Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Feelings Vs Faith

Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Feelings Vs Faith.

Feelings – an emotional state or reaction.

Faith -something that is believed especially with strong conviction; belief and trust in and loyalty to God.

We are created as emotional beings. Feelings aren’t wrong, but a believer’s life is meant to be based on faith, not on feelings. Feelings have a prominent place in our lives, but we can’t use them to guide our lives. Feelings come and go and are unreliable guides to the truth and what is right. Whenever we walk by feelings rather than faith we fail. Many people just glide through life running on emotion. Christ had feelings and emotions and he didn’t hide them. Jesus wept when he came to the grave of Lazarus. – Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day- Feelings Vs Faith.

They say that anger weakens the liver, grief weakens the lungs, worry weakens the stomach, stress weakens the heart and brain, and fear fails the kidneys. So where do these things come from that weaken our systems? Disturbances from our spouse, family members, place of employment, the news media, etc. These are all examples of feelings. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Feelings Vs Faith. Check out my website

Knowing about God and his will and obediently following him are the basics of a believer’s discipleship. Faith has nothing to do with feelings. Faith rests on the absolute word of God.

There is a story in the bible regarding two men of faith Caleb and Joshua. – Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Feelings Vs Faith.

Before God rescued His people from slavery in Egypt, He promised to bring the Israelites back to the land He had given to Abraham so many years ago. (Ex. 3:8). God was leading the Israelites to the promised land. When they were close, God instructed Moses to send 12 spies into the land to scout it out. The spies traveled around the land for 40 days, and it was just as God had promised. There was one problem: the people in the land were big and strong. And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain: And see the land, what it is, and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many; And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds; And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the firstripe grapes. So, they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath. And they ascended by the south and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.) And they came unto the brook of Eshcol and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff, and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs. The place was called the brook Eshcol, because of the cluster of grapes which the children of Israel cut down from thence. And they returned from searching of the land after forty days. And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land. And they told him, and said, we came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey, and this is the fruit of it. Nevertheless, the people be strong that dwell in the land and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover, we saw the children of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan. And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. But the men that went up with him said, we be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, the land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight. – Numbers 13:17-33. And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, how long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me. Say unto them, as truly as I live, saith the Lord, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you: Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward which have murmured against me. Doubtless, ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. – Numbers 14:26-30. – Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Feelings Vs Faith.

As you can see God rewards those who live by faith. – Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Feelings Vs Faith.

So, then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. – Romans 10:17.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. – Hebrews 11:6.

And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore, I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. – Mark 11:22-24.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. – Hebrews 11:1.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. – Ephesians 2:8-9.

For we walk by faith, not by sight. – 2 Corinthians 5:7.

Since we are made in the image of God we are to live our daily lives living in faith not relying on our feelings. – Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For the Modern Day – Feelings Vs Faith. Check out my website

Book of Proverbs – It’s Just A Test – Prayer Is The Answer

The word test seems to abound. There are several types of tests. You have an assessment test you take in school, driving test, health check test, eye examination test, dental exam tests. Etc. These are tests that we are all familiar with and must take at one time or another in our lives. – Book of Proverbs – It’s Just A Test – Prayer Is The Answer.

However, are you aware that God tests us as well? God tests us to prove our faith. God will allow a certain amount of trials and tribulations to come our way in this life, however, he will also use some of these trials as a way of testing all of us out from time to time to see if we have learned what He has been teaching us. He rarely, if ever, announces them ahead of time. They just come.

From time to time God will place us in uncomfortable situations that put us under pressure to show what our true character is. The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. – Psalm 11:5. – Book of Proverbs – It’s Just A Test – Prayer Is The Answer.

A while back I was introduced to the Book of James that has a very profound set of verses that tell us to expect tests and that we should delight in them. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into diver’s temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. – James 1:2-4. Now for those of you that have a type-A personality like myself, this was not something I wanted to read or hear. I am sure no one wants to be joyful when things are not going their way. I am very sure patience is the last thing in anybody’s mind when things are not going smoothly. We want it fixed and done like yesterday! When we are in an uncomfortable situation and our flesh is not enjoying it, we want it fixed immediately. However, that is not the way God works. According to him, tests are beneficial. Tests are God’s way of moving us out of our comfort zones. “Comfort is the enemy of progress.” – The Greatest Showman quote. – Check out my website

There are several types of test but here are some of the top ones.

The People Test – Do you place your faith in people? People are human and frail just like yourself. They may be there for you for a season but eventually, God will remove them, so you can place your faith where it truly belongs which is in God. That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. – 1 Corinthians 2:5. – Book of Proverbs – It’s Just a Test – Prayer Is The Answer.

The Pressure Test – When all hell is breaking loose and things are tumultuous will you depend on yourself or depend on God? And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. – Psalm 50:15. – Book of Proverbs – It’s Just A Test – Prayer Is The Answer.

The Faith Test – Do you have faith in God or do you operate from your feelings more? Noah operated in faith when God spoke to him and advised him to build an ark because the end of all flesh was coming because God was going to flood the earth and destroy all mankind and animals and beasts. Thus, did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he. You can read the entire story in Genesis 6-8. – Book of Proverbs – It’s Just A Test – Prayer Is The Answer.

The Patience Test – This is one of the hardest tests of all especially if you are a type-A personality. This is where you have done everything you have been asked to do, but now God is going to ask you to just sit and wait for the big breakthrough to occur. This is the position Moses was in after Pharaoh finally released the people of Israel. They had traveled and walked so long, and the promise land was on the other side of the Red Sea. Once they reached the Red Sea God made Moses and the people of Israel wait before he parted it. The people started to complain to Moses why didn’t you just leave us in Egypt with Pharaoh instead of bringing us out here to die in the wilderness and in the sea. God did eventually part the Red Sea and the people crossed over to the other side and Pharaoh’s army was killed in the sea when God brought the waters back together. – Book of Proverbs – It’s Just A Test – Prayer Is The Answer.

The Obedience Test – There is one test in the Bible that brings tears to your eyes and fills you with joy at the same time. This is the story of Abraham and his son Isaac. God asked Abraham to put his son Isaac on an altar and then asked him to take a knife and kill his own son. As we all know, Abraham went as far as to tie his son down to the altar and had the knife in his hand ready to strike down on him to take his life, when suddenly God sends an angel down in the nick of time to stop him. Would you be obedient to God to this length? – Book of Proverbs – It’s Just A Test – Prayer Is The Answer.

Most tests that God puts you through are not this daunting. Tests are more in the realm of do you trust God, or do you worry? Do you have patience in a traffic jam or in line at the supermarket? Do you throw your hands in the air and give up as soon as you are disappointed? Where would we all be if Thomas Edison just gave up and didn’t pass the test?

Thomas Edison Quotes:

Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.

Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.

I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.

Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.

What we all need to do while we are waiting for our breakthrough is pray. However, the type of prayers you should be saying is to ask God to change you. God is interested in refining you and changing you and he does this through these tests. If your weakness is patience, then God will see to it that you are always in the wrong line in the supermarket. Or you always get caught up in traffic just to test your patience. The thing about tests is that God will allow you to take them repeatedly until you pass them. – Book of Proverbs – It’s Just A Test – Prayer Is The Answer.

Keep praying even though it seems like God went on vacation. God knows exactly where you are in life. Pay attention to the areas you are being tested in. It will make you more aware once God decides to test you. When you become familiar with the same patterns you will realize it is just a test. Pass it and move on. The faster you do the faster God will be able to open the skies and rain down exceeding and abundant blessing on your life and bring you into your divine destiny. Check out my website

Book of Proverbs – Proverbs- The Essence of Prayer

Book of Proverbs – Proverbs – The Essence of Prayer

Essence – the most significant element, quality, or aspect of a thing or person the essence of the issue.

Prayer – an address (such as a petition) to God or a god in word or thought; something prayed for.

Your prayer life needs to be simple. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye, therefore, like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask him. After this manner, therefore, pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. – Matthew 6:6-13. This is a very simple prayer that Jesus gave us to pray. Your prayer life should include the following:

Devotion – We need to let God know that we are dedicated and loyal to him.

He did that for us when he sent Jesus to the cross for all of us. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. – Colossians 3:17. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs- The Essence of Prayer. Check out my website

Confession – We need to confess our sins to God and ask for forgiveness. As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. – Romans 3:10-12. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs – The Essence of Prayer.

Gratitude – We all need to give thanks to God daily for every gift we receive. Water to drink, food to eat, use of our senses, sunshine, etc. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. – 1 Thessalonians 5:18. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever. – Psalms 136:1. Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever. – Psalms 106:1. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Corinthians 15:57. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs – The Essence of Prayer.

Praise – When we praise God the heavens rejoice. Praise is a vital part of a life surrendered to God, and it gives credit where credit is due. Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. – Psalm 150:1-6. By him, therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. – Hebrews 13:15. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs – The Essence of Prayer.

Here is a sample prayer you can say daily:

Father God, I pledge my loyalty to you. I ask you to forgive me for my past sins. I am truly grateful for all the blessings and gifts you have bestowed upon me. I praise you for all the things you have done for me, as well as all the things I am currently praying for. I thank you for the things that you haven’t done because you knew with your infinite wisdom they were not right for me. Amen.

For those of you that are new to prayer, you may want to use the prayer I gave you but eventually, you may want to use your own words. Whichever route you take just remember to keep it simple and incorporate the true meaning of The Essence of Prayer. – Book of Proverbs – Proverbs – The Essence of Prayer. Check out my website

Book of Proverbs – Under The Big Top

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” – A portion of The Declaration of Independence April 1776. – Book of Proverbs – Under The Big Top. Check out my website

I say to you today, my friends, though, even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up, live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” – A portion of Martin Luther King Jr’s – I Have A Dream Speech – August 1963. Book of Proverbs – Under The Big Top.

How is it that we have strayed so far away from the above proclamation and speech? How is it that great men and women like Abraham Lincoln, Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Nelson Mandel, Martin Luther King Jr, Mikhail Gorbachev, Rosa Parks, Jimmy Carter, and countless others have rallied to show that we are all one. So, God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. – Genesis 1:27. Book of Proverbs – Under The Big Top. Check out my website

One man had this same vision and stepped up to the plate. Phineas Taylor Barnum (July 5, 1810 – April 7, 1891) was an American showman, politician, and businessman remembered for promoting celebrated hoaxes and for founding the Barnum & Bailey Circus (1871–2017). – http://www.wickipedia.com

PT Barnum was fully aware that all men were created equal and created in the image of God so that is why he employed oddities of all types. It didn’t matter to him that one person was taller than another, broader than another, hairier than another, he employed them all and brought smiles and laughter to people’s faces. I am sure you have heard the phrase “laughter is good for the soul.”

Against the assault of laughter, nothing can stand. — Mark Twain.

Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine. — Lord Byron.

Humor is a prelude to faith and laughter is the beginning of prayer. — Reinhold Niebuhr.

If Laughter cannot solve your problems, it will definitely DISSOLVE your problems; so that you can think clearly what to do about them – Dr. Madan Kataria.

Laughter is a form of internal jogging. It moves your internal organs around. It enhances respiration. It is an igniter of great expectations.” — Norman Cousins.

When you laugh, aside from the endorphin rush, there’s also a spiritual opening. You’re not so tight inside yourself. That opening I’ve found to be a real gift, in people being able to absorb spirituality. —Rabbi Sydney Mintz.

He that is of a merry heart has a continual feast. — Proverbs 15:15.

The circus allows people of all types to come together as a family. God gifted us all with different talents and the circus is where you can witness that. There are so many different acts to bring you happiness. Aerial Hoop, Animal Training, Balancing, Clowns, Flying Trapeze, Juggling, Knife throwing, Stilt Walking, etc. etc. etc. Book of Proverbs – Under The Big Top

This is the way that God wants us to be. Working hand in hand with each other. Celebrating each other’s talent. “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also, is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked. That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” – 1 Corinthians 12:12-27. – Book of Proverbs – Under The Big Top.

If you have not seen the movie “The Greatest Showman” please do. It is an awesome movie and a fantastic depiction of circus performers working together as a family appreciating each other’s talent. – Book of Proverbs – Under The Big Top.

So, let us all strive in our daily lives to be just like the circus performers Under The Big Top. – Book of Proverbs – Under The Big Top.

Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Yes

Yes – used as a function word to express assent or agreement.

Do you know what the most powerful word in the English language is? It is the word YES. A lot of people believe that NO is the most powerful word but that would be wrong. The word NO shows closed-mindedness and fear but, the word YES shows true strength and courage. The word YES signals interest and respect. When you say the word YES you look at what is presented to you and simply look at the problem in front of you in a fresh way. The word YES is a positive affirmation. It reflects in your body language and makes you feel valued. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern day – Yes.

The word YES stretches you, challenges, energizes, creates safety and trust, and fuels creativity. The word NO polarizes prompts defensiveness, and shuts down innovation, collaboration, and connection. When you say the word NO fear, anger or resignation set in, all of which kill creativity, increase distrust, and discourage engagement. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Yes. Check out my website

There are many people in the bible that knew the power of the word YES. God used everyday people who said yes to him in the Bible. Noah said yes when God asked him to build an ark. Abraham said yes when God asked him to sacrifice his only son. However, God spared his life. Moses said yes when God told him to ask Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. Mary said yes when the angel asked her to carry Jesus, the only Son of God. The disciples said yes when Jesus asked them to leave everything behind and follow Him. Paul, who once persecuted Christians as Saul, said yes when God asked him to deliver the Good News of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. These people were not extraordinary people with great fortitude and toughness. They were normal people who tolerated, wrestled, and wept but still said yes to God and His will. The biggest one of all is Jesus who said YES to being crucified on the cross. What was his reward? He now sits on the throne on the right side of the Father. – Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Yes.

Some of the most powerful and well know people knew the power of the word YES:

Never allow a person to tell you no who doesn’t have the power to say yes. – Eleanor Roosevelt

Everything in the world began with a yes. One molecule said yes to another molecule and life was born. – Clarice Lispector

I used to think you had to be special for God to use you, but now I know you simply need to say yes. – Bob Goff

It doesn’t matter what a million people tell you what you can’t do, or if ten million tell you no. If you get one yes from God that’s all you need. – Tyler Perry

Never say no to adventures. Always say yes, otherwise you’ll lead a very dull life. – Ian Fleming

Timidity makes a person modest. It makes him or her say, “I’m not worthy of being written up in the record of deeds in heaven or on earth.” Timidity keeps people from their good. They are afraid to say, “Yes I deserve it.” – Maya Angelou

Everywhere I go I find that people…. both leaders and individuals…. are asking one basic question, “Is there any hope for the future?” My answer is the same, “Yes, through Jesus Christ.” – Billy Graham

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, yes even unto the end of the world. Amen. – Jesus Christ – Matthew 28:20

We have so many various aspects of our daily lives, spouse, parent, business owner, employee, church member etc. We will need to learn and train ourselves to say YES, I love you. YES, I am here for you. YES, you have my attention. Yes, I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. – Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Yes.

“Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – 1929-1968. – Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Yes. Check out my website

Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Good Friday

Good Friday marked the dramatic culmination of God’s plan to save his people from their sins. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Good Friday

Good Friday is a significant day in the year for Christians. It honors the most important weekend in the history of the world. Good Friday is celebrated two days before Easter.

Good Friday we remember the day Jesus accepted his fate of the cross and sacrificed himself for all of us. Jesus died for our sins, was buried and then raised from the dead on the third day.

Jesus was crucified by the Romans on a hill outside Jerusalem. The Good in Good Friday comes from old English when Good meant Holy. The crucifix, or cross, which represents the way Jesus died, is an important symbol seen on Good Friday. Some crosses bear a figure of Christ. Other symbols of Good Friday include black cloth used to cover the cross, paintings, and statues in churches and some homes to signify mourning. Check out my website

Good Friday is an observance that involves people fasting and praying. Some people don’t eat bread or meat only fish. Some people bake hot cross buns, a traditional Good Friday sweet. Church services are normally held between the hours of 12 noon and 3 pm in remembrance of the hours when Jesus hung on the cross. The crucifixion was the culmination of several events in Holy Week, including the triumphal return of Jesus to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday; the washing of the disciples’ feet by Jesus; and the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday.

There are several excellent Good Friday bible verses that should be read to commemorate the day:

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. – Romans 5:6-10. – Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Good Friday.

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. – 1 Peter 2:24. – Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Good Friday.

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely, he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes, we are healed. – Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Good Friday.

So, as we lead into this holy week remember the true meaning of Good Friday and all Jesus sacrificed for us. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Good Friday. Check out my website

Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Do Unto Others

Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. – Matthew 7:12.

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. – Luke 6:31. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Do Unto Others

The most familiar version is: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Do Unto Others

The Golden Rule is the name given to a principle Jesus taught in his sermon on the mount. This is a very simple concept but one that has fallen by the wayside. Society predominately has taken on an attitude of “it’s all about me.” This is not the way God wants us to live. The only time you see and hear about people coming together on a magnanimous scale is when there is a tragedy like what Las Vegas and Orlando Fl encountered. There are also the hurricanes that struck Texas and Florida. Most recently the school shooting in Parkland Fl which has now caused many people to cry out and speak up and ultimately a culmination of marches has taken place, the biggest one in Washington DC regarding gun control laws. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Do Unto Others. Check out my website

See what you think would be an appropriate do unto other’s responses to these situations but be true to yourself. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day- Do Unto Others

1- You’re in the ladies’ room and you are air-drying your hands and look over your shoulder and see a woman walk away from the sink and forget her cell phone.

A – you say to yourself it’s not mine so why should I care and ignore it.

R – you run over and grab it and try to track her down and return it.

2- You are waiting to use the ATM machine and the person ahead of you finishes and forgets their card in the machine.

E – you take it out of the machine and run out to the parking lot to return it.

B – you take it out of the machine and leave it on the side and process your transaction thinking nobody can use it because they don’t know the pin number plus a banker will find it eventually.

3- It’s your weekly shopping day and you’re in the supermarket with a full shopping cart and the person behind you only has 3 items.

C – you make them wait their turn thinking to yourself I was here first.

S – you turn to them and say, “you can go ahead of me because my process will take a while.”

4- You are driving to work and there is a big accident on the road that has you late for work. Two lanes of traffic are closed, and everyone must merge into one. The car beside you is trying to come into the lane ahead of you.

P – you signal to them and let them know they can go ahead of you. You’re already late so what does it matter.

D – You think to yourself they have some nerve. They didn’t even put on their signal, I’m not letting them in front of me.

5- You’re a huge baseball fan and you are at your first game of the season. You have your glove and you are ready to catch a foul ball if it comes your way. A foul ball starts careening in your area. You reach up and it lands in your glove. You’re pumping your fist and the crowd is cheering. You look down and see a little boy with his glove who was trying to catch the same foul ball.

T – you walk right past him and ignore him and keep reveling with the crowd.

E – you turn to the little boy and put the ball in his glove and pat him on the shoulder and smile.

6- One of your passions is roller coaster rides. You have been waiting for hours to get on this ride. It is the height of the season and your feet are tired and aching. You hear a mother say to her 3 kids behind you, “if you don’t get on this time we are leaving.” The kids start sighing and saying, “mom please.” There is only one coaster cart left to load before the ride starts. It is 3 persons per cart.

F – you jump on the ride and say to yourself oh well too bad the kids will have to decide on which 2 will join me in the coaster cart for the ride.

C – you turn to the kids and their mother and say you can go ahead. I will wait for the next coaster cart ride.

7- You’re at the airport and you are checked in and the agents at the counter make an announcement stating who would be kind enough to travel tomorrow instead because we have a man who is on standby in dire need to get on this plane because his pregnant wife is having contractions and the flight is only 1 hour and 2 minutes. The airlines will set you up in a hotel for the night and fly you out first thing in the morning. You are a single person with no commitments, once you arrive home you had no plans and you have completed your business trip.

T – you walk up to the counter and hand the agent your ticket and state you’ll be willing to stay over, you just need to retrieve your luggage bag from the plane.

G – you think to yourself oh well too bad buddy you shouldn’t be traveling so close to when your wife is due to give birth and jump on the plane.

If you are a person who follows and believes in the golden rule your answers should have been:

1= R, 2= E, 3= S, 4= P, 5= E, 6= C, 7= T

You will also see that these letters spell out the word RESPECT. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Do Unto Others

Respect – a feeling or understanding that someone or something is important, serious, and should be treated in an appropriate way.

So, let us all think about how we would like to be treated and freely transfer that to all of mankind. Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day – Do Unto Others. Check out my website

Book of Proverbs – Romance On The Ice

Book of Proverbs – Romance On The Ice. God watches over us and gives us rest at night and is eager for the morning when we awake to commune with us and have conversations with us. This is the romance that God has with us as pair figure skaters have on the ice, Exhilarating, Intoxicating, Mesmerizing. Book of Proverbs – Romance On The Ice.

Book of Proverbs – Romance On The Ice. Figure Skating and Ice Dancing are the most romantic sports in the world. The glistening of the ice that has just been resurfaced by the Zamboni. The crescendo of the music that the figure skaters choose to do their routine too. The single male or female skater that tells a story with their routine on the ice. The pair skaters that display some of the most incredible, lifts, spins, death spirals, jump combinations and so much more. God has that same type of romance with us. Book of Proverbs – Romance On the Ice. Check out my website

R = Russian Split – A split jump in which the skater performs a straddle position with the legs and the body forming a “v” shape. Many also touch their toes. http://www.wickipedia.com. A lot of times in life we feel like we are doing a Russian Split ourselves. We are being pulled in so many different directions between our work life, family life, and trying to find personal downtime for ourselves that we feel tired, burned out, and overwhelmed. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. – Lamentations 3:22-24. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint. – Isaiah 40:29-31. God is right there with you when you are doing your Russian Split. Book of Proverbs – Romance On The Ice.

O = Open Stroke – In ice dancing, a step that is started close to the skating foot that doesn’t cross in front or behind. http://www.wickipedia.com. There are times in life when we are in an Open Stroke. We find ourselves in a position where we are stuck in the middle. We are trying to forge forward and cannot, and then sometimes when it gets too hard we want to give up and pull back, but we cannot. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. – 1 Timothy 2:5. God is our man in the middle. He stands as a bridge for us, so we never need to fear the Open Stroke. Book of Proverbs – Romance On The Ice.

M = Mirror Skating – Two or more skaters skating in such a way that they are mirroring each other. The opposite of unison skating. http://www.wickipedia.com. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. – Genesis 1:27. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. – 2 Corinthians 3:18. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? – 1 Corinthians 3:16. Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. – Isaiah 41:10. God is with you skating through life with you. Book of Proverbs – Romance On The Ice.

A = Axel Jump – The only jump counted as a jump element that starts from skating forward. An Axel jump has an extra half rotation (180 degrees), and as all jumps are landed with the skater gliding backward. It was named after Axel Paulsen. http://www.wickipedia.com. Sometimes in life, we are moving forward smoothly, and then suddenly, we run into Murphy’s law and that takes us backward. We need to remember that God is strategically orchestrating your steps as Joel Osteen says. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. – Jeremiah 29:11. Book of Proverbs – Romance On The Ice.

N = Nationals – A country’s national championships, used to decide their national champion. The highest-level competition on the national level. http://www.wickipedia.com. Whatever your passion is in life ultimately you will be on a national stage. Whether you are aiming to be a singer your national might be an American Idol try out. If the passion is to be in the New York City Ballet or to be one of the New York City Rockets dancers, you must have a tryout. A pianist, a sports figure in the majors, a bull rider, an equestrian, a ballroom dancer, a public speaker, or an author/writer and many more. These all require you to step out into the spotlight and let your vulnerability show. Remember, fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. – Isaiah 41:10. Book of Proverbs – Romance On The Ice.

C = Camel Spin – A spin position during which the free leg is extended in the air in an arabesque position parallel to the ice. http://www.wickipedia.com. The Camel Spin position in skating looks beautiful but no doubt it is an awkward position for the skater. Jesus, when he was here on earth, was also put in an awkward position when Satan followed him into the wilderness to tempt him for forty days. When Jesus stood his ground and told Satan to go away the angels came and ministered to Jesus. The angels were around the whole time but once Jesus had completed his awkward position they were able to minister to Jesus. There are times when we all will be in the Camel Spin position in life but remember, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. – Matthew 28:20. Book of Proverbs – Romance On The Ice.

E = Extension – The way a body part is held in a stretched position. http://www.wickipedia.com. There is a story called The Potter and The Clay. The story is told of a couple who went to England to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary and shopped at a beautiful antique store. They both liked antiques and pottery, and especially tea-cups, and so spotting an exceptional cup, they asked “May we see that? We’ve never seen a cup quite so beautiful.” As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the tea-cup spoke… “You don’t understand.” It said, “I have not always been a tea-cup. There was a time when I was just a lump of red clay. My master took me and rolled me pounded and patted me over and over and I yelled out, don’t do that. I don’t like it! “Let me alone,” but he only smiled, and gently said; “Not yet!!” “Then, WHAM! I was placed on a spinning wheel and suddenly I was spun around and around and around. “Stop it! I’m getting so dizzy! I’m going to be sick!” I screamed. But the master only nodded and said, quietly; ‘Not yet.’ He spun me and poked and prodded and bent me out of shape to suit himself and then…he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat. I yelled and knocked and pounded at the door. “Help! Get me out of here!” ‘Not yet.’ When I thought I couldn’t bear it another minute, the door opened. He carefully took me out and put me on the shelf, and I began to cool. Oh, that felt so good! “Ah, this is much better,” I thought. But, after I cooled he picked me up and he brushed and painted me all over. The fumes were horrible. “Oh, please, Stop it! Stop it!” I cried. He only shook his head and said. “Not yet…” Then suddenly he put me back into the oven. Only it was not like the first time. This time it was twice as hot, and I just knew I would suffocate. I begged… I pleaded… I screamed…I cried… I was convinced I would never make it. I was ready to give up and just then the door opened, and he took me out and again placed me on the shelf, where I cooled and waited and waited, wondering “What’s he going to do to me next?” An hour later he handed me a mirror and said, “Look at yourself.” And I did… I said, “That’s not me, that couldn’t be me. It’s beautiful. I’m beautiful!” Quietly he spoke: “I want you to remember, then,” he said, “I know it hurt to be rolled and pounded and patted, but had I just left you alone, you’d have dried up. I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled. “I know it hurt and it was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn’t put you there, you would have cracked. I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn’t done that, you never would have hardened. You would not have had any color in your life. “And if I hadn’t put you back in that second oven, you wouldn’t have survived for long because the hardness would not have held. Now you are a finished product. Now you are what I had in mind when I first began with you.” God is your extension who is shaping you towards victory! Book of Proverbs – Romance On The Ice. Check out my website

Book of Proverbs- Dream Big

Book of Proverbs – Dream Big. Dream – a visionary; a strongly desired goal or purpose. Something that fully satisfies a wish. http://www.merriam-webster.com.

When we are young kids in school sometimes even as early as when we are in kindergarten the teacher asks us “what do we want to be when we grow up?” The regular answers range from a doctor, lawyer, teacher, ballerina, police officer, and firefighter. After mom and dad come into our room to kiss us goodnight we lay awake in bed staring up at the ceiling dreaming about what we said we wanted to become when we grow up. – Book of Proverbs – Dream Big. Check out my website

As we grow older and become adults the way for some of us becomes a winding road and, sometimes life gets in the way. The passion for our dreams lifts up, up and away just like the space shuttle when it leaves Kennedy Space Center. -Book of Proverbs – Dream Big.

Some of us, unfortunately, take those dreams with us to our graves. Others realize as long as you are still alive God has a purpose and a dream for you to fulfill and it doesn’t matter how old you are. Start today! – Book of Proverbs – Dream Big. Check out my website

Every four years we are fortunate to watch other’s dreams come to life with the Olympics. The 2018 Winter Olympics have come and gone and it was exciting to see the smiles on people’s faces and the stories behind their lives and what they had to overcome to be in the Olympics. The one theme that resonates with all of the participants is how grateful they are to be at the Olympics performing and living their dreams. – Book of Proverbs – Dream Big.

We were made in the image of God and God had dreams as well. This is documented in Genesis 1:1-31 and Genesis 2:1-25. – Book of Proverbs – Dream Big.

Genesis 1 King James Version (KJV)

In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day. And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good. And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the third day. And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the fourth day. And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. And God created great whales and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. And the evening and the morning were the fifth day. And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and everything that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and overall the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you, it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to everything that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so. And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. Genesis 1:1-31

Genesis 2 King James Version (KJV)

2 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day, God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground. But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground. And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul. And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. And a river went out of Eden to water the garden, and from thence it was parted and became into four heads. The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold; And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone. And the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia. And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates. And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. And out of the ground, the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field, but for Adam, there was not found an help meet for him. And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

So Dream – Dream Big! Don’t take your dreams to your grave. Follow your bliss. – Book of Proverbs – Dream Big.

Congratulations to all of the medal winners from all of the countries represented in the 2018 Winter Olympics and a special congratulations to 17-year-old Red Gerard representing the United States who won the gold medal for snowboarding, and Shaun White who became the first snowboarder to win three gold medals at the Olympics. – Book of Proverbs – Dream Big.

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Book of Proverbs – God Is My Pilot

Book of Proverbs- God Is My Pilot. The definition of a pilot is one employed to steer a ship, a person who is qualified and usually licensed to conduct a ship into and out of a port or in specified waters or a person who flies or is qualified to fly an aircraft or spacecraft. http://www.merrian-webster.com

Now I know that there are a few of you that have never ridden in a plane before or even taken a cruise. Both are truly amazing adventures. Now I realize that there have been some incidents where things did not go well with ships or planes, but you still must live your life. Remember what the bible says, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly”. – John 10:10. “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy”. – 1 Timothy 6:17. So it is very clear that God wants us to enjoy our lives, but we must remember he is the pilot. For those of you that have God as your co-pilot and you are the pilot you need to switch seats. – Book of Proverbs – God Is My Pilot. Check out my website

God created us like himself. And God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Genesis 1:26

God is the one who keeps watch over us every night while we sleep and wakes us up to a new day. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. – Psalm 3:5

God knows all things from the beginning of time. Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee. Jeremiah 1:5. – Book of Proverbs – God Is My Pilot.

God provides food and nourishment for us all. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you, it shall be for meat. – Genesis 1:29. Book of Proverbs – God Is My Pilot.

God created woman for companionship. And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman and brought her unto the man. – Genesis 2:22

God provides riches. He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes. – Psalm 105:37

God will give you double for your trouble. And the Lord turned the captivity of Job when he prayed for his friends: also, the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. – Job 42:10. So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning. – Job 42:12

God knows everything. O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. – Psalm 139 1-10

God is omnipresent, he is everywhere always. God is omniscient, he is aware of everything and knows everything. With a God like this, there is no way he could be anything else but a pilot. I know he is my pilot, is he yours? – Book of Proverbs – God Is My Pilot. Check out my website