The next 21 verses in Proverbs 10 with their comparisons are regarding the words that we speak.  It is not the only place in Proverbs and certainly not the only place in scripture that is about the “words of our mouth”.  Today I want to concentrate on verse 11 primarily so that you might understand the why this is so important to each believer, then over the next two days we will take a look at some of the verses interspersed regarding the treasures, and then briefly list some of the explicit characteristics from the “mouth of the righteous”.   That should be quite a journey.

Let us try to understand why the scripture says, “Proverbs 10: (NIV) ¹¹ The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life”.  What could that possibly mean?  What is the fountain of life that this verse refers to?  Perhaps that is where we can find the clue to this mystery.  Let’s turn for a moment to the words found in Revelation 21: (KJV) “⁶ And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.” 

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The fountain of life is found in Christ—bubbling up freely to all who believe and come to drink from his fountain.  Just as He offered it to the woman at the well, He offers it to a world that is dying of thirst (spiritual thirst).

  So what does that have to do with my mouth?  This is very important—how do others hear of or know of Christ?  Through the words of the gospel being spread forth—right?  So, the words that flow forth from my mouth can be uplifting and glorifying to God, causing others to long to know Christ or they can be such as to hide the truth of the gospel.  So, how do I control this mouth that may blurt out

Continue reading Fountains of Wisdom–A Study in Proverbs (Part 17)-Fountains of Life from a Righteous Mouth →

As we continue through the book of Proverbs, we now come to a long series of contrasts between folly and wisdom; along with their resultant gift or their contrast.  Indeed I have read that there are 375 individual Proverbs.  Some seem to be repetitive themes in different chapters, so I was tempted to do like I have usually seen and begin just jumping around; but, it was for a reason God placed them in this order.  Perhaps it is for emphasis they are placed. 

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There is a Proverb for every day of the year, plus a few extra.  Think about that, God made certain we had a word of wisdom for each day directly from Him.

So, let us begin this next journey through Proverbs which currently is presented

Continue reading Fountains of Wisdom-A Study in Proverbs (Part 16) All that you Do-Do Unto the Lord. →

As we have studied within chapters 8 and 9; there is a parallelism of Christ’s call to the sinners to come seek righteousness and that of wisdom calling for the simple minded to gain wisdom.  We have briefly glimpsed at the fact that Wisdom was there with God from before the creation as True Wisdom is one of the attributes that is God.  Alongside Perfect Wisdom which is found in God only there can also be found Perfect Justice, Perfect Righteousness, Perfect Joy, and Perfect Love.  Thus, perfect Wisdom is only one of the attributes.

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As has always been the case since Adam’s choice to sin, there has been counterfeit wisdom just as clearly as there has been counterfeit justice, counterfeit righteousness, counterfeit joy and counterfeit love.

  Although, we cannot blame Adam for having chosen the creation more than the creator; because, that is no different than each of us.  Our own desire for self-exaltation is no different than that which lead Adam to seek after counterfeit wisdom through eating of the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”  After innocence was broken, Adam could now see evil.   Forever more there would

Continue reading Fountains of Wisdom-A Study in Proverbs (Part 15) Wisdom or Folly, whose voice will you follow? →

As you who are following may note I am forced to change from Tidbits of Wisdom to Fountains of Wisdom.  Perhaps it was the thought of tidbits that delayed my study in Proverbs before.  As we continue this study, I am beginning to see the overflowing Fountains of living water.  Oh, yes, I should have known that Christ’s portrait is on display in Proverbs, as it is throughout the Old Testament.  The only true wisdom is God’s wisdom; just, as the only true righteousness is God’s righteousness.  The very essence of Wisdom is found in God and thereby placed on display in its fullness for mankind in Christ Jesus.   To seek true wisdom, one must seek after Christ (God the body) for in Him we gain the fullness of the Triune God-Son, Father and Holy Spirit (the body, soul, and spirit of God).  Though God is more than merely wisdom; true wisdom does not exist apart from God.  He is the very essence of true wisdom, true righteousness, true justice, perfect love, and perfect glory.  So, as we recognize this truth; now, we may move forward into Chapter 9 with a renewed purpose and view of the scriptures displayed.

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The house is built; the foundation is laid with Christ the chief cornerstone.  The pillars are strong to withstand the storms of life.  (Proverbs 9:1)  The great feast has been prepared—the bread of life (the body of Christ) and the wine is poured out (the blood of Christ) and the invitation sent for all who are unworthy to come.

  (Proverbs 9:2-6 (NIV) “Let all who are simple come to my house!”To those who have no sense she says, ⁵ “Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed ⁶ Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.”    The call

Continue reading Fountains of Wisdom-A Study in Proverbs, Part 14 Grace on Display →

LOVE PROCLAIMED

by Effie Darlene Barba

What Love so great you have for me

More than this heart could ever see

That you would suffer on the cross

And never shirking from the cost

Your bleeding flesh torn from the bone

Darkness fell, You ne’er did groan

As Spirit, Soul ripped from your chest

You proved your love, no greater test

Alone and trembling from the pain

With body drenched in blood’s dark stain

You whispered then and called my name

Forgiveness, love You did proclaim

Oh, never let my passion die

Though pain of life would cause me cry

When facing pain, oh let me see

Thy face of Grace, your love for me

Oh never let my joy despair

And when in darkest, deepest lair

So, let this heart forever sing

A song of loving praise, my King

© 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.”