Let your actions do the talking

S - Scripture
Proverbs 25 v. 6-7 Do not put yourself forward in the King's presence or stand in the place of the great; for it is better to be told, 'Come up here' than to be put lower in the presence of the prince.

O - Observation
Let your actions do the talking. If you deserve to be put forward, you will be. It’s how you approach your actions. Do you tell everyone all the great things you have done? Or... do you let those around you do the talking for you? It’s not to say that we shouldn't be proud of what we do, we just don't need to boast about it. We need to remember James 4 v. 10, "Humble yourself before the Lord and he will exalt you." This is the key to this Proverb. We must approach the things we do with a servant heart.

A - Application
How am I getting in front of kings? Am I placing myself up there or am I being asked?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me to be a most excellent servant of yours.  Love Will.

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

Curiosity - It's a noble trait

S - Scripture
Proverbs 25 v. 2 It is the Glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of Kings is to search things out. 

O - Observation
Nobility. Increasing your knowledge, learning about things is a good and noble trait. My Dad always reminded me that they can take my money, but they can't take my knowledge. The more you study biology, atomy, astrology, the more you realize how incredibly awesome God is to create all of this. God is a God of detail. The adage, the devil's in the detail, is wrong. Its really, God's in the Detail!!! It is in the intricate detail that God conceals things. As much as the physical sciences reveal God's glory, the Bible, God's word, is even a richer source to mine, to study. God's wisdom is for our lives, both for today and tomorrow.

A - Application
Am I approaching life as a noble? Am I searching for God's glory?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Give me a thirst and hunger to learn.   Love Will.

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Just do it!!!

S - Scripture
Proverbs 24 v. 33-34  A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of hands to rest, and poverty will come upon  you like a robber, and want like an armed man.

O - Observation
Just do it! This Proverb clearly speaks to the importance of getting out there and working. Even in the very beginning, God placed Adam in the garden to work. Genesis 2 v. 15, "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to till it and keep it." What happens if you don't work? Poverty and want. Truly you reap what you sow. Hard work, diligence, reaps rewards. Luke 10 v. 7b, "For the Labor desires his wages." And 2 Timothy 2 v. 6 says, "It is the hard working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops."
 
A - Application
Am I lazy or hard working? What are the fruits of my labor? Have I thanked God for my ability to work?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Thanks for the strong body and mind and desire to work.  Love Will.

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Set your priorites on eternal things

S - Scripture
Proverbs 24 v. 27 Prepare your work outside, get everything ready for you in the field; after that build your house. 

O - Observation
Time management. Priorities. This Proverb addresses the critical need to have food. First thing is to prepare the fields, plant the seeds. It then takes time to cultivate and grow the crops. During that time, then you can build your shelter. If one does it visa versa, they may miss the planting season, and have little to no food. If you apply this proverb to our lives we need to place first our efforts on the long term, on the food of eternal life. John 6 v. 35a, "Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of Life; he who comes to me shall not hunger.'" We need to work in the field of our heart. We need to cultivate our relationship with God by daily bible readings and prayer. Once this is done, we can build our houses. Matthew 6 v. 33, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well."

A - Application
How's my time management? What are my priorities?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me to prep my heart for you.  Love Will.

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

Keep your eyes wide open

S - Scripture
Proverbs 24 v. 19  Fret not yourself because of evil doers, and do not be envious of the wicked.

O - Observation
Eyes wide open! With God on our side, who can be against us? Sure evil doers will scheme and plan, and these plans could adversely effect us. We need to be aware, we need to have our eyes wide open. But those do not need to be eyes of fear. 2 Corinthians 2 v. 14a, "But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumph." With this confidence, we can approach the schemes of the evil doers. Having our eyes wide open can also distract us, clearly the wicked have fun for the moment. We need to look past that and towards even better things. Colossians 3 v. 2, "Set your mind on things above, not on things of the earth." Our eyes need to twinkle with this knowledge, this joy. Psalm 149 v. 3a -4, "Let them praise his name with Dancing! For the Lord takes pleasure in his people."
 
A - Application
Do my eyes twinkle and reflect the joy of the Lord?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Keep my eyes wide open and focused on you.  Love Will.

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Jesus Has Come

Guest Blog by Gary Riedel

S - SCRIPTURE: 

John 16:33b In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

O - OBSERVATION: 

In this world there are lots of problems, disease, brokenness, bullying, addiction, and every evil known to man. Jesus acknowledges this in the first portion of this verse, but then He shows us the cure; He has overcome the world! Of course this means He has also overcome the father of

every evil, namely Satan. 

A - APPLICATION: Because Jesus has overcome Satan, these sins don’t have to rule in our lives anymore! Jesus has made a way for us to escape, a way for us to say “get thee behind me Satan!” “Or be gone Satan!” These are the words of Jesus to Satan when he unsuccessfully tempts Jesus in the wilderness. These are the words of the very Son of God to the devil! Because Jesus has overcome him, we to can and should say ”Get thee behind me Satan!” Because Jesus has overcome the world we enjoy victory through Him, by calling on His Name!

Philippians 2:11 Let every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

P - PRAYER: 

Heavenly Father, help us to always know that Jesus has overcome the world and all of Satan’s ploys. Because Jesus reigns supreme, we too can say when tempted, get thee behind me Satan, and know without a doubt that the evil one will flee. Grant us this faith Lord, In Jesus Name, Amen

Love your enemies

S - Scripture
Proverbs 24 v. 17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles.

O - Observation
The separator. This Proverb is the separator between the world and Christians. God's logic and wisdom is always counter intuitive from the worlds. God wants us to separate ourselves, to stamp ourselves with Love. Matthew 5 v. 44-45a, "But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your father who is in heaven." Loving your enemies draws you closer to God. Jesus provides the ultimate example in his words as he hung from the cross. Luke 23 v. 34, "And Jesus said, 'Father forgive them; for they know not what they do'" It is God's desire that all men be saved.
 
A - Application
What is my approach to my enemies? Am I praying for them?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me to love my enemies.  Love Will.

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash