Tag Archives: poetry

PROVERBS 15 THE GENTLE SPIRIT

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October 28

PROVERBS 15

A soft answer turns away wrath,
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
    but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
    keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
    but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
5 A fool despises his father’s instruction,
    but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
    but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.

                                                                    – Proverbs 15:1-6

PROVERBS 15 THE GENTLE SPIRIT

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Anyone who has a gentle spirit gives a soft answer

They do not utter harsh words or stirs up anger

They speak only what is honorable, true and lovely

They are understanding and patient with others

They rend their mouth and utter what is life giving

The gentle spirit is driven by the Spirit of the Lord

It does not give in to desires that come from this world.

In 1 Peter 3:3-4 he describes the importance of a gentle spirit just like Solomon talks about in this proverb. Peter admonishes us to let our adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.

While the world focuses on satisfying the desires of the flesh which leads to sin, the gentle spirit is a gift given to those who love the Lord with all their hearts, soul and mind.

REFLECTION

  • If it is precious in God’s eye for us to have this kind of gentleness and stillness, how come many of us struggle having a quiet and calm spirit?

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?

PROVERBS 14 THE HEART KNOWS ITS BITTERNESS

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October 24

PROVERBS 14

8 The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way,
    but the folly of fools is deceiving.
9 Fools mock at the guilt offering,
    but the upright enjoy acceptance.
10 The heart knows its own bitterness,
    and no stranger shares its joy.
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,
    but the tent of the upright will flourish.
12 There is a way that seems right to a man,
    but its end is the way to death.
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache,
    and the end of joy may be grief.
14 The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways,
    and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.

                                                                  – Proverbs 14:8-14

PROVERBS 14 THE HEART KNOWS ITS BITTERNESS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When we experience pain, the heart knows it well

It is better to address the pain so we don’t dwell on it

Be watchful that you don’t share bitterness with others

You may inflict and infect them towards one another

Instead, run to the Lord who knows your heart better

Let him guide you towards acceptance instead of being bitter.

Bitterness is the root of many sins. One does not get bitter instantly. It begins with discontent and can morph into envy and grumbling. It may also lead towards anger and disillusionment. Solomon talks about how the heart knows its bitterness. Sometimes, we don’t want to address our pains. When we do this, we allow bitterness and discontent to take root in our hearts. Before we know it, many other sins follow such as envy, anger, grumbling, prejudice, murder or slander, and many other sins.

REFLECTION

  • Why is it important for us to address bitter roots and be aware of them?

PROVERBS 14 WHEN THE WICKED SEEKS WISDOM

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October 23

PROVERBS 14

The wisest of women builds her house,
    but folly with her own hands tears it down.
2 Whoever walks in uprightness fears the Lord,
    but he who is devious in his ways despises him.
3 By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back,
    but the lips of the wise will preserve them.
4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean,
    but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.
5 A faithful witness does not lie,
    but a false witness breathes out lies.
6 A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain,
    but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.
7 Leave the presence of a fool,
    for there you do not meet words of knowledge.

                                                                  – Proverbs 14:1-7

PROVERBS 14 WHEN THE WICKED SEEKS WISDOM

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When evil people are in pursuit of knowledge

They do so because they want accolades

They are not concerned with true learning

But are only after prestige and boasting

When the wicked seeks wisdom, it is for his own gain

They pretend to be wise but they are truly insecure and vain.

We live in the information age where we are bombarded with so much facts and data as we get access to information like never before. Just in our fingertips lie the power of knowledge. But when we do not have the fear of the Lord, knowledge could be self-serving and evil. The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord.

REFLECTION

  • How can you know if one is truly wise or just intelligent?

PROVERBS 13 THE WICKED SUFFERS WANT

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October 22

PROVERBS 13

21 Disasterpursues sinners,
    but the righteous are rewarded with good.
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
    but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous.
23 The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food,
    but it is swept away through injustice.
24 Whoever spares the rod hates his son,
    but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.
25 The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,
    but the belly of the wicked suffers want.

                                                          – Proverbs 13:21-25

PROVERBS 13 THE WICKED SUFFERS WANT

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Those who are wicked and evil have insatiable longings

They can never have enough and are always in pursuit of cravings

The righteous on the other hand count their blessings

They are content with whatever they have been given.

Solomon continues to lay down the benefits and disadvantages of seeking good versus pursuing wickedness. One of the symptoms of going the way of the wicked is that they are in constant want. They are never satisfied with what they have. They always want more and they will do anything to get that desire.

Have you ever seen television shows documenting the lives of hoarders? It is such a sorry sight to see how their greed has led them to isolate and live unhealthy lifestyles. Even though we know that it is a mental health condition that could have resulted from either a loss or a lifestyle of greed, it is likely that they do not know the Lord who can be their assurance. They somehow feel a sense of control when they gather more to replace the loss of something or someone. There is an insatiable longing to collect and hold on to things which traps them into such depravity. Solomon gives us a picture that such control and inability to let go of things is a result of the evil of greed and power.

REFLECTION

  • Share an experience manifesting how the wicked suffers want.

PROVERBS 13 THE WICKED SUFFERS WANT

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October 22

PROVERBS 13

21 Disasterpursues sinners,
    but the righteous are rewarded with good.
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
    but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous.
23 The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food,
    but it is swept away through injustice.
24 Whoever spares the rod hates his son,
    but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.
25 The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,
    but the belly of the wicked suffers want.

                                                          – Proverbs 13:21-25

PROVERBS 13 THE WICKED SUFFERS WANT

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Those who are wicked and evil have insatiable longings

They can never have enough and are always in pursuit of cravings

The righteous on the other hand count their blessings

They are content with whatever they have been given.

Solomon continues to lay down the benefits and disadvantages of seeking good versus pursuing wickedness. One of the symptoms of going the way of the wicked is that they are in constant want. They are never satisfied with what they have. They always want more and they will do anything to get that desire.

Have you ever seen television shows documenting the lives of hoarders? It is such a sorry sight to see how their greed has led them to isolate and live unhealthy lifestyles. Even though we know that it is a mental health condition that could have resulted from either a loss or a lifestyle of greed, it is likely that they do not know the Lord who can be their assurance. They somehow feel a sense of control when they gather more to replace the loss of something or someone. There is an insatiable longing to collect and hold on to things which traps them into such depravity. Solomon gives us a picture that such control and inability to let go of things is a result of the evil of greed and power.

REFLECTION

  • Share an experience manifesting how the wicked suffers want.

PROVERBS 13 WHOEVER DESPISES GOD’S WORD

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October 20

PROVERBS 13

8 The ransom of a man’s life is his wealth,
    but a poor man hears no threat.
9 The light of the righteous rejoices,
    but the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
10 By insolence comes nothing but strife,
    but with those who take advice is wisdom.
11 Wealth gained hastily will dwindle,
    but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
    but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
13 Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself,
    but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
    that one may turn away from the snares of death.

                                                                 – Proverbs 13:8-14

PROVERBS 13 WHOEVER DESPISES GOD’S WORD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When someone does not listen to the word of God

His life will be full of troubles and he will grope in the dark

The word of the Lord is a lamp to our feet

When there is no light, we will stumble and fall

Whoever despises God’s commands and his word

Will be living in strife and struggle with the world.

John 17:17 says that the word of God is truth. When we do not know God, we will be groping in the dark as we live in this world. Solomon speaks about the aftermath of not heeding and not living in truth. He says in verse 13 that it brings ruin and destruction to those who disobey and defy the truth. 2 Timothy 3:16 says that all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. The word is the way to the righteous path that leads to God.

REFLECTION

  • What changes happened to you when you followed the word of God?

PROVERBS 13 GUARD YOUR MOUTH TO PRESERVE LIFE

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October 19

PROVERBS 13

A wise son hears his father’s instruction,
    but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
2 From the fruit of his mouth a man eats what is good,
    but the desire of the treacherous is for violence.
3 Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life;
    he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
4 The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing,
    while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
5 The righteous hates falsehood,
    but the wicked brings shame and disgrace.
6 Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless,
    but sin overthrows the wicked.
7 One pretends to be rich,yet has nothing;
    another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.

                                                                   – Proverbs 13:1-7

PROVERBS 13 GUARD YOUR MOUTH TO PRESERVE LIFE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Watch what comes out of your mouth so only good comes out of it

Those who are reckless in their speech will only cause conflict and ruin

Speak only what is true, honorable, lovely and of good report

Refrain from harsh words, indecent speech and things that are untrue

When you guard your mouth, you will build up and encourage others

When you don’t watch out what you say, you may only cause trouble.

It is interesting why many people do not guard their mouths. When one does not know the truth, it will be very hard for them to watch what they say. Philippians 4:8 says think only whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy. If one follows this boundary that God has given us to think about, we would surely guard our mouths and preserve life. What would a world without such boundaries of thinking look like? It would be full of chaos and conflict, wouldn’t it?

REFLECTION

  • Why is it important for us to align our thoughts with God’s truth?