Tag Archives: Proverbs

Boyd Bailey

He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him. Proverbs 13:24

Love carefully disciplines; apathy silently ignores. Love looks for ways to instruct and improve, while busyness has no time for a tender touch of truth. Do you take the time to discipline your children? Do your offspring encounter your rebuke along with your encouragement? Because we love them, we correct their attitudes and challenge them to better behavior. Rules restrain them from reacting foolishly or in the flesh.

How can our children learn to make wise decisions if we do not discipline them to love and obey God? Like a skilled artist with a warm lump of clay, our children are mold-able, and their character is pliable in Christ’s hands. We seek consistency in our own character so we have the moral authority and respect to lead them. Your children’s first impression of the Lord is their father and mother; so be an authority who reveals His love.

“The living, the living—they praise you, as I am doing today; parents tell their children about your faithfulness” (Isaiah 38:19).

The branch of a tree is easily bent when it is tender; so start when they are young with yielding to Christ’s lordship. “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6). Foolishness flees from faith and the prayerful punishment of loving parents. “Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him” (Proverbs 22:15). Discipline leads to freedom.

You may lament the need for respect from your son or daughter. It is your consistent concern for your children’s character growth that invites their respect. “Fathers … disciplined us and we respected them for it” (Hebrews 12:9). Moreover, loving parents honestly inquire, “How do I respond to the Lord’s discipline?” My example of growth from my heavenly Father’s discipline makes me an earthly father worth following.

“For whom the Lord loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights” (Proverbs 3:12 nasb).

Prayer: What area of my child’s growth requires me to be more consistent in discipline?

Related Readings: Proverbs 23:13–14; 29:15–17; Hebrews 12:6–8; Ephesians 6:4

Post/Tweet today: Like a warm lump of clay, our children are moldable, and their character is pliable in Christ’s hands. #children

© 2012 by Boyd Bailey. All rights reserved.

Wisdom Hunters Resources / A registered 501 c3 ministry

info@mail.wisdomhuntersdevotional.com / www.wisdomhunters.com

Julie Gillies

"Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your mind in the way." Proverbs 23:19 (ESV)

For years, I walked around with a destructive and negative mindset without recognizing it. Raised in a tumultuous home that simmered with anger, resentment, and critical words, I picked up these deadly thought processes early on. Sadly, it's how my family operated, and I considered it completely normal. Critical thoughts spread like weeds throughout my mind and threatened to choke out every positive thought.

Years later, enduring a miserable marriage, I regularly cried myself to sleep. I was still unaware that negative mindsets poisoned my thoughts. Thinking the best of others was foreign to me. Each morning I'd wake up and rehash my husband's harsh words of the night before. I'd tell myself that things were never going to change, and meditate on my critical thoughts and feelings. I was extremely unhappy.

My unhealthy mindset made it hard to forgive, because I replayed hurtful words and situations in my mind over and over. It's very difficult, (if not impossible!) to forgive what you regularly focus on. This set up a destructive cycle in my marriage. Instead of forgiving and letting go, I rehearsed the hurt and held on. And I always felt it was warranted because I felt my husband's words and actions toward me were wrong.

It wasn't until a women's retreat that I suddenly became aware of my dangerous mindset. During a time of reflective prayer, God helped me to see that my consistently critical thoughts toward my husband were destroying our relationship. I began to understand that even though my husband's actions toward me might be wrong, my response as a Christian was just as wrong.

Over time my mindset slowly changed, but it remained a real effort not to give in to the negative thoughts I had regularly entertained most of my life. It took time and concerted effort, but as I prayed and spent time reading my Bible, wrong mindsets were replaced with healthy, godly thoughts.

You may not battle with a negative or critical attitude like I did. Maybe worry, fear, or insecurity bombard your mind regularly. That's the enemy's plan: to consistently assault our minds until we surrender.

We must fight every step of the way. As busy women, we don't have one brain cell to spare. And as godly women, we cannot yield any mind-turf to the enemy. The first goal when praying for our minds is the ability to recognize when we're under attack. God's Word tells us, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7 NIV)

The number one way to resist the enemy is through prayer. Though the attacks against our mind can be subtle, God gives us wisdom when we ask Him. He will reveal to us what we are not always capable of discerning apart from His help: flawed, potentially destructive thoughts and mindsets. Whether the intrusions in our minds are remnants from the distant past or yesterday's hurts and disappointments, we can face every day with clear minds and godly mindsets.

Dear Lord, equip my mind with Your helmet of salvation. Protect my mind from every evil influence. I submit my thoughts to You and thank You for granting me ever-increasing discernment, wisdom, and an understanding mind. Thank You that I have the mind of Christ, and I hold the thoughts, feelings and purposes of His heart. Renew my mind and grant me a fresh mental and spiritual attitude and a godly mindset. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
This lesson is adapted from Julie Gillies' new book Prayers for a Woman's Soul, an invitation for busy, overwhelmed women with long prayer lists to pray for themselves.

Reflect and Respond:
Do you recognize the enemy's assault on your mind this week?

What specific thoughts and mindsets do you need help changing?

Apply the truths you've learned today and determine to spend this week praying for your mind.

Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 14:20, "Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults." (NIV)

Romans 12:2, "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." (NLT)

© 2013 by Julie Gillies. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org

Boyd Bailey

He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20

Do you have a wise woman or man in whom you confide? Is there someone—your dad, mom, a business associate, or teacher—to whom you can go for objective, biblical advice? It is in humility we learn to harvest good sense and wisdom. Gaining God’s perspective is not a one-time event but a lifetime of leaning on others to grow in our understanding. Wisdom comes from walking with the wise, not flirting with fools.

Good people engage with good company. There is no separation of being influenced by skilled people with seedy morals during the week and hearing a sermon on Sunday. “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character’” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Instead, be intentional toward integrity. Seek out a wise peer, or ask a wise mom if you may call her for counsel. Wisdom walks with willing participants who obey.

“For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people” (1 Peter 2:15).

Beware of fools who talk fast but do not follow through. They may be aware of what is right and talk the talk, but they fail to walk the walk. They ignore integrity. Fools eventually damage relationships. Foolish behavior will come back to bite you; so avoid its influence. What seems like innocent fun eventually inflicts suffering and harms hearts. Fools practice anti-wisdom. “Fools despise wisdom and discipline” (Proverbs 1:7).

So where can you find wise companions? Look for them in church or in respected leadership roles in the community. Vet their resume of wise living by observing the countenance of their spouse, watching how they love their children, and studying their financial management. Jettison foolish friends so you have the capacity to walk with the wise. Ask, “Am I growing in wisdom or floundering with fools?”

A wise ruler once said, “It is better to heed a wise man’s rebuke than to listen to the song of fools” (Ecclesiastes 7:5).

Prayer: With whom can I walk in wisdom to become more Christlike in my life?

Related Readings: Genesis 13:12–13; Ruth 2:23; Acts 2:42; 2 Thessalonians 3:14

Post/Tweet today: Wisdom comes from walking with the wise, not flirting with fools.

#wisdom

© 2012 by Boyd Bailey. All rights reserved.

Wisdom Hunters Resources / A registered 501 c3 ministry

info@mail.wisdomhuntersdevotional.com / www.wisdomhunters.com

Glynnis Whitwer

"Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control." Proverbs 25:28 (NIV)

Ask me why my attempts at losing weight haven't been successful and I can give you a list of reasons: It was a stressful summer, I hit a "golden" number on my birthday, how could I say no to the scrumptious food on vacation? And the "best" one (the one that garnered the most sympathy) - I couldn't exercise due to a minor medical procedure on my legs.

But the bottom line is this: I lack self-control in this area of my life.

I know what I should do. Or more accurately, I know what I should NOT do. And yet when faced with a temptation, I give in. Rather than choose a modest portion size, I justify a second helping. Or I set myself up by not anticipating my weakness and buying Little Debbie Swiss Rolls thinking I'll only eat half of one. Oh, how I deceive myself.

The ability to control my own choices is a God-given gift. And yet it's one I misuse some times. Sadly rather than controlling myself, I choose to try to control other things. And end up losing control of myself.

Here was God's original plan: He controls the world. We control ourselves.

That's a great plan when you think it through objectively. God's got unlimited resources, unlimited wisdom, and unlimited power. He should be in charge of the world with that resume.

That's not what happened though. Many generations ago, in a garden with some fruit that was off-limits, we decided we didn't like that plan. In fact, we decided it was our job to control the world. After all, we have to live in it, right? Shouldn't we make the rules? Plus, we really should make sure others stay in line too. My what a big job we have trying to corral everyone! It's exhausting.

So the more we focus on God's job (controlling the world and other people) the less we do our job (controlling ourselves).

I love today's Scripture verse from Proverbs 25:28, "Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control." (NIV) This gives me a mental image of an unprotected treasure. So when an enemy tries to attack, there is no defense.

As I apply that to my life, I can see where the enemy sneaks in through my lack of self-control. Especially when I start my excuses. Whether it's excuses for over-eating, not managing my home well or over-committing myself, without self-control I'm like a bombarded city. The more I focus on what I can't control, the less I'm able to manage what I can control.

Thankfully, God has a plan in place to help us with this issue. He sent His Holy Spirit to live in us. Galatians 5:22-24 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." (NIV)

As we start a new year, I'm taking a fresh look at what I can control and what I can't. I'm acknowledging my need of God's help, but I'm also acknowledging my responsibility. Thankfully I can release the load of trying to control others, because on most days, I'm as much as I can handle.

Dear Lord, thank You for the gift of free-will and self control. Forgive me when I misuse those gifts. Help me to seek Your Spirit for more self control in my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Does your life feel out of control? I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer can help bring order to your schedule and home.

Let.It.Go. How to Stop Running the Show and Start Walking in Faith by Karen Ehman

Reflect and Respond:
In what areas of your life do you have the least amount of self-control?

Think through one of those areas and consider how you have misplaced your ability to control yourself with trying to control something or someone else.

Power Verses:
Titus 2:4-5, "Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." (NIV)

Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (NIV)

© 2013 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org

Boyd Bailey

“Saul told his son Jonathan and all the attendants to kill David. But Jonathan had taken a great liking to David and warned him, “My father Saul is looking for a chance to kill you. Be on your guard tomorrow morning; go into hiding and stay there.” 1 Samuel 19:1-2

Friends warn friends. They warn them of danger to their physical safety. It could be harm from someone who wants to inflict pain or it may be a circumstance that carries economic risk. It may be the discovery of disloyalty from a mutual friend who threatens a coworker's employment. Loyalty does not withhold information from a friend that can help them make the wisest decision. A loyal friend warns a friend while there is still time to make a safe transition.

Do you have a friend who is gullible about someone else’s good will? Is evil crouching at their door waiting to pounce on their uninformed ego? If so, you may be God’s instrument to instruct them in the way to go. Your friend may be so close to the situation that they have allowed their emotions to cloud their good judgment. Because they trust you, you can help them verify their assumptions. Use your relational equity and assist them in taking a step back to wait and pray.

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” Proverbs 17:17

Furthermore, your warning to your friend may be to cut their relational losses and move on to the Lord’s next assignment. You can lovingly explain the unhealthy organizational culture that is dragging them down. Jealousy, jockeying for position and unscrupulous motives from acquaintances all create anxiety, distrust and fear at home, work, school or church. Your friendship can be a reality check to educate a friend in how to navigate irreverent forces.

Most importantly, friends warn friends to not forsake their faith in Jesus Christ. A friend who loves at all times is able to tell the truth in love. Love does not silently sit still while a friend succumbs to Satan’s lies. We fight for our friends on our knees in prayer and with our words in warnings. A friend may need to move into our home as a sanctuary for their souls’ healing, their heart’s refreshment and their mind’s rest. Friends warn friends and help them find the way.

“Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the LORD.” 1 Samuel 20:42

Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me the love and courage to warn my friend of unhealthy influences.

Related Readings: Numbers 16:26; 1 Samuel 19:11; Acts 20:31; Hebrews 11:7

Post/Tweet today: Loyalty does not withhold information from a friend that can help them make the wisest decision. #friend

© 2012 by Boyd Bailey. All rights reserved.

Wisdom Hunters Resources / A registered 501 c3 ministry

info@mail.wisdomhuntersdevotional.com / www.wisdomhunters.com

Boyd Bailey

“To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech” (Proverbs 8:13).

The word hate makes us uncomfortable. It has a harsh and uncaring ring and reputation. However, there is a holy hatred of evil that is allowed and even expected by almighty God. Authentic Christianity is not easy on evil because it breaks the heart of God and destroys the soul of man. Evil is an encroachment by the enemy on eternity’s agenda.

It takes down leaders who let pride and arrogance seep into their thick skulls and stay there. Indeed, if the rules apply to everyone but the leader, then it is just a matter of time before the fear of the Lord becomes a foreign concept. Sin is out of bounds for any child of God who abounds in His love and grace.

It is the wisdom of Christ that warms the heart, instructs the mind, and leads the way into behavior defined by truth. The Bible says, “God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:2–3 NASB).

Gossip, greed, jealousy, and lies are all evil intentions that corrupt a culture of transparency, generosity, contentment, and honesty. Stress can bring out the best and worst in others; so make sure, by the grace of God, you rise above the petty politics of blame.

Wisdom and maturity take responsibility and seek to lead the team in excellent execution of a proven strategy. If you do nothing, the naysayers will negotiate in fear and division. Furthermore, fight evil without fanfare, but by faith and wise work deliver constant and creditable results, and your antagonists will grow quiet.

It is the humility and wisdom of Christ that defeats evil initiatives. Therefore, give Him the glory, get the job done, and trust the Lord with the results. Hard times can produce hard hearts, unless you overcome evil with a humble heart of prayer and bold faith. Evil is extinguished through intense intercession of prayer from pure people.

The Bible says, “Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with” (James 5:16–17 The Message).

Prayer: What does a holy hatred of evil look like in my life?

Related Readings: Amos 5:15; Zechariah 8:17; Romans 12:9; 2 Timothy 2:19

Post/Tweet: Sin is out of bounds for any child of God who abounds in His love and grace. #sin

© 2012 by Boyd Bailey. All rights reserved.

Wisdom Hunters Resources / A registered 501 c3 ministry info@mail.wisdomhuntersdevotional.com / www.wisdomhunters.com

Glynnis Whitwer

"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 (NIV)

God, I don't understand why my friend has cancer again. She's a young wife and mom. She loves You and her family. Why, Lord?

Have you ever asked God a question like that? I sure have. In fact, there's lots I don't understand about what happens here on earth. Like why people fight wars for power, leaving innocent children like my two little adopted daughters with life-long scars, inside and out. Like why people cheat and betray each other. And why hard working, honest men and women can't find jobs.

My list of questions is quite long. And when I focus on the "whys" of life, frustration and fear crowd out faith. It's not wrong to ask God hard questions. He doesn't seem to mind. However, when we don't resolve the seemingly unanswered ones, our faith can get shaken.

The hard truth is, many times we won't get answers to our "why" questions. And yet we believe we deserve them. Maybe it's because we can answer most questions using Google in under 10 seconds. Do we think God should be just as fast and on demand? Perhaps we are obsessed with trying to understand what we don't need to.

On a recent airline flight, God used a moment of fear to give me insight into this issue. It had been years since I'd been afraid of flying, so it surprised me. I'm not a pilot, nor do I understand physics or aeronautics. So when the plane took an odd bump, my stomach jumped as well.

Immediately God brought Proverbs 3:5 to mind: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." With that Word of truth, something shifted inside my heart and mind. I didn't have to know the "why" to have peace. I just had to know "Who" ... and He is completely trustworthy.

The whys of life can consume me, because I want to know answers. All the time. To big questions and little ones. Like why there is war. And why someone put an empty carton of milk back in the refrigerator. But that's just not always possible. The truth is, my understanding is human, frail, and woefully limited. It's hampered by emotion and colored by fear. It's also incomplete. On the other hand, God's wisdom and knowledge is perfect.

God doesn't need to explain everything to me. It's hard to accept, but true. I'm learning that I have a choice when I don't get a satisfactory answer to why something happened. I can choose to allow frustration to grow into distrust, or to submit my need to know why.

I still don't understand lots of what happens here on the earth. But I do know God can be trusted. And when I don't get an answer that makes sense to me, it's an opportunity to gracefully submit my limited understanding to God, and lean on Him.

Dear Lord, I praise You for being all-knowing. There is nothing that escapes Your eyes. Right now I'm facing some things that don't make sense. And when I lean on my own understanding, I feel shaky. Help me to submit my questions to You, and trust that You have everything under control. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Let. It. Go.: How to Stop Running the Show and Start Walking in Faith by Karen Ehman

I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer

Reflect and Respond:
How do you tend to react when you don't get answers to your questions from people around you? From God?

How has God proved Himself faithful in the past in your life? Remind yourself of these times when you feel your faith shaking.

Power Verses:
Isaiah 55:8-9, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (NIV)

Proverbs 28:26, "He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe." (NIV 1984)

© 2013 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org

Wendy Blight

"Listen carefully to my words. Don't lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart; for they bring life to those who find them, and health to their whole body." Proverbs 4:20b-22 (NLT)

Sometimes I feel like I disappoint God. My days get so busy that I forget to open my Bible. I know I should, but I can't seem to find the time.

Eventually, when guilt overtakes me, I open it and read some Scripture.

What do I find? Not what I expect.

First, let me tell you what I don't find. I don't find condemnation and rebuke. Instead, I find grace and encouragement. In fact, recently, God greeted me tenderly and lovingly with these words, "My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don't lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body." (Proverbs 4:20-22, NLT, emphasis added)

God lovingly reminded me of what I miss when I fail to open His Word each day.

Each time we neglect Him, He graciously gives us a fresh start, a new opportunity to come to Him and meet Him in His Word guilt-free.

When I ignore time in my Bible, I forget how much God desires for me to meet Him there. Not for lessons and lectures, but because He wants to speak to me.

You see, God wants us to read our Bibles with no agenda, no homework assignment, no check list. He wants us to sit and simply experience Him through His Word. The Lord has secrets to teach us and treasures to unearth for us.

Paul confirms this in 1 Corinthians 2:6-16. He says that the secret things of God were once hidden from us, but now God has made them available in His Word through His Holy Spirit.

Years and years ago, only God's chosen heard directly from God. But not anymore! God makes His Word known to you and to me.

In John 16:13, Jesus promised that through His Holy Spirit, He would guide us into all truth. "To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken from them." (Matthew 13:12, NLT)

If you have been neglecting the Word, will you join me today and open God's Word? Open it from a place of great confidence! Believe with all your heart and trust God at His Word that you will understand the words you read through the help of His Holy Spirit.

Ask God to reveal His secrets and unearth those treasures. When you get a taste of God's Holy Spirit speaking to you and teaching you while you read His Word ... you will never want to stop!

Go for it! Remember, He is waiting for you.

Dear Lord, help me not to neglect time Your Word. Create in me a hunger to carve out time to be with You. When I meet with You, through the power of Your Holy Spirit, open the eyes of my heart to understand the wonderful treasures tucked away in Your Word. Thank You that You are waiting for me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner by Wendy Blight

Reflect and Respond:
Read Proverbs 2:1-11.

Journal what you learn about God's Word and the role God wants it to play in your life.

Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 2:6-10, "God's wisdom is something mysterious that goes deep into the interior of His purposes. You don't find it lying around on the surface. It’s not the latest message, but more like the oldest - what God determined as the way to bring out His best in us, long before we ever arrived on the scene ... No one's ever seen or heard anything like this, never so much as imagined anything quite like it - what God has arranged for those who love Him. But you've seen and heard it because God by His Spirit has brought it all out into the open before you." (MSG)

© 2012 by Wendy Blight. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org