The book of Proverbs is filled with topics that should guide each of our lives. There are so many topics in Proverbs, a teacher could probably spend a few years going through each of the truths found in this rich book! This summer we are touching on 12 of them during our Sunday morning teachings.
One of the topics that we are not going to look at on a Sunday morning is the truth of the impact a joyful or happy heart can have on a person. There are numerous Scriptures in Proverbs that talk about a ‘happy heart.’
Here’s how Proverbs puts it:
A happy heart makes the face cheerful, … (Proverbs 15:13 NIV)
… the cheerful heart has a continual feast. (Proverbs 15:15 NIV)
A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, … (Proverbs 15:30 NIV)
A cheerful heart is good medicine, … (Proverbs 17:22 NIV)
The idea is not one of just thinking positive thoughts or the ‘Power of Positive Thinking.’ The idea of joy, cheerfulness and happiness in the Scriptures is based in the truth of who God is, His love for each individual person, His mercy and grace, His guiding hand all wrapped up in the work of Jesus on the Cross.
As David wrote in the Psalms: Happy is the man whose sins are forgiven! This only happens because of Jesus. True happiness, joy and cheerfulness comes when a heart is clean and free in Jesus.
Spend some time meditating on this truth this week. It will probably impact you in significant ways.
Friday, July 16, 2010
The Right Path
The book of Proverbs is filled with topics that should guide each of our lives. There are so many topics in Proverbs, a teacher could probably spend a few years going through each of the truths found in this rich book! This summer we are touching on 12 of them during our Sunday morning teachings.
One of the topics that we are not going to look at on a Sunday morning is what Proverbs refers to as the ‘path’ or the ‘straight course.’ The implication is that there is a path that should be taken, and that deviating from that path is detrimental to the person who deviates.
Here’s how Proverbs puts it:
There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. (Proverbs 14:12 NIV)
The ides is so significant that it is repeated again:
There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. (Proverbs 16:25 NIV)
Here are a couple more verses:
Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; (Proverbs 15:10 NIV)
… a man of understanding keeps a straight course. (Proverbs 15:21 NIV)
The Lord has not left it up to each person to choose their path. Every time a person chooses their own path it leads someone in a way that is detrimental to their well being.
The philosophy of many is: Follow your heart. Let your heart be your guide. Be true to yourself.
This idea led Adam and Eve to eat the fruit, Cain to kill Abel, the children of Israel to worship a golden calf, the nation of Israel to choose a king over God, David to sleep with Bathsheba and the religious leaders to kill Jesus – you get the idea don’t you?
One of the significant reasons for making Scripture reading, studying, meditation and memorization a part of your faith journey is that the Scriptures lay out the path clearly for us.
His Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path!
Spend some time meditating on this truth this week. It will probably impact you in significant ways.
One of the topics that we are not going to look at on a Sunday morning is what Proverbs refers to as the ‘path’ or the ‘straight course.’ The implication is that there is a path that should be taken, and that deviating from that path is detrimental to the person who deviates.
Here’s how Proverbs puts it:
There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. (Proverbs 14:12 NIV)
The ides is so significant that it is repeated again:
There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. (Proverbs 16:25 NIV)
Here are a couple more verses:
Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; (Proverbs 15:10 NIV)
… a man of understanding keeps a straight course. (Proverbs 15:21 NIV)
The Lord has not left it up to each person to choose their path. Every time a person chooses their own path it leads someone in a way that is detrimental to their well being.
The philosophy of many is: Follow your heart. Let your heart be your guide. Be true to yourself.
This idea led Adam and Eve to eat the fruit, Cain to kill Abel, the children of Israel to worship a golden calf, the nation of Israel to choose a king over God, David to sleep with Bathsheba and the religious leaders to kill Jesus – you get the idea don’t you?
One of the significant reasons for making Scripture reading, studying, meditation and memorization a part of your faith journey is that the Scriptures lay out the path clearly for us.
His Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path!
Spend some time meditating on this truth this week. It will probably impact you in significant ways.
Be Careful Little Eyes
The book of Proverbs is filled with topics that should guide each of our lives. There are so many topics in Proverbs, a teacher could probably spend a few years going through each of the truths found in this rich book! This summer we are touching on 12 of them during our Sunday morning teachings.
One of the topics that we are not going to look at on a Sunday morning is the truth that God sees everything each person does. He sees what those who have chosen to follow Him do, and He sees what those who don’t want to have anything to do with Him do.
Here’s how Proverbs puts it:
For a man's ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths. (Proverbs 5:21 NIV)
The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. (Proverbs 15:3 NIV)
Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD— how much more the hearts of men! (Proverbs 15:11 NIV)
There is a children’s song that I learned when I first started following Jesus that speaks about this reality. Even though I learned the children’s song as a young adult it still speaks powerfully to this truth.
Be careful little eyes what you see, Be careful little eyes what you see, for the Father up above is looking down in love, so be careful little eyes what you see. The song continues with ears what you hear, hands what you touch, and feet where you go.
The words of the song serve to illustrate the truth of Proverbs – our ways are in full view of the Lord; His eyes are everywhere keeping watch and how much more the hearts of men!
Spend some time meditating on this truth this week. It will probably impact you in significant ways.
One of the topics that we are not going to look at on a Sunday morning is the truth that God sees everything each person does. He sees what those who have chosen to follow Him do, and He sees what those who don’t want to have anything to do with Him do.
Here’s how Proverbs puts it:
For a man's ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths. (Proverbs 5:21 NIV)
The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. (Proverbs 15:3 NIV)
Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD— how much more the hearts of men! (Proverbs 15:11 NIV)
There is a children’s song that I learned when I first started following Jesus that speaks about this reality. Even though I learned the children’s song as a young adult it still speaks powerfully to this truth.
Be careful little eyes what you see, Be careful little eyes what you see, for the Father up above is looking down in love, so be careful little eyes what you see. The song continues with ears what you hear, hands what you touch, and feet where you go.
The words of the song serve to illustrate the truth of Proverbs – our ways are in full view of the Lord; His eyes are everywhere keeping watch and how much more the hearts of men!
Spend some time meditating on this truth this week. It will probably impact you in significant ways.
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