Proverbs 7 - Apple Of My Eye

S- Scripture
O- Observation
A- Application
P- Prayer

Scripture-   2 Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.   3 Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.   4 Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman: 

Observation- This chapter is more of the same warnings to steer clear of fleshly lusts. These verses call out for us to study God's Word, to gain wisdom. The rest of the chapter talks about the destruction which follows the ways of fleshly lust. (clearly defined in this chapter as outside of the marriage bed) 
Application- It states very clearly to keep the commandments and law (for us it is the Bible) close to our hearts - "the apple of thine eye"  to me - means to treasure the Word - spend time in it- to gain wisdom. I need to be in the Word daily in order to walk in wisdom. 
Prayer- "Lord, help me to remember to treasure Your Word, to hold it close to my heart by walking with You daily. Help me to gain the wisdom I need in order to teach my boys to keep You as the apple of their eye so that they can honor You with their lives and follow after wisdom instead of flesh that brings destruction. Thank you for Your faithfulness to Your own!" Amen

Proverbs 6 - Honesty and Truth Over All

S- Scripture -   
 ¹⁶ These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 
 ¹⁷ A proud look, A lying tongue,  Hands that shed innocent blood, 
 ¹⁸ A heart that devises wicked plans,  Feet that are swift in running to evil, 
 ¹⁹ A false witness who speaks lies,  And one who sows discord among brethren.


O- Observation -
 It seems that He found Lying worthy of a second mention -
 "lying tongue & false witness who speaks lies" both scream to me "liar liar" -
God HATES it - strong word!

A- Application - 
Avoid lying at all cost. I am someone who values loyalty. To me,
 heart loyalty encompasses "truth telling" - In order to love others
for Him, we need to be Honest - if you are up front and honest in
 your dealings with people, it is showing loyalty - to others, to Him,
and to the truth.
I believe that the rest of this passage is speaking to being truthful as
well - in order to sow discord among brethren, you would need to
 "mix up the truth"- running to evil, would involve dishonesty on many
 levels along with shedding of innocent blood and devising wicked plans.
 Be truthful in all aspects!

P- Prayer -
 "Lord, help me to remember, even in the little things, that it matters
 to You how honest we are. Please continue working in me, that my
 heart may be an open book- honest and loyal to You above all. I desire
to stand for truth.
Thank you for providing a way through Your son Jesus, for my wicked,
 lying heart to be washed clean and to be filled with truth. Help me to
 honor it each day." Amen

 

Proverbs 5 - The Perils of Adultery

S- Scripture- ²¹ For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, 

      And He ponders all his paths. 

O- Observation- The whole chapter speaks about the danger in not using 

wisdom to avoid moral decline (specifically - adultery)  

A- Application -The warning is to "Not hate instruction", but to use it to 

gain wisdom which in turn will keep your path straight 

P- Prayer - "Lord Jesus, I pray that You will soften my heart toward instruction
that I may not "bristle" at correction - but instead see it as opportunity to 
soak up God given knowledge and wisdom. Protect my thoughts, and those
of my sweet husband from any that could lead to adultery so that we may
honor and glorify you in our home and with our lives." 

 

Proverbs Chapter 4- Prioritize Wisdom

S. O. A. P. :

S- Scripture: ⁷Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.


O- Observation: The common theme is again repeated- God puts a high priority on wisdom! 


A- Application: Wisdom is gained by staying in the Word, continuing to do what is right - staying on the right path - Wisdom begets Wisdom! I do that by walking with Jesus daily - He will be my guide! 


P- Prayer: Lord God, I pray that You will help me  to "²³Keep thy (my) heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." I know that I will not turn to the right or to the left (away from You and Your ways) I know that I will NOT stray from the path IF I only keep my heart and my eyes on You. Thank you Lord Jesus for Your guidance - thank you for Your wisdom. Not my will Lord, but Yours. Amen 

You will make Your path clear to me! 

Proverbs Chapter 3- Focus on Him

S. O. A. P.

S - Scripture:  ⁶In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.


O- Observation: As long as I keep my focus on Him - I don't have to worry "He shall direct"


A- Application: The only way for me to keep my focus on Him is to stay in the Word!

P- Prayer: Thank you Lord for your protection and guidance! I don't have to worry, I don't have to know absolutely everything, because by keeping my focus on You I will gain Your wisdom and You will guide me! You take such good care of Your children. I know I couldn't have a better guide! Help me to keep You close to my heart so that I can see clearly your path.  Amen.

Proverbs Chapter 2- It's The Seeking That Counts Most

format for this online journal through Proverbs:

S- Scripture
O- Observation
A-Application
P- Prayer

1. Scripture- ⁵Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

               God is promising us that if we seek to gain His wisdom- He will give it

2.Observation-  He loves us so much He really takes the time to spell everything out for us. Verses 1-4 are telling us to listen up, to hide His Word in our hearts, to care about what He wants for us and ask Him for guidance- that it is available for us. If we want to choose righteousness, He will lead us through it-  

3. Application - So many times the obvious is right in front of me. I need to specifically ask for His wisdom and He says clearly that He'll provide it! Repeatedly throughout scripture I'm reminded of this- "Ask and you shall receive" God loved Solomon so much simply because his main request from the Lord was wisdom- God actually respects it - He rewarded Solomon for it - and here, we are reminded again that it is available to us if we simply ask. 

4. Prayer- Lord, I pray that You will grant me wisdom in my day to day life. So many times I think to ask for wisdom during times of making the big decisions- yet, I need to be applying Your wisdom to my everyday life. This is the way (the only way) I can possibly walk in righteousness- and lead my children on the path of knowledge and understanding. Thank You God for Your faithfulness, Your loving grace, and Your wisdom!

 

Proverbs Chapter 1- Foolishness

format for this online journal through Proverbs:

S- Scripture
O- Observation
A-Application
P- Prayer

1 Scripture- choosing just one main scripture is difficult for me but the one that stands out the most is-

²⁸ “Then they will call to me but I will not answer; 
   they will look for me but will not find me,  

2 Observation-  Pretty powerful words throughout this passage-

 first of all you have the purpose of the scripture explained out in vivid detail 

"for gaining wisdom and instruction- so you can do what is right and just and fair- and this wisdom begins with respect for the Lord" 

secondly you have a clear warning- 

"don't give in to the temptations of sinful men - ill gotten gain always leads to death" 

third the consequences are made known- 

"for the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them,

but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm."

3 Application - I think it's important to note that the Hebrew word used in the Scriptures - translated as 

"simple" has a much deeper meaning - when we see "simple" we think positive good simple life or "simple" in the mind as in someone who has a lower IQ (which is no fault of their own and leaves them innocent from the things which they honestly aren't capable of understanding) No, our God is loving and kind and just- He protects the innocent "simple" in a loving fatherly manner - 

In these scriptures the Hebrew meaning needs to be understood as someone who has no moral compass, falls for anything because they don't care to do better and are inclined to evil. 

Wow! I am convicted right now- also comforted. I've been under attack by someone whom I spent a great deal of time, effort, and finances trying to help. I did it knowing that her character was not good. Now, I don't mean "I go to church - someone else doesn't" or "I am a Christian and this person does things they shouldn't" - I am a vile sinner, and her sin is no greater than mine. Sin is Sin. 

That being said- God does not want me wasting resources of my heart, time, and money which all truly belong to HIM in the first place on someone who fits the Hebrew description of "simple". 

There are so many people out there who are in need and I've just wasted 3 years literally supporting someone who is intent on doing evil to others. I am truly sorry. I must do better with the blessings God gives me. 

This is a very tricky thing- not an easy one. I am not to judge. I don't consider myself worthy of judging. Think of the people who Jesus reached out to and helped. . . . the prostitute- the "sinners" - so obviously,

He doesn't take a worldly view on this subject. 

It doesn't mean that I shouldn't help an addict, or a prostitute- but, that if we pray over it and I mean really cover it in prayer like we are supposed to - I believe He'll give us a better look at what is actually in the heart of the ones we seek to help. He'll guide us to the people HE wants to help USING us!

My read flag was there all along. I was foolish and stubborn - maybe even to pat myself on the back for doing "good" - I didn't think of it that way at the time. (hindsight, RIGHT?) Like I said, I'm a vile sinner. 

I am comforted by His grace. Comforted in knowing that He knows me, and loves me. He may let me pay the consequences for lousy decisions and for not listening to Him when He leads- but, He will walk me through it. His grace is sufficient. 

4 Prayer - "Lord, I pray that you will grant me wisdom. Knowledge to do what is right and good- to

be a better steward of your blessings. God, I'm so grateful for Your love and  grace! I ask for Your

protection in these days and I ask that You will guide me. I thank You and I praise Your holy name knowing that I do not have to fear- I can rest easy in Your loving arms. I can be at ease without fear of harm. Thank you Lord Jesus for Your mercy and grace." 

 

An Oasis! A thought for today:

It's been a long hot sticky summer.

We are an outdoor kind of family, but living in Southwest Florida

can be extreme as far as heat goes!

Especially during the midday hours,

you are likely to find us safely out of the sun

and sitting in our nice air conditioned home.

There's no need for makeup. By the time you make it

from the front door to the blazing hot mini-van

it's all running down your face anyway!

I often think about the people who came to this

place before us.

Long before us. The pioneers to Florida were a hardy bunch.

The Calusa indians who roamed the area and fished

these waters long before them were a hardy bunch.

We love camping.

We had an opportunity to explore and camp

in a part of Florida that we hadn't spent much time in

about this time last year.

It was hot.

But, we did have electricity,

and we did have our fans.

We walked in the woods and explored the area.

We talked about the people who lived there before.

We discussed the life of the early settlers and of the true

Florida natives before them.

The heat was sweltering.

And then we came upon an oasis!

It was one of the most beautiful natural springs I have ever

laid my eyes on.

The water was perfectly clear and the sky reflected

in it was bright blue.

And, it was cool.

Just sticking your feet in the crystal clear

cool waters of the spring can

cool off your whole body.

God's Word is like that spring.

It is one of His gifts to us and it is a

life giving oasis where we can

rest and replentish ourselves.

It's an amazing thing -

how just dipping into the Word

can refresh us and make us

whole again!

He is our Living Water

have you been renewed today?

He is my oasis!

Like A Broken Record

Over and over again the theme repeats itself throughout the early books of the Bible.

God's people sin- they turn away from Him- they forsake His ways and His commandments.
They go their own way and seek their own will.

They fail. They fall.

They fall on their faces before the Almighty God- and again, and again, and "seventy times seven"
He forgives them.  He heals them- and He heals their land!

I am awe struck at how over and over again- the people forget the lessons they learn along the way.

Then I realize that I do just exactly the same thing.
We do just the same! We learn hard lessons along the way
that God has for us. And, then we get comfortable- complacent-

and we forget.

How can we do this over and over? How can He love us so much that He continually will forgive us and restore us even though we have to repeat this cycle over and over?

Then I look at my children and I realize that they too learn lessons again and again.
They are sorry - truly sorry for fighting and having wrong attitudes. Then a brother makes them mad and emotions take over . . . and I discipline them. I train them. They have consequences, and they are forgiven. I love them! There will always be forgiveness and love.

They return to their play- to their life- and they do so very well-  For Awhile. Until they don't.

Verses that grabbed my attention this week coincide with some that a dear sister has been reading and match up perfectly with a dire situation that we are standing in agreement on.

One that we are lifting up our hearts to God about- one of life's "biggies" that brings you to your knees and has us fearful of leaning to the left or to the right- any step in the wrong direction- fearful of stepping outside of His perfect and wonderful will.

God is so funny in the way He confirms His presence to us. He is so faithful to show Himself because we are so weak that even when we KNOW we've been in His presence and heard His will- when all is quiet and we've walked away - when the day rolls on- we begin to nurture seeds of doubt.

And, He shows back up. Today, He showed back up in a moment of sharing Bible verses.

He gave the very same message to this dear sister that He gave to me using different verses- different passages- different Bible study- hundreds of miles apart without communication on our part.

The message was the same and it was clear and it was confirmed.

No matter how much we manage to mess things up- if we just turn away from our sin- if we just come before Him with an open and broken heart - If we seek Him- WE WILL FIND HIM!

Here are some of the verses that jumped out at me and where they led:

2 Chronicles 31:21

"And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, in the law and in the commandment, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart. So he prospered."

2 Chronicles 32:26

"Then Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah."

Then we hear about yet another wicked king- one who did more wickedness and led his people toward more wickedness than any other before him. So much so that God allowed him to be delivered into the hands of his ememies. And yet, again:

2 Chronicles 33:12- 13

"Now when he was in affliction, he implored the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed to Him; and He received his entreaty, heard his supplication, and  brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God."

After more of the same 'ole cycle- (another king - in another time)

2 Chronicles 34: 27

"because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you," says the Lord.

Backing up a bit -

2 Chronicles 19:9 - 10 and 11b

And he commanded them, saying, "Thus you shall act in the fear of the Lord, faithfully and with a loyal heart. Whatever case comes to you from your brethren who dwell in their cities, whether of bloodshed or offenses against law or commandment, against statutes or ordinances, you shall warn them lest they trespass against the Lord and wrath come upon you and your brethren. Do this, and you will not be guilty" .. . . . . . "Behave courageously, and the Lord will be with the good."

verses in Chapter 20: 13 and 15

"Now all Judah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children, stood before the Lord. . . . . thus sayeth the Lord "Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's."

What a tremendous relief!

And, today- in a time where people don't know from one moment to the next what will happen in the economy- whether or not they have any so called "job security" or not- and so much more-

He is faithful to remind us that if our eyes are on Him

if WE with the little ones, the wives, and children stand before the Lord

if WE keep our eyes on HIM and seek His ways- no matter how badly we've managed to mess things up- HE is FAITHFUL-

if we are His children and are seeking His will

then we don't have to worry- we don't have to be dismayed- for it is not our battle. . .

it is His- and it's already been won!

His GRACE is UNENDING-

Praise God for His forgivness and His faithfulness today~

With His Love,

 

SOAP !

From MomsToolBox.com :


Read the passage and find the one thing I believe God is telling me that morning. Then journal about it using the acrostic SOAP as a guide.

S: Scripture-Write the ONE scripture that I feel God is using to speak to me in today’s reading
O: Observation-What might He be telling me with that scripture?
A: Application-How can I apply it to my life?
P: Prayer-What is my prayer to ask God in helping me to make that application?

What a great way to read through the Bible and keep a log! Check out the full post by clicking on the link connected to the pic above.

Even if you are not participating in the full B90days - it is a terrific way to keep your thoughts in order as you grow in His unending GRACE!

Genesis- B90days

I am participating in a "blogging through the Bible" program -
Reading the Bible through in 90 days! aka- B90days

 I am on track with my reading. It has been terrific to share deeper insight with my children

 (mostly the 10 yr old) from "classic" Bible stories we've read and talked about -

 

AND our pastor preached from Genesis 11 this weekend- it was terrific to glean even MORE

from what I'd been reading.
- he spoke about how Abrams father Terah allowed his personal heartbreak to get in the way of following through with God's plan. (if you remember - he lost is "baby" boy Haran - whose name comes from "mountain" and then set off for the promised land of Cannan- but stopped in a PLACE called Haran & just didn't go on) Very interesting stuff!

The point being to "walk on" - to find a way through, over, or around whatever mountains life puts in your way & God will bless your actions in following through with His will. Don't "set up camp" and wallow in your sorrow (even if it seems impossible to overcome)

I had never gotten all that before- it stems from the similarity in the names of Terah's son & the place they came to where Terah set up camp and stayed. (they were translated differently from the original names - but with the "mistaken" translation the names are exactly the same- Haran/ Haran - from an emotional perspective - the loss of his son was so great that Terah never "got past it" he literally and emotionally "set up camp" and didn't overcome that "mountain" in his life.

The blessings of the Nation of Abraham - quite possibly would have started (and sort of did) with Terah - if only he had completely followed through with God's plan!

I know that I have (many times) allowed loss or pain to side-track me from where God wants me. I don't want to miss any of what He has for me - ever again!