Stop making useless excuses. (Proverbs 26:13-15)

Proverbs 26:13-15

The Message (MSG)

¹³ Loafers say, “It’s dangerous out there!
    Tigers are prowling the streets!”
    and then pull the covers back over their heads.

¹⁴ Just as a door turns on its hinges,
    so a lazybones turns back over in bed.

¹⁵ A shiftless sluggard puts his fork in the pie,
    but is too lazy to lift it to his mouth.





If a person is not willing to work, he or she can find endless excuses to avoid it. But laziness is more dangerous than a prowling tiger. The less you do, the less you want to do. To overcome laziness, take a few small steps toward change. Set a concrete, realistic goal. Figure out the steps needed to reach it, and follow those steps. Pray for strength and persistence. To keep your excuses from making you useless, stop making useless excuses.

 
Joe


 

Imagine yourself stabbing someone with a sword. (Proverbs 25:18)

Proverbs 25:18

 

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

¹⁸ Telling lies about others
    is as harmful as hitting them with an ax,
wounding them with a sword,
    or shooting them with a sharp arrow.


Lying is vicious. Its effects can be as permanent as those of a stab wound. The next time you are tempted to pass on a bit of gossip, imagine yourself stabbing the victim of your remarks with a sword. The image may shock you into silence.


Joe



 

A faithful employee. (Proverbs 25:13)

Proverbs 25:13

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹³ Trustworthy employees refresh like snow in summer.
    They revive the spirit of their employer.


It is often difficult to find people you can really trust. A faithful employee is punctual, responsible, honest, and hardworking. This person is invaluable as he or she helps take some of the pressure off his or her employer. Find out what your employer need from you to make his or her job easier, and do it.


Joe





 

It is possible to work hard and still lose everything. (Proverbs 24:27

Proverbs 24:27

New Living Translation (NLT)

²⁷ Do your planning and prepare your fields    before building your house.


We should carry out our work in its proper order. If a farmer builds his house in the spring, he will miss the planting season and go a year without food. If a business man invests his money in a house while his business is struggling to grow, he may lose both. It is possible to work hard and still lose everything if the timing is wrong or the resources to carry it out are not in place.


Joe

It is not a sign of weakness to ask for advice. (Proverbs 24:6)

Proverbs 24:6

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁶ So don’t go to war without wise guidance;
    victory depends on having many advisers.


In any major decision we make, it is not a sign of weakness to ask for advice. Instead, it is foolish not to ask for it. Find good advisors before making any big decision. They can help you expand your alternatives and evaluate your choices.


Joe





 

Don't rationalize Laziness.... Get to Work !

Proverbs 22:13

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹³ The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there!
    If I go outside, I might be killed!”


This proverb refers to an excuse a lazy person might use to avoid going to work. The excuse sounds silly to us, but that's often how our excuses sound to others. Don't rationalize laziness. Take your responsibilities seriously and get to work.



Joe


 

Teach your children how to make decisions. (Proverbs 22:6)

Proverbs 22:6

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁶ Direct your children onto the right path,
    and when they are older, they will not leave it.


Many parents want to make all the choices for their child, but this hurts him or her in the long run. When parents teach a child how to make decisions, they don't have to watch every step he or she takes. They know their children will remain on the right path because they have made the choices themselves. Train your children to chose the right way.


Joe



 

You never know... you may be in need someday. (Proverbs 21:13)

Proverbs 21:13

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹³ Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor
    will be ignored in their own time of need.


We should work to meet the needs of the poor and protect their rights - we may be in need of such services ourselves someday.


Joe

Doing what is right is greater than a generous offering. (Proverbs 21:3)

Proverbs 21:3

New Living Translation (NLT)

³ The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just
    than when we offer him sacrifices.


Sacrifices and offerings are not bribes to make God overlook our character faults. If our personal and business dealings are not characterized by justice, no amount of generosity when the offering plate is passed will make up for it.


Joe

 

Identify your motives first. (Proverbs 21:2)

Proverbs 21:2

New International Version (NIV)

² A person may think their own ways are right,
    but the Lord weighs the heart.


People can find an excuse for doing almost anything, but God looks behind the excuses to the motive of the heart. We often have to make choices in areas where the right action is difficult to discern. We can help ourselves make decisions by trying to identify our motives first and then asking, "Would God be pleased with my real reasons for doing this?" God is not pleased when we do good deeds only to receive something in return.


Joe



 

Is there dishonesty in your life? (Proverbs 20:23)

Proverbs 20:23

New International Version (NIV)

²³ The Lord detests differing weights,
    and dishonest scales do not please him.


"Differing weights" refers to the loaded scales a merchant might use in order to cheat the customers. Dishonesty is a difficult sin to avoid. It is easy to cheat if we think no one else is looking. But dishonesty affects the very core of a person. It makes him untrustworthy and untrusting. It eventually makes him unable to know himself or relate to others. Don't take dishonesty lightly. Even the smallest portion of dishonesty contains enough of the poison of deceit to kill your spiritual life. If there is any dishonesty in your life, tell God about it now.




Joe

 

God expects us to be responsible. (Proverbs 20:4)

Proverbs 20:4

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁴ Those too lazy to plow in the right season
    will have no food at the harvest.


You've heard similar warnings: if you don't study, you'll fail the test; if you don't save, you won't have money when you need it. God wants us to anticipate future needs and prepare for them, We can't expect Him to come to our rescue when we cause our own problems through lack of planning and action. He provides for us, but He also expects us to be responsible.


Joe

Learn from criticism. (Proverbs 19:25)

Proverbs 19:25

 

New International Version (NIV)

 

²⁵ Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence;
    rebuke the discerning, and they will gain knowledge.


There is a great difference between the person who learns from criticism and the person who refuses to accept correction. How we respond to criticism determines whether or not we grow in wisdom. The next time someone criticizes you, listen carefully to all that is said. You might learn something.


Joe

Don't nibble on gossip. (Proverbs 18:8)

Proverbs 18:8

 

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

⁸ Rumors are dainty morsels
    that sink deep into one’s heart.


It is hard to refuse to listen to gossip as it is to turn down a delicious dessert. Taking just one morsel of either one creates a taste for more. You can resist rumors in the same way a determined dieter resists candy - never open the box. If you don't nibble on the first bite of gossip, you can't take the second and the third.


Joe

 

Assess your loyalty. (Proverbs 17:17)

Proverbs 17:17

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

¹⁷ A friend is always loyal,
    and a brother is born to help in time of need.



What kind of friend are you? There is a vast difference between knowing someone and being a true friend. The greatest evidence of genuine friendship is loyalty - being able to help in times of distress or personal struggles. Too many people are fair-weather friends. They stick around when the friendship helps them and leave when they're not getting anything out of the relationship. Think of your friends and assess your loyalty to them. Be the kind of true friend the Bible encourages.



Joe





 

Don't make fun of the less fortunate. (Proverbs 17:5)

Proverbs 17:5

New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

⁵ Anyone who laughs at those who are poor makes fun of their Maker.
    Anyone who is happy when others suffer will be punished.


Few acts are as cruel as making fun of the less fortunate, but many people do this because it makes them feel good to be better off or more successful than someone else. Mocking the poor is mocking the God who made them. We also ridicule God when we mock the weak, those who are different, or anyone else. When you catch yourself putting down others just for fun, stop and think about who created them.


Joe




 

Fountain of Life. (Proverbs 16:22)

Proverbs 16:22

New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

²² Understanding is like a fountain of life to those who have it.
    But foolish people are punished for the foolish things they do.



For centuries people sought a fountain of youth, a spring that promised eternal life and vitality. It was never found. But God's wisdom is a Fountain of Life that can make a person happy, healthy and alive forever. How? When we live by God's Word, He washes away the deadly effects of sin, and the hope of eternal life with Him gives us a joyful perspective on our present life. The fountain of youth was only a dream, but the Fountain of Life is reality. The choice is yours. You can be enlightened by God's wisdom, or you can be dragged down by the weight of your own foolishness.




Joe

God demands honesty. (Proverbs 16:11)

Proverbs 16:11

New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord;
    all the weights in the bag are of his making.




Whether we buy or sell, make a product or offer a service, we know what is honest and dishonest. Sometimes we feel pressure to be dishonest in order to advance ourselves or gain more profit. But if we want to obey God, there is no middle ground: God demands honesty in every business transaction. No amount of rationalization can cover for a dishonest business practice. Honesty and fairness are not always easy, but they are what God demands. Ask Him for discernment and courage to be consistently honest and fair.



Joe






 

Do you plan your words? (Proverbs 15:28)

Proverbs 15:28

New Living Translation (NLT)

²⁸ The heart of the Godly thinks carefully before speaking;    the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.




Godly people weigh their answers; the wicked don't wait to speak because they don't care about the effects of their words. It is important to have something to say, but it is equally important to weigh it first. Do you carefully plan your words, or do you pour out your thoughts without concern for their impact.



Joe



 

Be open to new ideas. (Proverbs 15:22)

Proverbs 15:22

New Living Translation (NLT)

²² Plans go wrong for lack of advice;
    many advisers bring success.


People with tunnel vision, those who are locked into one way of thinking, are likely to miss the right road because they have closed their minds to new options. We need the help of those who can enlarge our vision and broaden our perspective. Seek out the advise of those who know you and have a wealth of experience. Build a network of advisers. Then be open to new ideas and be willing to weigh their suggestions carefully. Your plans will be stronger and more likely to succeed.


Joe

 

What do you feed your mind? (Proverbs 15:14)

Proverbs 15:14

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁴ A wise person is hungry for knowledge,
    while the fool feeds on trash.



What we feed our minds is just as important as what we feed our bodies. The kinds of books we read, the people we talk with, the music we listen to, and the movies we watch are all part of our mental diet. Be discerning because what you feed your mind influences your total health and well being. Thus a strong desire to discover knowledge is a mark of wisdom.




Joe



 

Victory (1 John 3:8-9)

1 John 3:8-9

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁸ But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. ⁹ Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God.

Three steps are necessary to find victory over prevailing sin: 1.) seek the power of the Holy Spirit and God's Word; 2.) stay away from tempting situations; and 3.) seek the help of the body of Christ - be open to their willingness to hold you accountable and to pray for you.

Joe

 

 

 

Choose gentle words. (Proverbs 15:1)

Proverbs 15:1

 

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

15 A gentle answer deflects anger,
    but harsh words make tempers flare.


Have you ever tried to argue in a whisper? It is equally hard to argue with someone who insist on answering gently. On the other hand, a rising voice and harsh words almost always trigger an angry response. To turn away wrath and seek peace, choose gentle words.


Joe


 

You honor God when you care for the poor. (Proverbs 14:31)

Proverbs 14:31

 

New International Version (NIV)

 

³¹ Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,
    but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.


God has a special concern for the poor. He insists that people who have material goods should be generous with those who are needy. Providing for the poor is not just a suggestion in the Bible; it is a command that may require a change of attitude.


Joe

Control your quick temper. (Proverbs 14:29)

Proverbs 14:29

New International Version (NIV)

²⁹ Whoever is patient has great understanding,
    but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.




A quick temper can be like a fire out of control. It can burn us and everyone else in its path. Anger divides people. It pushes us into hasty decisions that only cause bitterness and guilt, Yet anger, in itself, is not wrong. Anger can be a legitimate reaction to injustice and sin. When you feel yourself getting angry, look for the cause. Are you reacting to an evil situation that you are going to set right? Or are you responding selfishly to a personal insult? Pray that God will help you control your quick temper, channeling your feelings into effective action and conquering selfish anger through humility and repentance.



Joe



 

Don't take shortcuts. (Proverbs 14:12)

Proverbs 14:12

New International Version (NIV)

¹² There is a way that appears to be right,
    but in the end it leads to death.


The "way that appears to be right" may offer many options and require few sacrifices. Easy choices, however, should make us take a second look. Is this solution attractive because it allows me to be lazy? Because it doesn't ask me to change my lifestyle? Because it requires no moral restraints? the right choice often requires hard work and self-sacrifice. Don't be enticed by apparent shortcuts that seem right but end in death.

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

He is risen. (Mark 16:6)

Mark 16:6

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁶ but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body.

The resurrection is vitally important for many reasons: 1.) Jesus kept His promise to rise from the dead, so we can believe He will keep all His other promises. 2.) The resurrection ensures that the ruler of God's eternal kingdom will be the living Christ, not just an idea, hope, or dream. 3.) Christ's resurrection gives us the assurance that we also will be resurrected. 4.) The power of God that brought Christ's body back from the dead is available to us to bring our morally and spiritually dead selves back to life so that we can change and grow (see 1 Corinthians 15:12-19). 5.)The resurrection provides the substance of the church's witness to the world. We do not merely tell lessons of life of a good teacher, we proclaim the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Joe

 

 

 

 

Show goodwill. (Proverbs 14:9)

Proverbs 14:9

New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

⁹ Fools mock at making amends for sin,
    but goodwill is found among the upright.

How rarely we find goodwill around us today. Angry drivers scowl at each other in the streets. People fight to be first in line. Disgruntled employers and employees both demand their rights. But the common bond of God's people should be goodwill. Those with goodwill think the best of others and assume that others have good motives and intend to do what's right. When someone crosses you, and you feel your blood pressure rising, ask yourself, "How can I show goodwill to this person?"

Joe

 

 

Guard your lips. (Proverbs 13:3)

Proverbs 13:3

New International Version (NIV)

³ Those who guard their lips preserve their lives,
    but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.

You have not mastered self-control if you do not control what you say. Words can cut and destroy. James recognized this truth when he stated, "The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts" (James 3:5). If you want to be self-controlled, begin with your tongue. Stop and think before you react or speak. If you can control this small but powerful member, you can control the rest of your body.

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answer slowly and quietly. (Proverbs 12:16)

Proverbs 12:16

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

¹⁶ A fool is quick-tempered,
    but a wise person stays calm when insulted.



When someone annoys or insults you, it is natural to retaliate. But this solves nothing and only encourages trouble. Instead, answer slowly and quietly. Your positive response will achieve positive results.



Joe