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Monday... It is just so practical and honest.


Monday... It is just so practical and honest.

God's Word tells it like it really is.

Look at these verses in Proverbs 19. Verse 1 (MSG) says, "Better to be poor and honest than a rich man no one can trust." Let's be honest. We think being rich will make us happy. It can if we get it the way God wants us to get it and then to use it the way God wants us to use it. 

Here is another practical thought. Verse 2 (NLT) says, "Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes." Now we all make mistake and we many times suffer the consequences of those mistakes. We come up with an idea and we set out to do it without stopping and praying about it and seeking God's guidance or wise advice. The Message says, "Ignorant zeal is worthless; haste makes waste."


And then verse 3 and this is the verse that caught my attention in my first read through this morning. The New Living Translation says, "People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord." We throw out the phrase, it must be God's will, so fast. But did we pray about it, did we seek guidance or did we just have this thought and then ran with it and then get angry with God because it didn't work?

The Amplified Bible says verses 2 & 3 this way. "Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge. And he who hurries with his feet [acting impulsively and proceeding without caution or analyzing the consequences] sins (misses the mark). The foolishness of man undermines his way [ruining whatever he undertakes]; then his heart is resentful and rages against the Lord [for, being a fool, he blames the Lord instead of himself]." So many times we play the blame game instead of being honest.

Here are two more verses. Verse 8 says, "He who gains wisdom and good sense loves (preserves) his own soul; he who keeps understanding will find good and prosper." The NLT, "To acquire wisdom is to love yourself; people who cherish understanding will prosper."

And verse 23 (NIV) says, "Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." And it isn't the loud voice but the still small one and we need to stop and listen, really listen to what God's Spirit is telling us.. And if we do we will not be angry and blame God. So let's not be hasty. Let's seek his plan. God's Word is so practical and honest. Yes, yes! #todaysbegnning 



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