praying effectively: Do Not Rejoice at Calamity (Pv.17)

(Proverbs 17:1-28)

 Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it than a house full of feasting with strife.
2 A servant who acts wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully, and will share in the inheritance among brothers.
3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests hearts.
4 An evildoer listens to wicked lips; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.
5 He who mocks the poor taunts his Maker; he who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished.
6 Grandchildren are the crown of old men, and the glory of sons is their fathers.
7 Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool, much less are lying lips to a prince.
8 A bribe is a charm in the sight of its owner; wherever he turns, he prospers.
9 He who conceals a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.
10 A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.
11 A rebellious man seeks only evil, so a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
12 Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, rather than a fool in his folly.
13 He who returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.
15 He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.
16 Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, when he has no sense?
17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
18 A man lacking in sense pledges and becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor.
19 He who loves transgression loves strife; he who raises his door seeks destruction.
20 He who has a crooked mind finds no good, and he who is perverted in his language falls into evil.
21 He who sires a fool does so to his sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.
22 A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
23 A wicked man receives a bribe from the bosom to pervert the ways of justice.
24 Wisdom is in the presence of the one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
25 A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him.
26 It is also not good to fine the righteous, nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.
27 He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
28 Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:
- that we do not mock the poor (17:5)
- that we do not rejoice at calamity (17:5)
- that instead of revenge, we are nice to those who hurt us (17:13)
- that we do no wrong towards the just (17:26)
- that we stop quarreling with someone before it becomes something bigger (17:14)
- that we stay calm, talk less and listen more to gain knowledge and understanding (17:27)
- that we never stop loving our friends (17:17)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, I've been blown away these past few weeks - and humbled - by what I've been reading in Your word.  I have been convicted on several things, and I am so thankful for Your forgiveness, patience, love and guidance.  Continue to mold me and shape me into Your image and show me my purpose in life.  Make Your path clear and obvious.

Help my awkwardness around others.  ALWAYS!!!  It doesn't matter if I have known them for a few seconds or for many years - help me to treat them all the same - with Your lovingkindness, and with Your gracious words of healing and encouragement.  Keep me from assuming what is in their hearts, because only You can judge people's motives.  Help me to be quick to forgive all those who have slighted or hurt me.  Help me to be quick to apologize to those whom I slight or hurt.

Help me focus only on my motives - to keep them in Your will.  In every situation, good or bad, keep me calm so I don't go into an ADHD tailspin!!!  Remind me to always be in prayer as I'm about to interact with anyone.  Help me to talk less and listen more!!!  Amen.

praying effectively: Have Pure Motives (Pv.16)

(Proverbs 16:1-33)

The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, but the Lord weighs the motives.
3 Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established.
4 The Lord has made everything for its own purpose, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; assuredly, he will not be unpunished.
6 By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil.
7 When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness than great income with injustice.
9 The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.
10 A divine decision is in the lips of the king; his mouth should not err in judgment.
11 A just balance and scales belong to the Lord; all the weights of the bag are His concern.
12 It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, for a throne is established on righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and he who speaks right is loved.
14 The fury of a king is like messengers of death, but a wise man will appease it.
15 In the light of a king’s face is life, and his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain.
16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; he who watches his way preserves his life.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling.
19 It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 He who gives attention to the word will find good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.
21 The wise in heart will be called understanding, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the discipline of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
25 There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
26 A worker’s appetite works for him, for his hunger urges him on.
27 A worthless man digs up evil, while his words are like scorching fire.
28 A perverse man spreads strife, and a slanderer separates intimate friends.
29 A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good.
30 He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things; he who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.
31 A gray head is a crown of glory; it is found in the way of righteousness.
32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:
- that we flee from evil (16:17)
- that we choose humility over pride, earthly riches and honor (16:19)
- that we choose wisdom and understanding over earthly riches (16:16)
- that we fear the Lord (16:6)
- that we trust the Lord (16:20)
- that we study the Bible (16:20)
- that we commit our works to the Lord (16:3)
- that we allow the Lord to direct our steps as we plan things out (16:9)
- that we do good works with the Lord's truth as our motive (16:6)
- that we do good works with the Lord's lovingkindness as our motive (16:6)
- that we speak to others with healing words, and with the Lord's lovingkindness as our motive (16:21-24)
- that we are slow to anger and are self-controlled (16:32)
- that we respect all leaders (16:13-14)
- that world leaders have been divinely appointed by God, so their choices have more weight which will be judged by God (16:11-12)
- that world leaders should not err in judgement (16:10)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your protection.  Keep us from evil.  Guide our steps to practice Your lovingkindness.  Let everything we do and say be done with a pure motives.  Let everything we do and say reflect You, and bring healing and encouragement to others.

Give us self-control over anger.  Help us respect and pray for our leaders.  Convict those leaders' hearts if they do not know You personally.  Help them to figure out and implement what is best for the regions they are running.  Protect and guide our country.  Help us put our whole trust and faith in You, Lord, over and above everything else, because You are ultimately in control.  Amen.

praying effectively: Do Not Be Harsh (Pv.15)

(Proverbs 15:1-33)

 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, but the mouth of fools spouts folly.
3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, watching the evil and the good.
4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion in it crushes the spirit.
5 A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but he who regards reproof is sensible.
6 Great wealth is in the house of the righteous, but trouble is in the income of the wicked.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not so.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but He loves one who pursues righteousness.
10 Grievous punishment is for him who forsakes the way; he who hates reproof will die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord, how much more the hearts of men!
12 A scoffer does not love one who reproves him, he will not go to the wise.
13 A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.
14 The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and turmoil with it.
17 Better is a dish of vegetables where love is than a fattened ox served with hatred.
18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but the slow to anger calms a dispute.
19 The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.
20 A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly is joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight.
22 Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed.
23 A man has joy in an apt answer, and how delightful is a timely word!
24 The path of life leads upward for the wise that he may keep away from Sheol below.
25 The Lord will tear down the house of the proud, but He will establish the boundary of the widow.
26 Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord, but pleasant words are pure.
27 He who profits illicitly troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
29 The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 Bright eyes gladden the heart; good news puts fat on the bones.
31 He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
32 He who neglects discipline despises himself, but he who listens to reproof acquires understanding.
33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom, and before honor comes humility.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:
- that we humbly fear the Lord and hear His instruction for wisdom (15:33)
- that we seek knowledge (15:14)
- that we are to spread knowledge (15:7)
- that we wisely explain knowledge so that it is understandable and acceptable (15:2)
- that we think before we speak (15:28)
- that we are sensible and listen to reproof (15:5)
- that we walk on God's path with understanding (15:21)
- that we pursue righteousness (15:9)

- the prayers of the righteous are heard (sin impedes our prayers) (15:29)
- the prayers of the upright delight the Lord (15:8)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your righteousness and wisdom, which You so graciously impart to us.  Help us to realize when we have sinned, or when we are stuck in some rut of habitual sin, so that we may confess it to You, and if needed, make it right with others - so that You will hear our prayers without sin impeding them.

Keep us on Your path and guide us in knowledge, even if it involves discipline.  Help us to know that it is for our own good, because You want us to have fulfilled lives.  Give us understanding and clarity of mind, so that we may share Your knowledge succinctly when the opportunity presents itself.