Fountains of Wisdom—A Study in Proverbs-Part 40 Grace that lifts the fallen Just

There is only One who can lift the heart from the depth of despair and fill it with the faith to stand against every trial that we will face on this earth.  Only One who can lift us up from the pit of our own heart and only one who can give us the strength to stand with patience and gentleness of spirit.

Photo used by written permission of Ronald Barba © 2011 Ronald Barba

  Oh, how I need Him to fill and sustain my heart each and every day.  He is the Word of life and as such is the only true Wisdom that we search for.  In Proverbs 24 we are reminded of all the blessings found in God and thus why we must earnestly seek Him as our greatest treasure instead of searching after riches or fame.  Included in those treasures are:

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I Choose Joy

by Effie Darlene Barba

 

Storms surround my life today

Sorrows urging me to pray

With gentle voice, I hear You say

Trust in me I’ll guide your way

 

A pilgrim in this foreign land

Where is the hope in which I stand?

You paid the price that just demand

And hold me firm within Your hand

 

Chorus:

So, I choose joy

I choose hope

I choose You as my treasure

I choose life

I choose love

 I choose Your will my pleasure

You’re all that I need

And all that I want

Your Glory shines beyond measure

 

The sorrows of life, their ebb and tide

That force me on my knees abide

And rips away my selfish pride

That in thy Grace my tears subside

 

The pain and trials would tear apart

This fragile, broken, lonely heart

Except thy love can ne’er depart

Each day, Your Grace-my fresh new start

 

Chorus:

So, I choose joy

I choose hope

I choose You as my treasure

I choose life

I choose love

I choose Your will my pleasure

You’re all that I need

And all that I want

Your Glory shines beyond measure

© 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.”

Fountains of Wisdom—A Study in Proverbs Part 39:  Envy, Gluttony and Drunkenness

As we turn to Proverbs 23, Solomon continues to warn against evils that can take hold and destroy a life.  Particularly in these verses he is warning against envy, gluttony and drunkenness.  All three of these have similarities in that they are desires that overtake and have controlling effects on our minds and our hearts.  Envy of power and wealth becomes a driving force within the heart and mind allowing for evil financial and business decisions that ultimately destroy life, family and one’s relationship with God.  Proverbs 23: “⁴ Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. ⁵ Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.”  The highs or joys of wealth last only for a season and ultimately lead to depression as the joys are very fleeting in nature.  The same is true of gluttony; indeed, anything that we try to fill our emotions with outside of our relationship with Christ is futile and leads to insatiability, frustration, and depression.  Do not be envious and do not listen as others ask of you to eat, drink and be merry with them. (Proverbs 23: 6-7)  They are not concerned with truly being your friend or helping to lift you up; merely, they want you to wallow in the mire with them as misery loves company.  Solomon gives many reasons throughout Proverbs to avoid the effects of alcohol which he reiterates in Proverbs 23. He points out the effects of it miring one’s judgment (27-29, 33) , he refers to its addictive effects (35), it’s negative health effects (32,34-35, it’s emotional effects (29,35), and it danger (verse 32).  In fact, he writes that one should not even look lingeringly at the wine as it sparkles in the glass because though it may go down smoothly it will bite like a viperous snake filling you with it’s poison. 

photo courtesy of istockphoto.com

 

Some would say, why would Solomon have spoken so harshly against wine and yet, Christ changed water into wine at the wedding?  And the Bible clearly says that at the last supper with His disciples He served them wine? And where should the Christian stand today concerning alcohol?

  Clearly the Bible is full of yes and no arguments, so where should we stand?  After all, David

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Fountains of Wisdom, A Study in Proverbs, Part 38  Financial Freedom

Financial uncertainty is a real worry in the current economy.  What do we do when it seems that we are falling into a financial pit? 

 

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What if we made foolish and unwise mistakes through the years and now the finances look bleak.  Now what do we do?  I should have read Proverbs long before now so that I would have known the key principles of finance because God has laid them out clearly for each individual as well as for a nation.  Unfortunately, our nation has already missed the mark and so did I; yet, God’s grace has a plan for each of us and for our nation, if we are willing to turn from our ways and follow after him.

   Let us once more turn to the scripture for our answers, such wealth of knowledge can be found there.  We will continue on through Proverbs 22.

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Fountains of Wisdom—A Study in Proverbs Part 37- In the midst of Despair–Rejoice

If we look at the world around us with all the wars, financial ruin, terrorism, illness, and evil that surrounds us, we would be overwhelmed with despair.  If we look at the struggles within our own lives—work, home, health, and family—we would be overwhelmed with fear.  If we look deep into the crevices of our own heart and recognize our own failures, we would be crushed with the weight of guilt.

 

photo courtesy of istockphoto.com

Yet, into the darkest pit of our despair comes a ray of shining hope that surrounds our soul, embracing it—lifting it high above the rubble surrounding us.

  That is shown forth in chapter 21 of Proverbs, as it begins with verse 1.  “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.”  God is in control, even over the hearts of wicked leaders—God will accomplish all that He has planned.  He does not cause evil; yet, in His mercy at times He tarries His judgment knowing the end of the story.  We see this world and our lives as though they are forever.  We suffer the pains

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