Times of Trouble (Proverbs 24:10)

Proverbs 24:10

New International Version (NIV)

 

¹⁰ If you falter in a time of trouble,
    how small is your strength!





Times of trouble can be useful. They can show you who you really are, what kind of character you have developed. In addition, they can help you grow stronger. When Jeremiah questioned God because of the trouble he faced, God asked how he ever expected to face big challenges if the little ones tired him out (see Jeremiah 12:5 below). Don't complain about your problems. The trouble you face today is training you to be strong for the more difficult situations you will face in the future.

Jeremiah 12:5

New International Version (NIV)


 

⁵ “If you have raced with men on foot
    and they have worn you out,
    how can you compete with horses?
If you stumble in safe country,
    how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?

  
 
 
Joe


















 

Don't envy sinners (Proverbs 23:17-18)

Proverbs 23:17-18

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

¹⁷ Don’t envy sinners,
    but always continue to fear the Lord.
¹⁸ You will be rewarded for this;
    your hope will not be disappointed.




 
How easy is it to envy those who get ahead unhampered by Christian responsibility or God's laws. For a time they do seem to get ahead without paying any attention to what God wants. But to those who follow Him, God promises a hope and a wonderful future even if we don't realize it in this life.




 
Joe




















 

Choose your friends carefully (Proverbs 22:24-25)

Proverbs 22:24-25

New International Version (NIV)


 

²⁴ Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person,
    do not associate with one easily angered,
²⁵ or you may learn their ways
    and get yourself ensnared.



 
People tend to become like those with whom they spend a lot of time. Even the negative characteristics sometimes rub off. The Bible exhorts us to be cautious in our choice of companions. Choose people with characteristics you would like to develop in your own life.




 
Joe















 

Discipline your children (Proverbs 22:15)

The Message (MSG)

Proverbs 22:15

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁵ Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
    but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.

 

 Young children often do foolish and dangerous things simply because they don't understand the consequences. Wisdom and common sense are not transferred by just being a good example. The wisdom a child learns must be taught consciously. The "rod of discipline" stands for all forms of disciple or training. Just as God trains and corrects us to make us better, so parents must discipline their children to make them learn the difference between right and wrong.


 
Joe

GET TO WORK ! (Proverbs 22:13)

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




















 

Train your child... (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 choice themselves. Train your child to choose the right way.




 
Joe

Truly reliable loyal friend (Proverbs 20:6 )

Proverbs 20:6

New Living Translation (NLT)


6 Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable?


We may think that we are loyal friends, but there is only one truly reliable loyal friend...JESUS !


Joe