If you've ever been a reader of romance novels or subjects regarding wisdom and insight, you will simply fall in love with King Solomon. I can't read Proverbs without grinning at some of his insights. I have literally caught myself chuckling out loud while reading his words. I don't know why I ever thought the bible would be hard to read. It is by far the most fascinating book I have ever held in my hands!
Anyway, I have this picture on my wall . . . I want to take it in to a friend of mine and have her make me copies. I found it in a Goodwill a year ago and it hangs above my desk. It is the Alphabet and under each letter is a verse out of the Holy Bible.
I decided today it would be fun to read the entire Chapter of one letter's referenced verse each day beginning today. Under the Letter "A" it references the Book of Proverbs, Chapter 25 Verse 11:
Anyway, I have this picture on my wall . . . I want to take it in to a friend of mine and have her make me copies. I found it in a Goodwill a year ago and it hangs above my desk. It is the Alphabet and under each letter is a verse out of the Holy Bible.
I decided today it would be fun to read the entire Chapter of one letter's referenced verse each day beginning today. Under the Letter "A" it references the Book of Proverbs, Chapter 25 Verse 11:
"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver"
Very poetic don't you think? I love Poetry. I think I could get lost in Proverbs and Psalms.
For example, I didn't stop reading when I came to the end of chapter 25. I continued on through the entire 26th Chapter as well. Wow! What an intriguing character of a man King Solomon was! I myself cannot wait to talk to him. Wouldn't you love to have a friend to hang out with that talked like this*:
Honor is no more associated with fools
than snow with summer or rain with harvest.
Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow,
an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim.
Guide a horse with a whip, a donkey with a bridle
and a fool with a rod to his back!
Don't answer the foolish arguments of fools
or you will become as foolish as they are
Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools
or they will become wise in their own estimation.
Trusting a fool to convey a message
is like cutting off one's feet or drinking poison!
A proverb in the mouth of a fool
is as useless as a paralyzed leg.
Honoring a fool
is as foolish as tying a stone to a slingshot.
A proverb in the mouth of a fool
is like a thorny branch brandished by a drunk.
An employer who hires a fool or a bystander
is like an archer who shoots at random.
As a dog returns to his vomit
so a fool repeats his foolishness.
There is more hope for fools
than for people who think they are wise.
The lazy person claims, "There's a lion on the road!
Yes, I'm sure there's a lion out there!"
As a door swings back and forth on it's hinges
so the lazy person turns over in bed.
Lazy people take food in their hand
but don't even lift it to their mouth.
Lazy people consider themselves smarter
than seven wise counselors.
Interfering in someone else's argument
is as foolish as yanking a dog's ears.
Just as damaging as a madman shooting a deadly weapon
is someone who lies to a friend and then says, "I was only joking."
Fire goes out without wood
and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.
A quarrelsome person starts fights
as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood.
Rumors are dainty morsels
that sink deep into one's heart.
Smooth* words may hide a wicked heart
just as pretty glaze covers a clay pot
People may cover their hatred with pleasant words but they are deceiving you.
They pretend to be kind but don't believe them. Their hearts are full of many evils.*
While their hatred may be concealed by trickery,
their wrongdoing will be exposed in public.
If you set a trap for others, you will get caught in it yourself.
If you roll a boulder down on others, it will crush you instead.
A lying tongue hates its victims
and flattering words cause ruin.
I don't know about you but for me, if I had followed a lot of this advice, I might have saved myself some hassle over the years!
It is my hope that I have helped you to see that the Holy Bible is in essence your handbook for survival. Every problem . . . every issue at hand . . . there is advice from your Heavenly Father on the subject.
I found it chilling that King Solomon stated that lying to loved ones is just as damaging as a madman shooting a deadly weapon. Sadly we all know too well what that vision looks like. The Holy Bible takes that example to illustrate the harm caused by lying. Makes ones heart almost burst as it flashes over lies told in one's past. The tidbit on Rumors . . . who has not felt the repercussion of a rumor someone has said about them? We know in our hearts these actions cause harm for who among us has not been harmed by them? This is why Love is so powerful. If you do all things from the standpoint of Love you cause no harm. Is there a better way to live? I am thinking if we shared these insights with our children perhaps we could have a positive impact on countless lives.
I know many view the Holy Bible as a Religious Book because many Religions use it to preach. What the Holy Bible really represents is God's Love and Wisdom. His Grace and His Glory. It holds the road map to Peace and Joy. It is a vital part of your spiritual armor. Can you really say you have never felt the presence of evil? If in your heart you KNOW evil exists aren't you the slightest bit interested in how God can help you overcome it?
It is my prayer today that more of us begin to pick up our Holy Bibles and do a little investigation work ourselves when it comes to God's Word.
Many Blessings will be bestowed on those who take the time to do so.
Much Love,
Wendy, Mom of Many
* This is taken word for word out of my bible which is a New Living Translation second edition. It is Proverbs 26 in its entirety.
** Smooth is also called Burning
*** Evils is also called 7 evils