Proverbs 12:3-7 Thoughts regulate — what am I thinking?

A man is not established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous cannot be moved. An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones. The thoughts of the righteous are right, but the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. The words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,” but the mouth of the upright will deliver them. The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand. Proverbs 12:3-7

Thoughts: device, plan, purpose 

The thoughts of the righteous are right. (vs. 5)

What am I thinking? What am I planning? What is my purpose and passion? 

Thoughts regulate our actions. 

Thoughts regulate our attitude.

Thoughts regulate our appearance. 

Thoughts. What am I thinking? Who fills my thoughts?

God clearly tells us: 

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8

Meditate (think): by reckoning up all the reasons to gather or infer; i. e., a. to consider, take account, weigh, meditate on a thing, with a view to obtaining it

With a view to obtaining it. 

It's not just about thinking random thoughts. It's not about "emptying our minds" of everything. Rather it is about taking account, weighing, thinking on truth, wisdom, pure, honest... God's wisdom! And then as we think, meditate on these things they will then impact our actions, attitude and appearance—as we obtain wisdom! 

Thoughts regulate—because true thinking means obtaining and when  you have something, you then put it to good use! 

Thoughts begin in the heart. If I want my thoughts to be that of a righteous person, my heart must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). 

Thoughts regulate — what am I thinking?

Proverbs 11:24-31 The Generous Soul

There is one who scatters, yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself. The people will curse him who withholds grain, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it. He who earnestly seeks good finds favor, but trouble will come to him who seeks evil. He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like foliage. He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. If the righteous will be recompensed on the earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner. Proverbs 11:24-31

Getting vs Giving

All too often we focus on getting rather then giving. Our culture has created a mindset of "I need. I want. I deserve." Rather than "How can I help and bless someone else." When we stop and really think for a moment, we don't REALLY NEED the latest and newest item. Our old one works just fine.  Yet, we all too often become self-centered and convince ourselves that we NEED more. 

How do we truly learn how to bless others? 

First we have to realize that blessing others isn't always about "things". Going into debt to buy lots of stuff, it not wise. Blessing others is about sharing what you have and helping others as you are able. 

The generous soul. The one who abundantly blesses. 

In what ways can I bless others?

• Attitude

By having a pleasant and kind attitude, I create an atmosphere of joy and happiness. 

• Abilities

By sharing my abilities and talents with other, I help ease their burdens by supporting them in accomplishing their tasks. 

• Appearance 

Sometimes, just by "showing up", we can encourage someone. It can be just to listen, laugh, pray, or supporting them in a performance. 

• Attentiveness

Paying attention to the needs, emotions, hurts, joy of others and being attentive to how I can help during those times. 

• All about ME—NOT! 

It's not all about ME—or at least it's not supposed to be! First, comes GOD! He is the One who should be directing my daily agenda. Secondly, it's about encouraging those around me—having a generous soul. I have found that when the first and second are in their proper order, I am well taken care of! 

Getting vs Giving

To keep those two in their proper order, my heart must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). And when I find myself with that 2-year-old mentality of "MINE, I WANT",  I need to stop and give myself a timeout! 

The generous soul. A goal for which to strive, not just at Christmas time, but year-round.

Proverbs 11:22 The "A"s

As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a lovely woman who lacks discretion. Proverbs 11:22

Lacks: showing lack of it, turning aside

Discretion: judgement, discernment, intelligence, understanding

Discretion: the quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid revealing private information

ABC's. Actions. Attitude. Appearance. 

Each "A" reveals much about a person. 

ABC's: spoken and written words, including texts, tweets, likes, shares. 

Actions: everyday daily actions whether at home or out.

Attitude: is often reflected in ones body language (facial expressions, etc).

Appearance: what we are wearing and how we conduct ourselves. 

A LOVELY (beautiful, goodly, pleasant) woman who lacks discretion is no better than a pig with a gold ring in its nose. A pig "dressed up" with a gold ring—is still a dirty animal. A woman may look beautiful, but if she makes bad judgements or choices—she reveals her heart.

We know many people whom we wouldn't necessarily say are "beautiful", but they have a genuine beauty about them—literally from inside. Their spirit shines forth and they glorify God in all the "A"s. 

In order for one to exercise discretion in all the "A"s, it begins when a heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). For when a heart recognizes who God is and respects and fears Him — then wisdom and understanding are expressed in all aspects of one's life. 

The "A"s—ABC's, Actions, Attitude, and Appearance — all are effected by wisdom. When wisdom present then godly beauty shines forth. 

Proverbs 1:8, 9: Did you hear me?

My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother; For they will be a graceful ornament on your head, and chains about your neck. Proverbs 1:8, 9 (NKJV)

My son: as term of kindliness or endearment

Hear: to heed, pay attention to, take to heart

Instruction: discipline in the school of wisdom, correction

Father: father of individual instructing

Do not forsake: abandon

Law: instruction 

Mother: as rightfully claiming honour, authority,

Graceful: favor, grace, of form and appearance

Ornament: something attached, a wreath, 

Chains: necklace, neck-pendant

"Did you hear me?" 

How often growing up did we hear that phrase? Often because we didn't do something we were told to do! Hearing and hearing and paying attention, are really two different things! 

There are sometimes that we act quickly when we hear something—"Dinner is ready!" lol Yet, often when we hear instruction or correction, or something we do not care to hear, we ignore it, or try to rationalize our lack of action. 

On simple terms, remember when as a kid, you were told to clean your room, but you were busy watching TV? In your mind, you figured that you'd wait until AFTER the TV program was over. But your parents meant.. right now, not later. 

When that same "delay" concept is applied to godly instruction, the consequences can be greater than just delaying cleaning your room. When we hear and learn godly instruction, discipline and take it to heart—action is to begin immediately. 

When one hears the correction and instruction given and then makes it their own, their inward and outward appearance is that of grace and beauty. And to be ready to receive instruction and act in accordance with the instruction, one must have a heart that is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). 

Outward Appearance—Hollow

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. 

If then you have died with Christ to material ways of looking at things and have escaped from the world’s crude andelemental notions and teachings of externalism, why do you live as if you still belong to the world? [Why do you submit to rules and regulations?—such as]

Do not handle [this], Do not taste [that], Do not even touch [them],

Referring to things all of which perish with being used. To do this is to follow human precepts and doctrines.

Such [practices] have indeed the outward appearance [that popularly passes] for wisdom, in promoting self-imposed rigor of devotion and delight in self-humiliation and severity of discipline of the body, but they are of no value in checking the indulgence of the flesh (the lower nature). [Instead, they do not honor God but serve only to indulge the flesh.]  Colossians 2:20-23 (AMP)

"Such [practices] have indeed the outward appearance [that popularly passes] for wisdom"

If only there was a check list so that I'd know how to live a godly, God-fearing life. That would make it so much easier. But just because I can check off that I do or don't do certain things, that doesn't mean that I'm honoring God. 

Outward appearance of wisdom. But what's on the inward? That is what really matters. What is the motive? And those "check lists" can even turn into idols, as I put more importance on "The List" rather than WHY I am doing, or not doing those things. 

Outward appearance of wisdom, but hollow on the inside. Hollow. No substance. Reminds me of the hollow chocolate bunnies at Easter. Oh, I hated getting the hollow ones. I liked the SOLID bunnies. 

What is the motive behind what I do? Why do I choose or choose not to do certain things? God does list some specifics things which I am to NOT do. 

These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him:

A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others], a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

A heart that manufactures wicked thoughts and plans, feet that are swift in running to evil,

A false witness who breathes out lies [even under oath], and he who sows discord among his brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19 (AMP)

But as I live my life, I am to honor God, not live with just the outward appearance of wisdom. I need to fear God as I live my life. 

If I want to live a life that is not just an outward appearance of wisdom, and hollow on the inside—I must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG).