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PROVERBS 16 WHEN ONE PLEASES THE LORD

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November 4

PROVERBS 16

7 When a man’s ways please the Lord,
    he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness
    than great revenues with injustice.
9 The heart of man plans his way,
    but the Lord establishes his steps.
10 An oracle is on the lips of a king;
    his mouth does not sin in judgment.
11 A just balance and scales are the Lord’s;
    all the weights in the bag are his work.
12 It is an abomination to kings to do evil,
    for the throne is established by righteousness.

                                                                    – Proverbs 16:7-12

PROVERBS 16 WHEN ONE PLEASES THE LORD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When one pleases the Lord, he walks in righteousness

His life’s purpose is to follow God’s commandments

The righteous fills his mind with God’s truth

He chooses only what the Lord wills him to do

When a man’s ways please the Lord, he is at peace

Even those who hate him sees God’s favor on him

When one’s aim is to please God, he will have God’s favor

There’s an overflow of blessings and a harvest of the Spirit’s fruits.

Who were some bible characters who pleased God? We know of Enoch whose faith pleased God and he was spared to experience death. He was taken up into heaven without dying. Abraham received God’s favor and was called the friend of God. Moses also received God’s favor and was blessed with seeing God’s glory. And of course, Jesus pleased God with his humility and his obedience and sacrificial love and God called him Beloved Son in whom he is well-pleased.

REFLECTION

  • What benefits have you received when you please the Lord?

PROVERBS 16 WARNING TO THE ARROGANT

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November 3

PROVERBS 16

The plans of the heart belong to man,
    but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
    but the Lord weighs the spirit.
3 Commit your work to the Lord,
    and your plans will be established.
4 The Lord has made everything for its purpose,
    even the wicked for the day of trouble.
5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord;
    be assured, he will not go unpunished.
6 By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
    and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.

                                                                    – Proverbs 16:1-6

PROVERBS 16 WARNING TO THE ARROGANT

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Watch out you haughty and arrogant people!

Your pride will not go unpunished and unnoticed

Everyone who are wise in their own eyes will crash

Be wary for you will all come falling down

Thinking that you are better than anyone

Is an abomination to the Lord your God.

Why do you think God hates the proud? Did he make us in his image so we can think highly of ourselves? Solomon warns us of arrogance in verse 5. He says that it is an abomination to the Lord. The Hebrew word tōʻēḇā is often translated as “abomination” and is primarily used to describe idolatry. In Psalm 10:3-4, the psalmist described the arrogant. It says “ For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, and the one greedy for gain cursesand renounces the Lord. In the pride of his facethe wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.” From these supporting verses, we can conclude that arrogance is loathed by God because it is idolatry and does not acknowledge him.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think arrogance is idolatry and why is it such a big sin to God?

PROVERBS 15 THE LORD IS FAR FROM THE WICKED

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November 2

PROVERBS 15

29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
    but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
    and good news refreshes the bones.
31 The ear that listens to life-giving reproof
    will dwell among the wise.
32 Whoever ignores instruction despises himself,
    but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.
33 The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
    and humility comes before honor.

                                                                    – Proverbs 15:29-33

PROVERBS 15 THE LORD IS FAR FROM THE WICKED

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When someone is wicked, the Lord is far from him

God loathes all kinds of evil and abominates sin

Those who does all kinds of unrighteousness

Must not expect anything from God who is righteous

The Lord is wrathful to all those who loves sin

But he hears the prayers of all those who loves him.

Many unbelievers and people who call themselves Christians but are taught false teachings and do not follow God’s truth think that God is near to all. We witness here in verse 29 that the Lord is far from the wicked. In contrast to that, he hears the prayer of the righteous. Does that mean that prayers of the wicked are not heard by God? If you read between the lines in verse 29, we know that the answer to this question is a resounding “Yes, God does not hear the prayers of the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the righteous.”

If you don’t know the word of God, you’d think that he is a biased God. God is righteous and there is nothing evil in him. He cannot go against his character. So, he must loathe evil. It just makes sense that the acts of the wicked are an abomination to him.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think God hears only the prayers of the righteous?

PROVERBS 15 AFTERMATH OF GREED

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November 1

PROVERBS 15

25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud
    but maintains the widow’s boundaries.
26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,
    but gracious words are pure.
27 Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household,
    but he who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,
    but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

                                                                    – Proverbs 15:25-28

PROVERBS 15 AFTERMATH OF GREED

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

The servant of the Lord is faithful to righteousness

But the wicked is devoted to fulfil his own covetousness

Whoever is greedy for dishonest gains brings trouble to himself

Even those in his household are affected by his selfishness

When there is greed in anyone’s heart, you will find dissatisfaction

This leads to more cravings, more hoarding and evil intentions.

Why do people become greedy? In an article from cowryrise.com, some causes were discussed. Among these are: discontent, lack, unmet emotional needs, envy, and insecurity. The bible tells us in 1 Timothy 6:10 that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.  So, we can say that people resort to greed because their idol is money.  They love it so much that they are willing to have it at any cost. The writer of Hebrew warns us in chapter 13:5 to keep our lives free from the love of money and be content with what we have. In Luke 12:15, he also cautions us to watch out and be on guard on all kinds of greed because life is not all about an abundance of possessions.

Solomon exposes the aftermath of greed in verse 27 where troubles beset the greedy and also affects his own household. In Ecclesiastes 5:10, he expounds on the discontent of the greedy people. In Proverbs 28:5, he mentions conflict as another result of greed. In James

5, he warns of the miseries that are coming against the rich and the greedy.

REFLECTION

  • How is the “love of money” the root of greed and other evil?

PROVERBS 15 COUNSEL IS ESSENTIAL TO SUCCESS

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October 31

PROVERBS 15

19 The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns,
    but the path of the upright is a level highway.
20 A wise son makes a glad father,
    but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense,
    but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.
22 Without counsel plans fail,
    but with many advisers they succeed.
23 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,
    and a word in season, how good it is!
24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent,
    that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.

                                                                    – Proverbs 15:19-24

PROVERBS 15 COUNSEL IS ESSENTIAL TO SUCCESS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Those who serve the Lord will have humility to ask for counsel

They do not do things on their own without consulting someone

Because they seek guidance from God and others

Their plans usually succeed because they are humble

Those who never seek guidance from others may fail

Because two perspectives are better than just one mind.

In his older age, Solomon backs up verse 22 in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 which says “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Also in James 1:5, we are to ask for wisdom from God who gives it generously to all. In chapter 4, James also talks about relying on God instead of boasting about your plans for tomorrow. God is the best counselor.

REFLECTION

  • Share some insights about plans without counsel that you have encountered.

PROVERBS 15 THE KNOWLEDGE SEEKER

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October 30

PROVERBS 15

13 A glad heart makes a cheerful face,
    but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.
14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
    but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil,
    but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.
16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
    than great treasure and trouble with it.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is
    than a fattened ox and hatred with it.
18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
    but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.

                                                                    – Proverbs 15:13-18

PROVERBS 15 THE KNOWLEDGE SEEKER

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Those who wants to serve the Lord seeks his truth

He cannot tolerate sin or lies; he exposes what is untrue

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge

Those who love the Lord are kind and empathetic

The knowledge seeker discerns what is evil and good

He constantly pursues what is pleasing to the Lord.

One of the manifestations of a true believer is that he is a knowledge seeker. He pursues truth that gives him the ability to live a life of serving the Lord. The book of James stresses the importance of pursuit of wisdom in chapter 1 verse 5. He says that if anyone lacks wisdom, that person has to ask God who gives generously to all and without reproach. James also expounds that the wisdom that comes from God is first of all pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. Hosea 4:6 also reminds us that people are destroyed for lack of knowledge and rejecting knowledge will lead to detrimental consequences.

REFLECTION

  • Why is it essential for Christians to be knowledge seekers?

PROVERBS 15 GOD SEES ALL THINGS

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October 29









PROVERBS 15



7 The lips of the wise spread
knowledge; not so the hearts of
fools.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to
the Lord,
    but the prayer of
the upright is acceptable to him.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
    but he loves
him who pursues righteousness.
10 There is severe discipline for him who forsakes
the way;
    whoever hates reproof
will die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord;
    how much more the
hearts of the children of man!
12 A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will
not go to the wise.



                                                
                   – Proverbs 15:7-12









PROVERBS 15
GOD SEES ALL THINGS



A poem by
ILMA inspired by these verses



How can you
hide from God who is the Maker of heaven and earth?



He sees all
things including the depths of hell and everything in the dark



No one can
fathom things like God can because he created everything



He sees the
ways of man, especially their thoughts and their intentions



He knows
every word that comes out of our mouths even before we say it



He can bring
life into anyone he chooses to and bring death to those who sin.









Verse 11
mentions Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord. 
No one can describe to us how hell looks like, the place assigned for
those who have not received the grace and salvation that God has offered. It is
a place of unfathomable torment and damnation. Abaddon means destruction
according to one commentary in the blue-letter bible website. In Revelation
9:11, we know that Abbadon is the Hebrew name for the king over the angel of
the bottomless pit, the devil himself. 
That prince of this world, even though he thinks he can destroy or
deceive us, will not be hidden from God himself.  No matter how cunning and sly he is, that
would not escape God’s omnipresence.



There is
nothing in our hearts that he doesn’t see, so why try to avoid his loving
kindness and his offer for salvation?











REFLECTION



·       Why do you think people try to hide from
others and from God himself?



PROVERBS 14 SLOW TO ANGER VERSUS A HASTY TEMPER

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October 27

PROVERBS 14

29 Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding,
    but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
30 A tranquilheart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.
31 Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker,
    but he who is generous to the needy honors him.
32 The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing,
    but the righteous finds refuge in his death.
33 Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding,
    but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.
35 A servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor,
    but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.

                                                                    – Proverbs 14:29-35

PROVERBS 14 SLOW TO ANGER VERSUS A HASTY TEMPER

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Those who follow the way of the righteous are slow to anger

They know how to rend their emotions even though in times of danger

They have patience and a mind that does not to jump to conclusions

They don’t judge others; they see the big picture and have understanding

The one who is wicked and self-centered are quick to get angry

They are impatient, don’t listen and don’t care for the welfare of others

They quickly judge others without all the facts; they have a hasty temper

The wicked only want self-gratification in the fastest time possible.

James 1:19-20 reiterates Solomon’s proverb here in verse 29. The book of James expounds the importance of holding your reactions. He says in the mentioned verse in chapter 1 “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. So, the absence of self-control in a man is a result of the absence of the Spirit of God in him according to Paul in Galatians 5:17. The desires of the flesh and Spirit are in opposition.

REFLECTION

  • How can we develop a patient attitude towards others?

PROVERBS 14 WHEN YOU HAVE THE FEAR OF THE LORD

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October 26

PROVERBS 14

22 Do they not go astray who devise evil?
    Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness.
23 In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.
24 The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the folly of fools brings folly.
25 A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.
26 In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence,
    and his children will have a refuge.
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
    that one may turn away from the snares of death.
28 In a multitude of people is the glory of a king,
    but without people a prince is ruined.

                                                                – Proverbs 14:22-28

PROVERBS 14 WHEN YOU HAVE THE FEAR OF THE LORD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you have the fear of the Lord, wisdom is found

Revering and fearing the Lord protects you from death

Those who fear the Lord hates all kinds of evil

The righteous and godly sees the tactics of the devil

When you have the fear of the Lord, you have understanding

You easily discern what is false and have courage to expose it

The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied

He makes known his covenant to all those who fear the Lord God Almighty.

Solomon mentions in verses 26-27 some of the benefits that one gets if he fears the Lord. What does the fear of the Lord means? Many unbelievers or even some Christians misunderstand what this really mean. Deuteronomy 10:12 says what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. 13 And you must always obey the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good. So, to fear the Lord is to make him first and obey and serve him alone.

REFLECTION

  • How can you tell if someone has the fear of the Lord?

PROVERBS 14 THE WISE AND THE FOOLS

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October 25

PROVERBS 14

15 The simple believes everything,
    but the prudent gives thought to his steps.
16 One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil,
    but a fool is reckless and careless.
17 A man of quick temper acts foolishly,
    and a man of evil devices is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly,
    but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 The evil bow down before the good,
    the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor is disliked even by his neighbor,
    but the rich has many friends.
21 Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner,
    but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.

                                                               – Proverbs 14:15-21

PROVERBS 14 THE WISE AND THE FOOLS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Those who fear the Lord are cautious and prudent

They know what to say and are mindful of their timing

They guard their mouths and speaks words of life

The wicked on the other hand are careless and reckless

They always say the things that would hurt someone

They have no control over their tongue and emotions.

In these following verses, Solomon continues to compare the wise against the fools. One of the characteristics of a wise person is that they are mindful of what they say and they aim to build up and encourage others. They show concern to their neighbors and have self control.

On the other hand, the fools and the wicked have no respect for anyone else. They do not care for the welfare of other, are reckless and only interested in their own pursuits.

REFLECTION

  • Why is it important to know the difference between the cautious & the reckless?