THE NEW YEAR

Businesses have planned for the new year. Churches have made their schedules. Individuals have made resolutions. What do you say about this? “If any one be in Christ, he is a new creation; old things are passed away, all things are new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

THE CHRISTMAS STORY

The Christmas story has all the elements of the great human drama: hatred/love, poor/rich, anger/joy, sorrow/rejoicing, wondrous/miraculous. If we leave out the central figure, the story is empty, fanciful, and meaningless. And so is life when we exclude the same central figure; Jesus. “...And you shall call His name Jesus, because He will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

A TRAP

Ever have an uneasy feeling when a friend tells you how good you are? “To flatter friends is to lay a trap for their feet.” Proverbs 29:5

POWER OF JUSTICE OR POWER OF MONEY

“A just king gives stability to his nation, but one who demands bribes destroys it.” Proverbs 29:4 NLT

STIFF NECK

There are many reasons we get stiff necks, but the soul reason is the worse. “He who is often reproved hardens his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” Proverbs 29:1

GENEROUS OR STINGY

Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.” Proverbs 28:27 NLT

I'M RIGHT !

“Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.” Proverbs 28:26 NLT “So let's be honest with ourselves and not take ourselves too serious, and never condemn the other fellow for doing what we are doing every day, only in a different way.” Will Rogers

DON’T TRUST ANYONE

This is often the advice of those who have been hurt; and who hasn’t been hurt or cheated? However, if you wish to prosper there is one who will not disappoint you. “…trusting the LORD leads to prosperity.” Proverbs 23:25

GET RICH QUICK AGAIN?

Proverbs seems to have a lot to say about quick money. “The trustworthy person will get a rich reward, but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble. Greedy people try to get rich quick but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty. Proverbs 28:20,21 NLT “…people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wondered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.” 1 Timothy 6:9,10 NLT

WORK, UGH!

How about winning the $1,000,000.00 lottery? Or making a deal that will put you on easy street? Or get that job that pays more for less work? Remember God’s plan for prosperity, “Hard work means prosperity; only a fool idles away his time.” Proverbs 28:19

MURDER

“A murderer’s tormented conscience will drive him into the grave. Don’t protect him! Anyone who steals from his father and mother an says, ’What’s wrong with that?’ is no better than a murderer.” Proverbs 28:17,24 NLT

STUBBORN

“Blessed are those who fear to do wrong, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.” Proverbs 28:14

WRONG WAY?

“If you’re headed in the wrong direction, God allows u-turns.” Rev. K. Kraft. The bible says “He who covers his sin shall not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy” Proverbs 28:13

FATHER FORGIVE ME

A politician went into a confessional in a Catholic church and said, “Forgive me, father, for I have spinned.” NJ. Proverbs 28:13 NLT says, “ A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful.”

TIRED? WORD OUT? EXHAUSED?

 We get this way sometimes. Jesus said, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and light.” Mathew 11:28-30 The Message

LIONS/EXCUSES

“The lazy person claims, ‘there’s a lion out there! If I go outside, I might be killed.” Proverbs 22:13 NLT

FIGHTING, QUARRELS, AND INSULTS

Ever hear some one “ask for it”? Or did you ever see some one “egg ‘em on”? “Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too. Quarrels and insults will disappear.” Proverbs 22:10 NLT

SOW CORN AND GET WHEAT

It will never happen. You do get what you sow. “He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow, and the rod of his anger will fail.” Proverbs 22:8 “ThosSe who plant seeds of injustice will reap disaster; and their reign of terror will end.” LB. Galatians 6?8 puts it this way; He who sows to the flesh shall reap corruption. He who sows to the Spirit shall reap life everlasting.

TERROR

We may not see this truth at present but God will have His way. “Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster and their reign of terror will come to an end.” Proverbs 22:8 NLT

SLAVERY

Have we abolished slavery only to voluntarily become slaves of another kind? “Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.” Proverbs 22:7 Living Bible

DIRECT A CHILD

There is a false notion popular these days. Don’t give your child religion. Just wait till he is older and let him choose for himself. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.”

PRECAUTIONS

“Better safe than sorry.” Proverbs 22:3 says, A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.”

THE LAZY MAN'S TROUBLES

“The desire of the slothful kills him; for his hands refuse to labor. He covets greedily all the day long; but the righteous gives and spares not.” Proverbs 21:25,26

SPENDTHRIFT

It is nice to have spending money, but when every dollar is spending money you may have problems. “The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.” Proverbs 21:20 Living Bible

TROUBLE

Has your mouth ever got you into trouble? “Even a fish wouldn’t get in trouble if it kept its mouth shut.” JN. “Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.” Proverbs 21:23

TRY THIS

There is an old saying, “I never met a man that gave me so much trouble as myself.” The following verse speaks to Israel. Substitute your name in the place of Israel and see what God will do in and for you. “O Israel (your name or USA), you have destroyed yourself, but in me is your help” Hosea 13:9

PLEASURE

Three more elements that lead to poverty. “those who love pleasure become poor; those who love wine and luxury will never be rich.” Proverbs 21:17

GIVE AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN

Jesus said, “Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men five into your bosom…” Solomon said, “Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.” Proverbs 21:13 NLT Luke 6:38

PUNISHMENT

Punishment has value to some. “If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded become wise; if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser.” Proverbs 21:11 NLT

FATAL DECISION

"The person who strays from common sense will end up in the company of the dead.” Proverbs 21:16

THREE MORE ELEMENTS FOR PROSPERITY

There is a worth while saying, “Look before you leap.”. Proverbs 21:5 says, “Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.”

ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

Show me what one has done not what he says he’s going to do. “Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.” Proverbs 20:11 NLT

PLANS

Something has been said about the best laid plans of mice and men. Well, the bible says, “You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.” Proverbs 19:21 NLT

THE SHADOW KNOWS

Some of you may remember the radio show; The shadow Knows. The announcer would introduce the show with, “Who knows what lurks in the heart of man…the shadow knows.” Proverbs 20:24 says, “The LORD directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?”

MANAGEMENT

It might give us some good advice if we changed the word king in the following to boss, owner or manager. “A wise king scatters the wicked like wheat, then runs his threshing wheel over (punishes) them. Unfailing love and faithfulness protect the king; his throne is made secure through love.” Proverbs 20:26,28 NLT

LEADERS

Whoever the president or congressmen are remember that God has a purpose. God even used wicked Pharaoh to demonstrate His great power. “The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he guides it wherever he pleases.” Proverbs 21:1 NLT

HOW CAN IT BE SO BAD IF IT FEELS SO GOOD?

“Stolen bread tastes sweet, but it turns to gravel in the mouth.” Proverbs 20:17 The Bible says, “The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

COLLATERAL

“Get security from someone who guarantees a stranger’s debt. Get a deposit if he does it for foreigners.” Proverbs 20:16 NLT

TIRED? WORN OUT? EXHAUSTED?

We all get this way sometimes. Here is Jesus' advice. “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest to your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30KJ “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you;ll learn to live freely and light.” The Message

HAGGLES

“The buyer haggles over the price, saying, ‘It’s worthless.’ Then brags about getting a bargain!” Proverbs 20:14