Proverbs 3 - Lean Not in Your Own Understanding

 

Proverbs 3 – Lean Not on Your Own Understanding

 

Trust in- means to believe that the object of one’s trust can and will do what should be done. Lean – does not mean to put one’s whole weight on something but to rely with one’s own intellect.

 

What you do with your heart determines what you do with your life. Cultivate an obedient heart that receives God’s Word (2 Cor. 3:1-3) and a trusting heart that obeys. We’re not suggesting that you ignore your mind or common sense, but that you not lean only on them and reject God’s way.

 

Put God first in the way you use His wealth (matt 6:33) and major on the things that money cannot buy. When God corrects you, accept it as evidence of His love. (Heb. 12:5-6)

 

Let every part of your body be controlled by God’s wisdom (Rom. 12:1-2). Sleep is one of the tests of faith and true surrender to God.

 

If you want God’s blessings on your home, be a blessing to those around you. Share what you have and never plan evil against others. (Rom. 12:9-21).

 

In order for God to direct one’s paths, a person must be doing whatever he or she already knows to do right – obedience activates God’s promises. To depend on one’s own understanding of truth and life means to disregard God’s will. Pride begins elevating oneself in one’s own eyes. (Romans 12:16). Depart from evil is the idea behind repentance: a change of direction.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

 

Proverbs 2 - Wisdom, A Way of Life

 

Proverbs 2 – Wisdom, A Way of Life

 

The nature of this and many other proverbs is of a Father talking to his sons about life. The son is just beginning to face adult realities and become responsible for himself. The wise sayings are offered as treasures.

 

The two phrases; the fear of the Lord and the knowledge of God encompass the Old Testament terms for true religion; the poles of awe and intimacy.

 

The basic meaning of wisdom in the Old Testament is skill. Those who made the tabernacle tapestries had skill. Those who made the High Priest garments had skill. Those who piloted the ships at sea had skill. Wisdom is a skill given by God to accomplish a task.

 

When wisdom and knowledge become a way of life, the talk and interest of the wicked, the evil, the immoral of darkness and perversity will lose their appeal. Wisdom that seeks God delivers from the temptation that leads to death. The path a person walks today will determine their destination tomorrow.

 

The word path is used seven times in this chapter. It suggests to us that life involves direction, decision, and determination, just like walking a path. God will do His part if you do your part.

 

The path of wisdom is a guarded path and a good path that leads to life and righteousness. The path of folly is a dark and devious path that leads to death.

 

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

Proverbs 1 - Wisdom

 

Proverbs 1 – Wisdom

 

All you need for success is yours when you receive God’s Wisdom. “Success” means much more than making a living. It means making a life that honors God and serves others. Wisdom is more important than riches and power (Prov. 8:12-21) because wisdom helps you build for all eternity.

 

“The fear of the Lord” means reverence for God and respect for His Word, a willingness to listen and a promptness to obey. God uses different people to teach you wisdom, and you must be alert to each lesson. Note the warnings: “Do not forsake!, Do not consent!, Do not walk!” God says no that He might say yes.

 

Wisdom is like a lovely woman inviting hungry people to a great feast.

Folly is like an evil woman seducing the ignorant into sin. Accept wisdom’s call and you will be blessed; accept folly’s call and you will be destroyed.

 

Throughout the Book of Proverbs, wisdom and folly are personified as women, calling on all who will listen to embrace them. Wisdom goes where the people are, in the open squares, in the chief concourses, at the openings of the gates in the city.

She calls aloud, raises her voice, cries out, speaks in the public places of the city. She speaks to three types of sinners: simple ones, scorners, and fools.

 

Fools make a habit of continually rejecting wisdom; in return, they receive the fruit of their own way (Jer. 6:19).

 

The final step in rebellion (complacency) is destruction. What a horrible price to pay for rejecting wisdom’s gracious appeal.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah.

 

 

Psalm 148-150 - Let All Creation Praise Him!

 

Psalm 148 – Let All Creation Praise Him!

 

The Psalmist starts with the angels, then summons the heavenly bodies, and even includes the clouds! God created them, established them, and controls them. They should praise Him – and they do.

Whether the depths of the sea or the heights of the mountains, the winds or the fruitful trees, all should praise the Lord – and they do! When the weather is bad, it is good to know that even the storms fulfill God’s Word.

Made in God’s image, men and women have more reason to praise God than does any other thing in creation. And when you have been saved by God’s grace, your motive is even greater. Praise the Lord!

 

Psalm 149 – Sing all Ye People!

 

God’s people should be a singing people. They should sing in the sanctuary because God is their Savior, their Maker, and their King. You are reminded again that praise pleases God and beautifies God’s people (Psalm 147:, 11)

You should be singing at home, even when in bed! Sing when you wake up in the morning, when you take a nap, when you go to bed at night. If it is a bed of illness, sing to the Lord even more.

Sing to the Lord on the battlefield. God’s Word is your sword (Eph. 6:17), and it should be on your lips as well as in your hand. Praise is a wonderful weapon for defeating the enemy.

 

Psalm 150 – Praise Him Always

 

We should praise Him locally and universally, in the temple and in the heavens. Wherever you are, praise the Lord.

We should praise Him because of what He does and who He is. The better you know God’s character and works, the more you will praise Him and the more you will enjoy pleasing Him.

Praise Him with voices and with our bodies expressing the joy we feel within. The whole person should be one living sacrifice that praises the Lord.

“Everything that has breath” should praise Him. Our breath comes from Him (Acts 17:25), so we ought to use it to praise His name. Breath is the weakest thing we have, but we can devote it to the highest service, praising the Lord.

Psalm 146 & 147 - Praise

 

Psalm 146 – Praise

 

Praise is an evidence of life, not just physical life, but the life of God in the heart. In heaven, it is all praise; in hell, there is no praise; here on earth, you must make a choice.

Praise is an encouragement to faith.. When you have faith in somebody – your doctor for instance – you praise the person to others. When your faith is low, your praise will gradually subside, but when you major on praise, your faith will grow.

Praise is an encouragement to hope. When your hope is in the Lord, you can praise Him no matter what the circumstances may be. Faith is the upward look, and hope is the forward look.

Praise is an encouragement to love, your love for God and for others, and God’s love for you. When you love someone, you trust that person, and greater trust brings greater love.

Life, faith, hope, and love – all abound in the experience of praise.

 

Psalm 147 – Praise

 

Praising the Lord is the highest exercise of your faculties. He is worthy of praise, and you should praise Him whether or not you think your praise is accomplishing anything in your life. However, there are some blessings that come to those who worship Him in truth.

Praise brings spiritual beauty to God’s people; (Psalm 27:4, 29:2). It builds His work and unifies His people. It heals the inner person and lifts the fallen. Praise is good medicine!

Praise makes God’s world real and personal to you, even the storms, and its great protection against the enemy. Praise pleases the Lord and enables Him to work in your life.

Praise must never become a pragmatic device for getting blessing from God. When you sincerely praise Him, the blessing will come. Praise changes things and people.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

Psalm 144- Fight the Good Fight, Psalm 145 - Praise the Lord!

 

Psalm 144 – Fight the Good Fight

 

Let God train you before the battle. In yourself, you are nothing, but God Loves you and equips you for what lies ahead. God does not always explain how He prepares you, so accept His disciplines by faith. David fought a lion and a bear before God let him fight a giant. Each morning, put on the whole armor of God and be ready for the trumpet call (Eph. 6:10-18).

Let God help you in the battle. God’s hand is there to strengthen and deliver you, so don’t be afraid to engage the enemy. You are fighting the Lord’s battles; He will not abandon you, (2 Chron. 20:14-19).

Sing God’s praises after the battle. Thank Him for all He has done for you personally, for your family and for your nation.

 

Psalm 145 – Praise the Lord!

 

David extols the Lord for His greatness, goodness, glory and generosity. If you are having a hard time praising the Lord today, that should help you get started! God’s people will praise Him forever, so we must learn to do it day by day.

David praises the Lord as an encouragement to others. Members of each generation need to learn to praise the Lord, so your praise is an example and witness to them.

Are others growing in their worship because of you?

 

David hears all God’s work praising Him. Nature takes on new meaning and new beauty when you realize this (Ps. 19:1-6).

When you live a life of praise, you have the Lord’s help in every situation. If you stumble, He helps you up. If you are hungry, He feeds you. If you call, He draws near. No wonder David blessed the Lord so much!

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

Psalm 142 - Prayer is Worship and Warfare, Psalm 143 - Depend on Him

 

Psalm 142 – Prayer is Worship and Warfare

 

There are times when prayer is worship (Ps. 141:1), and there are times when prayer is warfare. In the heat of the battle, pour out your heart to the Lord and tell Him how you feel and what you need. Turn the cave into a Holy of Holies.

 

David walked in God’s will, but the enemy lied about him and set traps to catch him. Walk with the Lord one step at a time and He will see you through. (Ps. 16:11).

If you have God, what more do you need? One with God is a majority, so be wholly satisfied with Him.

 

It may not look like it now, but one day your trials will turn out for your good and God’s glory. Start praising Him now – by faith – and you will be “tuned up” when the answer comes.

 

Psalm 143 – Depend on Him

 

Depend on God’s grace and faithfulness, not on your righteousness. Tell God what is happening in your life. David was in the dust and in the darkness. He felt like a thirsty man in a desert.

When God does not answer pray, it is as though His face turns away from us and we sink into the grave. Do you find strength and joy in answered prayer?

David met with the Lord each morning and got his orders for the day. Without those orders, he did not know how to walk. Trust God’s Spirit to lead you as you yield yourself to Him.

David was in the dust, and only God could raise him up. David wanted to fight the Lord’s battles and establish righteousness in the land. True prayer means that we serve God, not that God serves us.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.