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.

No Excuses

If you are looking for the posts about

God's Amazing Blessing

Announcement—I'm moving!

here's the link to the first Part: 

http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/05/announcement-part-1-im-moving.html

Then follow the arrows at the bottom of each post to the next Part.

There are 10 parts in all.

I recommend that you read each part, there are amazing details—

and God took care of each and every one! 

______________________________________________

This post is the continuation of my Study of Colossians.   

Masters, [on your part] deal with your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that also you have a Master in heaven. Colossians 4:1 (AMP)

The Master or those in authority, also must act in accordance with God's Word and work ethic. For they too are "working to make the Boss look good". 

Looking back to Colossians 3:18 through 4:1, each and every individual has a responsibility to God honoring in all they do. For when each individual is honoring God with their actions, attitude, and words, then God is glorified. 

One thing that is missing from these verses are "excuses". How we conduct ourselves is NOT to be based on how others treat us or what they do or don't do. Rather we conduct ourselves to honor God, no matter what others do or say. No excuses to try to justify our lackadaisical attitude or actions. No excuses to justify our poor performance. No excuses. 

We have a MASTER in Heaven who not sees our actions, knows our thoughts, but also knows the motivation for what we are doing. 

Each and every day I need to evaluate what I'm doing. Is my work up to God's standards? Is my attitude God-pleasing? Am I working for the wages I'll receive here on earth; or am I working toward the Heavenly eternal rewards? And what is my motivation? 

In order to answer each of those questions with the proper response, my heart must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God. No excuses allowed. Only God-approved attitude and actions. 

No Excuses

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 92. Here is what I learned.

Even when they are old, they still bear fruit. They are always healthy and fresh. Psalm 92:14 (GW)

They’ll grow tall in the presence of God, lithe and green, virile still in old age. Psalm 92:14 (MSG)

[Growing in grace] they shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap [of spiritual vitality] and [rich in the] verdure [of trust, love, and contentment]. Psalm 92:14 (AMP)

Constancy is an ingredient in the obedience Christ requires. His trees bring forth fruit in old age. Age makes other things decay, but makes a Christian flourish. Some are like hot horses, mettlesome at the beginning of a journey, and tired a long time before they come to their journey's end. A good disciple, as he would not have from God a temporary happiness, so he would not give to God a temporary obedience; as he would have his glory last as long as God lives, so he would have his obedience last as long as he lives. Stephen Charnock

Aged believers possess a ripe experience, and by their mellow tempers and sweet testimonies they feed many. Even if bedridden, they bear the fruit of patience; if poor and obscure, their lowly and contented spirit becomes the admiration of those who know how to appreciate modest worth. Grace does not leave the saint when the keepers of the house do tremble; the promise is still sure though the eyes can no longer read it; the bread of heaven is fed upon when the grinders fail; and the voice of the Spirit in the soul is still melodious when the daughters of music are brought low. Blessed be the Lord for this! Because even to hoar hairs he is the I AM, who made his people, he therefore bears and carries them. The Treasury of David

Never stops growing. Never stops producing. Never stops giving. No excuses for not producing fruit. 

Growing in grace and producing fruit should continue no matter my circumstance, my age, or situation. Producing fruit is NOT based on me! Rather the fruit is a product of God working in my life. 

As long as I allow God to work in my life and use to me to glorify Him, than there are no excuses—I should be producing fruit. 

To create a positive day—there can be no excuses—rather, I need to let God work, and then I’ll produce fruit that will bring Him glory and honor.