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Friday... Why, oh why?


Friday... Why, oh why?

I love the book of Proverbs found over in the Old Testament of the Bible.

The book of Proverbs is filled with choices and I wonder, why, oh why do people choose the option that they choose instead of the other one? Maybe they don't know the benefit or the consequences of their choice.


Let me give you some examples found in Proverbs 12. Today is the 12th day of April so I read the 12th chapter of 31 chapters of Proverbs. Here are some examples, some choices that we each one have.

Verse 15 (NLT), "Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others."

16, "A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted."

17, "An honest witness tells the truth, a false witness tells lies."

18, ""Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing."

19, "Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed."

20, "Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil; joy fills hearts that are planning peace!"

21, "No harm comes to the godly, but the wicked have their fill of trouble."

And 22, "The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth."

It is hard for me to stop. They each are so meaningful and practical. This chapter has 28 proverbs.

Now here is why I get up each morning and read three chapters in my Bible at least two times, once in the New International Version and also the New Living Translation Version and some days other versions. 

I have highlighted verse 25, (NIV), "Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up." The NLT says, "Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up." The Amplified Bible, "Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, but an good (encouraging) word make it glad." And one more, The Message says, "Worry weighs us down, a cheerful word picks us up."

My desire each morning is to give you an encouraging word for your day

Yes, we each one have the opportunity to start our day with encouraging words, great choices, important guidance, and tremendous practical truth and we do that by getting into the Bible. I read today a chapter in three very meaningful books, Psalms, Proverbs and the gospel of John. I read the first two each month depending on the day of the month, There are 150 Psalms so it can be read in five months. Today I read Psalm 102 and then there are 31 practical chapters in Proverbs and then I read a chapter in the New Testament five days a week. Today I read John 19. And I always find it so meaningful in starting my day. Now my reading those 3 chapter the first time takes me about 15 minutes and then finding a word to write takes longer.

Now I read each of them for different reasons. You might say but you are a minister. Yes, but I am retired from that but not from being a Christ follower and a person who wants to live an effective life. God's word makes such a difference. 

So I believe one of the reasons why, oh why? we don't chose to live to be wise but to be a fool is because we don't know what a difference each one makes. And even Christ followers don't really see the benefit in reading the Bible. Yes, what Jesus went through in John 19 has made all the difference in my life and it will in yours too. So read the chapter and accept his gift. Also be encourage in the Psalms and see how to be wise in Proverbs. Yes, yes! #todaysbeginning



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