Fountains of Wisdom-A Study of Proverbs (Part 29) –How to be a Great Leader

As we look at Proverbs 16: 10-33 we can see a full description of what makes a leader—whether that be a King, a President,  a manager at work, or the head of a family.  Leadership comes with great responsibility.  First and foremost, we recognize that leadership begins with God.  As God is Sovereign, He it is that establishes all authority and appoints those that are just as well as the unjust to ultimately accomplish all that He has planned. 

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Those placed in positions of leadership will be placed in positions of high accountability also with God who is the final judge over all and is the one who holds all the weights and balances in His hands. (Proverbs 16:11). 

So, what are the characteristics of a great leader? The following are a list of characteristics found in Proverbs 16.    

Continue reading How to be a Great Leader →

When Loss is Gain

By Effie Darlene Barba

 

As I look back upon my life

The times of joy and times of strife

How could I cry for any loss?

Once I have gazed upon Thy Cross

 

How could I ever dare complain?

About life’s sorrows, tears and pain

When You so freely took my shame

Upon Yourself removed my blame

 

Because from sin You set me free

I now thy willing servant be

So, pierce my heart-declare me thine

And purge all selfish thought of mine

 

If all I have, You choose to take

That Glory bring for your namesake

Allow me gaze upon Thy Face

Thy eyes of love, thy smile of Grace

 

I do not know what life may bring

Prepare my heart to always sing

A Song of joy, abounding praise

A midst the billows storms may raise

 

For you my precious, Lord and King

Will lift me high on eagle’s wing

To soar above this world below

And cast aside the grief and woe

© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to any brands, products or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides regarding the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

It would seem this week that work and interruptions prevailed over my time and hence the delay in our continuation of this study; yet, the second delay came as I pondered over these verses. As we have reached Proverbs 16, we have reached a group of verses that takes us into the core truth of God’s sovereignty and His Lordship over all.

Artwork used by written permission of Ronald Barba

Do I believe Him to be Sovereign or do I doubt that He is my LORD and Master? Do I see the evil around me and even hidden the darkest crevices of my own heart with a despairing spirit? Or do I trust my Sovereign Lord and bow at His feet; knowing beyond a doubt that He is in control of every detail of my life to guide me to His designated end in Glory with Him? Do I really believe that, even when I don’t fully understand or comprehend it? When it would seem that evil is winning, do I still believe and cling to the truth that redemption wins?

Do I trust my Lord and Master enough to be willing to surrender everything that I am to Him? That is what Proverbs 16: 1-9 is asking of each of us? Do we believe He is LORD, no matter what? So, let us read these verses.

Continue reading Fountains of Wisdom-A Study in Proverbs (Part 28) GOD-SOVEREIGN LORD OF ALL →

Through this study in Proverbs, there has been so many times that I have felt the sting of guilt and regret.  Perhaps that is what always in the past caused me to leave Proverbs before ever finishing it.  This time I committed to you that we would journey all of the way through—not just bits and pieces of my choosing; but all of it.  When I look back over my past and even gaze into my present; I cannot help but see my failures to speak as I should, to learn as I should, and to be all that I should to represent Christ.  What kind of fool am I to think that God could use me with all my frailties?  Perhaps, exactly the kind of fool you need to help you along this Pilgrimage—this journey you have been asked to walk.

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The question arises, Am I Defined By the Words which at times run through my head or AM I Defined by the Truth of God’s Grace and Words about who I AM IN Christ?

In a problem with pain, C.S.Lewis wrote: “We actually are, at present, creatures whose character must be, in some respects, a horror to God, as it is, when we really see it, a horror to ourselves.  This I believe to be a fact: and I notice that the holier a man is, the more fully he is aware of that fact.”

As I turned the page to Proverbs 15 and carefully read it over and over again; a light of hope emerged from the darkness of my own spirit.  The entire chapter is

Continue reading FOUNTAINS OF WISDOM—A STUDY IN PROVERBS—PART 27 LIFE’S RICHEST WORDS →

 

As we continue on in this study in Proverbs, I urge you to remember that each of these proverbs can stand alone as a word for the day to each of us.  Still, there seems to be an order that lends to grouping.  I urge you to prayerfully read through Proverbs on your own.  Let God lead and guide you to the understanding, the conviction, and the wisdom that you need each day.  Proverbs 14:28-35 are pointing out truths that can guide a nation to be strong; while each proverb also has direct instruction to the individual.  I have carefully studied each verse and have tried to choose translations that help to illuminate them, even though in this case I had to use more than one translation so as to best point out the meanings of these verses.

Proverbs 14: (NIV): ³⁴ Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin condemns any people.

Artwork is used by written permission of Ronald Barba

God cares about nations as well as caring about individuals.  God rules over nations as well individual hearts.  Romans 13:1 (AMP) “Let every person be loyally subject to the governing (civil) authorities. For there is no authority except from God [by His permission, His sanction], and those that exist do so by God’s appointment.”  Matthew 28: (AMP) ¹⁸ Jesus approached and, ^[a]breaking the silence, said to them, All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.

Continue reading Fountains of Wisdom A Study in Proverbs part 26 A Nation that Stands →