PROVERBS: Living Right

Living Right – Part 5: Healthy Habits Proverbs 3:7-8 et al.

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Wisdom for Healthy Living

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
Proverbs 3:7-8

Work Hard

As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so are sluggards to those who send them.
Proverbs 10:26

One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.
Proverbs 18:9

I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense; thorns had come up everywhere,
the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins.
I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw:
A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—
and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.
Proverbs 24:30-34

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord,
not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.
It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:23-24

Who’s the Boss?
In a study on work ethics, a group of theology students were told to preach the story of the good Samaritan, then walk to another building for their next assignment while they would be candidly filmed. Along the way, they encountered a man in visible distress.

When given ample time, almost all helped. When they were deliberately let out late, only 63 percent helped. When encouraged to go as fast as possible,
90 percent ignored the man.
-Muel Katpein, 52 Reflections on Ethics at Work

Eat & Drink Moderately

Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path:
Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat,
for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.
Proverbs 23:19-21

“Behold the rain which descends from heaven upon our vineyards, there it enters the roots of the vines, to be changed into wine, a constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy.”
-Benjamin Franklin, Letter to André Morellet

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity…Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit
Ephesians 5:15-18

Resist Temptations

My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them.
If they say, “Come along with us…my son, do not go along with them,
do not set foot on their paths; for their feet rush into evil.
Proverbs 1:10-11,15

Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned?
Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched?
Proverbs 6:27-28

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13

“We must learn to avoid either trains of thought or social situations which lead to temptations. Like motoring—don’t wait till the last moment before you put on the brakes but put them on, gently and quietly, while the danger is still a good way off.”
-C.S. Lewis, Letters to a Friend

Empty the Trash

 

Green Light…Work Diligently
Yellow Light…Consume Moderately
Red Light…Resist Immediately

 

Living Right – Part 4: God’s Two Cents Proverbs 3:9-10 et al.

Sunday, June 7, 2015

Pursue God Not Wealth

Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness.
Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.
Proverbs 23:4-5

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.
You cannot serve both God and money.
-Jesus from Matthew 6:24

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
1 Timothy 6:10

Be a Giver

Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;
then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
Proverbs 3:9-10

One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
Proverbs 11:24-25

It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.
Proverbs 14:21

Give, and it will be given to you.
A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.
For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Luke 6:38

Be a Saver

Go to the ant…consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.
Proverbs 6:6-8

Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.
Proverbs 13:11

The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.
Proverbs 21:20

Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
1 Timothy 5:8

Live Within Means

Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.
Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’
Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.
Proverbs 30:8-9

Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.
Proverbs 15:16

The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.
Proverbs 22:7

I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
Philippians 4:12

The 10-10-80 Principle

Give 10%
Save 10%
Live Within 80%

The Bottom Line
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5

 

 

Living Right – Part 3: Word Power Proverbs 16:23-24 et al.

Sunday May 31, 2015

“The trouble with talking too fast is you may say something you haven’t thought of yet.”
-Ann Landers

“By swallowing evil words unsaid, no one has ever harmed his stomach.”
-Winston Churchill

“Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.”
-Abraham Lincoln

“Some people have a way with words, and other people…oh, uh, not have way.”
-Steve Martin

Our Words Reflect Our Hearts

The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction.
Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Proverbs 16:22-23

Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.
Proverbs 12:25

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

For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
-Jesus, from Matthew 12:34

Our Words Require Restraint

The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.
Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.
Proverbs 17:27-28

Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them.
Proverbs 29:20

Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.
Proverbs 27:2

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue…
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?…Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
James 3:3-12

Our Words Maintain Trust

Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
Proverbs 12:19

A dishonest person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.
Proverbs 16:28

Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.
Proverbs 27:6

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

Ephesians 4:25

Our Words Can Hurt or Heal

The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Proverbs 12:18

The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.
Proverbs 15:2

The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 15:4

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29

Who do you need to speak healing to?

 

Living Right – Part 2: The Company You Keep Proverbs 13:20 et al.

Sunday May 24, 2015

How Teachable Are You?

Do not rebuke fools or they will hate you;
rebuke the wise and they will love you.
Proverbs 9:9

Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life,
but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.
Proverbs 10:17

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but whoever hates correction is stupid.
Proverbs 12:1

Irony Award

Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. “How would you advise me to answer these people?” he asked.
They replied, “If today you will be a servant to these people and serve them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants.”
But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him. He asked them, “What is your advice? How should we answer these people who say to me, ‘Lighten the yoke your father put on us’?”
The young men who had grown up with him replied, “These people have said to you, ‘Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but make our yoke lighter.’ Now tell them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist. My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.’” 1 Kings 12:6-11

With friends like these, who needs enemies…

Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person,
do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.
Proverbs 22:24-25

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24

Like a broken tooth or a lame foot
is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.
Proverbs 25:19

Ship of Fools
The ship of fools allegory can be traced to Plato’s The Republic, which describes a poorly managed vessel filled with self-interested, ignorant individuals who represent various types of vice or folly, none of whom truly care about their destination.   -Laura De Silva, The Reader

In Good Company

Walk with the wise and become wise,
for a companion of fools suffers harm.
Proverbs 13:20

As iron sharpens iron,
so one person sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17

Those who trust in themselves are fools,
but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.
Proverbs 28:26

Circle of Influence

God’s Word…For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

The Holy Spirit…So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.
Galatians 5:16-17

Christ-like Counsel…For where two or three gather in my name,
there am I with them.
— Jesus from Matthew 18:20

 

 

Living Right – Part 1: Wise Up  Proverbs 1:1-7

Sunday May 17, 2015

How do you make decisions?

Who do you let influence you?

How do your words impact others?

What role does money play in your life?

How healthy are your habits?

Our Need for Biblical Wisdom
The application of knowledge, experience, and sound judgment that leads to making Godly decisions and choices.

The Bible’s Wisdom Literature

Job
Psalms
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Songs

Solomon’s Wisdom

Split Decision – 1 Kings 3:16-28
Now two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. One of them said, “Pardon me, my lord. This woman and I live in the same house, and I had a baby while she was there with me. The third day after my child was born, this woman also had a baby. We were alone; there was no one in the house but the two of us. During the night this woman’s son died because she lay on him. So she got up in the middle of the night and took my son from my side while I your servant was asleep. She put him by her breast and put her dead son by my breast. The next morning, I got up to nurse my son—and he was dead! But when I looked at him closely in the morning light, I saw that he wasn’t my son.”
The other woman said, “No! The living one’s mine-the dead one’s yours.”
But the first one insisted, “No! The dead one is yours; the living one is mine.” And so they argued before the king.

The king said, “This one says, ‘My son is alive and your son is dead,’ while that one says, ‘No! Your son is dead and mine is alive.’”
Then the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought a sword for the king. He then gave an order: “Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other.”
The woman whose son was alive was deeply moved out of love for her son and said to the king, “Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don’t kill him!”
But the other said, “Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!”
Then the king gave his ruling: “Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother.”
When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice.

Modern Day Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsbgwNe4Rv4

Wising Up – Proverbs 1:1-7
The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
for gaining wisdom and instruction;
for understanding words of insight;
for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
doing what is right and just and fair;
for giving prudence to those who are simple,
knowledge and discretion to the young
let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance
for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

The Hebrew word rendered simple in Proverbs denotes a person who is gullible, without moral direction and inclined to evil.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Psalm 111:10

Fear God?

God is love.
Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.
The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:16,18

Fear not Fright

Fearing God means having such profound respect for His authority that nothing else impacts our lives more than His will for us.

Whose authority do you respect?

Start with God.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6

Include the wisdom God has given others.
Plans fail for lack of counsel,
but with many advisers they succeed.
Proverbs 15:22

The Blessing of Seeking God’s Wisdom
Proverbs 3:13-18
Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,

for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.

She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.

Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.

Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.

She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
those who hold her fast will be blessed.