Proverbs 15:32-33 (15:37-38)

He who rejects instruction hates himself,
But he who gives heed to reproofs loves his soul.
The fear of God is instruction and wisdom,
And the beginning of glory will respond to it.

Personal Challenge

One of the challenges of being the independent pioneers that we are, is that we begin to believe that we can make it on our own. We act as if nothing outside of us is needed because we are self-sufficient and self-directed. The problem with this mindset is that we evolve to a point where we do not accept instruction or reproof any longer. God provides instruction and reproof to us so that we can learn to shed our temporal ways and embrace His spiritual ways. Only through submitting to His will we truly see the full manifestation of His blessings in our lives. Glory be to God!

Galatians 1:10

For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

Personal Challenge

Proverbs 15:1

Wrath destroys even men of discernment;
But a humble answer turns away anger,
And a grievous word stirs up wrath.

Personal Challenge

Our response to what goes on in our lives makes a world of difference in both our lives and the lives of those around us. If we respond in wrath, we become destructive, even to those who might be discerning. If we have a grievous response, all we do is stir up wrath in those around us. The proper response in all cases is a humble answer, which turns away anger and lifts up others. Glory be to God!

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Personal challenge

We live in a country, and a culture, that prides itself on self-sufficiency. Many of us have ancestors that were pioneers and helped expand and settle this land. We are taught that we can do anything that we set our minds to. Even though all of this is true, as followers of Christ, we must recognize that our self-sufficiency is worthless in the kingdom of heaven. It is our weaknesses that we should boast about because it is through those weaknesses the Jesus is glorified. He is glorified when He is allowed to use those weaknesses to build His kingdom. He is magnified when He uses our weaknesses to spread His gospel. Glory be to God!

Proverbs 14:30 (14:31)

A man with a gentle spirit is a healer of the heart,
But a sensual heart is the moth of the bones.

Personal Challenge

What does it mean to have a sensual heart? It means a heart that desires and pursues the pleasures of the senses or passions. First thought might be to point the finger at sexual pleasures, but it goes far beyond that. Seeking power comes from a sensual heart especially when you will do anything to get and keep that power. Greed, idolatry, possessiveness, lying, cheating, stealing, and anything else the puts me, and my desires above God and my neighbor, all come from a sensual heart. This heart will condemn us to a life of decay and death. On the contrary, a gentle spirit, a true humility, will create within us, and around us, a heart that is both healed and healing. The consequences are obvious, the choice is the ongoing challenge every moment of every day. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

2 Corinthians 9:7-8

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

Personal Challenge

In the Old Testament, the expectation was that God’s followers would, at a minimum, title 10% of what they earned, and that taken from the first fruits. Under the new covenant, in the New Testament, we are encouraged to give what we purpose in our heart. The key to this is to give cheerfully. We must also remember that our giving goes beyond just money. We are to give of our time, of the spiritual gifts that we have been blessed with. This applies to every aspect of our lives. We should give a smile and a blessing to the strangers that we meet, kindness to the person behind the cash register, grace to that person who cuts us off, our votes in elections to God and not just men or women. God wants us to be cheerful, purposeful givers in all aspects of our lives. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

Proverbs 14:17

A quick-tempered man acts with recklessness,
But a man with discernment bears many things.

Personal Challenge

One of the beautiful things about the Proverbs is how straightforward they are. There is no need for explanation with passages like this one. Be quick-tempered and reap a life of recklessness. Be discerning and slow to react and be able to bear with many things that come your way. Glory be to God!

2 Corinthians 9:6

But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

Personal Challenge

I am blessed to have grown up in a farming family, The scriptures are so much clearer when you understand those which are based in a farming context due to this upbringing. There is no harvest without first the sowing of seed. There is also that balance of how much seed is enough. If the seed is sowed too sparingly, then there will be a minimal crop to harvest. This metaphor plays out in every aspect of our lives. If we sow our wealth, our time, our kindness and mercy, and grace towards others, sparingly, then we will reap it sparingly. If we sow bountifully, then the results will be bountiful. God has blessed us with so much and expects us to be good stewards with it. Glory be to God!

Proverbs 13:10

Deceitful souls are led astray in sins,
But the righteous have compassion and are merciful.

Personal Challenge

We all desire to be treated with compassion and mercy. It appears that this desire was placed within us as part of our creation. This verse reminds us that this is an important part of our lives, especially as we learn to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and try to be like Him. Doing this is clear evidence of growing in righteousness. Glory be to God!