or use the search box above for more like this.

(c)Adron Dozat 9/5/11

What Is The World's Biggest Need Today

The world is in such a mess with disasters on every side like global warming, nuclear threats, terrorism, war, famine, and more. The government says we need more taxes to fix this and that; others say education, social programs, laws, or money will fix our national and personal crisis- but our troubles are still there!

“How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose to understand than silver.” Proverbs 16:16.

The problems of our country and world are not solved in more money, laws, dialogue, education, or bigger guns, but men and women of wisdom. We need leaders with the Wisdom of Solomon, our communities need people who are wise, and each of us needs personal wisdom.

BETTER THAN GOLD
Wisdom was with God before creation and will be with us for eternity. Wisdom touches all areas of life. Wisdom will add to our happiness, bless our relationships, grow our business, improve our health and increase our personal satisfaction. It will keep us from bad choices, folly, and error. Wisdom will earn us respect in our communities, families, and jobs.

WISDOM DEFINED
Wisdom can be defined as “good sense” or “ability to make sensible judgments based on knowledge and experience,” also as “Exceptional insight in a particular matter.” For the believer, wisdom is more; it is “Knowing the heart of God in a matter and acting in accord with it.”

GET  WISDOM
We should “get wisdom” and “choose to understand." It doesn't just happen through solar radiation or osmosis. We must choose wisdom and apply effort to get it.

There is much wisdom in the Bible; therefore, choose to read it daily to search for personal wisdom.
     * Read the life of Jesus, who even as a child “grew in wisdom and stature.”(Luke 2:52).
     * God is the source of wisdom and gives it to those who ask, “If any of you lacks wisdom he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”(James 1:5).
     * To respect God and his laws are the foundation of wisdom.“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. But fools despise wisdom and discipline.”(Proverbs 1:7).
     * Wisdom requires humility and is never found in the proud or arrogant. "With pride comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” (Proverbs 11:2.)

We all have many troubles and search for solutions. Let us seek personal wisdom through prayer and study the “scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15). Wisdom is there, and God offers it to us if we seek it.

To learn more about how to find salvation, follow this link to my other blog.

(c)Adron Dozat 5/10/11