2: A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart.
7: A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
A fool delights in expressing his own heart; getting his own opinion out in the open for all to hear. It isn’t that he can’t understand; he doesn’t want to understand. He doesn’t want to hear but to only speak. Therefore his mouth is his destruction.
BUT…..
10: The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
Not just a name, but THE name of the LORD. The name is salvation; THE Way, THE Truth, and THE Life. There is power in this name. All other names just identify who the person is. This name is our refuge and strength. Look up…..this name is above all. Do you see the Tower of who He is? He is bigger and grander and more magnificent than any tower human eyes have seen. Human eyes can’t see Him; Spirit filled eyes can.
What else do you notice about this verse? Not everyone runs to this Tower; not everyone calls on the name of the LORD. The ones who run to it are the ones who have experienced their need and His sufficiency. When they go they are at/in the best place on earth, no matter where their physical bodies may be. They are set on high and out of reach of danger; they are safe.
11: The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his own esteem.
Look at what the rich man has…what his ‘strength’ is. He thinks it is like a high wall; something that will protect him. Instead, it is a false sense of security that will let him down over and over again.
For Today: Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, and before honor is humility. (v:12). It is ironic isn’t it? Before a man or woman comes to destruction, they show “arrogant superiority”. They start higher than they belong and wind up lower than they ever thought possible. Before onereceives glory and recognition, they show freedom from pride or arrogance. They start off with the awareness that they are not worthy of the grace of God and therefore make themselves ‘low’ before Him, submitted and yielded to Him. But it is then that God moves them to the place they never attempted to reach on their own….to the high place of honor.
What can you take from these verses today and use in your own life?
Today, we’ll look at 3 verses that provide us with vivid imagery. They are far more than statements; they are meant to bring to our minds a real life experience that is on our level. We can understand what they mean, and if we want to, we can learn from the ‘picture’ they paint. Look with your eyes, and with the eyes of your heart. Ready?
1: Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife.
Strife is bitter conflict and the absence of harmony. Less is far m...
3: Commit your works unto the LORD, and your thoughts shall be established.
Our thoughts and what we dwell on will determine the things we act on. BUT, God tells us that when we commit our works to Him, our thoughts will be established. This ‘committing’ is far more than asking the LORD to bless what we’ve already done. That is merely tagging the LORD onto something after the fact. But what would happen if we committed ourselves, and our plans, (our “works”) to Him before, during, an...
~God tells us what wise speech does and what it is:
1: A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger. *Anger is literally removed by a gentle response, but a heated response and harsh words just fuels the flame.
2: The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours out foolishness.
The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. V: 3 *A reminder for all of us: The LORD is always watching.*
He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD, but he who is perverse in his ways despises Him. V:2
The first thing that stands out to me is that the one who is perverse in his ways DESPISES the LORD. That is VERY strong! I realized I might not quite understand what perverse really meant so I looked it up. Perverse:someone who is marked by a disposition to oppose and contradict; resistant to guidance or discipline; specifically turning away from what is moral or right; deliberate defiance.
There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing: there is one that makes himself poor, yet has great riches. V: 7
In God’s economy, things don’t work like the world’s system. How can one be rich, yet have nothing? How can one who is poor have great riches? Well, that ISN”T exactly right. It says: There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; there is one that makes himself poor, yet has great riches. Our heart’s desire is at the root of this verse.
Do you love to learn? If you do then you’ll love being instructed. If you don’t want instruction (in order to gain knowledge), well… you are stupid. Listen to what God tells us today: V1. Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge; buthe that hates reproof is stupid. God’s Word says not always what we want to hear, but always what we need to hear. Instruction is a very necessary component to knowledge. Instruction involves lots of correction; over and over again. It requires focus; i...
Today as I post scripture, I will highlight words that go together. Look at them carefully and notice the consistency of the Word of God.
2-4: When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom. The integrity of the upright will guidethem, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them. Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
16: A gracious woman retains honor, but ruthless men retain riches.
In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked little worth. The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of wisdom. V: 19-21
WORDS……TONGUE………LIPS…….
Any idea what we need to look at today? I think I need it more than anyone. At this time in my life with a challenging situation I face, I need continuous reminders of what the living Word says. For some reason...
Has your presence ever been requested by more than one person at the same time? Have you ever wanted to be in two places at the same time? It isn’t possible no matter how much we may want to; we have to choose. Sometimes where we should go is a very easy decision to make; sometimes it’s much harder. And sometimes the choice will alter the path of our lives.
Today we are invited to two different ‘places’ by two different ‘people’.
You are invited!"Day by Day" Is an opportunity for you to share what you are learning about God and His word with others. Join our wonderful friend Maria as she offers insight that the Lord gives and offers it back to Him by sharing. Please don't miss this chance to "share what you know" ... so that we can know more about our great God together! To submit your thoughts or comments just send it in an e-mail to the5.2project@gmail.com or write it straight in the box below and we'll post it for you. Thank you for sharing with us this way!
Comments:
Thank you Maria. Today was a wonderful reminder to me ... Thank you for you faithfulness! Love, Rachel
Thanks once again Maria for your “sharing” today. Such a great encouragement to me today and this was such a good study on these verses. THANK YOU
Maria, what a blessing your writings are to me. I love reading how God is working in your life and how beautifully you are so willing to share. What a wonderful Savior we have!! Thank you Maria from the depths of my heart. Donna
Thank you Maria for your lesson today! Praise God, He can do the impossible! Love, Rachel
Thanks once again, Maria. Your “studies” each day have once again blessed and touched my heart. I love what you did that illustrated GRACE! Just want you to know that your sharing is not in vain or going unnoticed! - Terrie
Thank you for the reminder that God made me for such a time as this; my adequacy is in our Great and Loving GOD!
Gravity: I can NOT wait to defy gravity! Come quickly LORD Jesus! Praise God, His thoughts are greater than my thoughts!! Thank you for sharing, Maria!
On 1 Peter:
Maria, Thank you so much for sharing what God is showing you in His Living Word! I Peter was a great encouragement to us through Levi's cancer and surgery. Just as you shared, we were continually reminded that our suffering was not in vain! God graciously allowed us to see His Hand at work every step of the way! I praise God for the opportunity to test my faith! Love, Rachel
Maria, I’m so thankful for your willingness to share and your incredible ability to do it in such an awesome way. I am always encouraged, and learning as I read and I’m so grateful for all that you do! Love, Mary
Thank you, Maria, for all your thoughts that you have shared so diligently over the past weeks! They are truly a blessing and inspiration to me! Often they are convicting to me, but that's what I need. Thank you for allowing our God to use you in this way. - Terrie
