31 Days of His Wisdom - Day 21 - The Right Thing

  

source Microsoft Office.com

"Do the right thing," is my husband/rabbi's favorite expression.  We are faced with that decision from the moment we wake until we go to sleep at night.  Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Proverbs 21 has that theme today, and I was immediately grabbed by this verse:

3 To do what is right and just
    is more pleasing to Adonai than sacrifice.

The grace of ADONAI is all over the Scriptures.  I heard a well-known preacher say one time, "G-d's grace was not revealed until the New Testament."  Nothing could be further from the truth.

In Leviticus, we read about the system of blood sacrifice set up to cover the sins of the people.  A great deal of bloodshed was needed to pay for those sins.  That was the "grace of G-d".  Yeshua's blood has taken the place of animal sacrifice, and for that we are so grateful.

Let us not lose sight, however, that G-d desires obedience, which is doing what is right and just.  His Torah lets us know what that entails, and give us G-d's mind/thoughts on these things.

Let's look at what happens when we obey His ways:

21 He who pursues righteousness and kindness
    finds life, prosperity and honor.

I don't know about you, my dear Gail-Friends, but that's what I want.  There are many voices today. Many ideas. Many religions.   Many teachers.  Many churches, and even many synagogues with different views. But let's look at what the Word of the L-rd is:
 
30 No wisdom, discernment or counsel
    succeeds against Adonai.

³¹ A horse may be prepared for the day of battle,
    but victory comes from Adonai.

This is why I cried out for HIS WISDOM.  I tried so many different paths, and found them lacking.  

I pray for you, my dear Gail-Friends, to cry out for wisdom, His wisdom alone.  You will be led to His truth, His peace and the victory of ADONAI.

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Quotations are from The Complete Jewish Bible
Each time I read through Proverbs, something different jumps out at me.  This is ADONAI quickening His Word to my heart.  

As I go through this month of studying Proverbs, I hope you'll join me and read the chapter, too.  I'll share what stands out to me for that day.  

I'd love for you to share something He shows you through the day's reading. 
I'll be linking these posts to the 31 Days event at The Nester


This 31 day series will focus on the things I learned from Proverbs, as well as some things from Torah study, and will add in a sprinkling of what I've learned from Judaism. 

I will be posting daily through October 31.  To read the posts, just go to the Labels section on the left, and click on "31 Days of His Wisdom".
 

31 Days of His Wisdom - Day 19 - Anger

source Microsoft Office.com

Proverbs 19 has some really good advice about anger:

11 -  People with good sense are slow to anger,
    and it is their glory to overlook an offense.

19 -  A violent-tempered person will be punished;
    if you try to save him from it, you make things worse.

Have you ever been around someone who is easily angered?  Are you one with a quick temper?  

I remember seeing a man bang his coffee cup on the table because the waittress wasn't timely enough in bringing his refill.  I knew immediately he was not wise.  

There are people who love quarrelling and drama.  They seem to thrive on it.  If they don't have any, they will create it by picking fights.  These are foolish people.

Verse nineteen says a violent-tempered person will be punished.  We do well to pay attention to this advice, and avoid such people.  The road these people walk is rough, and trouble follows them wherever they go.  They seem to go from one crisis to another, and you will be drawn into their troubles if you keep company with them.  

This, I know from experience, because I come from a family of people like this.  Every family gathering ends in some sort of drama.  Angry words, hurt feelings and shunning - all have been and still are the norm for these people.  

Yes, the things I described were passed on to me because I grew up in such an environment.  I wanted to learn new ways of coping with life. I cried out for wisdom, ecause of the grace of Hashem, I was led to a new way of living.  I was very foolish in my youth, but I have learned to control my anger by turning to Him, and asking for His strength, and the right thoughts.

I've learned to look over an offense and to forgive.   A wise person once told me that holding on to unforgiveness is like holding onto a hot coal.  The only person it hurts is me.  I received that wisdom and it has served me well.

I've also learned to look at angry, foolish people as ill.  I wouldn't be angry with or fight with someone who was in a hospital bed.   I ask G-d to show me how to be helpful to them.  Overlooking their offense is part of that.  

Yes, there is a time to be angry, and there is a time to take action against evil, but in most cases, just letting things go is the best choice.  G-d will deal with people like this in His time, and in His own way. 

Recognizing angry, foolish people goes a long way toward having a peaceful life.  This is why Proverbs is so valuable to the young, in order for them to choose good friends and companions.  Just look at this wonderful promise:

 23 The fear of Adonai leads to life;
    one who has it is satisfied and rests untouched by evil.

Fearing Him is believing and obeying him, as you would a loving father who has your best interest at heart.  These wise teachings are priceless for the young as well as the mature.  I could have avoided many problems had I learned these lessons early.  

As a leader and a mentor of younger women, I advise them to read Proverbs daily and to apply these precious gems of wisdom.  I know we will be blessed and satisfied when we obey Him.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Quotations are from The Complete Jewish Bible
Each time I read through Proverbs, something different jumps out at me.  This is ADONAI quickening His Word to my heart.  

As I go through this month of studying Proverbs, I hope you'll join me and read the chapter, too.  I'll share what stands out to me for that day.  

I'd love for you to share something He shows you through the day's reading. 
I'll be linking these posts to the 31 Days event at The Nester


This 31 day series will focus on the things I learned from Proverbs, as well as some things from Torah study, and will add in a sprinkling of what I've learned from Judaism. 

I will be posting daily through October 31.  To read the posts, just go to the Labels section on the left, and click on "31 Days of His Wisdom".

31 Days of His Wisdom - Day 18 - Friendship

 

source Microsoft Office.com

Proverbs 18 is a gold mine of information about relationships, words, and friendship.  Proverbs 18:24 is the last verse in this chapter, but it spoke the loudest today:
 
Some “friends” pretend to be friends,
    but a true friend sticks closer than a brother.

The photo I chose today spoke to me, too, because a true friend will stick with you to the end of your life.   I have friends in my life that are closer than a "sister" as the verse says.  One of my friends has been in my life since I was in the first grade.  That's over fifty years.

G-d blessed me with another friend on the day my first child was born.  Linda was in the same room with me, and had given birth earlier that morning.  We both had little girls.  This was Linda's second child, and my first.  I was pretty incapacitated, while Linda ran around like the Energizer Bunny.  

I'd never met anyone so kind and caring.  "Can I help you with anything?" was her mantra.  I also noticed she read from her Bible several times a day, and sprinkled the words "L-rd" and "G-d" throughout her conversations, like He was a real person.  I liked that because it reminded me of my Aunt Inez and my grandmother, who did the same thing.

When we left the hospital after a few days, Linda gave me her phone number and I gave her mine.  I kept in touch with her, and she invited me to a Bible study.  I started attending church with her, and the rest is history.  We remain friends to this day, and our two daughters are fast friends as well.  

Linda has been there in every happy occasion, and also in every dark day of my life. She's helped me pack up and move several times, helped me give bridal and baby showers, and been there any time I need to talk.  We've laughed, prayed and cried together,  and she's even held a bucket while I threw up.  Now that's true love, right? 

I am an only child, but G-d blessed me with Linda, and others, to be my sisters.  I know what this verse means by years of experience.

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Quotations are from The Complete Jewish Bible
Each time I read through Proverbs, something different jumps out at me.  This is ADONAI quickening His Word to my heart.  

As I go through this month of studying Proverbs, I hope you'll join me and read the chapter, too.  I'll share what stands out to me for that day.  

I'd love for you to share something He shows you through the day's reading. 
I'll be linking these posts to the 31 Days event at The Nester


This 31 day series will focus on the things I learned from Proverbs, as well as some things from Torah study, and will add in a sprinkling of what I've learned from Judaism. 

I will be posting daily through October 31.  To read the posts, just go to the Labels section on the left, and click on "31 Days of His Wisdom".

31 Days of His Wisdom - Day 17 - A Happy Heart

source Microsoft Office.com

Proverbs 17 is so full of good advice about people.  I could write a book on the wisdom found in this chapter, but I'll just focus on these three verses.

19 Those who love quarreling love giving offense;
    those who make their gates tall are courting disaster.

²⁰ A crooked-hearted person will find nothing good,
    and the perverse of speech will end in calamity.

 ²² A happy heart is good medicine,
    but low spirits sap one’s strength.

Have you ever been around someone who saps your strength?  I know someone who is perfectly described by these verses.  I have often said, "She makes lemons out of lemonade."  

People like this are hard to be around.  They whine, complain, find fault, quarrel, fight, and can find nothing good.  Their mouth is always turned down.  "Woe is me," is their motto.   

Pay attention to what the verse 19 says, "those who make their gates tall are courting disaster."  This refers to the way walls are built in the Middle East.  The walls are tall to protect, and the gates are made short for the same reason.  If the gates are small, a man on a horse cannot come through.  If the gate is low, he must bend down to enter.  This gives one time to discern his intent.  Is he a friend or a foe?

Wisdom says to be cautious about who you let into your life, your team, your employment, and even your house of worship.  Observe them carefully.  Make note of their attitudes, because their speech will reveal if they will bring calamity (trouble, problems, strife).  

If you study and accept the teachings of Proverbs (and Torah on which they are based), you will develop discernment.  You will recognize and avoid fools and the calamity they bring.  

One other word of wisdom, correcting a person like this one (a fool) will show you even more the state of their heart.  They will become highly offended and call you a judge.  Or, they will act like you never said it, and keep on doing it.  Or, they will decide you're not their kind of people and move on.   Why?  Because they are fools and they despise wisdom (G-d's ways).  

Verse 22 says, "happiness is good medicine." As with any medicine, you have to take it. I have to choose to be happy.  I can get my soul in a happy state very easily by praising and thanking ADONAI for the blessings and beauty all around me.   That's better than any medicine you can buy. This song, is my favorite for keeping my focus on Him:




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Quotations are from The Complete Jewish Bible
Each time I read through Proverbs, something different jumps out at me.  This is ADONAI quickening His Word to my heart.  

As I go through this month of studying Proverbs, I hope you'll join me and read the chapter, too.  I'll share what stands out to me for that day.  

I'd love for you to share something He shows you through the day's reading. 
I'll be linking these posts to the 31 Days event at The Nester


This 31 day series will focus on the things I learned from Proverbs, as well as some things from Torah study, and will add in a sprinkling of what I've learned from Judaism. 

I will be posting daily through October 31.  To read the posts, just go to the Labels section on the left, and click on "31 Days of His Wisdom".

31 Days of His Wisdom - Day 16 - Stops and Starts

source-Microsoft Office.com

Proverbs 16:9 stopped me today:

 A person may plan his path,
    but Adonai directs his steps.


So much wisdom here, dear Gail-Friends. 

A wise woman told me years ago, "G-d leads by stops, as well as starts."  That is what verse 9 is saying.  

Years ago, I owned a house that I wanted to sell.  I put it on the market and it just sat there for months.  No one even looked at the house.  I prayed and prayed for it to sell, but it did not.  

Over time, I became aggravated.  I prayer, " Father, I'm upset that this house is not selling.  You know I need to sell it.  I need the money (and on and on)". This was before I learned that He leads by stops as well as starts.  I fretted, I cried, I prayed and I begged G-d to let that house sell.  It didn't, and I finally gave up and put the house up for a rental.

I prayed for a good renter and my prayer was immediately answered. He sent a wonderful woman, who rented the house for three years.  She always paid on time, and took good care of the property.  

After three years, things changed in my life, and I decided to try to sell the house again.  I put it on the market, and the first person who looked at it signed a contract.  No hitches, no glitches.  Done!  

I learned from this experience to always mind the "stops" because He is in charge.  When my prayers are not answered, He has a reason.  The reason in this particular instance was that the second time I tried to sell, I really did need the money...much more than I thought I needed it the first time.  

G-d sees way ahead of us, and He has our best interest at heart, always.  He doesn't want us to fail, and His ways are the pathway to success.

^^^^^^^^^^

Quotations are from The Complete Jewish Bible

Each time I read through Proverbs, something different jumps out at me.  This is ADONAI quickening His Word to my heart.  

As I go through this month of studying Proverbs, I hope you'll join me and read the chapter, too.  I'll share what stands out to me for that day.  

I'd love for you to share something He shows you through the day's reading. 
I'll be linking these posts to the 31 Days event at The Nester


This 31 day series will focus on the things I learned from Proverbs, as well as some things from Torah study, and will add in a sprinkling of what I've learned from Judaism. 

I will be posting daily through October 31.  To read the posts, just go to the Labels section on the left, and click on "31 Days of His Wisdom".