12-07-09
Proverbs 17:22
Designed for the sick medicine provides the cure the body needs to combat sickness. There are many types of medicine, some target pain, some viruses, some bacteria, some regulate the body and some assist the organs when malfunctioning. Not overly concerned with the causes of sickness, medicine target attacks that drains life of its health. The aim is to bring the body to a healthy and safe condition.
Proverbs tells us of a condition of the heart that functions just like medicine. This condition is a merry heart. When merriness combines with the heart it produces more than a good feeling. The combination produces a substance that confronts the harmful conditions of the body, treats the sickness and uplifts the body to a condition of good health.
A merry heart performs like medicine improving the quality of health and releasing the body form the harmful conditions. The quality of the heart is intricately connected to the quality of health. To have a merry heart is to have the best doctor’s prescription. Exactly how the heart uses cheerfulness and liveliness to treat sickness is uncertain. But what is certain is the heart’s ability to use merriness as a substance to address and overcome bad health. Good health begins in the heart.
Lord thank You that I have a heart like medicine. It cures and prevents harm. It produces joy and laughter that’s picked up by others. Thank You.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Forward Heart - 2
12-04-09
Proverbs 17:20
The circumstances leading to misfortune are seldom recognized but the experiences of the misfortune are often clear. What cause good and bad experience? What could be done to promote more of the enjoyable and less of the unfortunate? What part does the heart have in all of this? Proverbs provides answers.
Reality is often developed from what is experienced in life. The heart plays a crucial role in our experiences and quite often acts as the starting point for life’s explorations. The success rate of finding answers or addressing concerns on these explorations is often very high. Fortunately, or unfortunately in some cases, the exploration is guided by the contents of the heart and this makes it possible for the heart to pursue something which may not exist. The heart, to a certain extent, finds what is set up to find.
The first part of the verse speaks about the forward heart, meaning perverse heart. This person is a thinker who carefully plans to turn away from what is normal and reasonable. There usually isn’t justification for action and it is near to impossible to make sense of what or why things are done. To have froward qualities in the heart prevents the finding of good. Even though attempts could be mane to search and acquire good, the efforts will be in vain.
Among the most notable findings in the verse is the heart’s innate ability to establish its own desired functionality. So as the froward heart searches for good, it does so in the non-rational, insensible and awkward way. In order to find good the heart would have to get rid of the forwardness, without doing so it will be lead to where good does not exist. To find good one must search where good exist.
It is noted that the heart is the advocate for finding and establishing reality, which in turn depicts the quality of life. To limit the circumstances leading to misfortune, ensure that the heart does not have perversity.
Proverbs 17:20
The circumstances leading to misfortune are seldom recognized but the experiences of the misfortune are often clear. What cause good and bad experience? What could be done to promote more of the enjoyable and less of the unfortunate? What part does the heart have in all of this? Proverbs provides answers.
Reality is often developed from what is experienced in life. The heart plays a crucial role in our experiences and quite often acts as the starting point for life’s explorations. The success rate of finding answers or addressing concerns on these explorations is often very high. Fortunately, or unfortunately in some cases, the exploration is guided by the contents of the heart and this makes it possible for the heart to pursue something which may not exist. The heart, to a certain extent, finds what is set up to find.
The first part of the verse speaks about the forward heart, meaning perverse heart. This person is a thinker who carefully plans to turn away from what is normal and reasonable. There usually isn’t justification for action and it is near to impossible to make sense of what or why things are done. To have froward qualities in the heart prevents the finding of good. Even though attempts could be mane to search and acquire good, the efforts will be in vain.
Among the most notable findings in the verse is the heart’s innate ability to establish its own desired functionality. So as the froward heart searches for good, it does so in the non-rational, insensible and awkward way. In order to find good the heart would have to get rid of the forwardness, without doing so it will be lead to where good does not exist. To find good one must search where good exist.
It is noted that the heart is the advocate for finding and establishing reality, which in turn depicts the quality of life. To limit the circumstances leading to misfortune, ensure that the heart does not have perversity.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
The Heart as Teacher
12-01-09
Proverbs 16:23
It is good to know what to say, but oh too often the right words doesn’t come out right nor is it received in the rightness intended. In these times advice is taken as an insult because of how it was presented. Perhaps you have experienced the frustration and embarrassment from saying good things in the wrong way. These moments act as tools to motivate toward a better way of getting the message across.
The heart is that resource the wise uses to teach the mouth how to respond in a way that produces good results. With the heart as teacher the good words will not only be present they will flow in the goodness intended. The wise teaches the mouth and adds learning to the lips.
The heart has the ability to teach, whether though tact, patience, gentleness or silence. The heart becomes the instructor and educator to increase learning on how to say what needs to be said. No chalk boards, no lesson plans only real life experiences packed with the emotional tensions and attitudes to bring the student face to face with the lesson. The students don’t just hear the lesson they experience it.
The heart is not only a tool for the student, but also for building life in those who will hear. By working on the tongue the heart teaches proper representation which enables the mouth and lips to exercise tact and skill when communicating with others. By making the words less offensive others are more receptive to the truth found within them. The wisdom in one heart is able to build the life in another.
Recognize the heart as your teacher. Let it instruct you and mold your mouth into the speech other need to hear. Let it add to the lips what it has learned. Let it give from the knowledge and understanding stored within. See what is in your heart, it will teach you what to say and how to say it
Proverbs 16:23
It is good to know what to say, but oh too often the right words doesn’t come out right nor is it received in the rightness intended. In these times advice is taken as an insult because of how it was presented. Perhaps you have experienced the frustration and embarrassment from saying good things in the wrong way. These moments act as tools to motivate toward a better way of getting the message across.
The heart is that resource the wise uses to teach the mouth how to respond in a way that produces good results. With the heart as teacher the good words will not only be present they will flow in the goodness intended. The wise teaches the mouth and adds learning to the lips.
The heart has the ability to teach, whether though tact, patience, gentleness or silence. The heart becomes the instructor and educator to increase learning on how to say what needs to be said. No chalk boards, no lesson plans only real life experiences packed with the emotional tensions and attitudes to bring the student face to face with the lesson. The students don’t just hear the lesson they experience it.
The heart is not only a tool for the student, but also for building life in those who will hear. By working on the tongue the heart teaches proper representation which enables the mouth and lips to exercise tact and skill when communicating with others. By making the words less offensive others are more receptive to the truth found within them. The wisdom in one heart is able to build the life in another.
Recognize the heart as your teacher. Let it instruct you and mold your mouth into the speech other need to hear. Let it add to the lips what it has learned. Let it give from the knowledge and understanding stored within. See what is in your heart, it will teach you what to say and how to say it
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Heart to It
12-03-09
Proverbs 17:16
We do not intentionally make vain sacrifices. Whenever intentional sacrifices are made there are subtle expectations for some sort of benefit. Proverbs introduces us to a question regarding the price in the hand of the fool in relation to what is in the heart. This question helps prompts carefully consideration of the input from a fool.
‘Heart to It’ suggests that in the heart are impulses, appetites and attractions that cause adjustments and sacrifices to be made. These impulses influence identity, choice and what sacrifices, if any, will be made. If the heart does not have an impulse or appetite for something then it should not pursue or make adjustments unless there are underlying motives. If you want to get it you must put your heart to it. The heart that is not put in it should not be expected to get in it. So again the question is asked, ‘why is the fool making sacrifice for something he does not care to have?
Proverbs 17:16
We do not intentionally make vain sacrifices. Whenever intentional sacrifices are made there are subtle expectations for some sort of benefit. Proverbs introduces us to a question regarding the price in the hand of the fool in relation to what is in the heart. This question helps prompts carefully consideration of the input from a fool.
‘Heart to It’ suggests that in the heart are impulses, appetites and attractions that cause adjustments and sacrifices to be made. These impulses influence identity, choice and what sacrifices, if any, will be made. If the heart does not have an impulse or appetite for something then it should not pursue or make adjustments unless there are underlying motives. If you want to get it you must put your heart to it. The heart that is not put in it should not be expected to get in it. So again the question is asked, ‘why is the fool making sacrifice for something he does not care to have?
Sunday, June 6, 2010
The Heart: a Place for Trying
12-02-09
Proverbs 17:3
I have often wandered, why we have to experience hard times. Why are there so many disappointments? Why do we have to work so hard? The answer that came was not what I really wanted to hear but it did help me understand why and in understanding I am better able to endure. The answer is ‘it’s a process’.
The rough times, hard experiences and disappointments are all apart of the process of bringing me to perfection, to a higher quality of excellence and grandeur. It is apart of the process of releasing me from inadequacies, getting rid of the negative attitudes and warding off the inappropriate responses. The Lord uses these experiences as a process to bring me to perfection, to get me in the pursuit of excellence and make me a more accurate depiction of who He created. It is all apart of the process.
To bring out the potential of silver a fining pot is used. To bring out the fine qualities in gold a furnace is used. Proverbs tells us that the process for bringing out the outstanding qualities in humans is the trying of the heart. Like silver and gold, the heart in its natural state is covered with impurities but packed with potential.
Notably the heart is the place of refinement. By turning up the pressure situations in life the Lord set in place the conditions needed for the heart to be refined. The heart is the place that enables life to pursue excellence and perfection. The difficult times and stretching of patience refines the heart making me into who the Lord desires me to be. There are some negative vices that must be released in order for the positive vibes to be evident.
The heart is the place where the Lord tries you. It is the place where you release and embrace in accordance with His will. It is where you become who He wants you to be. It is your place of change. It is your place of perfection. It is your place of excellence. It is your place of potential. It is your launching pad. It is your embrace of the Lord life.
Proverbs 17:3
I have often wandered, why we have to experience hard times. Why are there so many disappointments? Why do we have to work so hard? The answer that came was not what I really wanted to hear but it did help me understand why and in understanding I am better able to endure. The answer is ‘it’s a process’.
The rough times, hard experiences and disappointments are all apart of the process of bringing me to perfection, to a higher quality of excellence and grandeur. It is apart of the process of releasing me from inadequacies, getting rid of the negative attitudes and warding off the inappropriate responses. The Lord uses these experiences as a process to bring me to perfection, to get me in the pursuit of excellence and make me a more accurate depiction of who He created. It is all apart of the process.
To bring out the potential of silver a fining pot is used. To bring out the fine qualities in gold a furnace is used. Proverbs tells us that the process for bringing out the outstanding qualities in humans is the trying of the heart. Like silver and gold, the heart in its natural state is covered with impurities but packed with potential.
Notably the heart is the place of refinement. By turning up the pressure situations in life the Lord set in place the conditions needed for the heart to be refined. The heart is the place that enables life to pursue excellence and perfection. The difficult times and stretching of patience refines the heart making me into who the Lord desires me to be. There are some negative vices that must be released in order for the positive vibes to be evident.
The heart is the place where the Lord tries you. It is the place where you release and embrace in accordance with His will. It is where you become who He wants you to be. It is your place of change. It is your place of perfection. It is your place of excellence. It is your place of potential. It is your launching pad. It is your embrace of the Lord life.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Heart with a plan
11-26-09
Proverbs 16:9
Planning and planning, there is a continuous flow of never ending plans. Day in and day out plans are being made. Arrangement to do this and arrangement to do that, we frequently arrange and rearrange what we do and how we do it. Even in the midst of the arrangement plans are still being made.
Ingrained in plans are expectations, one of which relates to its connection to the goal. The plan establishes a coherent direction so that the goal may be reached. Contrary to the expectation, Proverbs tells us that it is not the plan that establishes direction; instead it is the Lord.
The Lord provides the mobility needed to engage in a direction. This not doubt would give the impression that the one carrying out the plan was able to accomplish the goal when in actuality it was the mobility provided by the Lord. There is a tendency to under-mind what is behind the scene and bestow credit on what is at the fore-front and obvious.
Consider for a moment the parcel. Although the heart may devise the contents of a parcel, it is the Lord that determines the direction of that parcel. It is as though the Lord determines the packaging, the address to where the parcel will be delivered, the method of delivery, the influence to ensure the parcel is delivered and the one to make the delivery.
This is good news for those who trust in the Lord because they have this assurance – the Lord is the director of their plan.
Proverbs 16:9
Planning and planning, there is a continuous flow of never ending plans. Day in and day out plans are being made. Arrangement to do this and arrangement to do that, we frequently arrange and rearrange what we do and how we do it. Even in the midst of the arrangement plans are still being made.
Ingrained in plans are expectations, one of which relates to its connection to the goal. The plan establishes a coherent direction so that the goal may be reached. Contrary to the expectation, Proverbs tells us that it is not the plan that establishes direction; instead it is the Lord.
The Lord provides the mobility needed to engage in a direction. This not doubt would give the impression that the one carrying out the plan was able to accomplish the goal when in actuality it was the mobility provided by the Lord. There is a tendency to under-mind what is behind the scene and bestow credit on what is at the fore-front and obvious.
Consider for a moment the parcel. Although the heart may devise the contents of a parcel, it is the Lord that determines the direction of that parcel. It is as though the Lord determines the packaging, the address to where the parcel will be delivered, the method of delivery, the influence to ensure the parcel is delivered and the one to make the delivery.
This is good news for those who trust in the Lord because they have this assurance – the Lord is the director of their plan.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Proud in Heart
11-25-09
Proverbs 16:5
Among all parts of an individual the heart is examined the most. The mannerisms, the plans, and the character are all products of the heart. When the heart develops character it has established itself into a mode defining who it is, what it will be and what it will do. The Lord recognizes the character, some of which is pleasing and some a turn off. Proverbs talks about the heart that is a turn off to the Lord.
Pride may not be recognized as a character that causes offense but Proverbs describes the proud in heart as an abomination to the Lord. Pride carries with it several implications, one of which relates to an unjust assumption of superiority. This assumption produces an arrogance that makes one feel as though they are better than another. The attitude, action, posture and mannerisms that comes out of the arrogance is contrary to the very nature of the Lord.
The second implication relates to leadership. With a proud heart the direction and conduct establishes certain attitudes that declares who is in charge. The attitude literally takes charge and attempt to invoke itself. The proud in heart can be recognized by their boastfulness and snobbish behavior. These are a disgrace to the Lord.
The heart is the part of man that the Lord inhabits and its disposition is a major concern. It is looked at intently and intensely. It is used as a source from which blessings and curses are imputed. Our duty is to develop it, protect it and ensure it is kept free of the forces that render it a disgrace.
Proverbs 16:5
Among all parts of an individual the heart is examined the most. The mannerisms, the plans, and the character are all products of the heart. When the heart develops character it has established itself into a mode defining who it is, what it will be and what it will do. The Lord recognizes the character, some of which is pleasing and some a turn off. Proverbs talks about the heart that is a turn off to the Lord.
Pride may not be recognized as a character that causes offense but Proverbs describes the proud in heart as an abomination to the Lord. Pride carries with it several implications, one of which relates to an unjust assumption of superiority. This assumption produces an arrogance that makes one feel as though they are better than another. The attitude, action, posture and mannerisms that comes out of the arrogance is contrary to the very nature of the Lord.
The second implication relates to leadership. With a proud heart the direction and conduct establishes certain attitudes that declares who is in charge. The attitude literally takes charge and attempt to invoke itself. The proud in heart can be recognized by their boastfulness and snobbish behavior. These are a disgrace to the Lord.
The heart is the part of man that the Lord inhabits and its disposition is a major concern. It is looked at intently and intensely. It is used as a source from which blessings and curses are imputed. Our duty is to develop it, protect it and ensure it is kept free of the forces that render it a disgrace.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
What causes a rejoicing Heart?
11-23-09
Proverbs 15:30
Light is a form of energy that allows sight through illumination. With light the eyes gain perception which can be used to escape dark, closed, restricted and void conditions. We seldom recognize the eyes as a source of light to the heart but Proverbs says the eyes not only give light it rejoices the heart.
How does light in the eyes rejoice the heart? Eyes have a direct bond with the heart which allows information to be exchanged. The light in the eye is a form of understanding capable of elevating the heart to the point where it rejoices. There are several ways the light of the eyes can cause a rejoicing heart.
Firstly, the heart has expectations and the light of the eyes provide the heart with the realization of those expectations. The heart rejoices for the arrival of what is expected.
Another way the light of the eyes rejoices the heart is through deliverance. The light provided to the heart is a form of deliverance that pulls the heart away from a depressed demoralized state into one of rejoicing. This deliverance provides feelings that stimulate joyfulness, happiness and a sense of freedom.
Another way the light of the eyes rejoices the heart is by gifts. The light of the eyes is a type of gift the heart receives that is beyond ordinary. It is personal and it provides the heart with rejoicing only the individual can fully understand. When this sort of joy is received it causes an out burst of laughter in unprecedented situations. It will produce a smile in the midst of loneliness. It can breathe a sense of happiness that tickles from the inside. This light is healthy, youthful and spontaneous. It can pop on you at any time.
Open your eyes and rejoice in the light
Proverbs 15:30
Light is a form of energy that allows sight through illumination. With light the eyes gain perception which can be used to escape dark, closed, restricted and void conditions. We seldom recognize the eyes as a source of light to the heart but Proverbs says the eyes not only give light it rejoices the heart.
How does light in the eyes rejoice the heart? Eyes have a direct bond with the heart which allows information to be exchanged. The light in the eye is a form of understanding capable of elevating the heart to the point where it rejoices. There are several ways the light of the eyes can cause a rejoicing heart.
Firstly, the heart has expectations and the light of the eyes provide the heart with the realization of those expectations. The heart rejoices for the arrival of what is expected.
Another way the light of the eyes rejoices the heart is through deliverance. The light provided to the heart is a form of deliverance that pulls the heart away from a depressed demoralized state into one of rejoicing. This deliverance provides feelings that stimulate joyfulness, happiness and a sense of freedom.
Another way the light of the eyes rejoices the heart is by gifts. The light of the eyes is a type of gift the heart receives that is beyond ordinary. It is personal and it provides the heart with rejoicing only the individual can fully understand. When this sort of joy is received it causes an out burst of laughter in unprecedented situations. It will produce a smile in the midst of loneliness. It can breathe a sense of happiness that tickles from the inside. This light is healthy, youthful and spontaneous. It can pop on you at any time.
Open your eyes and rejoice in the light
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
The Heart of the Righteous Studies
11-21-09
Proverbs 15:28
Finding solutions to problems, addressing concerns or simply getting directions are essentials for mental and emotional stability. At some point questions will arise, whether they come from within or without, being able to find the answers provide a sense of satisfaction that dissolves confusion and frustration. Unfortunately, some answers do not always come when needed, nor are they placed in an easy to retrieve location. Effort and time has to be invested to search for answers. Typically the answers that are in hard to reach locations carry a lot of weight and they require patience and investigation to retrieve.
Too many answers are given at whim. The heart of the righteous takes the time to study before answering. In fact, it is not uncommon for the heart of the righteous to prepare in advance before providing an answer.
The heart of the righteous represent several things, these include:
• A high level of respect for the answer in that time is taken and effort used to study. Contained in answers are solutions that can calm trouble, address concern or instill a sense of security. These answers are directions that facilitate movement, plan a course or escape potential harm. The righteous recognizes this and studies.
• A high level of regard for correctness. Quite often the right or best answer is often confused with the answer that sounds good. Challenges and uncertainty carries a degree of desperation and anxiousness which can distort what is best with what what sounds good. By studying, the righteous heart is able to provide the best answers with a high level of confidence to decrease uncertainty and overcome challenges.
• A high level of quality in representation. The heart of the righteous is prepared to make the extra effort to ensure what is given adequately reflects what is at work on the inside. A reputation is at stake in the answer and the heart of the righteous studies to keep it.
The mouth of the wicked releases evil. Little to no regard is given for what comes out of the mouth and the impact carried. The mouth of the wicked does not hold or know such reserve so a continuous out pouring of what is useless exists.
Proverbs 15:28
Finding solutions to problems, addressing concerns or simply getting directions are essentials for mental and emotional stability. At some point questions will arise, whether they come from within or without, being able to find the answers provide a sense of satisfaction that dissolves confusion and frustration. Unfortunately, some answers do not always come when needed, nor are they placed in an easy to retrieve location. Effort and time has to be invested to search for answers. Typically the answers that are in hard to reach locations carry a lot of weight and they require patience and investigation to retrieve.
Too many answers are given at whim. The heart of the righteous takes the time to study before answering. In fact, it is not uncommon for the heart of the righteous to prepare in advance before providing an answer.
The heart of the righteous represent several things, these include:
• A high level of respect for the answer in that time is taken and effort used to study. Contained in answers are solutions that can calm trouble, address concern or instill a sense of security. These answers are directions that facilitate movement, plan a course or escape potential harm. The righteous recognizes this and studies.
• A high level of regard for correctness. Quite often the right or best answer is often confused with the answer that sounds good. Challenges and uncertainty carries a degree of desperation and anxiousness which can distort what is best with what what sounds good. By studying, the righteous heart is able to provide the best answers with a high level of confidence to decrease uncertainty and overcome challenges.
• A high level of quality in representation. The heart of the righteous is prepared to make the extra effort to ensure what is given adequately reflects what is at work on the inside. A reputation is at stake in the answer and the heart of the righteous studies to keep it.
The mouth of the wicked releases evil. Little to no regard is given for what comes out of the mouth and the impact carried. The mouth of the wicked does not hold or know such reserve so a continuous out pouring of what is useless exists.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
A Merry Heart Continues to Feast
11-20-09
Proverbs 15:15
The troubling experiences that come from day to day are unfortunate. Financial losses, foreclosures, job difficulties, stressful living conditions, challenging confrontations, demanding situations, medical illness and bad health all cause some level of affliction. No one is exempted, as long as there is life their will be afflictions. Some have learned how to make the most of these experiences, some have used them to their advantage and sadly, some find themselves trapped in the horrors attached to them. Since we all must have afflictions it is important to know how to deal with them. Proverbs offers a solution, a merry heart.
A merry heart is happy and filled with joy. This heart knows how to find something to celebrate even in difficult situations. It is grounded in the knack for festivities that can form an environment of celebration and excitement. Perhaps having a celebration in troubling or grieving times seems odd and difficult. How can a person with financial struggles have a party? How can a person who recently lost a love one be happy? What about the job stress, marital tension, accident victim or homeless child? You really can’t.
What Proverbs offers is more than a one time event designed to move us past our troubles. Instead it is an internal quality designed to enable us to face any affliction with a festive demeanor. Such a heart is not restricted to difficult times but it stays with you helping to find joy in the simple things, leading you from one celebration to the other. Regardless of how many or how evil the affliction may be the merry heart has the capacity to deal with and address all of them.
Thank you Lord for a Merry Heart and for enabling us to escape the traumatic impact of evil.
Proverbs 15:15
The troubling experiences that come from day to day are unfortunate. Financial losses, foreclosures, job difficulties, stressful living conditions, challenging confrontations, demanding situations, medical illness and bad health all cause some level of affliction. No one is exempted, as long as there is life their will be afflictions. Some have learned how to make the most of these experiences, some have used them to their advantage and sadly, some find themselves trapped in the horrors attached to them. Since we all must have afflictions it is important to know how to deal with them. Proverbs offers a solution, a merry heart.
A merry heart is happy and filled with joy. This heart knows how to find something to celebrate even in difficult situations. It is grounded in the knack for festivities that can form an environment of celebration and excitement. Perhaps having a celebration in troubling or grieving times seems odd and difficult. How can a person with financial struggles have a party? How can a person who recently lost a love one be happy? What about the job stress, marital tension, accident victim or homeless child? You really can’t.
What Proverbs offers is more than a one time event designed to move us past our troubles. Instead it is an internal quality designed to enable us to face any affliction with a festive demeanor. Such a heart is not restricted to difficult times but it stays with you helping to find joy in the simple things, leading you from one celebration to the other. Regardless of how many or how evil the affliction may be the merry heart has the capacity to deal with and address all of them.
Thank you Lord for a Merry Heart and for enabling us to escape the traumatic impact of evil.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Heart of Understanding
11-19-09
Proverbs 15:14
The form of the heart determines how the heart will function; aligning the pursuits, outlining the course of action and issuing the working orders. Proverbs tells us the heart that has understanding seeks knowledge.
The presence of understanding has made a design in the heart which fixed its operation to seek after knowledge. In this fixed position, the heart performs as an explorer on a quest. It is active, inquisitive and full of purpose. It has the courage to venture into unfamiliar territory. It is eager and curious to search for information, organizing itself while aiming toward its intent.
The question that pops out, ‘why knowledge?’ Knowledge is what feeds the heart. Knowledge determines what is to be desired, interprets how what is desired is desired and gives the fulfillment of the desired. With knowledge, the heart that has understanding is satisfied. Knowledge fill the needs of understanding without it there would be a void and inability to grasp the concepts of life. Knowledge’s ability to grasp the concepts is what enables understanding to have a mental hold and be separated from the fool.
While the understanding heart is on the exploration of knowledge the fool is being nourished by foolishness. It is noted that the appetite of the fool is toward what is known to be senseless and ridiculous. How the fool is able to ingest this folly is a product of his form. The fool is not known for his work nor his decision making ability. What he is known for is his appetite and behavior, both of which point toward what is useless.
The person that has a heart of understanding will go after knowledge. This heart provides the motivational drive, emotional stability and astute focus towards knowledge. This can be seen in the type of books read, the quality of conversations and the activities that hold the attention. This person is not only recognized for who they are but also for what they do.
The drive of the heart of understanding is often criticized for its purposeful pursuits. People don’t usually see things the way the Word of God has it. In fact, when what is written in the Word is put into action and emotions it takes discernment to uncover the Word at work. So don’t be quick to judge, look for what the Word is doing.
Proverbs 15:14
The form of the heart determines how the heart will function; aligning the pursuits, outlining the course of action and issuing the working orders. Proverbs tells us the heart that has understanding seeks knowledge.
The presence of understanding has made a design in the heart which fixed its operation to seek after knowledge. In this fixed position, the heart performs as an explorer on a quest. It is active, inquisitive and full of purpose. It has the courage to venture into unfamiliar territory. It is eager and curious to search for information, organizing itself while aiming toward its intent.
The question that pops out, ‘why knowledge?’ Knowledge is what feeds the heart. Knowledge determines what is to be desired, interprets how what is desired is desired and gives the fulfillment of the desired. With knowledge, the heart that has understanding is satisfied. Knowledge fill the needs of understanding without it there would be a void and inability to grasp the concepts of life. Knowledge’s ability to grasp the concepts is what enables understanding to have a mental hold and be separated from the fool.
While the understanding heart is on the exploration of knowledge the fool is being nourished by foolishness. It is noted that the appetite of the fool is toward what is known to be senseless and ridiculous. How the fool is able to ingest this folly is a product of his form. The fool is not known for his work nor his decision making ability. What he is known for is his appetite and behavior, both of which point toward what is useless.
The person that has a heart of understanding will go after knowledge. This heart provides the motivational drive, emotional stability and astute focus towards knowledge. This can be seen in the type of books read, the quality of conversations and the activities that hold the attention. This person is not only recognized for who they are but also for what they do.
The drive of the heart of understanding is often criticized for its purposeful pursuits. People don’t usually see things the way the Word of God has it. In fact, when what is written in the Word is put into action and emotions it takes discernment to uncover the Word at work. So don’t be quick to judge, look for what the Word is doing.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Merry Heart
11-18-09
Proverbs 15:13
We often become the by-product of what is in us; that is what is at work in the heart. The beliefs that frame our mode of thinking, the forces that stimulate our emotions and the desires that influence our choices not only steer us through the ups and downs of everyday life, but also produces our persona.
Proverbs speaks of the impact of being merry and sorrowful upon the persona. A merry heart is defined by the pleasures at work within it. The existing pleasure has the power to develop a recognizable character equated with what is merry. It is interesting to note that what is in the heart works on the countenance. The heart makes the effort to take moments of pleasure and use it to bring into view facial expressions that are happy, optimistic, willing and in a good mood.
In contrast when the heart has sorrow the spirit is broken. The spirit is that part of man created by God to represent the characteristics of God. This is the part of man that gives life and our persona. When sorrow enters the heart the impact is negative. This negativity filters through feelings of grief, shame, sadness and disappointments. As the negativity intensifies feelings of misfortune is elevated to sorrow and broke the spirit. The broken spirit is like a stream which has become disturbed, interrupted or polluted. Because the flow of life is interrupted the broken spirit does not function properly. Without intervention life which flows from the spirit becomes null and dysfunctional.
It is impressed upon every person to develop what is in their heart to the point where merriness rules and sorrow is made few. We must not allow misfortune to deepen itself within us. It presence limits and degrades the quality of life we are meant to have. The moments of pleasure God has allowed us to enjoy should feed our hearts over and over again. The constant feeding will enable us to be familiar with the countenance of cheerfulness and a life of blissful peace.
Let happiness reign and you will have less pain, let sorrow remain your life it will drain. The life we live is but a step to an eternal walk
Proverbs 15:13
We often become the by-product of what is in us; that is what is at work in the heart. The beliefs that frame our mode of thinking, the forces that stimulate our emotions and the desires that influence our choices not only steer us through the ups and downs of everyday life, but also produces our persona.
Proverbs speaks of the impact of being merry and sorrowful upon the persona. A merry heart is defined by the pleasures at work within it. The existing pleasure has the power to develop a recognizable character equated with what is merry. It is interesting to note that what is in the heart works on the countenance. The heart makes the effort to take moments of pleasure and use it to bring into view facial expressions that are happy, optimistic, willing and in a good mood.
In contrast when the heart has sorrow the spirit is broken. The spirit is that part of man created by God to represent the characteristics of God. This is the part of man that gives life and our persona. When sorrow enters the heart the impact is negative. This negativity filters through feelings of grief, shame, sadness and disappointments. As the negativity intensifies feelings of misfortune is elevated to sorrow and broke the spirit. The broken spirit is like a stream which has become disturbed, interrupted or polluted. Because the flow of life is interrupted the broken spirit does not function properly. Without intervention life which flows from the spirit becomes null and dysfunctional.
It is impressed upon every person to develop what is in their heart to the point where merriness rules and sorrow is made few. We must not allow misfortune to deepen itself within us. It presence limits and degrades the quality of life we are meant to have. The moments of pleasure God has allowed us to enjoy should feed our hearts over and over again. The constant feeding will enable us to be familiar with the countenance of cheerfulness and a life of blissful peace.
Let happiness reign and you will have less pain, let sorrow remain your life it will drain. The life we live is but a step to an eternal walk
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
The Heart: a place for realization
11-17-09
‘Face to Face to Face’
The presence of the Lord is a place of realization.
A heart in His presence is a heart that is made aware to the truth of what and where it is. It is a heart that understands who it is, what it needs to do and where it needs to go. This heart is able to observe itself beyond the artificialness that covers its identity. ‘Face to Face to Face’ the heart sees the Lord and sees itself.
Too often our hearts become bothered by the ‘stickers’. Our interaction with the world exposes us to parasitic forces that attaches to our perception of who we are and in doing so it subdues us into something else. Traces of what we are subdued to can be found in our attitudes and interaction. When our heart is in the presence of the Lord we come ‘Face to Face to Face’ realizing that what we have become. This presence questions actions and identity while extending affirmation and/or invitation to return to the rightful identity, place and relation.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Heart in His Presence
11-17-09
Proverbs 15:11
The presence of the Lord is noted for Love, Holiness and Awe. These forces speak to pleasant qualities. In contrast, wickedness, hell and destruction are seldom recognized as forces to inhabit the presence of the Lord. Proverbs tells that these seldom recognized forces along with the heart of man as being in the presence of the Lord.
An obvious question comes to mind, what are hell and destruction doing in the presence of the Lord? Why would a loving Lord want them around Him? Hell is a place known for punishment and torment. Destruction speaks of devastation and misfortune. To thinks that these would be able to be in the presence of the Lord is unprecedented. In fact, it is believed that they are contrary to what the Lord represents so He would look at them negatively. The Lord created all things and it is from Him all things have existence. Even though hell and destruction have such negative implications they have a place in His presence and His control over them is never lost.
If hell and destruction are in the presence of the Lord, then according to Proverbs the heart of men are also in His presence. All that is in the heart, wickedness included, is not hid. The Lord sees and knows it all. He knows exactly what position in His presence our hearts occupy. Whether we believe it or not, the position we occupy in His presence is an indication of what is in our heart. When ever I don’t feel or think I am good enough I tend to hide or shy back away from His presence. Perhaps you can relate to sitting in the back of the church, not wanting to get involved or denying an opportunity to take a lead.
Truth be told, of ourselves we can never be good enough but that’s the beauty of the faith in grace. This is not a feeling or state of mind; instead it is a status that says we are as good as we need to be. Proverbs wants us to grasp the point where there is no doubt in our minds that the Lord who has hell and destruction in His presence also has our hearts and all that is in it. His presence is more than a place of worship; it is also a place of realization where we are exposed to the truth of who we are in relation to Him. Beyond the mask and fictions behavior, all hearts are open and exposed. This realization takes place not that He might see us, but that we might be made aware that He sees us and this awareness would prompt us to return to our rightful place, the place not threaten by hell and destruction.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
The Heart and Knowledge
Proverbs 15:7
Knowledge is like live imprint designed to inhabit humans. By inhabiting knowledge provides an intellectual hold on the things that affect day to day life. With knowledge we are able to respond confidently. Proverbs describes what the wise and foolish do with knowledge.
The lips of the wise disperse knowledge. When the wise speak, the intellectual hold that they have on the things that affect life is shared. Three notable reasons; the first being, people can only speak from what they have in them. The wise has knowledge. In fact, it is their ability to handle knowledge that makes them wise. Because they have knowledge speaking release what they have in them. The second reason why the wise disperse knowledge is because of the abundant supply. The presence of knowledge does not get depleted in the wise. Therefore the wise is not conservative when it comes to sharing that knowledge. The third reason why is found in the nature of knowledge. Knowledge does not like to be confined. In fact conditions where there is an absence of knowledge acts as suction for knowledge.
The presence of knowledge, the nature of knowledge and the suction for knowledge contributes to the sharing of knowledge from the wise. The heart of the foolish is not the same. Even though the heart represents a more concentrated source of power, when operated foolishly it cannot produce the same results. The reason being the foolish by nature is not receptive to knowledge. The foolish does not receive instruction so knowledge is lacking and there is no enough to disperse.
God in His design of mankind place in us an organism capable of holding the potential needed for life. By following God any human is able to release the potential for a life filled with wisdom, peace and love. All it takes is a heart surrendered and committed to God. From this commitment God fills our heart with His presence, and Word. This Word activates and releases potential as needed in a way that promotes and edifies His glorious name.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
A Sound Heart is Life
11-12-09
Proverbs 14:30
A sound heart is a heart of substance. It is filled with qualities which provide the vitality needed in life. From a heart of substance a foundation of truth is established on which life can be built. A sound heart is a heart with its values aligned to bring about continued existence. It has the beliefs that will enable an in-pouring of life. This means that the intellect, emotions and will are all structured to support and facilitate what comes from the Life giver.
A sound heart is a channel of provision. This heart enables unction to be transported to the flesh. It works in advance to ensure the measures are taken to prepare the channels needed for the flesh’s continuance. A sound heart is not damaged but in good condition. It is sensible, reliable and acceptable by most. A heart of this sort keeps life in high spirits, energized and adaptable to the vicissitudes.
Envy, on the other hand, causes the bones to rotten. It is a form of moral corruption and when at work in the heart it causes the beliefs and values to be unstable. Envy penetrates into the structure and support system causing it to go bad. The instability produced weakens life’s ability to withstand the ups and downs.
The challenges we face in life are so real they can bring about major changes introducing us to a mode of living we have never seen before. Having a heart capable of dealing with every challenge involves advance foresight and in depth planning. Such a task can only be done by one who has the ability to see both the past and the future at the same time. With this sight a source can be created to adequately face and triumph forever. The sound heart is that source.
Thank You Lord for equipping us with all that we need to enable us to get the fullness out of life.
Proverbs 14:30
A sound heart is a heart of substance. It is filled with qualities which provide the vitality needed in life. From a heart of substance a foundation of truth is established on which life can be built. A sound heart is a heart with its values aligned to bring about continued existence. It has the beliefs that will enable an in-pouring of life. This means that the intellect, emotions and will are all structured to support and facilitate what comes from the Life giver.
A sound heart is a channel of provision. This heart enables unction to be transported to the flesh. It works in advance to ensure the measures are taken to prepare the channels needed for the flesh’s continuance. A sound heart is not damaged but in good condition. It is sensible, reliable and acceptable by most. A heart of this sort keeps life in high spirits, energized and adaptable to the vicissitudes.
Envy, on the other hand, causes the bones to rotten. It is a form of moral corruption and when at work in the heart it causes the beliefs and values to be unstable. Envy penetrates into the structure and support system causing it to go bad. The instability produced weakens life’s ability to withstand the ups and downs.
The challenges we face in life are so real they can bring about major changes introducing us to a mode of living we have never seen before. Having a heart capable of dealing with every challenge involves advance foresight and in depth planning. Such a task can only be done by one who has the ability to see both the past and the future at the same time. With this sight a source can be created to adequately face and triumph forever. The sound heart is that source.
Thank You Lord for equipping us with all that we need to enable us to get the fullness out of life.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Heart to Heart
11-10-09
Proverbs 14:13
Laughter is commonly associated with joy and happiness. To laugh signifies some sort of amusement. It is good when a person laugh because with it comes a release from emotional tension. Even though the heart may laugh, Proverbs tells us of the sorrow the heart has and at the end of all the confusion heaviness remains.
The presence of sorrow puts weight upon the heart. Sometimes that weight is so heavy laughter from happy occasions is unable to completely lift the heaviness. Whenever a great loss is experienced it is hard to laugh. For some the heaviness may last a week, some for months and others for years. Some people live their lives day by day with heaviness. They wear it on their faces, express it in their voices and have traces of it in the interaction with others.
Some have a hard time ridding themselves of the heaviness; so many unanswered questions and unexplained circumstances. The ‘ifs’ and ‘whys’ are like big trees blown down across the path of life blocking the acceptance of certain truths, limiting the level of belief and robbing relationships of its intimacy. The good times we were meant to have cannot be enjoyed like it should when there is blockage. Life will not be lived, it will only be endured.
The heart sitting as the core of our existence is a true representation of where we are, what we are dealing with and the forces that are at work. Although as pretentious as we may try to be the heart hold the true identity of what we have as our reality. At the end of the pretentious game the heart reminds us our reality is still the same and until we honestly face the issues in the heart the heaviness will remain.
God has the answers to lift the heaviness that weighs the heart down. He alone can move us past the experience that block our path and enable us to live life full and free fill with prosperity.
Proverbs 14:13
Laughter is commonly associated with joy and happiness. To laugh signifies some sort of amusement. It is good when a person laugh because with it comes a release from emotional tension. Even though the heart may laugh, Proverbs tells us of the sorrow the heart has and at the end of all the confusion heaviness remains.
The presence of sorrow puts weight upon the heart. Sometimes that weight is so heavy laughter from happy occasions is unable to completely lift the heaviness. Whenever a great loss is experienced it is hard to laugh. For some the heaviness may last a week, some for months and others for years. Some people live their lives day by day with heaviness. They wear it on their faces, express it in their voices and have traces of it in the interaction with others.
Some have a hard time ridding themselves of the heaviness; so many unanswered questions and unexplained circumstances. The ‘ifs’ and ‘whys’ are like big trees blown down across the path of life blocking the acceptance of certain truths, limiting the level of belief and robbing relationships of its intimacy. The good times we were meant to have cannot be enjoyed like it should when there is blockage. Life will not be lived, it will only be endured.
The heart sitting as the core of our existence is a true representation of where we are, what we are dealing with and the forces that are at work. Although as pretentious as we may try to be the heart hold the true identity of what we have as our reality. At the end of the pretentious game the heart reminds us our reality is still the same and until we honestly face the issues in the heart the heaviness will remain.
God has the answers to lift the heaviness that weighs the heart down. He alone can move us past the experience that block our path and enable us to live life full and free fill with prosperity.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
The Heart Knows
11-09-09
Proverbs 14:10
The heart is aware of its contents. The situations that cause joy or pain, the moments where laughter or sadness were experienced and the incidents that brought happiness or frustration are all clearly known by the heart. The heart can relay a vivid picture of its emotions because it knows itself best.
A stranger is the one who have not had similar situations, moments and incidents. They are not able to be apart of the joy that stems from those experiences. Although their experience they may explain their words to a stranger are a portrait of reality. Unless you have been in it you will not have the mental faculties, emotional triggers and willful impulses that made the experiences a reality. Without these you are a stranger in their domain who can only hear but not share. The heart with the experience is the heart that knows.
There is a certain type of knowledge that is gain from having to deal with or live in a bad situation. The impact and power of this knowledge has a penetrating hold so deep that only those who are in it are aware of its existence. The knowledge takes on personal characteristics, it is able to relate and communicate directly and vividly to an individual through a scent, color, sound or image. Other persons could be looking at the same color or hearing the same song but because they don’t have the same experience they are unable to relate. It is this sort of experience that is known by the heart.
There are emotions words can not explain, for these tears will drain. The mind may encounter mental blockage, for this there is a sigh or a scream. Perhaps at times the ability to choose may freeze limiting use from what we please and if that is not enough decisions has its way of making life so tough. The complication in life will always drain you and although through the mouth the heart may explain the words are a mere portrait of the reality attained. The heart with the experience is the heart that knows.
Proverbs 14:10
The heart is aware of its contents. The situations that cause joy or pain, the moments where laughter or sadness were experienced and the incidents that brought happiness or frustration are all clearly known by the heart. The heart can relay a vivid picture of its emotions because it knows itself best.
A stranger is the one who have not had similar situations, moments and incidents. They are not able to be apart of the joy that stems from those experiences. Although their experience they may explain their words to a stranger are a portrait of reality. Unless you have been in it you will not have the mental faculties, emotional triggers and willful impulses that made the experiences a reality. Without these you are a stranger in their domain who can only hear but not share. The heart with the experience is the heart that knows.
There is a certain type of knowledge that is gain from having to deal with or live in a bad situation. The impact and power of this knowledge has a penetrating hold so deep that only those who are in it are aware of its existence. The knowledge takes on personal characteristics, it is able to relate and communicate directly and vividly to an individual through a scent, color, sound or image. Other persons could be looking at the same color or hearing the same song but because they don’t have the same experience they are unable to relate. It is this sort of experience that is known by the heart.
There are emotions words can not explain, for these tears will drain. The mind may encounter mental blockage, for this there is a sigh or a scream. Perhaps at times the ability to choose may freeze limiting use from what we please and if that is not enough decisions has its way of making life so tough. The complication in life will always drain you and although through the mouth the heart may explain the words are a mere portrait of the reality attained. The heart with the experience is the heart that knows.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Your Dream Your Hand
11-07-09
Proverbs 13:12
Do you realize most of your ability to fulfill your dreams is in your hand? You have the resources you need to have your dreams fulfilled. Even when your dreams involve others who may not cooperate, you can still fulfill your dreams. Your creativity affords you alternative means to bring the dreams to fruition. You have a guide that shows you the way and encourages you along that way. The fulfilling of your dream is mostly up to you.
So what about the ‘most’? What happen to the other parts? Well as a child of God He reserves the right to withhold any dream that does not work for your well being. This occurs in rare situations. But as God’s child your dreams are already screened by the Word of God and the Spirit of God. If you have a dream it has been pre-cleared by God. The dreams that are not of God, you know them because your conscience tells you what they are and why they are not acceptable. You can force them into your life but you will only end up hurting yourself.
So what are you waiting for? Get on with it and start living and enjoying the dream as you are guided by the spirit of God.
Proverbs 13:12
Do you realize most of your ability to fulfill your dreams is in your hand? You have the resources you need to have your dreams fulfilled. Even when your dreams involve others who may not cooperate, you can still fulfill your dreams. Your creativity affords you alternative means to bring the dreams to fruition. You have a guide that shows you the way and encourages you along that way. The fulfilling of your dream is mostly up to you.
So what about the ‘most’? What happen to the other parts? Well as a child of God He reserves the right to withhold any dream that does not work for your well being. This occurs in rare situations. But as God’s child your dreams are already screened by the Word of God and the Spirit of God. If you have a dream it has been pre-cleared by God. The dreams that are not of God, you know them because your conscience tells you what they are and why they are not acceptable. You can force them into your life but you will only end up hurting yourself.
So what are you waiting for? Get on with it and start living and enjoying the dream as you are guided by the spirit of God.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Sick Heart: Hope Delayed
11-07-09
Proverbs 13:12
Life is so much richer with good health. Having a healthy life begins with a healthy heart. Proverbs tells us about the impact delayed hope has on the heart. This knowledge serves as a guide in setting the health conditions upon the heart.
How does hope interact with the heart? Hope sets in us an expectation to which we are drawn. Indirectly it forms an appetite that waits to be filled. This appetite enables us to confront the life challenges as it move toward fulfillment. With hope the future is always brighter and more rewarding. The presence of hope releases a supply of energy that equips us with the drive to get to the next level. The next level where life seems livable, goals seem achievable, promises seem receivable, journeys seem reachable, challenges seem overcomeable, hard times seem passable and enemies seem defeatable as long as there is hope.
When hope is delayed or cancelled the heart becomes sick. Having invested love into a relationship, effort into a job or money into a project only to find out the results will not come as expected brings feelings of disappointment that the investment was not worth it. Unfortunately there are no refunds or exchanges. This happened to me when an employer I worked for six months decided they were not going to pay. The disappointment provided a lesson that established a rule that governed all other employments. The rules acted as a form of protection for my heart. No one likes the expectation to be disappointed because of the negativity it brings.
On the other hand, when the desire comes it is a source of life. Desires are connected closely with life. Having a desire fulfilled beings satisfaction, excitement, confidence, energy and health. The journey toward a fulfilling desire will probably have difficult and discouraging moments, but when the journey is completed maturity is increased. By looking back and realizing how the difficulty and discouragements were overcome elevates us to a level beyond the level of that challenge. A similar challenge would not be as alarming or as challenging.
The existence of completed desires is a source of life. The more desire fulfilled the more of life you have to draw from. Keep the hope alive.
Proverbs 13:12
Life is so much richer with good health. Having a healthy life begins with a healthy heart. Proverbs tells us about the impact delayed hope has on the heart. This knowledge serves as a guide in setting the health conditions upon the heart.
How does hope interact with the heart? Hope sets in us an expectation to which we are drawn. Indirectly it forms an appetite that waits to be filled. This appetite enables us to confront the life challenges as it move toward fulfillment. With hope the future is always brighter and more rewarding. The presence of hope releases a supply of energy that equips us with the drive to get to the next level. The next level where life seems livable, goals seem achievable, promises seem receivable, journeys seem reachable, challenges seem overcomeable, hard times seem passable and enemies seem defeatable as long as there is hope.
When hope is delayed or cancelled the heart becomes sick. Having invested love into a relationship, effort into a job or money into a project only to find out the results will not come as expected brings feelings of disappointment that the investment was not worth it. Unfortunately there are no refunds or exchanges. This happened to me when an employer I worked for six months decided they were not going to pay. The disappointment provided a lesson that established a rule that governed all other employments. The rules acted as a form of protection for my heart. No one likes the expectation to be disappointed because of the negativity it brings.
On the other hand, when the desire comes it is a source of life. Desires are connected closely with life. Having a desire fulfilled beings satisfaction, excitement, confidence, energy and health. The journey toward a fulfilling desire will probably have difficult and discouraging moments, but when the journey is completed maturity is increased. By looking back and realizing how the difficulty and discouragements were overcome elevates us to a level beyond the level of that challenge. A similar challenge would not be as alarming or as challenging.
The existence of completed desires is a source of life. The more desire fulfilled the more of life you have to draw from. Keep the hope alive.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
The Glad Heart
11-06-09
Proverbs 12:25
Heaviness has it affect but a good word has it affect as well. A glad heart is the answer to a stooped heart. The format of Proverbs suggests that the heaviness in the heart that weighs down can be lifted by a good word into a glad heart. A good word makes the heart glad. A good word is not necessarily good because of what it says. It is good because of what it does. A good word is gladness wrapped up in power. The impact of the word is not only heard but felt. This word makes changes within in a way that produces a glad heart. For some that change may be a sign of hope, to another a breath of refreshment, to another an arm of comfort wrapped tightly around, to another an arm of support resting on the shoulder, the answer to a pressing issue, a conformation or a listening hear.
Regardless of how bad the situation the good word has its way of making us better in the situation. With it we are better able to face it, to cope with it, to go through it, to do it. The heart becomes glad and you are able to face life anew. A glad heart is a heart that is filled with goodness. It radiates this goodness into an attitude that positively impacts life and those around.
• A glad heart is a heart that is positioned above its concern. It is not worried or over taken by the issues that press upon it. Instead it excels to a level that easily answers the issues.
• A glad heart is a heart that trumped and defeated its challenges. It is not without enemies and it is not without challenges. But it confronts these adversaries with a conquering joy so much so that the activities in the confrontation are effortlessly successful.
• A glad heart is a heart that energizes us with an attitude that brings pleasure and excitement about the future.
With a glad heart life is the greatest gift a person can have. It all can begin with a good word. GIVE ME THE WORD, THE GOOD WORD OF GOD.
Proverbs 12:25
Heaviness has it affect but a good word has it affect as well. A glad heart is the answer to a stooped heart. The format of Proverbs suggests that the heaviness in the heart that weighs down can be lifted by a good word into a glad heart. A good word makes the heart glad. A good word is not necessarily good because of what it says. It is good because of what it does. A good word is gladness wrapped up in power. The impact of the word is not only heard but felt. This word makes changes within in a way that produces a glad heart. For some that change may be a sign of hope, to another a breath of refreshment, to another an arm of comfort wrapped tightly around, to another an arm of support resting on the shoulder, the answer to a pressing issue, a conformation or a listening hear.
Regardless of how bad the situation the good word has its way of making us better in the situation. With it we are better able to face it, to cope with it, to go through it, to do it. The heart becomes glad and you are able to face life anew. A glad heart is a heart that is filled with goodness. It radiates this goodness into an attitude that positively impacts life and those around.
• A glad heart is a heart that is positioned above its concern. It is not worried or over taken by the issues that press upon it. Instead it excels to a level that easily answers the issues.
• A glad heart is a heart that trumped and defeated its challenges. It is not without enemies and it is not without challenges. But it confronts these adversaries with a conquering joy so much so that the activities in the confrontation are effortlessly successful.
• A glad heart is a heart that energizes us with an attitude that brings pleasure and excitement about the future.
With a glad heart life is the greatest gift a person can have. It all can begin with a good word. GIVE ME THE WORD, THE GOOD WORD OF GOD.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
The Stooped Heart
11-06-09
Proverbs 12:25
What is in the heart has a way of physically taking its toll. Proverbs exposes us to the physical affect heaviness and a good word has on the heart. Heaviness has a way of piling itself upon you. In some instances you may not even realize it is there until it starts to take its toll. Have you ever been depressed but can’t find the reason why? Got a lot on your mind and feeling run down? Can’t seem to keep up with life the way you use to? Had a series of unpleasant news? Busy, busy, busy but getting nowhere? These are a few conditions that make the heart heavy.
Bad news has a way of bringing heaviness in the heart. I remember while I was in college sitting at the desk in my apartment room and hearing the news that my loving grand mother had passed. It brought a sharp numbing pain in my heart that pause everything. I could not see past that devastation it was like tomorrow never existed; perhaps you to can relate to the heaviness that came when you heard the bad news of someone loving, someone close. It knocks the relevance out of everything and brings the heart to a point where simple everyday tasks are difficult. Bad news can bring heaviness in the heart weighing it down to where life seems impossible.
When the heart is heavy it stoops, it is weighed down.
• The stooped heart is a physical sign that the heart has become overwhelmed by what’s in it.
• The stooped heart changes the paste of life in that you are not able to do as you would normally do.
• The stooped heart rearranges your focus. The thoughts you were so engaged in no longer hold priority, instead the physical conditions becomes priority.
The stooped heart is a physical affect to an internal condition. The answer for the stooped heart is found in the Word of God and give through a ‘Glad Heart’ (look at the next blog).
Proverbs 12:25
What is in the heart has a way of physically taking its toll. Proverbs exposes us to the physical affect heaviness and a good word has on the heart. Heaviness has a way of piling itself upon you. In some instances you may not even realize it is there until it starts to take its toll. Have you ever been depressed but can’t find the reason why? Got a lot on your mind and feeling run down? Can’t seem to keep up with life the way you use to? Had a series of unpleasant news? Busy, busy, busy but getting nowhere? These are a few conditions that make the heart heavy.
Bad news has a way of bringing heaviness in the heart. I remember while I was in college sitting at the desk in my apartment room and hearing the news that my loving grand mother had passed. It brought a sharp numbing pain in my heart that pause everything. I could not see past that devastation it was like tomorrow never existed; perhaps you to can relate to the heaviness that came when you heard the bad news of someone loving, someone close. It knocks the relevance out of everything and brings the heart to a point where simple everyday tasks are difficult. Bad news can bring heaviness in the heart weighing it down to where life seems impossible.
When the heart is heavy it stoops, it is weighed down.
• The stooped heart is a physical sign that the heart has become overwhelmed by what’s in it.
• The stooped heart changes the paste of life in that you are not able to do as you would normally do.
• The stooped heart rearranges your focus. The thoughts you were so engaged in no longer hold priority, instead the physical conditions becomes priority.
The stooped heart is a physical affect to an internal condition. The answer for the stooped heart is found in the Word of God and give through a ‘Glad Heart’ (look at the next blog).
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Heart of a Fool
11-08-09
Proverbs 12:23
Knowledge is a resource that provides direction, empowerment and confidence; its absence causes insecurity, confusion and hopelessness. Proverbs tells us the prudent man, that is a man who is resourceful and diligent, will conceal knowledge but the fool will proclaim foolishness.
The prudent and the fool have opposing ways. One of the oppositions relate to the different view of knowledge. The fool does not see the value of knowledge so he does not pursue or take interest in it. On the other hand, the prudent sees the value of knowledge, takes a personal interest and stores it. This perception of knowledge is what causes the prudent to be prudent and the fool to be foolish.
More than the view of knowledge, the passage speaks specifically on how knowledge is handled. The prudent man will take knowledge and conceal it. It is secured in a place that is conducive to its well being. By concealing knowledge the prudent is cautious to share. The fool on the other hand is quite different. Whatever bits of information he has is braggingly shared. It doesn’t take long to find out what the fool knows because it is so loosely kept and when it is given time it is shared.
The handling of knowledge is essential to establishing confidence, empowerment and purpose. Mishandling it can be the cause of unneeded frustration, confusion and pain.
The heart of a fool
The heart of a fool does not see itself nor hear itself; it sees and hears only what it wants. The heart of a fool is bold having no reserves of sharing what it awkwardly holds, proclaiming what he does not have, does not know and can not show. No knowledge to share, the fool does not care as long as it is his voice you hear. The ear lobes are the target of the fools display. Sharing their conscience of nonsense a way that others can see the absence of what should not be.
Proverbs 12:23
Knowledge is a resource that provides direction, empowerment and confidence; its absence causes insecurity, confusion and hopelessness. Proverbs tells us the prudent man, that is a man who is resourceful and diligent, will conceal knowledge but the fool will proclaim foolishness.
The prudent and the fool have opposing ways. One of the oppositions relate to the different view of knowledge. The fool does not see the value of knowledge so he does not pursue or take interest in it. On the other hand, the prudent sees the value of knowledge, takes a personal interest and stores it. This perception of knowledge is what causes the prudent to be prudent and the fool to be foolish.
More than the view of knowledge, the passage speaks specifically on how knowledge is handled. The prudent man will take knowledge and conceal it. It is secured in a place that is conducive to its well being. By concealing knowledge the prudent is cautious to share. The fool on the other hand is quite different. Whatever bits of information he has is braggingly shared. It doesn’t take long to find out what the fool knows because it is so loosely kept and when it is given time it is shared.
The handling of knowledge is essential to establishing confidence, empowerment and purpose. Mishandling it can be the cause of unneeded frustration, confusion and pain.
The heart of a fool
The heart of a fool does not see itself nor hear itself; it sees and hears only what it wants. The heart of a fool is bold having no reserves of sharing what it awkwardly holds, proclaiming what he does not have, does not know and can not show. No knowledge to share, the fool does not care as long as it is his voice you hear. The ear lobes are the target of the fools display. Sharing their conscience of nonsense a way that others can see the absence of what should not be.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
What a man has in his heart
11-04-09
Proverbs 12:8
Wisdom is a benefit to those around her. She brings joy and comfort even when it is hard to find. With wisdom comes a tracker capable of finding the best out of life. Those who benefit from wisdom recognize her resourcefulness in the midst of scarcity and speak favorably of her.
Wisdom is one of those qualities that capture the attention of another in a way that causes them to give favorable commendation. When others are touched by wisdom they are compelled to compliment positively. Although rare at times positive compliments are encouraging as they provide a refreshing source of comfort and strength. The level of commendation a man receives is a product of wisdom.
On the other hand criticism comes to the man that has a perverse heart. This sort of heart earns the insults and negative comments. The man that has a perverse heart is the recipient of the unwanted gestures. His heart is not fair and careless in its dealings. The perverse heart fosters the comments that reflect the quality of treatment received. Those who have this sort of heart become a recipient of their own dealings.
What a man has in his heart
What a man has in his heart is his take on the world
What a man has in his heart is what he will give to the world
What a man has in his heart is a depiction of who he chooses to be
What a man has in his heart is what he can handle and what he can receive
What a man has in his heart comes back to him
What a man has in his heart others will feel
How a man lives and what he lives for is found in his heart.
I am grateful I have Jesus living in my heart.
Proverbs 12:8
Wisdom is a benefit to those around her. She brings joy and comfort even when it is hard to find. With wisdom comes a tracker capable of finding the best out of life. Those who benefit from wisdom recognize her resourcefulness in the midst of scarcity and speak favorably of her.
Wisdom is one of those qualities that capture the attention of another in a way that causes them to give favorable commendation. When others are touched by wisdom they are compelled to compliment positively. Although rare at times positive compliments are encouraging as they provide a refreshing source of comfort and strength. The level of commendation a man receives is a product of wisdom.
On the other hand criticism comes to the man that has a perverse heart. This sort of heart earns the insults and negative comments. The man that has a perverse heart is the recipient of the unwanted gestures. His heart is not fair and careless in its dealings. The perverse heart fosters the comments that reflect the quality of treatment received. Those who have this sort of heart become a recipient of their own dealings.
What a man has in his heart
What a man has in his heart is his take on the world
What a man has in his heart is what he will give to the world
What a man has in his heart is a depiction of who he chooses to be
What a man has in his heart is what he can handle and what he can receive
What a man has in his heart comes back to him
What a man has in his heart others will feel
How a man lives and what he lives for is found in his heart.
I am grateful I have Jesus living in my heart.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
The Fool and The Wise Heart
11-03-09
Proverbs 11:29
The fool is a person who is clueless. They lack the knowledge and basic understanding for their advancement. This lack disqualifies them from leadership and renders them a servant to the wise of heart. It is the void, shallow and cluelessness of the fool that makes him a danger to himself and robs him of his freedom.
The wise of heart are those who operate in knowledge, skill, tact and understanding. According to Proverbs, the wise of heart will have servants some of whom will be fools. Some might question why the wise would have a fool as a servant, but the wise of heart knows how to make use of a fool. This shows their ability to use the unusable in a way that is of value. The wise of heart can make a fool useful.
There is a wisdom that comes from the heart. This wisdom is very resourceful, in that it has the ability to organize and bring usefulness to any situation. It has a resourceful scavenging ability that finds and gets to the very last drop at the bottom of a bottle. With this ability it can make the useless useful, the rejected accepted and the empty full. This sort of wisdom flows from a place that passes life to the living and hope to the hopeful. This place is the heart.
It is not necessarily the foolishness of the fool that enable him to be a servant. It is the wisdom of the wise.
Proverbs 11:29
The fool is a person who is clueless. They lack the knowledge and basic understanding for their advancement. This lack disqualifies them from leadership and renders them a servant to the wise of heart. It is the void, shallow and cluelessness of the fool that makes him a danger to himself and robs him of his freedom.
The wise of heart are those who operate in knowledge, skill, tact and understanding. According to Proverbs, the wise of heart will have servants some of whom will be fools. Some might question why the wise would have a fool as a servant, but the wise of heart knows how to make use of a fool. This shows their ability to use the unusable in a way that is of value. The wise of heart can make a fool useful.
There is a wisdom that comes from the heart. This wisdom is very resourceful, in that it has the ability to organize and bring usefulness to any situation. It has a resourceful scavenging ability that finds and gets to the very last drop at the bottom of a bottle. With this ability it can make the useless useful, the rejected accepted and the empty full. This sort of wisdom flows from a place that passes life to the living and hope to the hopeful. This place is the heart.
It is not necessarily the foolishness of the fool that enable him to be a servant. It is the wisdom of the wise.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Trouble and Inheritance
11-03-09
Proverbs 11:29
One benefit that is extremely useful in the life of a young person is an inheritance. The resources left behind by the parents are of great value in assisting with life. Perhaps it maybe monetary, a business, a home or other forms of asset; in some cases it may be knowledge, customs values or the wit to survive. The benefits wrapped up in an inheritance come in many forms and the person who is recipient has added gain.
Proverbs show us a way in which an inheritance can be lost. This way is through trouble. The person that brings trouble to his house will lose his inheritance and gain the wind. Many of us can relate to having a relative who just have the knack for getting into trouble. Whether it is through an abusive relationship, alcohol, drugs, bad company or rebellious attitude they know how to bring trouble into the home. This trouble robs us of our sleep, disrupts our daily living, keeps us around the court house or hospital and pushes us into emotional imbalance. The trouble they bring into the home provides the evidence to their inability to handle the inheritance due to them. The troubles they bring renders them unfit to inherit.
Proverbs 11:29
One benefit that is extremely useful in the life of a young person is an inheritance. The resources left behind by the parents are of great value in assisting with life. Perhaps it maybe monetary, a business, a home or other forms of asset; in some cases it may be knowledge, customs values or the wit to survive. The benefits wrapped up in an inheritance come in many forms and the person who is recipient has added gain.
Proverbs show us a way in which an inheritance can be lost. This way is through trouble. The person that brings trouble to his house will lose his inheritance and gain the wind. Many of us can relate to having a relative who just have the knack for getting into trouble. Whether it is through an abusive relationship, alcohol, drugs, bad company or rebellious attitude they know how to bring trouble into the home. This trouble robs us of our sleep, disrupts our daily living, keeps us around the court house or hospital and pushes us into emotional imbalance. The trouble they bring into the home provides the evidence to their inability to handle the inheritance due to them. The troubles they bring renders them unfit to inherit.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Froward Heart
11-02-09
Proverbs 11:20
The attention of the Lord is what those who love Him seek to capture. They will do what they must to be the object of His affection and to express their love to Him. One thing the Lord’s attention is drawn to is the ways of man, that is how a man conducts himself and his affairs. Proverbs shows us the ways that are upright and beyond reproach are delightful to the Lord. He not only sees them, He receives pleasure from them. The upright in their ways express their live to God and pleasantly capture the attention of the Lord. The froward are different.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
The Heart of the Wicked is of Little Worth
10-31-09
Proverbs 10:20
Although the heart is the most powerful and valuable part of life, Proverbs enlightens us to a heart that has degraded the power and value found in it. This particular heart is described as having little worth and it belongs to a particular type of individual, the wicked.
The heart that belongs to the wicked is of little worth. The wicked is a person who knows what is right, has the ability to do right but chooses to do otherwise. The wicked will take the knowledge and ability of what is right or good and twist it to his/her liking. The wicked person’s heart is used as a mere extension of wickedness. By taking the power found in the heart and using it in a dysfunctional way the wicked misuse knowledge and ability. This misuse degrades the usefulness of the heart.
The heart is organism of vitality; with it life can be made new. The heart is designed to function and operate in a way that amplifies and converts what is deposited into it. The heart amplifies feelings of admiration into love and converts encouraging words into commitment. The heart sets the tone from which all of life resonates. Whatever is received by the heart is always converted into something more resounding.
In the intimate moments when secrets and sacredness is shared the heart of the wicked reveals its true worth. This worth is low in benefits, low in value and low in desirability. As a spectator you see it but don’t need it. You hear it but don’t want it. You feel it but want to get rid of it. The wicked deposits wickedness into his heart and this wickedness is what degrade the worth of the heart.
Among all the things that are of little worth, the heart of the wicked is among them. Hear this and know it. See this and understand it. Be encouraged to protect your heart and avoid any impulse that indicates wickedness. Your heart is too valuable to degrade, too powerful to corrupt and too involved with God to do something wicked.
Proverbs 10:20
Although the heart is the most powerful and valuable part of life, Proverbs enlightens us to a heart that has degraded the power and value found in it. This particular heart is described as having little worth and it belongs to a particular type of individual, the wicked.
The heart that belongs to the wicked is of little worth. The wicked is a person who knows what is right, has the ability to do right but chooses to do otherwise. The wicked will take the knowledge and ability of what is right or good and twist it to his/her liking. The wicked person’s heart is used as a mere extension of wickedness. By taking the power found in the heart and using it in a dysfunctional way the wicked misuse knowledge and ability. This misuse degrades the usefulness of the heart.
The heart is organism of vitality; with it life can be made new. The heart is designed to function and operate in a way that amplifies and converts what is deposited into it. The heart amplifies feelings of admiration into love and converts encouraging words into commitment. The heart sets the tone from which all of life resonates. Whatever is received by the heart is always converted into something more resounding.
In the intimate moments when secrets and sacredness is shared the heart of the wicked reveals its true worth. This worth is low in benefits, low in value and low in desirability. As a spectator you see it but don’t need it. You hear it but don’t want it. You feel it but want to get rid of it. The wicked deposits wickedness into his heart and this wickedness is what degrade the worth of the heart.
Among all the things that are of little worth, the heart of the wicked is among them. Hear this and know it. See this and understand it. Be encouraged to protect your heart and avoid any impulse that indicates wickedness. Your heart is too valuable to degrade, too powerful to corrupt and too involved with God to do something wicked.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Wise Heart
10-26-09
Proverbs 10:8
Wise is viewed as the mastery of the art of living in accordance with God’s expectations. There are many standards by which one can live by, the wise confines themselves to what they believe God would want. This confinement is a process attained through constant commitment one decision at a time. Decisions have their way of arranging life into the image of God. The wise have acquired the skill to find these decisions and make them over and over again.
Aside from God there is no other who is wise. God has made a way for people to receive of His wisdom. The commandments are God’s provision for wisdom, any soul aspiring to be wise must aspire for God’s commandments. Those that live by and from God’s commands are considered to be wise.
Proverbs gives us one of the facts about the ability that exist with the wise heart. The wise heart has receptive power toward God’s commands. This means they have the ability to reach out, take hold of the command and bring it back in as their own. In this are three critical acts:
•the ability to reach out which signifies that the heart recognizes the command and sees it as desirable. Some hearts have difficulty recognizing God’s command and those that do recognize don’t always follow.
•the ability to take hold of the command which signifies the heart has knowledge of the command and knows what is expected. Many persons can read the Bible or hear a sermon that imparts knowledge of God’s commands but the not only hears what is said they hear exactly what is required of them.
•the ability is to bring it back to own it which signifies that the command is acceptable, they are willing to change for the command and the command is given free reign. Many persons accept the command of God but don’t accept it as being personal to their life.
The wise in heart by receiving the commandment encompasses all of these critical issues. In fact the wise heart is built to function according to god commands and lives in accordance to the demands imposed.
Proverbs 10:8
Wise is viewed as the mastery of the art of living in accordance with God’s expectations. There are many standards by which one can live by, the wise confines themselves to what they believe God would want. This confinement is a process attained through constant commitment one decision at a time. Decisions have their way of arranging life into the image of God. The wise have acquired the skill to find these decisions and make them over and over again.
Aside from God there is no other who is wise. God has made a way for people to receive of His wisdom. The commandments are God’s provision for wisdom, any soul aspiring to be wise must aspire for God’s commandments. Those that live by and from God’s commands are considered to be wise.
Proverbs gives us one of the facts about the ability that exist with the wise heart. The wise heart has receptive power toward God’s commands. This means they have the ability to reach out, take hold of the command and bring it back in as their own. In this are three critical acts:
•the ability to reach out which signifies that the heart recognizes the command and sees it as desirable. Some hearts have difficulty recognizing God’s command and those that do recognize don’t always follow.
•the ability to take hold of the command which signifies the heart has knowledge of the command and knows what is expected. Many persons can read the Bible or hear a sermon that imparts knowledge of God’s commands but the not only hears what is said they hear exactly what is required of them.
•the ability is to bring it back to own it which signifies that the command is acceptable, they are willing to change for the command and the command is given free reign. Many persons accept the command of God but don’t accept it as being personal to their life.
The wise in heart by receiving the commandment encompasses all of these critical issues. In fact the wise heart is built to function according to god commands and lives in accordance to the demands imposed.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Call for Understanding Heart
10-23-09
Proverbs 8:1-5
Wisdom lifts up her voice and speaks. She positions herself in the places where her voice would be most outstanding. In lifting up her voice she speaks to men. She specifically wants the simple man and the foolish man to adopt understanding.
The simple means silly; that is one who is seducible. The simple is a man that can be attracted into a course of action that he knows is ill-advised and reckless. This man knows danger and would ordinarily stay away from it but he allows someone to direct him into recklessness. Wisdom speaks for this man to pay attention in order not to be directed by the seduction.
The fool is a stupid fellow. He is a dull person who lacks the intelligence and common sense. This man does not think clearly and he allows others to do the thinking for him. He does not absorb ideas so he is lead into beliefs that are not his. With someone else at his mental control this man is a danger to him self and will always be someone’s tool. Wisdom speaks for this man to have an understanding heart.
What is an understanding heart? It is a heart that discerns. It has the ability to mentally pick apart situations and absorb what is good or bad before the affects are felt. It can point out the differences that exist in what is similar.
There are a number of unique beneficial qualities in an understanding heart which include:
•empowerment with a skill to enquire. It knows what questions to ask, when to ask them and how to ask them. It is as though the heart was there when the situation was being planned and knows where all the loop holes are. It knows how to get to the source and the meat of the matter.
•ability to focus. It pays attention to the right and notices when wrong attempt to intervene. The ability to focus enables it to see behind the scenes.
•not restricted to age nor limited by experiences. The understanding heart relies upon the wisdom that transcends age restrictions and provides a way of escape out of every situation. The understanding heart has seen it all, been through it all and can deliver from it all. With an understanding heart the fools will be able to move beyond their folly.
Thank GOD for the word that calls us out and moves us to perfection.
Proverbs 8:1-5
Wisdom lifts up her voice and speaks. She positions herself in the places where her voice would be most outstanding. In lifting up her voice she speaks to men. She specifically wants the simple man and the foolish man to adopt understanding.
The simple means silly; that is one who is seducible. The simple is a man that can be attracted into a course of action that he knows is ill-advised and reckless. This man knows danger and would ordinarily stay away from it but he allows someone to direct him into recklessness. Wisdom speaks for this man to pay attention in order not to be directed by the seduction.
The fool is a stupid fellow. He is a dull person who lacks the intelligence and common sense. This man does not think clearly and he allows others to do the thinking for him. He does not absorb ideas so he is lead into beliefs that are not his. With someone else at his mental control this man is a danger to him self and will always be someone’s tool. Wisdom speaks for this man to have an understanding heart.
What is an understanding heart? It is a heart that discerns. It has the ability to mentally pick apart situations and absorb what is good or bad before the affects are felt. It can point out the differences that exist in what is similar.
There are a number of unique beneficial qualities in an understanding heart which include:
•empowerment with a skill to enquire. It knows what questions to ask, when to ask them and how to ask them. It is as though the heart was there when the situation was being planned and knows where all the loop holes are. It knows how to get to the source and the meat of the matter.
•ability to focus. It pays attention to the right and notices when wrong attempt to intervene. The ability to focus enables it to see behind the scenes.
•not restricted to age nor limited by experiences. The understanding heart relies upon the wisdom that transcends age restrictions and provides a way of escape out of every situation. The understanding heart has seen it all, been through it all and can deliver from it all. With an understanding heart the fools will be able to move beyond their folly.
Thank GOD for the word that calls us out and moves us to perfection.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Declining Heart
10-20-09
Proverbs 7:24-25
After uncovering the ways of an adulterous woman, Proverbs gives the application one must apply to avoid getting caught up in her ways. The application is extended not only to young men but to all men. It is not limited to males but it includes females, particularly those who admire her benefits and aspire to be like her.
The application Proverbs give is this, do not let the heart decline to her ways and do not go astray in her path. It is interesting to note that the heart has to take a decline in order to get caught up in her ways. The implication is that the heart is on the correct path and in order to get caught up with an adulterous woman the heart would have to deviate from it correctness. The correct path that the heart deviates from is not made clear in the passage, but what is clear is the wrongness of the ways of an adulterous woman and any path that leads to her and any action that comes from her should be avoided.
What is a declining heart? A declining heart is a heart that pulls an individual from their state of correctness. It causes the individual to move downward and become less than who they really are. As the heart declines there is a continual loss of strength and purpose. Among all forms of destruction the declining heart is among the worst because its source of corruption is found within. There is no one to blame. There is no other who can take responsibility except the one who has the heart. What ever the declining heart has is gradually lost. The progress made turns into digression. The standards it established are lowered. Instead of advancing and moving ahead it gets worse and becomes less.
Proverbs 7:24-25
After uncovering the ways of an adulterous woman, Proverbs gives the application one must apply to avoid getting caught up in her ways. The application is extended not only to young men but to all men. It is not limited to males but it includes females, particularly those who admire her benefits and aspire to be like her.
The application Proverbs give is this, do not let the heart decline to her ways and do not go astray in her path. It is interesting to note that the heart has to take a decline in order to get caught up in her ways. The implication is that the heart is on the correct path and in order to get caught up with an adulterous woman the heart would have to deviate from it correctness. The correct path that the heart deviates from is not made clear in the passage, but what is clear is the wrongness of the ways of an adulterous woman and any path that leads to her and any action that comes from her should be avoided.
What is a declining heart? A declining heart is a heart that pulls an individual from their state of correctness. It causes the individual to move downward and become less than who they really are. As the heart declines there is a continual loss of strength and purpose. Among all forms of destruction the declining heart is among the worst because its source of corruption is found within. There is no one to blame. There is no other who can take responsibility except the one who has the heart. What ever the declining heart has is gradually lost. The progress made turns into digression. The standards it established are lowered. Instead of advancing and moving ahead it gets worse and becomes less.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Man's Honor
09-03-09
Proverbs 5:7-13
Honor means splendor, majesty and authority. It is an imposing form and appearance. It has subtle qualities of superiority and position. The one who has honor invokes a sense of amazement and satisfaction in the minds of others.
Honor is a quality given to men, with it they are able to gain respect from those around them. A great challenge men have with honor is keeping it in tact. Many opposing forces exists which attempt to strip men of this God appointed grandeur.
The way a man presents himself speaks to the kind of honor he imposes. This presentation of himself is subjected to the opinions of the beholder who in turn respects him based on what is interpreted. When a man acts irresponsible he degrades the honor imbedded in him. Care must be taken to act with high levels of moral accountability. A man must be respectful in speech, modest in behavior and prompt with his time. When a man acts irresponsible he gives away his God given initiator that is designed to bestow honor upon him. Some things are not meant to be given away. A man’s honor is one of them.
Proverbs 5:7-13
Honor means splendor, majesty and authority. It is an imposing form and appearance. It has subtle qualities of superiority and position. The one who has honor invokes a sense of amazement and satisfaction in the minds of others.
Honor is a quality given to men, with it they are able to gain respect from those around them. A great challenge men have with honor is keeping it in tact. Many opposing forces exists which attempt to strip men of this God appointed grandeur.
The way a man presents himself speaks to the kind of honor he imposes. This presentation of himself is subjected to the opinions of the beholder who in turn respects him based on what is interpreted. When a man acts irresponsible he degrades the honor imbedded in him. Care must be taken to act with high levels of moral accountability. A man must be respectful in speech, modest in behavior and prompt with his time. When a man acts irresponsible he gives away his God given initiator that is designed to bestow honor upon him. Some things are not meant to be given away. A man’s honor is one of them.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
What the Heart Keeps
08-30-09
What the heart keeps dictate the outcomes of life.
If the heart keeps sadness, happy moments will be few.
If the heart keeps anger, peaceful moments will be few.
If the heart keeps grudges, friends will be few.
If the heart keeps pain, health will be few.
If the heart keeps traditions, innovations will be few.
If the heart keeps casually, commitments will be few.
If the heart keeps selfishly, unity will be few.
If the heart keeps procrastinating, advancements will be few.
The same principle is true if the hear keeps wisdom, foolishness will be few.
If the heart keeps understanding, confusion will be few.
If the heart keeps knowledge, ignorance will be few.
If the heart keeps life and success, death and failure will be few.
The heart is the safe that keeps our relationship with God secure.
The best place to preserve what is said is to keep it in the heart.
What the heart keeps dictate the outcomes of life.
If the heart keeps sadness, happy moments will be few.
If the heart keeps anger, peaceful moments will be few.
If the heart keeps grudges, friends will be few.
If the heart keeps pain, health will be few.
If the heart keeps traditions, innovations will be few.
If the heart keeps casually, commitments will be few.
If the heart keeps selfishly, unity will be few.
If the heart keeps procrastinating, advancements will be few.
The same principle is true if the hear keeps wisdom, foolishness will be few.
If the heart keeps understanding, confusion will be few.
If the heart keeps knowledge, ignorance will be few.
If the heart keeps life and success, death and failure will be few.
The heart is the safe that keeps our relationship with God secure.
The best place to preserve what is said is to keep it in the heart.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Heart as Keeper
08-3o-09
Proverbs 4:20-22
Proverbs is instructing the son to keep the words given to him in the midst of the heart. Keeping the words in the heart enables them to always be in his face. He would constantly have to deal with the words in every decision. The words would permeate his thought patterns and eventually dictate the behavior of his life.
Keeping involves dealing with the uncomfortable feelings caused by the presence of the words of Wisdom in the heart. Undoubtedly there are times when the words of Wisdom will conjure unpleasant feelings or cause what appears to be pleasant circumstance to be avoided. Removing the words of Wisdom from the midst of the heart is not an option. The unpleasant feelings must be endured. The result for doing so far outweighs the displeasure.
Although the words kept in the heart gives the impression of the son being responsible, the reality is quite the opposite. The words kept in the midst of the heart are intended to keep the son and lead him into the blessed life. The words of Wisdom kept in the heart over time will keep the son. By instructing on which path to take, by selectively limiting options, by dictating what must be done the words actually ward off situation and experiences designed to bring harm and misfortune. As the son keeps the words of Wisdom in the midst of the heart, the heart keeps the son.
The heart is an organ of transformation. It is the place where words gravitate into action and beliefs are solidified into attitudes. By keeping the words of Wisdom in the midst of the heart the son’s life is literally transformed into a healthy successful life.
Proverbs 4:20-22
Proverbs is instructing the son to keep the words given to him in the midst of the heart. Keeping the words in the heart enables them to always be in his face. He would constantly have to deal with the words in every decision. The words would permeate his thought patterns and eventually dictate the behavior of his life.
Keeping involves dealing with the uncomfortable feelings caused by the presence of the words of Wisdom in the heart. Undoubtedly there are times when the words of Wisdom will conjure unpleasant feelings or cause what appears to be pleasant circumstance to be avoided. Removing the words of Wisdom from the midst of the heart is not an option. The unpleasant feelings must be endured. The result for doing so far outweighs the displeasure.
Although the words kept in the heart gives the impression of the son being responsible, the reality is quite the opposite. The words kept in the midst of the heart are intended to keep the son and lead him into the blessed life. The words of Wisdom kept in the heart over time will keep the son. By instructing on which path to take, by selectively limiting options, by dictating what must be done the words actually ward off situation and experiences designed to bring harm and misfortune. As the son keeps the words of Wisdom in the midst of the heart, the heart keeps the son.
The heart is an organ of transformation. It is the place where words gravitate into action and beliefs are solidified into attitudes. By keeping the words of Wisdom in the midst of the heart the son’s life is literally transformed into a healthy successful life.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Retained in the Heart
08-27-09
Proverbs 4:1-4
Proverbs 4:1-4
The passage adopts the tone of a father who is genuinely concern for the well being of his children. He beckons his children into an understanding relationship and promises to give them good doctrine. The father also encourages his children retain his law.
To retain is to keep; that is to hold in position for an extended period. When the heart retains words it absorbs those words into the thought patterns. These thought patterns take control of the mind making the words apart of itself. As a result ownership is established and understanding increased. In this passage the heart is the retainer for the words of the father.
The heart has the ability to take what is said and turn it into a human characteristic (personify). By retaining words the heart not only keeps those words, it also take ownership and uses them at will. The heart as a retainer takes words and turns them into action. It takes thought and turns them into behaviors. It takes what is heard and turns it into what is seen. It takes the linguistic and turns them into an experience. The heart is a retainer.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
All the Heart Trust
08-26-09
Proverbs 3:5-6
Proverbs directs us to put all the heart in the Lord. No worries, no regrets only confidently resting in the Lord as the sole keeper. When all of the heart is submitted to the Lord confidence is at its best, doubt at its weakest and security is made strong to the point where it over powers our understanding.
Trust is an invitation to release apart or all of yourself; it is an exchange that enables you to receive what you do not have and it is an opportunity that helps you to be, do, go and look like what you ordinarily are not capable of being, doing, going and looking like.
The Lord has provided a way for us to excel beyond our capabilities and receive a God directed course in life. An ‘all the heart trust’ contains the essence of our worship, element of our service, the extent of our relationship, the potential of our power, the core of our character and the magnitude of our experiences. All we have left to ourselves from an ‘all the heart trust’ is acknowledgment of God. It is God that did it, made it, brought it, and kept it. It is all God and God alone.
With the heart as the mechanism with trust our lives transcend into an environment know only to God. While in that environment we gain experience that dissolves troubles, confuses understanding and at the same time releases a level of confidence that gives peace.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Proverbs directs us to put all the heart in the Lord. No worries, no regrets only confidently resting in the Lord as the sole keeper. When all of the heart is submitted to the Lord confidence is at its best, doubt at its weakest and security is made strong to the point where it over powers our understanding.
Trust is an invitation to release apart or all of yourself; it is an exchange that enables you to receive what you do not have and it is an opportunity that helps you to be, do, go and look like what you ordinarily are not capable of being, doing, going and looking like.
The Lord has provided a way for us to excel beyond our capabilities and receive a God directed course in life. An ‘all the heart trust’ contains the essence of our worship, element of our service, the extent of our relationship, the potential of our power, the core of our character and the magnitude of our experiences. All we have left to ourselves from an ‘all the heart trust’ is acknowledgment of God. It is God that did it, made it, brought it, and kept it. It is all God and God alone.
With the heart as the mechanism with trust our lives transcend into an environment know only to God. While in that environment we gain experience that dissolves troubles, confuses understanding and at the same time releases a level of confidence that gives peace.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Tattooed in the heart
08-23-09
Proverbs 3:3-4
Most people engrave their images on their flesh in the form of tattoo. Tattoos come in many different shapes, styles, colors and words. The artistic designs are found all over the body. If it is admired, really admired it is tattooed.
Proverbs call for us to write two behaviors in the heart, mercy and truth. Write implies more than keeping a record. It refers to the unchangeableness and binding nature of the Word of God. God said it, it is fixed and it will occur. As a result of the bind or tattooing, we will have what is pleasantly agreeable in the presence of God and man, and we will have good success.
God’s style of tattoo involves behaviors not images that are engraved in the heart and not the flesh. Beyond the cool fashion trend, God’s motive is to tie us to certain behaviors so that they become our habits for life. It is a matter of obligation that implies personal involvement beyond the rule of law.
By heightening the awareness of our relationship and setting a standard on how favor and success is obtained in heaven and on earth, Proverbs puts out a formula for success. Our relationships are more than mere interaction so how we exercise our rights, generate loyalty and release generosity is calculated toward success or failure, favor or foe.
Your first and most important tattoo should be in your heart.
Proverbs 3:3-4
Most people engrave their images on their flesh in the form of tattoo. Tattoos come in many different shapes, styles, colors and words. The artistic designs are found all over the body. If it is admired, really admired it is tattooed.
Proverbs call for us to write two behaviors in the heart, mercy and truth. Write implies more than keeping a record. It refers to the unchangeableness and binding nature of the Word of God. God said it, it is fixed and it will occur. As a result of the bind or tattooing, we will have what is pleasantly agreeable in the presence of God and man, and we will have good success.
God’s style of tattoo involves behaviors not images that are engraved in the heart and not the flesh. Beyond the cool fashion trend, God’s motive is to tie us to certain behaviors so that they become our habits for life. It is a matter of obligation that implies personal involvement beyond the rule of law.
By heightening the awareness of our relationship and setting a standard on how favor and success is obtained in heaven and on earth, Proverbs puts out a formula for success. Our relationships are more than mere interaction so how we exercise our rights, generate loyalty and release generosity is calculated toward success or failure, favor or foe.
Your first and most important tattoo should be in your heart.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Wisdom in the Heart
08-20-09
Wisdom speaks in various forms including that of a mother, father, friend and lover. In Proverbs 3:1-2, Wisdom presents herself as a mother directing her son to remember the laws she introduced to him. she also instructed him to let his heart protect the commandments. Wisdom has imparted her gifts in the form of laws and commandments and now she is urging her son on how to treat the gift he now has the responsibility to embody.
Length of days affords the son a duration of existence that covers great lengths of time and not shortened. Long life affords him a special quality of existence that’s beyond the average life. This sort of existence is an added benefit as a result of following the instruction. In addition to length of days and long life Wisdom adds peace that confirms itself through safety, health and wealth.
By ensuring the heart keeps Wisdom’s commandments the son is able to live with all of the promised benefits. The heart acts as the conduit that leads into the life of promised benefits. It is an agent of protection, promotion and wealth that’s reliable for safely securing life. The heart is also an agent with options in what it does holds or focuses on. Wisdom encourages her son into a good life by bringing his attention to his heart.
Wisdom speaks in various forms including that of a mother, father, friend and lover. In Proverbs 3:1-2, Wisdom presents herself as a mother directing her son to remember the laws she introduced to him. she also instructed him to let his heart protect the commandments. Wisdom has imparted her gifts in the form of laws and commandments and now she is urging her son on how to treat the gift he now has the responsibility to embody.
Length of days affords the son a duration of existence that covers great lengths of time and not shortened. Long life affords him a special quality of existence that’s beyond the average life. This sort of existence is an added benefit as a result of following the instruction. In addition to length of days and long life Wisdom adds peace that confirms itself through safety, health and wealth.
By ensuring the heart keeps Wisdom’s commandments the son is able to live with all of the promised benefits. The heart acts as the conduit that leads into the life of promised benefits. It is an agent of protection, promotion and wealth that’s reliable for safely securing life. The heart is also an agent with options in what it does holds or focuses on. Wisdom encourages her son into a good life by bringing his attention to his heart.
Quality of existence relates to the situations and discussions we deal with on a daily basis. E
Proverbs tells us that Wisdom adds to the length of days and increases the quality of existence. The level of peace is directly associated with the quality of life. Peace brings in welfare, health and safety. There is a sense of tranquility and wholeness with comfort and harmony. With peace there is prosperity in all aspects of life, that is health, wealth and relationships; ‘Shalom’. Life is a journey with vicissitudes.
Every day people are placed in situations and circumstances that facilitates their movement and challenges their quality of existence. Wisdom increases the quality of life and level of peace, regardless of the situation or circumstance. It stabilizes our mobility and neutralize the challenges to our quality of life.
Wisdom provides the stability people to carry them through trouble times.
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