June 1 Proverbs 1

Proverbs 1 (New International Version)

1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2 for attaining wisdom and discipline;
for understanding words of insight;

3 for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life,
doing what is right and just and fair;

4 for giving prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the young-

5 let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance-

6 for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise.

7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools [a] despise wisdom and discipline.

Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom
Warning Against Enticement

8 Listen, my son, to your father's instruction
and do not forsake your mother's teaching.
9 They will be a garland to grace your head
and a chain to adorn your neck.

10 My son, if sinners entice you,
do not give in to them.

11 If they say, "Come along with us;
let's lie in wait for someone's blood,
let's waylay some harmless soul;

12 let's swallow them alive, like the grave, [b]
and whole, like those who go down to the pit;

13 we will get all sorts of valuable things
and fill our houses with plunder;

14 throw in your lot with us,
and we will share a common purse"-

15 my son, do not go along with them,
do not set foot on their paths;

16 for their feet rush into sin,
they are swift to shed blood.

17 How useless to spread a net
in full view of all the birds!

18 These men lie in wait for their own blood;
they waylay only themselves!

19 Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain;
it takes away the lives of those who get it.

Warning Against Rejecting Wisdom

20 Wisdom calls aloud in the street,
she raises her voice in the public squares;
21 at the head of the noisy streets [c] she cries out,
in the gateways of the city she makes her speech:

22 "How long will you simple ones [d] love your simple ways?
How long will mockers delight in mockery
and fools hate knowledge?

23 If you had responded to my rebuke,
I would have poured out my heart to you
and made my thoughts known to you.

24 But since you rejected me when I called
and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand,

25 since you ignored all my advice
and would not accept my rebuke,

26 I in turn will laugh at your disaster;
I will mock when calamity overtakes you-

27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm,
when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind,
when distress and trouble overwhelm you.

28 "Then they will call to me but I will not answer;
they will look for me but will not find me.

29 Since they hated knowledge
and did not choose to fear the LORD,

30 since they would not accept my advice
and spurned my rebuke,

31 they will eat the fruit of their ways
and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.

32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,
and the complacency of fools will destroy them;

33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety
and be at ease, without fear of harm."

It's more than just something to eat with.......

The Tongue and Quotes About It
The most difficult to tame, the tongue has been a subject of interest for many thinkers, famous people, kings and philosophers. See some of their quotes in the article below.

The Tongue and Quotes About It
Tongue is incredibly hard to tame. All kinds of wild animals have been tamed but the tongue is the most difficult and problems causing organ in the human body so to speak.

Of course it is the brain that gives the commands that’s why feeding our brain with valuable information is essential to keep a smart tongue, to control what we say. "For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." James 3: 7-8

Solomon gathered numerous proverbs that speak about tongue and how to keep ours out of trouble. Because keeping your tongue in between the limits of safety, also keeps your whole being safe. Here are some of his proverbs plus other quotes from different authors.

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit." Proverbs 18:21

"Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death." Proverbs 21:6

"Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles." Proverbs 21:23

"By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone." Proverbs 25:15

"Where there is much talk there will be no end to sin, but he who keeps his mouth shut does wisely." Proverbs 10:19

"The tongue of the righteous is like choice silver. The heart of the wicked is of little worth." Proverbs 10:20

"The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off." Proverbs 10:31

"He who has a poor opinion of his neighbor has no sense, but a wise man keeps quiet." Proverbs 11:12

"There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise heals." Proverbs 12:18

"Truth's lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only momentary." Proverbs 12:19

"The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of fools gush out folly." Proverbs 15:2

"A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit." Proverbs 15:4

"The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh (God)." Proverbs 16:1

"An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue." Proverbs 17:4

"One who has a perverse heart doesn't find prosperity, and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble." Proverbs 17:20

"Even the foolish man, when he keeps quiet, is taken to be wise: when his lips are shut he is credited with good sense." Proverbs 17:28

"The north wind brings forth rain: so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face." Proverbs 25:23

"A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin." Proverbs 26:28

"One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue." Proverbs 28:23

"Have you seen a man who is quick with his tongue? There is more hope for a foolish man than for him." Proverbs 29:20

"The tongue like a sharp knife... Kills without drawing blood." Buddha quotes

"There is no evidence that the tongue is connected to the brain." Frank Tyger

"Whatever is in the heart will come up to the tongue." Persian Proverb

"One reason a dog is such a lovable creature is his tail wags instead of his tongue"

"You can speak well if your tongue can deliver the message of your heart." John Ford

"The best time for you to hold your tongue is the time you feel you must say something or bust" Josh Billings

"Before the tongue can speak, it must have lost the power to wound." Peace Pilgrim

"Better slip with foot than tongue" Benjamin Franklin

"At table keep a short hand; in company keep a short tongue." Turkish Proverb

"It does not always pay to have a golden tongue unless one has the ability to hold it" Paul Johnson

"When the heart is full the tongue will speak" Scottish Proverb

"I prefer tongue-tied knowledge to ignorant loquacity." Marcus Tullius Cicero

"A knife-wound heals, but a tongue wound festers."Turkish Proverb

"A distinguished diplomat could hold his tongue in ten languages."
"Man's tongue is soft, and bone doth lack; yet a stroke therewith may break a man's back." Benjamin Franklin

"A sharp tongue is the only edge tool that grows keener with constant use." Washington Irving quotes

Smack Dab Right in the Middle of the Bible is where "THE LORD" is

What is the shortest chapter in the Bible?
(answer - Psalms 117)

What is the longest chapter in the Bible?
(answer - Psalms 119)

Which chapter is in the center of the Bible?
(answer - Psalms 118)

Fact: There are 594 chapters before Psalms 118

Fact: There are 594 chapters after Psalms 118

Add these numbers up and you get 1188

What is the center verse in the Bible?
(answer - Psalms 118:8)
"It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man."

I always knew that tid bit of information but it wasn't until lastnight that it was resurfaced in my brain while sitting and listening to the Pastor speaking at my kids year end banquet at church. This ultimatly caused me to think deeper and wonder what is the exact center word of the Bible? Psalms 118:8 has 14 words. 7 words into the verse is the word "THE", count back from the end of the verse 7 words in is the word "LORD" So there is no one center word but a combination of two "THE LORD"

Michael W. Smith- Lord I Give You My Heart

Something from the file of Adrian Rogers

Pass the Salt!
taken from a message given by Adrian Rogers

“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” (Matthew 5:13)

I heard a story of a little boy who one day asked his mother, “would you give me a dollar if I'll be a good boy?” She replied, “Son, why don't you be good for nothing like your father!” You know, there are a lot of Christians who are exactly that. They are good for nothing.

Jesus said they're like salt that's lost its savor. They are cast out, good for nothing but “to be trodden under foot of men.”

Why did Jesus use the metaphor “salt” to describe those who would be His followers? We need to look at the significance of salt in Jesus' time to understand.

In that society, pure salt was often more valuable than gold. As a matter of fact, salt was a rare delicacy and often a medium of exchange. We get our word salary from salt. It literally means “salt-money,” hence the expression, “That man is worth his salt.”

Salt was valuable because of what it did. If we are to be “the salt of the earth,” how then are we to “salt” our culture in this day?

Salt Seasons


Salt causes flavor to come alive. In the book of Job, we read this question, “Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?” (Job 6:6).

Most people are simply living bland, flavorless lives. That's the reason so many are striving to find some kind of a “high.” There's no excitement, no thrill. Their lives are tasteless. It's “the bland leading the bland.”

Christians must be different! We should give flavor and zest to life. That's the reason the Bible says in Colossians 4:6a, “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt.” There should something about every Christian that's absolutely exciting.

Salt Preserves


Salt is also valuable because it preserves. Jesus was standing by the Sea of Galilee, teaching what we know as The Sermon on the Mount. Many in His audience were fishermen. When He spoke of being “the salt of the earth,” because of their occupation, they knew He was also talking about the preserving power of salt. In that day, salt prevented decay and restrained corruption. It was necessary to salt the fish down to keep them edible. If ever there was a day when we need the preserving power of Gospel salt, it is this day of corruption and deadly decay!

Salt Heals


Not only does salt season and preserve, salt heals. In 2 Kings 2:20-22, we read of Elisha putting a cruse of salt into deadly, polluted waters. Those waters were healed, and out of barrenness and bitterness there came blessedness. Salt has antiseptic and healing properties to it. As a matter of fact, in Bible times when little babies were born, they would give the baby a saline bath to hold down infection.

Salt Irritates


Have you ever gotten a cut on your hand, and then gotten salt in it? Salt definitely burns and irritates!

When Jesus said in Mark 9:49a, “for every one shall be salted with fire,” His figure of speech indicated that fire and salt have something in common: salt burns, like fire. Be aware that the truth of God's Word, when rubbed into this diseased world, will sting. There are many people who prefer a non-irritating brand of the Gospel. But the true Gospel, when presented, will irritate a sinful world. No offense, no effect.

Salt Penetrates


Salt has such powerful properties that just a pinch will permeate an entire gallon of water. In fact, it's one of the few major compounds that dissolve equally well in either hot or cold water. We must get the salt to the source, where it can penetrate, activate, and change society. We need to guard ourselves from becoming a salt warehouse. We need to be salt shakers. As one author wrote, “Out of the saltshaker, into the world!”

Why are Bible-believing Christians mocked in today's society? Why are we no longer respected? Because we have lost our saltiness. We've become good for nothing. Many Christians do not understand because they themselves are saltless saints. What will it take to bring us to our knees? If ever there was a need for the salt to work, it is at this hour. Corruption and decay are emerging around us—they are part of God's judgment. But God has said, “If My people....” Salty saints and the power of God can make the difference.


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This article is taken from a sermon by Adrian Rogers and is protected by copyright and International Law, and is solely owned by Love Worth Finding. Reproduction of this article for personal use is granted. But, the reproduction of this article, or any portion of it for distribution via print, audio, video, or Internet is prohibited. Remember, this article is to inspire the development of new messages to further the kingdom's work.

MOTHER'S DAY

Motherhood
by Tosha Lamdin Williams

I had had it.

All day long I had given and given and given until I had nothing left to give. A frustrated, angry spirit was quickly replacing my "good mommy" attitude.

So I put my baby in his crib then sent my girls to their room with instructions to play Barbie and leave me alone. Truthfully, this wasn't one of those "Now precious girls, let Mommy be by herself for a while" days. Right or wrong, it was more along the irritable lines of "I have got to have some time by myself so go to your room."

As I fell exhausted into my chair, I mentally calculated all that I had done for my children that day. I had nursed the baby and attended to his every need. I had taken my daughters to the library and craft camp. I had stopped at the grocery store to get ingredients for a healthy dinner. I had washed loads of laundry and cleaned the house. Without reservation I had given my family my best effort all day long. Everything within me had been poured out for them; every last reservoir of strength was gone, save one.

Now all I could do was cry out, "God help me!" and wearily pick up my Bible.

Not expecting anything particularly applicable from the Old Testament, I nevertheless started reading where I had left off in 1 Samuel. Within moments, a verse almost leaped off the page at me. "Why do you honor your sons more than Me?" God asked a parent in 1 Samuel 2:29. It was as if God was asking me the very same question. The thought gripped my heart as I continued reading.

First Samuel tells the story of Eli, who served as the high priest of Israel during the time of the judges. Scripture shows that while Eli seemed to serve God wholeheartedly, he had a weakness that eventually led to his family's downfall. His problem? Eli was more partial to his sons Hophni and Phinehas than to God. When they pursued sex outside marriage, indulged in wicked behavior and even blasphemed God, Eli honored his sons so much that he scarcely disciplined them for their behavior.

God warned Eli of the judgment looming over his family and asked the piercing question of honor. If only Eli had listened to God's warnings, if only he had allowed the question to penetrate his heart, if only he had put God first in his life, he might have repented and avoided the resulting tragedy.

But he didn't. Eli continued honoring his sons more than God, so God brought judgment on the family. Hophni and Phinehas were killed, Eli died in shock, and his family forever lost its honored position as the high priests of Israel. As all this was happening, his widowed daughter-in-law gave birth to a son and named him "Ichabod," meaning "the glory of God has departed." This tragic sequence of events all started when Eli allowed his children to have first place in his heart.

As I sat there that afternoon, I almost dismissed Eli's story as not applicable to my life. After all, my 4-year-old does not blaspheme God, my 2-year-old is hardly sexually promiscuous, and the dirtiest thing my baby does is fill his diapers.

However, I couldn't get past the deeper message that the text has for every parent. Though the original question has a historical context, the thought it conveys is timeless: Why do you give all your best to your children and give Me second place?

There I was, desperately needing a break from serving my children, when God took the opportunity to tell me how much I needed to be with Him. He wants my relationship with Him to supersede every other relationship in my life, including my children.

I really wrestle with this, though. And, as I've informally surveyed other mothers, I have found that it is truly a common struggle. We "good" mothers tend to give all our best to our children, seldom leaving time for ourselves, much less God.

However, regardless of our children's ages or stages, God always demands first place in our hearts. He wants you and me to honor Him more than we honor anyone else.

This is a fine line, because mothering our children well is a way we honor God. Taking care of our children, even going beyond the call of duty for them, is not the issue, though. The heart of the matter is that nobody, not even our kids, should have a higher place in our hearts than God, lest they become our idols.

My children — idols? Your children — idols? It seems almost ludicrous to refer to them that way, yet that is exactly what they become when we honor them more than God. Consider these questions:

* Do you ever break away from your children — no matter their ages — and spend time alone with God?
* Do you intentionally communicate with Him as much as you do with your kids?
* Do you regularly focus on getting more of God instead of getting more for your kids?
* Do your kids see you read your Bible as much as they see you watch TV?
* Is your relationship with God a higher priority than anything else in your life — even more important than teaching your child the alphabet, cooking healthy meals or getting your kids into Little League?

Please don't read me wrong. I am not suggesting that we become such spiritual legalists that we ignore the realities of motherhood. Teaching the alphabet, cooking healthfully and involving our kids in sports are excellent things to do. Figuring out how to be the best mom possible is good and admirable.

However, we cannot — indeed, we must not — allow these pursuits for our children to minimize our pursuit for God. We cannot be fooled into thinking that all the great things we do as moms are more important than being intimate with God. The stakes are too high, for we risk our families becoming like Eli's if we put our children before God. He must have the highest place of honor in our hearts.

It took that day of absolute frustration and exhaustion for me to be reminded of this. Since that hallmark day, I've begun asking God this question each morning: "Lord, how can I put You first today?"

When you and I ask God that question, we must obey whatever He tells us, whether it's to home school our kids, take them to the library, minister to a neighbor or even spend time alone. It is amazing the strength that He will give us when we carry out His plans for our lives. By seeking God first, all the many aspects of our lives will fall into place, for our good and His glory.

Nothing will make our homes radiate more than His presence. Nothing will enhance our children's development more than having mothers who really know God. And nothing will make us better mothers than giving our Lord first place in our lives. It all comes down to a question of honor.

Whom are you honoring most today?

Jonny Diaz "Stand For You" video