Children Discipline and Little By Little Righteous Lights Shine Brightly - 31 Days of Wisdom in January Proverbs 13

Those who guard their lips preserve their lives,
but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.

The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves a stench and bring shame on themselves.

A person's riches may ransom their life,
but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.

The light of the righteous shines brightly,

but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.

Dishonest money dwindles away,
but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grown.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,turning a person from the snares of death.

All who are prudent act with knowledge,

but fools expose their folly.

Walk with the wise and become wise,

for a companion of fools suffers harm.

A good person leaves an inheritance for their children's children, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous.

Whoever spares the rod hates their children,
but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.
(A NOTE FROM ME: Please don't misrepresent this passage by using it as a reason to beat a child. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT DISCIPLINE AND ABUSE ARE TWO VERY DIFFERENT THINGS. I ALSO DO NOT BELIEVE THIS SCRIPTURE IS INSTRUCTION OF PICKING UP A ROD TO USE FOR CORRECTION BY STRIKING A CHILD WITH IT. I DO BELIEVE THAT THIS PASSAGE REFERS MORE TO CORRECTING OUR CHILDREN BY POINTING THEM IN THE DIRECTION AND PATH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS WITH LOVING KINDNESS THAT ONLY A HEART FILLED WITH COMPASSION WILL UNDERSTAND.)

What Weighs Down The Heart - 31 Days of Wisdom For January Proverbs 12

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.

No one can be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.

A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.

Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food.

The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.

Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.

From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things and the work of their hands brings them reward.

Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.

The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Truthful lis endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.
The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.
The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool's heart blurts out folly.

Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.
The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

In the way of righteousness there is life;
along that path is immortality.

Like a Gold Ring in a Pig's Snout - 31 Days of Wisdom for the New Year Proverbs 11

The Lord detests dishonest scales,
but accurate weights find favor with him.

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.

The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.

Hopes placed in mortals die with them;

all the promise of their power comes to nothing.

When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;
when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.

Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.

A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.

For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.

A kindhearted woman gains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth.

Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.
Truly the righteous attain life, but whoever pursues evil finds death.

The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse, but he delights in those whose ways are blameless.
Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free.

~ * ~

LIKE A GOLD RING IN A PIG'S SNOUT IS A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN WHO SHOWS NO DISCRETION.

~ * ~

The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.
One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

People curse the one who hoards grain, but they pray God's blessing on the one who is willing to sell.

Whoever seeks good finds favor, but evil comes to one who searches for it.

Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.

THE FRUIT OF THE RIGHTEOUS IS 

A TREE OF LIFE,

and the one who is wise saves lives.

Hold Your Tongue - 31 Days of Wisdom for the New Year Proverbs 10

Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death.

The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,
but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.

Lazy hands make for poverty,
but diligent hands bring wealth.

Blessings crown the head of the righteous,
but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.

The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,
but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.

Whoever winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin.

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,

but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.

The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.

The wages of the righteous is life,
but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death.

Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life,
but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.

Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.

Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.

The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value.

The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense.

The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it.

What the wicked dread will overtake them; what the righteous desire will be granted.

When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.

The fear of the Lord adds length to life,

but the years of the wicked are cut short.

The prospect of the righteous is joy,

but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.

From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom,

but a perverse tongue will be silenced.

Where Wisdom Begins - 31 Days of Wisdom For The New Year Proverbs 9

Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you;
rebuke the wise and they will love you.
Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;
teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.

THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM.

and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.

~ * ~

If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

Folly is an unruly woman; she is simple and knows nothing.

...

"Stolen water is sweet; food eaten is secret is delicious!" But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.

...

31 Days of Wisdom For The New Year - Where Does Wisdom Dwell?

I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;

I possess knowledge and discretion.

To fear the Lord is to hate evil; 

I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.

...bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me and making their treasuries full.

For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord.

31 Days of Wisdom for January - Apple of Your Eyes Proverbs 7

My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you.

KEEP MY COMMANDS AND YOU WILL LIVE;

guard my teachings as the

APPLE OF YOUR EYE.

Bind them on your fingers; 

write them on the tablet of your heart. 

7 Things The Lord Hates As Detestable and Consider The Ant - 31 Days of Wisdom

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!

It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.

A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest - and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.

There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him:

1. haughty eyes,
2. a lying tongue,
3. hands that shed innocent blood,
4. a heart that devises wicked schemes,
5. feet that are quick to rush into evil,
6. a false witness who pours out lies
7. and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

My son keep your father's command and do not forsake your mother's teaching.Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light and correction and instruction are the way to life,

People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving. Yet if he is caught, he must pay seven fold, though it costs him all the wealth of his house. But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself.

31 Days of Wisdom - Overflowing Fountains of Blessing in Marriage Proverbs 5

Proverbs 5 - My son, pay attention to my wisdom, turn your ear to my words of insight, that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.

MOST OF THESE 31 DAYS OF WISDOM ARE STRAIGHT FROM THE WORD OF GOD. A FEW TIMES, I WILL ADD INSIGHTS THAT JUMPED OUT AT ME...

MY THOUGHTS ADDED: (Notice how this advice is given to a young man in reference to maintaining a blessed marriage. Also, notice how knowledge/wisdom go hand in hand with discretion on your lips).

Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers.

MAY YOUR FOUNTAIN BE BLESSED,

and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer - may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love.

For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all your paths.

It Is Your LIfe - 31 Days of Wisdom - Proverbs 4

Proverbs 4 - Listen my son to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. I give you

...sound learning...

so do not forsake my teaching. For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother. Then he taught me, and he said to me,

"Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live.

Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.

Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Listen my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.

When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.

Hold on to instruction, do not let it go, guard it well, for it is your life.

Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers, Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.

The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one's whole body.

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. 

Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.

Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; kee your foot from evil.

31 Days of Wisdom - Tree of Life, Health, Nourishment, Sweet Sleep, and Riches - Proverbs 3

My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on a tablet of your heart. 

Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.

This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than

silver 

and yields better returns than 

gold 

She is more precious than

 rubies; 

nothing you desire can compare with her. 

Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a

TREE OF LIFE

to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.

By wisdom the Lord laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens into place; by his knowledge the watery depths were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.

My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble.

When you lie down you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

Have no fear of sudden disaster or the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due; when it is in your power to act.

Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back tomorrow and I'll give it to you" - when you already have it with you. Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you. Do not accuse anyone for no reason - when they have done you no harm. Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways.

The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.

...The wise inherit honor, but fools get only shame...

31 Days of Wisdom - Hidden Treasure Protection Proverbs 2

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding - indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

...For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding...

He holds success in store for the upright,

...he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,

for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.

Then you will understand what is right and just and fair - every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. 

Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse,...Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words,

Join Me For 31 Days of Wisdom in January

I want to invite you to join me for a very exciting 31 days of Wisdom. Starting January 1, I will be sharing nuggets of wisdom straight from Proverbs - All 31 of them - throughout the month.

What a wonderful way to spend the first month of a new year!

I am not a fan of devotions where you read God's Word only to have someone explain to you what it is supposed to mean to you, in your life. I much prefer to have God speak His Word directly to me through Scripture that He saw fit to speak to the prophets so many years ago. I firmly believe that if we ask the Holy Spirit for guidance, the words begin to pop off of the pages and speak directly to our hearts. So, my 31 Days of Wisdom will be pieces of God's Proverbs that jumped off the pages and spoke directly to my heart when I read them.

Feel free to read each Proverb yourself as we work through the first 31 days of the year, and comment on each blog post any wisdom that God speaks to you from these verses. In the meantime, I hope you will join me and be enriched and nourished from God's wisdom found in Proverbs.