1 We can gather our thoughts, but the LORD gives the right answer.
2People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their motives.
3Commit your work to the LORD, and then your plans will succeed.
4The LORD has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for punishment.
5The LORD despises pride; be assured that the proud will be punished.
6Unfailing love and faithfulness cover sin; evil is avoided by fear of the LORD.
7When the ways of people please the LORD, he makes even their enemies live at peace with them.
8It is better to be poor and godly than rich and dishonest.
9We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.
10The king speaks with divine wisdom; he must never judge unfairly.
11The LORD demands fairness in every business deal; he sets the standard.
12A king despises wrongdoing, for his rule depends on his justice.
13The king is pleased with righteous lips; he loves those who speak honestly.
14The anger of the king is a deadly threat; the wise do what they can to appease it.
15When the king smiles, there is life; his favor refreshes like a gentle rain.
16How much better to get wisdom than gold, and understanding than silver!
17The path of the upright leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe.
18Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.
19It is better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.
20Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the LORD will be happy.
21The wise are known for their understanding, and instruction is appreciated if it's well presented.
22Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it, but discipline is wasted on fools.
23From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive.
24Kind words are like honey--sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
25There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.
26It is good for workers to have an appetite; an empty stomach drives them on.
27Scoundrels hunt for scandal; their words are a destructive blaze.
28A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.
29Violent people deceive their companions, leading them down a harmful path.
30With narrowed eyes, they plot evil; without a word, they plan their mischief.
31Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life.
32It is better to be patient than powerful; it is better to have self-control than to conquer a city.
33We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall.
5 comments:
Morning guys.
2People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their motives.
I think about this a lot. What my mind is saying in the background. I can catch myself and try to redirect my thoughts, so i hope that counts for something. The real question is how to prevent them from coming all together??
timcd, what did you think about this one? in fact, what did everyone think????
4The LORD has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for punishment.
another struggle
5The LORD despises pride; be assured that the proud will be punished.
Father, I feel like I am doing this all the time, but change me completely. Help me with my temper and give the the wisdom and strength to represent You in all that I do. Watch over my family and these guys.
In Christ,
cas
Morning Fellas,
CAS...verse 2. Well, it tells me that often we can convince ourselves that our motives are pure but in reality if God was to examine them he would often find ungodly intentions (i.e. some personal gain).
verse 9. "We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps."
No matter how much planning we do in our lives, the final direction of ours lives is determine by the Lord. He controls all.
Lord, I continually come to you asking for the wisdom and understanding of your word. Bless all who I know and come in contact with.
Amen,
LT
repeat a lot of what you guys said...
v1-3 - CAS and LRT - definitely hits me...i KNOW that i can justify things in my head...i can think they are pure but really, as LRT said, they are not always. usually there is some other driver. so for instance, i can plan a new business or job and can justify the need but really there is some part of me that is selfishly seeking financial gain or is worried that i dont have enough money and i therefore need more. oddly enough, v3 contradicts this sort of thought process. it is ok to plan, but i should do so with a commitment to the LORD first and foremost. only then will He ensure my plans succeed. for a long time, i have been considering starting a new business venture. it is clear, that i must first commit to the Lord in my desire to start a company. It must be for His glorification and not for some underlying selfish reason. until then, He may not ensure that my plans are successfully fulfilled. admittedly, it is hard to know what this looks like. How do i make God first as a plan a new business or seek new job opportunities?
Father God, I want to turn it over to you. I want you to be FIRST. not an afterthought. I sit here, knowing that you are all pwerful, and yet admit i have not feared you and revered you as an all powerful God. help me to commit my life, all of it, including job and finances, to you. Amen.
Pr 16
Powerful stuff, I liked reading all your responses and agreed with most of them. What hit me was the end:32It is better to be patient than powerful; it is better to have self-control than to conquer a city.
33We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall.
Especially verse 33. We need to play our cards as He wants, no questions asked, but only He knows His divine plan, and He wants to see us doing those things He loves. It might take a hard fall now, or later, in order to truly put Him first.
As for cas's challenge, I think that we rationalize, justify, biasedly judge everything we do from our needs and our situation, AND our desires, so maybe we're not stealing from our neighbor to eat, but are we spending more on dinner than God wants us to? Or it makes total sense to me to get the paper everyday cause I enjoy reading it and "I can keep ontop of the world", but shouldn;t I be spending that time with God? I'm sure I can justify or rationalize almost everything that I do, but I'm sure that only God really sees what is truly just.
Father, thank You for Your support this day, I really needed You. Thank You for keeping me close to Your heart, and keeping mine close to Yours. Continue to watch over these men, keep them motivated and committed, and keep us reading Your word. I echo timmcd6's prayer about putting You first always. May proverbs and You in my intimate times lead the way to You.
In Jesus name,
Amen
crb
Prov 16
Verses 1&9 I love the idea that we can plan but God will set the direction. It is both empowering that I don't just sit and wait for a club upside my head, but relaxing and comforting to know I don't and in fact can't control where things go.
Lord help me use your wisdom to thinking and plan and then to trust you for the outcome..
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