Began 9.12.08, follow the author and blog readers on a two year journey through Proverbs. Read the Proverbs chapter of the day (there are 31 chapters). Comment on what stood out to you. The journey never ends.
Do people go to Heaven without accepting Jesus Christ as their savior?
Wisdom
Seeing the world through God's eyes. Understanding what is true, right, or lasting.
Radio and TV Personality, Stealth Marketer/The Marketing Evangelist and Blogger has a passion and zeal for Marketing and what it does for companies and people. Marketing Dynamics focuses on helping its clients take advantage of the principles of Marketing while avoiding the overdone. Mr. Valadez is a visionary, volunteer, husband and father and a believer of good over evil. He served honorably in the United States Marine Corps, serving during Desert Storm/Shield. His faith in Christ drives him to achieve the seemingly impossible and demonstrate the power of God to affect our lives in all areas.
"What the wicked construct finally falls into ruin, while the roots of the righteous give life, and more life."
Proverbs 12:12
It has been said that success is built on failure. The object is to fail faster and faster until one becomes a success in business, science, and/or in life! This verse offers encouragement for those with a champion's spirit. It recognizes that you will fail and it will seem that you are without remedy, but ultimately the Lord will help you to offer life giving fervor to those around you. It says the "wicked" will ultimately fail, not the righteous.
"Measured Success"
Proverbs 12:15 - "Fools are headstrong and do what they like; wise people take advice."
Are you head strong? I may be. Marines are taught to take charge, move forward, and take the hill (I am a former Marine). Americans are self-reliant. It seems that most people don't want to hear advice or take it. I think this verse cautions us to check our motives. Are we being head strong, when we should stop and heed valuable advice. When we don't listen to our trusted advisors, we may cost ourselves and others valuable opportunities.
"Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you."
Proverbs 4:6 Life is a waging war. In John Eldredge's book "Epic", he reveals that humanity is at war with evil and we have entered the scene of a fallen world in the midst of the chaos and danger. We have been protected and isolated from the ravages of destruction; although, it is never really far away (just watch the news on any given day).
We have been blessed with plenty and the protection of the hand of God. I pray over my children daily that they would be spared a life without freedom and safety. I pray that they will make good decisions and always be under the protection of the almighty. If there is a waging war in our midst, are we equipped to fight it? Will we earn what others have already sacrificed?
"Saving Private Ryan" Normandy Cemetery Scene
Proverbs 4:14 - "Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men."
Have you ever walked in the path of the wicked? I know my sins have been forgiven, but I do get flashes from the past that remind me, just how easy it is to sin. I wish I could take all of the pain away and do the right thing, but time has passed and the only thing I can do is work to avoid similar situations in the future. We are so innocent in our own eyes, we are oblivious at times to the hurt we cause in others. Our natural propensity is to see ourselves in a good light.
According to Solomon, even a righteous man sins against God and he warns about being too righteous and risk destroying one's self (Ecclesiastes 7:16).
"The Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight."
Proverbs 11:1
"Calibrated Weight Kit" for measuring
Are you a fanatic about the details? Accountants, engineers, and lawyers probably are, but Marketers are another story. However, that isn't to say that a Marketer doesn't make the details possible. Dreamers are the ones who make things happen, there are no accountants, engineers, or lawyers without the dreamer and doer. When it comes to the details, the Lord is fanatical about honesty. If he is fanatical about accuracy, shouldn't we?
"Honesty, Pass It On!"
Proverbs 11:23 - "The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath."
Are you good or wicked? We have a tendency to judge ourselves by our own standards. It is easy to get comfortable with our own perceived goodness. Yet, there are many people in prison who are guilty, but claim they did no wrong - even murderers, child molesters, and thieves. The biggest challenge is to peel back the "onion of our own lives" and see ourselves as God sees us. We aren't as righteous as we might think.
Thankfully, we do have grace with God and opportunity to clean the slate and step up into the righteousness he has prepared for us that comes from wisdom and discipline. It is like God gives us a shocking revelation of our nature, enough that we don't hate ourselves, but we dislike it enough to make changes. If you have never had this experience, then you may be a little "self-righteous" ask God to show you.
Sadly, there are many righteous "posers". I believe we should check our spirt daily. Oh I know, I still have a lot of work. However, there are those special moments, when I sense God's approval, even though I may not have the approval of men. In the long-run, integrity and a resolve to do right wins the day. I love this verse. God is good, we should be too.
"She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table."
Proverbs 9:3
Do you hunger and thirst for the things of God? These are trying times. It is so easy to get distracted with our own personal problems, but there are always many worse than us. God wants to reach those people and he is looking for givers. Those who give their time, their talent, and their resources. The needs are many. He has prepared a feast for us. Food that blesses our spirit beyond compare. That used to be hard to comprehend, but when God is preparing you for greater things, then you hunger for the things that provide lasting nourshment and make you feel more alive than you ever have.
"The Hunger"
Proverbs 9:17 - "Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious."
Do you hunger for righteousness? Instead, do we hunger for the things of the world and satisfy our desires with substitutes? Are we "short circuiting" God's plan?
We may not steal water, but we may steal opportunities from others. We may consume off of the talent and influence of others. Have you ever been taken advantage of? Has someone stolen your time, an idea, or failed to pay you for a service rendered? I enjoy working with gracious people. People who value my time and people who know that I value them as well - that requires trust.
I love working with people who want to do the right thing. Unfortunately, the view of "right" looks different from the perspective of the other. How do we keep from stealing from each other and how do we add value to other? Be a giver, it always comes back.
To be righteous is to be set free from the pull of unrighteousness. The struggle is the daily battle to win this tug of unholiness on our lives. Fortunately, that battle has been won by Jesus Christ and as Christians we go through our own sanctification process. We enter into divine protection and guidance under the holy spirit. It is easy to claim to be righteous, but to live it out is more difficult.
As I study Proverbs, I am confronted with my past and my current life situation. I realize what a fool I have been. There is a struggle to dig in deeper with God and to seek his discipline, training, and to continue on the journey of discovery. I remember my 2 year training stint in karate. Each day of training was a commitment, the sessions were often very physically challenging and the discipline focus was demanded. However, each belt award was a reward for that patience and also a recognition of wisdom and knowledge attained. How much so in the gradation of the kingdom of God and our spiritual journey? What color belt are you? I am probably still at white belt (a beginner).
My heart's desire is to sever that which binds me to the past, to be set free from the things that have restricted my effectiveness for the kingdom. The lessons I failed to learn then, I hope to correct in the future.
"Be Strong and Courageous" with Todd Phillip (BlueFishTV)
Proverbs 2:6 -"For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding."
Our struggles are not fruitless. The Lord is preparing us for greater things and bigger battles. We must do our part to be ready. There are many examples that we can learn from in business, in war, and in life. It is amazing to me how happenstances guide our curiousity. One thing leads us to a new discovery and a prompting to a new exploration. We must ask God for wisdom daily, beg him, and hang on to him. He will reveal it. Stay close to him and endure the struggle to become righteous.
Solomon in his wisdom, decides to order the splitting of a baby when confronted by two mothers, both claiming their child. One was telling the truth, the other was not. One was righteous, the other was not. When he drew his sword, the righteous one stood out. Oh to have that kind of wisdom.
Our country is divided in this election. Each group views the other as lacking righteousness and judgment. Clearly people think they are right in their choice; however, there are still those who can't decide. I heard a pastor speak and warned his paritioners to vote "The Bible".
The bible has been called the "sword" and offers insight. I won't tell you how to vote here, but one candidate stands for right and the other does not. You decide.
I pray for our country and this election.
"Man on the Street on Righteousness"
"Praise You in the Storm" by Casting Crowns
Proverbs 29:1 - "A man who remains stiffnecked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed without remedy."
A stiffnecked person is like a peacock. He struts around arrogantly. Have you seen him? Can you think of a few stiffnecked people who have fallen suddenly? How do we avoid their fate? A stiffnecked person is rigid and has to move his whole body to see. That is what Solomon calls a person who lacks wisdom and understanding. They refuse to listen and discern their situation and suffer for it. Are we stiffnecked?
Proverbs 29:4 - "By justice a king gives a country stability, but one who is greedy for bribes tears it down."
Many politicians and executives routinely show up in the news, caught up in investigations for taking bribes or unethical financial dealings. A guy in my neighborhood will receive his sentencing this Friday for embezzlement in our Municipal Utility District. The guy claimed to be a Christian and seemes like a good person, he was always friendly and kind to people.
He served as a board member and was part of a sting where another board member were claiming expenses for their position that shouldn't have been submitted. It made the news all over our city. I am praying for this guy. His decisions will impact him for the rest of his life and created a lot of turmoil in our subdivision.
Justice requires thought about the consequences of our actions and our decrees. It is amazing how God protects us from ourselves. Still, there are times in our lives when justice (in our favor) seems to have eluded us. We never really want the justice that is not in our favor. Life is a balance. Do you feel that life has been fair to you?
Proverbs 29:27 - "The righteous detest the dishonest; the wicked detest the upright"
It's like a see saw. If you stand for righteousness, your attackers will emerge. If you are wicked, the righteous will seek you out to exact justice. So, which is better? Interestingly, all people want justice and righteousness in their favor.
Posts
It has been said that success is built on failure. The object is to fail faster and faster until one becomes a success in business, science, and/or in life! This verse offers encouragement for those with a champion's spirit. It recognizes that you will fail and it will seem that you are without remedy, but ultimately the Lord will help you to offer life giving fervor to those around you. It says the "wicked" will ultimately fail, not the righteous.
