Praise

Thanks Living! 

I was reading Psalm 150 this morning. "Praise the Lord." 

The word "praise" means to celebrate joyously, exuberantly, "foolishly". In other words, "over the top" celebration!  

Sadly, many times my praise is often quiet and subdued. But if I truly think about who  God is, and all that He has done, I should be SHOUTING praise! 

I shout at sporting events... I even shout at the TV when my team scores a touchdown. But I can't shout praise to God Almighty? Perhaps, it's because I haven't taken the same interest in God as my sports teams. 

Praise. If I want to focus on Thanks Living through this coming year, it begins with praise to God Almighty. Praise for who He is, and then praise for what He's done. For only when I have a heart filled with praise, can I truly have a gracious and thankful heart- and mind- set. 

Thanks Living! "Praise the Lord! Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to His excellent greatness!" Psalm 150:1a, 2. 

Thanks Living! 

Proverbs 10:9-13: Trouble. With a capital "T".

He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known. He who winks with the eye causes trouble, but a prating fool will fall. The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked. Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins. Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding, but a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding. Proverbs 10:9-13

Walks: of moral and religious life

Integrity: (morally) innocence

Securely: assurance, boldly, without care, confidence, hope

Perverts: make crooked, distorts

Ways: of moral action and character

Become known: be revealed, discovered, of person

Winks: blink the eyes (as a gesture of malice)

Trouble: hurt, injury, pain

Fall: ruined, fail

Hatred: exceedingly hateful

Stirs up: awakens

Strife: discord

Covers: conceal

Sins: transgression against individuals

Wisdom: ethical and religious

Understanding: intelligent, discreet, discerning

Rod: staff for smiting

Back: body

Devoid: needy, lacking, in want of

Understanding: the will and even the intellect

Trouble. With a capital "T". And I'm not talking about "pool" (The Music Man). 

Yes, TROUBLE! Where does trouble begin? It begins in the heart. When one ignores and has a hatred for wisdom, trouble takes root and begins to fester and grow. And then that leads to attitudes and those attitudes are then put into action. 

We see it and hear about it each and every day in the news. We see the results of ignoring God's moral laws and what happens when everyone is left to do what is right in their own eyes. Sin and lawlessness becomes the norm and with it the strife, discontentment, destruction and death. 

Wisdom and understanding will followed brings security and hope. What a contrast to the aftermath that foolishness leaves behind. 

Trouble. With a capital "T". It all begins in the heart! When a heart is permeated with a deeps sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), then wisdom will reign and bring security and hope!

Proverbs 9:13-19: Compare

A foolish woman is clamorous; she is simple, and knows nothing. For she sits at the door of her house, on a seat by the highest places of the city, To call to those who pass by, who go straight on their way: “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here”; and as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him, “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of hell. Proverbs 11:13-18

Reread Proverbs 9 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+9&version=NKJV)  and compare Wisdom and the foolish woman. 

Wisdom works. Proverbs 9:1, 2. 

Foolish woman sits. Proverbs 9:13. 

Wisdom offers food she has prepared. Provers 9:4, 5

Foolish woman gives stolen food. Proverbs 9:17

Wisdom offers instruction, learning, life! Proverbs 9:9-11

Foolish woman offers death. Proverbs 9:18

When you look at the comparison, why would anyone chose to follow the foolish woman? Simply put, wisdom offers a FEAST, the foolish wisdom garbage. Wisdom offers abundance of riches and life; the foolish woman misery and death. 

It's clear to see the difference and when given the choice, we say we'd of course choose wisdom! We want to very best, not the leftovers and misery. BUT, in reality what do we choose? 

The enticement and flattering words of the foolish woman draws us in. We want to see if what she offers is 'really that bad'. It sounds good, looks good, and I can do it in secret so none will know. 

But first off, we know. That secret begins to eat away at us. Ww have to live with the knowledge that we sinned. Secondly, God knows. Nothing done in secret remains secret. The consequences of the sin effect our hearts, mind, and lives. And then soon effects our relationship with those around us. 

Read Proverbs 9 again. Compare what is offered, then consider the choice you will make. And remember it's not a one time choice. It's a daily, 24/7 choice. Choosing wisdom and enjoying the benefits she offers begins with a heart permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). 

Before each action/reaction, thought or word, THINK and evaluate whether you are choosing  wisdom or the foolish woman. If you are hesitant on making your choice, re-read Proverbs 9 and compare what the two have to offer. 

Proverbs 6:6-11: Be Wise

Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, Which, having no captain, overseer or ruler, Provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest. How long will you slumber, O sluggard? when will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep— So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, and your need like an armed man. Proverbs 6:6-11

Free stuff. I have a right to it. I deserve it. I'm entitled!  

Sadly, that is the theme heard throughout the current generations. The entitlement dilemma has created a dangerous precedent and a very lazy and selfish generation. When one doesn't have to work for something, there is no appreciation of it. There is no understanding of value. No respect is gained when just handed everything all the time. 

Hard work. Diligence. Understanding of value. Giving and gaining respect. These are characteristics of a wise person. 

Laziness. It's easy to be lazy and find excuses not to get work done. It's much more fun to spend time on Facebook, or watch TV, or............ there are many things which are a great deal more fun than work! However, God has much to say about being lazy. 

This link lists 16 verses about being lazy: 

https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=lazy&qs_version=NKJV

Oh, and did you notice that none of the verses listed above, say anything good about being lazy? 

Laziness or the idea that I don't have to do anything, just be handed everything—that is a dangerous mindset. One verse that rings true is: Proverbs 16:27 "A worthless person plots trouble, and his speech is like a burning fire." An old quote says it this way, "Idle hands are the devil's workshop." Meaning if you are lazy, you will get into trouble! 

Remember Proverbs is all about the VERBS! And we are told in Proverbs 6:6 to Be Wise: become wise, act wisely. Become wise, gain wisdom and knowledge—then ACT wisely! Don't be lazy. Put that wisdom into action! 

Having a heart that is permitted with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG) is the place to start. BUT, it doesn't stop there! There is to be followthrough there is to be action! Not just head knowledge but wisdom which is put to good use. BE WISE: become wise, act wisely. 

Be lazy: act foolishly. Be wise: act wisely. The choice is yours.

Proverbs 5:21-23: Freedom

For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and He ponders all his paths. His own iniquities entrap the wicked man, and he is caught in the cords of his sin. He shall die for lack of instruction, and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray. Proverbs 5:21-23

God sees and ponders the course of life each man chooses. Nothing 'gets by' the Lord!

There are many photos and videos of pets who have gotten into trouble, but give the sad "puppy dog eyes" when confronted. The pet is sitting in the middle of foam which he tore out of the sofa, or the red lipstick as colored the fur of the one who ate it, or the toilet paper is still stuck to the cat who unrolled the entire roll. They could not hide from their mischievous actions—they were captured "red handed". That is how sin is in our lives. We can become so entangled that no matter how we try to hide it, it's very evident; for sin has consequences.  

When a man sins, he becomes captured or seized by his own sins. He is entangled by the ropes of sin.  Many say that they sin because they have "freedom". However, when you look at their life, they aren't really free at all.

We want freedom to "do drugs". But we see over and over the sadness and even death that addiction and drug abuse cause.

We want freedom to "be sexually free". Yet, we continue to see the damage that "causal sex" has on relationships and self-esteem. We see the medical consequences of immoral sin as diseases increase. 

We want freedom to ...... the list continues. 

Yet, we continue to see that the freedom that sin promises is not true freedom for it comes with the ropes that entangle and trap in despair and death.

Proverbs 5:23 states it very clearly. For want of, or without discipline, chastening, correction man will die prematurely, by neglect of wise moral conduct. The abundance of his foolishness go astray morally. 

Freedom. Freedom following Wisdom. Or the false freedom that neglecting wise moral conduct offers. Which will you choose? 

When a heart is permeated by a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), then there is a  desire to hear and obey wisdom—which leads to ultimate freedom!