If anyone knows Melissa…

Day 196 – A Year in the Bible – Ecclesiastes 4-6

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ECCLESIASTES 4 – WOE TO HIM THAT IS ALONE WHEN HE FALLETH

So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive. Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun. – Ecclesiastes‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭

For This a Man is Envied of His Neighbor
Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit. – Ecclesiastes 4:4

Most people are motivated and driven to succeed by their jealousy. This is meaningless.

Two are Better than One
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. – Ecclesiastes‬ ‭4‬:‭9‬-‭12‬ ‭

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ECCLESIASTES 5 – FEAR THOU GOD

In the Multitude of Dreams and Many Words
For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God. – Ecclesiastes 5:7

Many dreams and many words are meaningless. Fear God instead.

He that Loveth Silver Shall Not be Satisfied with Silver
He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. – Ecclesiastes 5:10

Those that love money will never be satisfied with money. It is meaningless.

The Gift of God
Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God. For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart. – Ecclesiastes 5:19-20

Contentment with your work and where God has called and placed you is truly a gift from God.

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ECCLESIASTES 6 – THIS IS ALSO VANITY AND VEXATION

A Man that Hath No Burial
If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he. For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness. Moreover he hath not seen the sun, nor known any thing: this hath more rest than the other. Yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place? – Ecclesiastes‬ ‭6‬:‭3‬-‭6‬ ‭

Better is the Sight of the Eyes than the Wandering of Desire
Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit. – Ecclesiastes 6:9

Enjoy the things that you have rather than sitting around dreaming of and desiring all the things you don’t.

Who Can Tell a Man What Shall be After Him Under the Sun?
That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he. Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better? For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun? – Ecclesiastes‬ ‭6‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭

Day 195 – A Year in the Bible – Ecclesiastes 1-3

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ECCLESIASTES 1 – I GAVE MY HEART TO SEEK AND SEARCH OUT WISDOM

What Profit Hath a Man of All His Labour?
What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever. The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose. The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits. All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again. All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us. There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after. – Ecclesiastes‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬-‭11‬ ‭

In Much Wisdom is Much Grief
And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered. I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. – Ecclesiastes‬ ‭1‬:‭13‬-‭18‬ ‭

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ECCLESIASTES 2 – GOD GIVETH WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE AND JOY

I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards: I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits: I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees: I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me: I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts. So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. – Ecclesiastes 2:3-11

As it Happeneth to the Fool, So it Happeneth Even to Me
And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done. Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness. The wise man’s eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all. Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity. – Ecclesiastes 2:12-15

There is No Remembrance of the Wise More than of the Fool
For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool. Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit. – Ecclesiastes 2:16-17
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But to the Sinner God Giveth Travail
There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God. For who can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto, more than I? For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit. – Ecclesiastes‬ ‭2‬:‭24‬-‭26‬ ‭

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ECCLESIASTES 3 – TO EVERY THING THERE IS A SEASON

A Time for Every Purpose Under the Heaven
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. – Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭8‬ ‭

He Hath Set the World in Their Heart
He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him. That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past. – Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭11‬-‭15‬ ‭

All are of the Dust and All Turn to Dust Again
All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth? Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him? – Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬-‭22‬ ‭

Day 194 – A Year in the Bible – Proverbs 28-31

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PROVERBS 28 – WHOSO ROBBETH HIS FATHER OR HIS MOTHER

The Righteous are Bold as a Lion
The wicked flee when no man pursueth: But the righteous are bold as a lion. – Proverbs 28:1

He That Hateth Covetousness Shall Prolong His Days
The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: But he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days. – Proverbs 28:16

A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding and common sense [and his wickedness shortens his days], But he who hates unjust gain will [be blessed and] prolong his days. – Proverbs 28:16 AMP

The Companion of a Destroyer
Whoso robbeth His father or His mother, and saith, it is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer. – Proverbs 28:24

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PROVERBS 29 – A MAN HASTY IN HIS WORDS

He, that Being Often Reproved
He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, Shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. – Proverbs 29:1

He who hardens his neck and refuses instruction after being often reproved (corrected, criticized), Will suddenly be broken beyond repair. – Proverbs 29:1 AMP

Wise Men Turn Away Wrath
Scornful men bring a city into a snare: But wise men turn away wrath. – Proverbs 29:8

Scoffers set a city afire [by stirring up trouble], But wise men turn away anger [and restore order with their good judgment]. – Proverbs 29:8 AMP

More Hope of a Fool than of Him
Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? There is more hope of a fool than of him. – Proverbs 29:20

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PROVERBS 30 – EVERY WORD OF GOD IS PURE

Add Thou Not Unto His Words
Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, Lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. – Proverbs 30:5-6

Three Things that are Never Satisfied
The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, Yea, four things say not, It is enough: The grave; and the barren womb; The earth that is not filled with water; And the fire that saith not, It is enough. – Proverbs 30:15-16

The Forcing of Wrath Bringeth Forth Strife
Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, And the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: So the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife. – Proverbs 30:33

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PROVERBS 31 – A WOMAN THAT FEARETH THE LORD SHALL BE PRAISED

Give Not Thy Strength Unto Women
What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? And what, the son of my vows? Give not thy strength unto women, Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. – Proverbs 31:2-3

Plead the Cause of the Poor and Needy
Open thy mouth for the dumb In the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy. – Proverbs 31:8-9

Open your mouth for the mute, For the rights of all who are unfortunate and defenseless; Open your mouth, judge righteously, And administer justice for the afflicted and needy. – Proverbs 31:8-9 AMP

A Woman that Feareth the LORD
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: But a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. – Proverbs 31:30

Day 193 – A Year in the Bible – Proverbs 25-27

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PROVERBS 25 – IF THINE ENEMY BE HUNGRY GIVE HIM BREAD

It is the Glory of God to Conceal a Thing
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: But the honour of kings is to search out a matter. – Proverbs 25:2

Singing Songs to an Heavy Heart
As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, So is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart. – Proverbs 25:20

If Thine Enemy be Thirsty, Give Him Water to Drink
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, And the LORD shall reward thee. – Proverbs‬ ‭25‬:‭21‬-‭22‬

Like a City that is Broken Down and Without Walls
He that hath no rule over his own spirit Is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. – Proverbs 25:28

Like a city that is broken down and without walls [leaving it unprotected] Is a man who has no self-control over his spirit [and sets himself up for trouble]. – Proverbs 25:28 AMP

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PROVERBS 26 – A MAN WISE IN HIS OWN CONCEIT

More Hope for a Fool than for Him
Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him. – Proverbs 26:12

Do you see a man [who is unteachable and] wise in his own eyes and full of self-conceit? There is more hope for a fool than for him. – Proverbs 26:12 AMP

Where There is No Talebearer, the Strife Ceaseth
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: So where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. – Proverbs 26:20

For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer [who gossips], contention quiets down. – Proverbs 26:20 AMP

Burning Lips and a Wicked Heart
Burning lips and a wicked heart Are like a potsherd covered with silver dross. – Proverbs 26:23

Like a [common] clay vessel covered with the silver dross [making it appear silver when it has no real value] Are burning lips [murmuring manipulative words] and a wicked heart. – Proverbs 26:23 AMP

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PROVERBS 27 – WHOSO KEEPETH THE FIG TREE SHALL EAT THE FRUIT THEREOF

Stone is Heavy and the Sand Weighty
A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; But a fool’s wrath is heavier than them both. – Proverbs 27:3

A Prudent Man Foreseeth Evil
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; But the simple pass on, and are punished. – Proverbs 27:12

He that Waiteth on His Master Shall be Honoured
Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: So he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured. – Proverbs 27:18

Know the State of Thy Flocks
Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, And look well to thy herds. For riches are not for ever: And doth the crown endure to every generation? The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, And herbs of the mountains are gathered. The lambs are for thy clothing, And the goats are the price of the field. And thou shalt have goats’ milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, And for the maintenance for thy maiden. – Proverbs 27:23-27

Day 192 – A Year in the Bible – Proverbs 22-24

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PROVERBS 22 – CAST OUT THE SCORNER AND CONTENTION SHALL GO OUT

The Borrower is Servant to the Lender
The rich ruleth over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender. – Proverbs 22:7

Cast Out the Scorner
Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; Yea, strife and reproach shall cease. – Proverbs 22:10

Scorn – to mock, jeer; to reject, refuse, or ignore with contempt or disdain; open and unqualified contempt

The Slothful Man
The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets. – Proverbs 22:13

The lazy one [manufactures excuses and] says, “There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the streets [if I go out to work]!” – Proverbs 22:13 AMP

Sloth – disinclination to action or labor; spiritual apathy and inactivity; idleness, laziness, shiftlessness

He Shall Stand Before Kings
Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; He shall not stand before mean men. – Proverbs 22:29

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PROVERBS 23 – APPLY THINE HEART UNTO INSTRUCTION, THINE EARS TO KNOWLEDGE

Labour Not to Be Rich
Labour not to be rich: Cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away as an eagle toward heaven. – Proverbs 23:4-5

Apply Thine Heart and Thine Ears
Apply thine heart unto instruction, And thine ears to the words of knowledge. – Proverbs 23:12

Apply – to put to use especially for some practical purpose; to bring into action; to lay or spread on; to employ diligently and with close attention

Guide Thine Heart in the Way
Hear thou, my son, and be wise, And guide thine heart in the way. Be not among winebibbers; Among riotous eaters of flesh: For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: And drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags. – Proverbs 23:19-21

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PROVERBS 24 – FEAR THOU THE LORD AND THE KING

Builded, Established, Filled
Through wisdom is an house builded; And by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled With all precious and pleasant riches. – Proverbs 24:3-4

A Man of Knowledge Increaseth Strength
A wise man is strong; Yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: And in multitude of counsellors there is safety. – Proverbs 24:5-6

If Thou Faint
If thou faint in the day of adversity, Thy strength is small. – Proverbs 24:10

Fear Thou the LORD and the King
My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: And meddle not with them that are given to change: For their calamity shall rise suddenly; And who knoweth the ruin of them both? – Proverbs 24:21-22

My son, fear the Lord and the king; And do not associate with those who are given to change [of allegiance, and are revolutionary], For their tragedy will rise suddenly, And who knows the punishment that both [the Lord and the king] will bring on the rebellious?
Proverbs 24:21-22 AMP

Day 191 – A Year in the Bible – Proverbs 19-21

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PROVERBS 19 – FEAR OF THE LORD TENDETH TO LIFE

Get Wisdom, Keep Understanding
He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good. – Proverbs. 19:8

A Poor Man is Better than a Liar
The desire of a man is his kindness and a poor man is better than a liar. – Proverbs 19:22

He that Hath the Fear of the Lord Shall Abide Satisfied
The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil. – Proverbs 19:23

There are some great promises in this verse for those that fear the Lord. Here are three –

• The fear of the Lord tendeth to life. Tendeth means – to watch over; take care of as a caretaker; cultivate; foster.
• If you fear the Lord, you will be satisfied.
• If you fear the Lord, you will not be visited with evil.

Honor Your Father and Mother
He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach. – Proverbs 19:26

He who assaults his father and chases away his mother Is a son who brings shame and disgrace. – Proverbs 19:26 AMP

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PROVERBS 20 – A FAITHFUL MAN WHO CAN FIND?

The Sluggard Will Not Plow
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing. – Proverbs 20:4

The lazy man does not plow when the winter [planting] season arrives; So he begs at the [next] harvest and has nothing [to reap]. – Proverbs 20:4 AMP

Most Men Proclaim His Own Goodness
Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: But a faithful man who can find? – Proverbs‬ ‭20‬:‭‭6

Who Can Say, I am Pure from My Sin?
Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin – Proverbs 20:9

I am pure from my sin because of the blood shed for me on Calvary by my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I could never say I have made my heart clean because He alone makes my heart clean. It is by His mercies that I am able to present my body as a living sacrifice. It is my reasonable service. Glory and Honor and Praise to JESUS!

Even a Child is Known by His Doings
Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. – Proverbs 20:11

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PROVERBS 21 – JUSTICE AND JUDGEMENT MORE ACCEPTABLE THAN SACRIFICE

Justice and Judgment More Acceptable than Sacrifice
To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. – Proverbs 21:3

He That Followeth After Righteousness
He that followeth after righteousness and mercy Findeth life, righteousness, and honour. – Proverbs 21:21

The Desire of the Slothful Killeth Him
The desire of the slothful killeth him; For his hands refuse to labour. He coveteth greedily all the day long: But the righteous giveth and spareth not. – Proverbs 21:25-26

No Wisdom Nor Understanding Nor Counsel
There is no wisdom nor understanding Nor counsel against the LORD. – Proverbs 21:30

There is no [human] wisdom or understanding or counsel [that can prevail] against the Lord. – Proverbs 21:30 AMP

Safety is of the LORD
The horse is prepared against the day of battle: But safety is of the LORD.  – Proverbs 21:31

Day 190 – A Year in the Bible – Proverbs 16-18

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PROVERBS 16 – IF IT BE FOUND IN THE WAY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

By the Fear of the LORD Men Depart from Evil
By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: And by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. When a man’s ways please the LORD, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. – Proverbs‬ ‭16:6-7

The Highway of the Upright is to Depart from Evil
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: He that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. – Proverbs‬ ‭16:16-17

The Hoary Head is a Crown of Glory, If…
The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. – Proverbs 16:31

Hoary-Headed – having the gray or white hair of advanced age.

Once again we see that little BIG word – IF

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PROVERBS 17 – HE THAT EXALTETH HIS GATE SEEKETH DESTRUCTION

A Price in the Hand of a Fool to Get Wisdom
Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it? – Proverbs 17:16

It is a waste of time and energy to counsel someone that doesn’t want your counsel; teach someone that doesn’t want to be taught; to help someone that doesn’t want to be helped. Sometimes people come to you seeming to want these things by the drama they bring…but all they really want is attention. You will know for sure that is the case when you show them love but ignore the drama, and the drama escalates. They have no heart for what you offer, so to keep offering is useless.

He that Exalteth His Gate Seeketh Destruction
He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction. – Proverbs 17:19

If you love to argue, you love sin. If you praise and promote yourself, your position, your authority – you are working to destroy yourself.

In Scripture, gates were places where legal and business transactions were handled. Rulers met at the gate and counsel was given there, as well as public announcements. The gates were meeting places where you could speak at one time to large groups. Those with position, titles, and authority could be found sitting at the gates to proceed over things. It was the courts of their day. The gate was also a place of protection. Everyone came in or went out through the gate. If a nation controlled the gates of a city, they had conquered that city. 

Exalt – To elevate by praise; to raise in rank, power, or character.
Seek – To go in search of; to try to acquire or gain

Wisdom is Before Him that Hath Understanding
Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth. – Proverbs 17:24

The wise person has understanding, not because of anything of himself, but because He fills his mind with the Word of God and learns to discern and distinguish between worldly and fleshly things and the things that are of God. As you fill your mind with the Word and meditate on it, you receive counsel from God that brings that wisdom.

By contrast, the fool searches but has no wisdom. His eyes are not fixed on God and God’s Word but the ends of the earth. He looks everywhere except God’s Word for his answers. He looks to the wisdom of man, the knowledge of scholars, the thoughts and meditations of false religions, the occult, and even to drugs for enlightenment. 

He that Hath Knowledge Spareth His Words
He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. – Proverbs 17:27

He that Shutteth His Lips is Esteemed a Man of Understanding
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: And he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. – Proverbs‬ ‭17‬:‭28‬ ‭

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PROVERBS 18 – THE WELLSPRING OF WISDOM AS A FLOWING BROOK

Having Separated Himself(from God and Man)
Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. – Proverbs 18:1

Intermeddleth – to interfere, hamper, hinder, obstruct

He who [willfully] separates himself [from God and man] seeks his own desire. He quarrels against all sound wisdom. – Proverbs 18:1 (Amp)

The Wellspring of Wisdom
The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.  – Proverbs 18:4

The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters [copious and difficult to fathom]; The fountain of [mature, godly] wisdom is like a babbling stream [sparkling, fresh, pure, and life-giving]. – Proverbs 18:4 AMP

A Fool’s Mouth is His Destruction
A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. – Proverbs 18:6-7

A Brother Offended
A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. – Proverbs 18:19

Day 189 – A Year in the Bible – Proverbs 13-15

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PROVERBS 13 – THE SOUL OF THE DILIGENT SHALL BE MADE FAT

Be Diligent
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. – Proverbs 13:4

Everyone has desires but not everyone is diligent. The difference is that some have diligence to get up and get things done and others are lazy so they end up having nothing.

Fill me with Your diligence today, Father that I may see my desires, but even more-so Your desires come forth. I ask this in Jesus Name. Amen!!!

Diligent – Characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort.

Help Me Fear and Obey Your Word
Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded. – Proverbs 13:13

He That Spareth His Rod
He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. – Proverbs 13:24

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PROVERBS 14 – A WISE MAN FEARETH AND DEPARTETH FROM EVIL

Go from the Presence of the Foolish
Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge. – Proverbs 14:7

Foolish – having or showing a lack of good sense, judgment, or discretion; absurd, ridiculous; loss of composure, ill-considered or unwise; lacking forethought or caution; trifling, insignificant

The Heart Knoweth
The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy. – Proverbs 14:10

Even in Laughter the Heart is Sorrowful
Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; And the end of that mirth is heaviness. – Proverbs‬ ‭14:13‬ ‭

Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, And the end of joy may be grief. – Proverbs‬ ‭14:13‬ ‭AMP

A Wise Man Feareth
A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: But the fool rageth, and is confident. – Proverbs‬ ‭14:16‬

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PROVERBS 15 – THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE INSTRUCTION OF WISDOM

The Heart of the Righteous Studieth to Answer
He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; But he that hateth gifts shall live. The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. – Proverbs‬ ‭15:27-28

Before Honour is Humility
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. – Proverbs 15:33

Day 188 – A Year in the Bible – Proverbs 10-12

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PROVERBS 10 – THE LIPS OF THE RIGHTEOUS FEED MANY

Distressed
He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall. – Proverbs 10:10

My dad always taught me not to trust anyone who winks. He must have read this verse because in my opinion, the message of this verse is that one who winks does not take wickedness and foolishness seriously.

Had the priests in Leviticus not taken leprosy seriously and had they winked at the uncleanliness of even one person, that uncleanliness would have spread until it couldn’t be contained.

There is no room to ignore (or wink at) any sin or wickedness. There is no room to wink at (or ignore) the person committing that sin and wickedness. Yes, we are to love the sinner and hate the sin, but we need to be very careful in our “loving” them, that we do not give a wink to their sin in any way.

People need to know that their sin is of the enemy, and it is not WHO they are.  God created them to live for Him and believe in His Son and follow Jesus by the power of the Holy Ghost.

But, the enemy comes to drag them away to the life of sin. The person in front of you is precious to God, but the sin is not. He doesn’t wish that any should perish, so He won’t, and we shouldn’t ignore the sin and uncleanliness that festers. If we do, it can be as tragic as it would have been for the children of Israel.

If someone calls out sin in your life, don’t despise it. It might not feel wonderful at the moment, but they didn’t wink at your sin, which is the most loving thing they can do. To not call it out will cause eternal distress for the person as opposed to the temporary distress of one dealing with their sin. One glorious day, someone called out my sin, and I often think where would I be, had they not had the courage to confront me!!!

Give us boldness and great courage, God, to take the authority given to us by Your Son Jesus to confront the evil all around us. In Jesus Name, fill us with Your FIRE to work today for You and all for Your Glory. Amen!!!

He That Hideth Hatred
He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool. – Proverbs 10:18

So often, I have had offense and anger toward someone and think the right thing to do is “fake it till I make it.” This verse tells me that approach is foolish. I don’t need to fake anything because faking is a lie. I need to deal with the hatred, the anger – what is according to scripture a spirit of murder.

Lips that Feed Many
The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom. – Proverbs 10:21

I want to feed many. Help me, God.

Every Secret of Every Heart
If we have forgotten the Name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god; Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart. – Psalms 44:20-21

No use trying to hide our impurities. The Father knoweth every secret of every heart.

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PROVERBS 11 – THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL FLOURISH AS A BRANCH

Abomination, Shame, Destruction
A false balance is abomination to the LORD: But a just weight is his delight. When pride cometh, then cometh shame: But with the lowly is wisdom. The integrity of the upright shall guide them: But the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. – Proverbs 11:1-3

We have all been in places where we have let pride take over, and shortly after that, we deal with the shame of having allowed our pride to take over. Wasn’t that what Peter set himself up for as well? His (prideful) words led to great shame and could have led to his destruction, but God…

His Delight
They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight. – Proverbs 11:20

The Seed of the Righteous Shall Be Delivered
Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: But the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. – Proverbs‬ ‭11:21

If You Live Righteously, You Shall Flourish
He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. – Proverbs 11:28

Another promise. IF you live righteously, you will flourish.

Righteous – to act in accord with divine or moral law; free from guilt or sin
Flourish – to achieve success, prosper; grow luxuriantly, thrive

He said IF…
What great promises are given to us today in these passages!!! IF you keep His commands – you will live and possess the land, you will find Him, He will not forsake you or destroy you or forget the covenant He made to you, things will go well with you, and He will prolong your days on earth, and your children’s days. You will be one with a good foundation, and you will flourish

If you look at what He asks of you next to what He promises, that should make obedience a joy. 

He said IF…

Thank You, God. Thank You for Your precious promises. Please help me to be obedient to Your Word and Your Will today knowing that every promise and every condition for that promises is for my good and Your Glory. In Jesus Name I ask this. Amen! Amen!

A Tree of Life
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. – Proverbs 11:30

We must die to self to bear fruit that we might then plant a seed that would win a soul. The Bible uses the image of seeds and fruit for a reason. The seed is the Word, and it is planted and grows in our lives. If it is nurtured and watered, and pruned when necessary, it grows until it bears fruit. Fruit is ripe in its season, but it has to die for the seeds it bears to be planted again and bear more fruit. We must die to our desires and yield to death that we may have seeds gathered and planted that they might be harvested in the coming days. The harvest is coming from a tree of life. He that winneth souls is wise but before there is a tree of life there is a death.

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PROVERBS 12 – IN THE WAY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IS LIFE

Learn to Love Reproof
Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish. – Proverbs 12:1

Reproof – Critique or correction, especially gentle; disapproval

Brutish – carnal; showing little intelligence or sensibility

Root of the Righteous
A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.  – Proverbs 12:3

The root of righteousness is firm! It is a sure foundation that holds you steady in the place God has placed you. This foundation is made strong by God’s Word, prayer, and praise, and worship.

Be Kind to Your Animals
A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. – Proverbs 12:10

This verse shows how God feels about the animals He created. He said to regard the life of your animals.

Regard – Protective interest, care, attention, and consideration

Listen to Godly Counsel
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. – Proverbs 12:15

Tongue of the Wise is Health
There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. – Proverbs 12:18

A Path Where There is No Death
In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death. – Proverbs 12:28

Day 187 – A Year in the Bible – Proverbs 7-9

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PROVERBS 7 – KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS AND LIVE

Keep My Law as the Apple of Thine Eye
My son, keep my words, And lay up my commandments with thee. Keep my commandments, and live; And my law as the apple of thine eye. Bind them upon thy fingers, Write them upon the table of thine heart. – Proverbs 7:1-3

Treasure, honor and share His commands. Keep them. Bind them into everything you do. Love His commandments always. They are the “apple of my eye,” and I have written them on my heart.

Sin promises much but delivers only death
With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life. – Proverbs 7:21-23

Hearken Unto Him; Attend to His Words
Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth. Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths. – Proverbs 7:24-25

Over and over in Proverbs, we are told to hearken unto the voice of God and His Word.

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PROVERBS 8 – ALL THE THINGS THAT MAY BE DESIRED ARE NOT TO BE COMPARED TO WISDOM

Wisdom is Better than Rubies
For my mouth shall speak truth; And wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; There is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that understandeth, And right to them that find knowledge. Receive my instruction, and not silver; And knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; And all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. – Proverbs 8:7-11

I can desire many things – houses, land, relationships, riches, gifts, easy life, peace. But the best thing I can ever desire is WISDOM. The Word tells me here that nothing compares to it.

I Am Wisdom
Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom:
I am understanding;
I have strength.
By me kings reign,
and princes decree justice.
By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

I love them that love me;
and those that seek me early shall find me.

Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold;
and my revenue than choice silver.

I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance;
and I will fill their treasures.

The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
When there were no depths, I was brought forth;
when there were no fountains abounding with water.
Before the mountains were settled,
before the hills was I brought forth:
While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. 
When he prepared the heavens, I was there:
when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:

– Proverbs 8:14-27

The Scriptures tell us that of all the things we can seek, wisdom is best. Seek wisdom. If we seek her, she will be found. I made the passage above into a list that looks like a poem, because as I read it, that is how I saw it. A list of all Wisdom is. 

That reminds me of the passage in James about wisdom.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. – James 1:5

Whoso Findeth Me Findeth Life
Hear instruction, and be wise, And refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, And shall obtain favour of the LORD. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: All they that hate me love death. – Proverbs 8:33-36

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PROVERBS 9 – KNOWLEDGE OF THE HOLY IS UNDERSTANDING

The Lord’s Way is the Way of Understanding
Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. – Proverbs 9:6

The enemy’s way is foolish. Forsake him. The way of the Lord is the way of understanding. Follow God’s way, and you will live.

Forsake – to quit or leave entirely; abandon; desert
Follow – to come after in sequence; to go or come after; to conform to, comply with, or act in accordance with; obey; to imitate or copy, to move forward

The Beginning of Wisdom
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. – Proverbs 9:10

 Wise 
If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it. – Proverbs 9:12

I am reminded that If I choose to live wisely, it is going to benefit me. If I decide to live foolishly, I will have to deal with the consequences of my decisions. My decisions do not change God, but they change the path I take in life and the rewards or consequences I reap.

I can choose to live a joyful life that honors God or a miserable life that takes me nowhere.

I can take the impurities that God has revealed in the verses from Psalm and foolishly deny they apply to me and reap the consequences. I can deal with them, repent and surrender to the Father’s correction reap the benefits of living in wisdom.

Foolishness Leads to Hell
A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing. For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, To call passengers who go right on their ways: Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell. – Proverbs 9:13-18

Folly – the state or quality of being foolish; lack of understanding or sense; a costly and foolish undertaking. Unwise investment

Foolish – resulting from or showing a lack of sense; ill-considered; unwise

Oh Lord, Guard us against being foolish and making decisions that are foolish or lead us to folly. You have warned us that folly and foolishness lead to death and hell. Please help us, Father!