Proverbs 1:33--study among sisters in Christ

8/3/08
http://www.letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/proverbs.php?chapter=1

"What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth" (Ps 34:12-16).



ladies, this has been terrific! forgive me for not doing this last night, but it was so late i chose to do our sunday school homework over this. from here on out i will commit to doing 1 verse every other night instead of every night so that i can focus on my wednesday night notes, BEFORE wednesday night, and our sunday school readings. will see you in 2 days for chapter 2, verse 1.

Dear Lord, please keep my tongue from evil and my lips from speaking guile. Please help me to depart from evil, do good, seek and pursue peace. Please help me to apply these truths to my life every day. Thank You for this time that I have been able to study this first chapter in Proverbs with my sisters in Christ. Please help us continue to make time for You, forgoing t.v., secular reading material, and other such activities that take our focus off of You. We want You to come first in our lives, we want You to become a habit in our lives, we want You to be the center of our lives. Please help us tomorrow, and every day that You give us. Amen

Proverbs 1:32--study among sisters in Christ

8/1/08
http://www.letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/proverbs.php?chapter=1

i was in the car about 6 hours today, and had the opportunity to listen to a little bit of radio. the channel finally chosen, a christian station out of columbus (one that i didn't even know existed). in the course of about 4 hours of listening off and on i heard a range of theological beliefs, free will vs. predestination to name just one. todays proverbs verse talks about the destruction of the simple and the wealth of unjust gain. hearing several different theological positions on 1 station in the span of a few hours made me think of the simple and wisdom-less influences all around people every day, even professing christians. how many will be surprised when they are destroyed?

dear Lord, give me strength! give me the strength to put Your wisdom in to action. close my mouth, open my ears, move my body, submit my heart and mind, give me grace! fill my black sinful heart with Your powerful merciful love. break me each day. squash my pride. help me to let go and let You. Amen

Proverbs 1:31--study among sisters in Christ

7/31/08
http://www.letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/proverbs.php?chapter=1

Give God the glory! Tremble before His Word! Beg for His mercy!

wow! doesn't that just say it all? give God the glory (He will get it anyway), tremble before His word (if you aren't afraid you should be), beg for His mercy (you will be destroyed if you do not turn to Him and His son Jesus Christ).

dear heavenly Father, please help me remember each and every day to give You all the glory, tremble before Your word, and beg for Your mercy. i do not give You the glory you deserve and demand, i certainly do not take Your word seriously enough, and i always seem to be begging You for mercy and forgiveness. please protect my sisters in Christ as they walk with You. Amen

Proverbs 1:30--study among sisters in Christ

7/30/08
http://www.letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/proverbs.php?chapter=1

ladies, i really need your input. this isn't meant to make you feel guilty, just accountable. i know you are both busy and have heavy things going on in your lives. but, i feel the least qualified to be doing a study alone. i need you both, even if its a short note to say that you don't agree w/what i said, or to say what you got out of it. you don't need to write a book (as i sometimes do), just support me w/something. i respect both of you as sisters in Christ (and God knows you two are much more biblically smart than i). please, help a brother out (i mean a sister). stick with me in this, or i could slip out of the habit of doing it w/no one to keep me accountable. please? if you don't want to post on the blog, shoot me a quick e-mail. love you both! don't forget me :)

p.s. i know you both read the posts, of which i am glad. and i know you each read your verses and commentaries when you get time. i just need a teensy bit of response from you both so that i know we are keeping each other accountable.

dear heavenly Father, i beg You to help me understand Your truth and accept Your wisdom. i do not want to perish at the hands of evil. i want to glorify You in everything i do. please keep me humble this week. please give my sisters in Christ a tiny bit of time each day to help affirm each other. Amen

Proverbs 1:29--study among sisters in Christ

7/29/08
http://www.letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/proverbs.php?chapter=1

how many times a day do i give "lip service" instead of "acts of service" to God. how many times? how many times is He going to continue to let me do it w/o repercussion. what kind if repercussion am i currently facing? a disobedient child, a less than Christ-like marriage, barely living pay check to pay check. how many more times will He allow me to ignore Him?

dear heavenly Father, PLEASE don't allow me to ignore You ever again! please open my eyes and my ears and my heart to You. please help me to be humble tomorrow. please continue to comfort and lead my sisters in Christ in their daily lives as they walk with You. Amen

Proverbs 1:28--study among sisters in Christ

7/28/08
http://www.letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/proverbs.php?chapter=1

humble? not a word you will find in my dictionary, until now. being humble and being prideful don't go together. i need to be a lot more humble and a lot less prideful. this verse sounds a lot like the verse found somewhere else in the bible that says something like, "...and some said Lord Lord Lord, but didn't i evangelize for you? and I will say I never knew you." Lady wisdom calls, but so many never answer, and so many don't answer often enough.

dear Lord, please humble me tomorrow. please protect and guide my sisters in Christ. Amen

Proverbs 1:27--study among sisters in Christ

7/27/08
http://www.letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/proverbs.php?chapter=1

for starters, there were a couple of comments on the commentary that struck me wrong. first, "It (wisdom) clearly grasps & does those things that please God & men." i think that statement should have ended at God. second, "Getting wisdom, to obtain the benefits (success and happiness), should be the most important goal in your life." i don't think that obtaining the benefits mentioned should be your number one goal, i think it should be to live a Godly sinless life to glorify Him. success and happiness would be secondary benefits.

fear, destruction, distress, and anguish........oh how i have lived all of those at one time or another, sometimes all at once. woe is me when i know that judgement awaits each time i take my eyes off of the cross! what a sinful sad-full failure i am each time i sin against my husband and prefer to feel hostile & angry and "right" and "vindicated" and "righteous" instead of broken and repentant and sorrowful and happy & content w/God as my perfect husband. what a mess. what a joke. what a life. what a sinner. what a miraculous God i have that is so full of grace to forgive me my trespasses and give me another day to glorify Him.

dear heavenly Father, please forgive me my trespasses against You and help me forgive others who have trespassed against me. help me see Your glory. help me hear Your wisdom & truth. help me.... again i ask that You comfort & keep my sisters in Christ. please help us help each other by being supportive through Your holy word. --it is true

Proverbs 1:26--study among sisters i Christ

7/26/08
http://www.letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/proverbs.php?chapter=1

"Lord, what will You have me do?" it seems like such a generic question. You just tell me, and don't worry, i'll do it! riiiggght! because we love Him and serve Him to the inth degree! our hearts are programmed to bend over backwards! NOT! we are wired to reject Him, serve ourselves, and not even begin to understand the magnitude of that question. if we could imagine the magnitude, we would RUN the other way. i can only imagine what it would be like to have a transformation like Isaiah. that question would not be generic, but would be real, heart-felt, believed, lived and died by. wisdom granted by God. what more could you ask for?

Lord, i ask for Your wisdom, discernment, and the courage to ask that question with the hope that You will answer in all Your glory. please do the same for my beloved sisters in Christ.

Proverbs 1:25--study among sisters in Christ

7/25/08
http://www.letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/proverbs.php?chapter=1

wow! there were a few shots in that commentary: jimmy dobson and a purpose driven life to name a couple.

altho i am very aware of my sin, sinful nature, black heart, and unrepentant life, i would have to say that no one can live up to what is expected of them from God. this chapter in proverbs has been very telling and expelling and trying and agonizing. it tells of God's offer of wisdom, it tries to expel any thoughts you might have that you can gain wisdom on your own without Him opening your eyes to it, it tries to get you to see the error in your ways and the doom & despair that gladly await you as you trot down a sinful path, and it causes you to agonize over your sin-filled life and your unworthiness to have grace bestowed upon you. without God, we are nothing, and we will never be anything other than doomed. with God, we will be given wisdom to turn away from sin and sinners. oh what a Holy, Holy, Holy God i serve.

dear heavenly Father, please help me glorify You in everything that i do. please help me serve You better. please help me..... please continue to grant Your glorious wisdom to my sisters in Christ so that they too may serve You better. please give all 3 of us servants hearts. --it is true

Proverbs 1:24--study among sisters in Christ

7/24/08
http://www.letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/proverbs.php?chapter=1

how have i used today? well, for starters, i forgot to tell my husband we were boycotting mcdonalds. so, on the way to his softball game, he picked up mcdonalds for the whole family. (don't tell corporate!) i planned to take the kids to the library for story time until i found out we had a check deposit problem at the bank i needed to go take care of. so while i was fixing our breakfast, i was a little rattled about the bank problem, so i neglected to pray at breakfast (which we do religiously, no pun intended). i CHOSE not to pray because i felt i was to distracted to say a prayer that i would pay attention to and mean. i felt guilty at the time. it wasn't until much later in the day, as i didn't pray at lunch (because i was helping a friend bake and trying to feed austin at the same time and grab a bite for myself at the same time), that i reflected on why i didn't pray in the morning and how i could have glorified Him and calmed my rattled nerves had i just chosen Him instead of not. obviously this is just a tincy example of the extraordinarily large sinner that i am. obviously my devoting this time every night to this study isn't enough. obviously He deserves more than 1% of my time. obviously i am a big fat sinner with a HUGE need for grace from the One and only that can give it!

dear Lord, its me, AGAIN! here i am, AGAIN, begging for your forgiveness. AGAIN asking You for another day to do a better job at glorifying You. please continue to be with my sisters in Christ as they both have a lot on their plates right now. i ask that You lead them and comfort them in a way that only You can. Amen

Proverbs 1:23--study among sisters in Christ

7/23/08
http://www.letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/proverbs.php?chapter=1

i think the commentary on this verse speaks to what karen was talking about in her e-mail on the last verse. i couldn't help but invision the pic karen & mom thought was so funny of Jesus knocking on a door waiting to be let in while he weeped. i know this commentary didn't mean it that way, but couldn't help the visual.

i wonder what i am waiting for? why am i waiting to turn, or at the very least turn more sharply....kinda like i do when i'm driving...but i digress. how many more times do i need my calamaties laughed at? how many more times do i need my fears mocked? how many more times.....

dear heavenly Father, i ask you to open my mind and heart to Your Truth & Wisdom. i do not want to continue down the same destructive paths. i want You to open my eyes, i want to hear Your reproof, i want to act on wisdom as You have taught it. please forgive my ever-sinning heart that chooses to turn away from You instead of towards You. please bless my sisters in Christ as they seek Your will for their lives. Amen

Proverbs 1:22--study among sisters in Christ

7/22/08
http://www.letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/proverbs.php?chapter=1

matt decided he was a simple, scornful, fool. i'm glad i'm just simple (specifically the part about prefering that others do the studying), with a little dab of scornful and fool. better start praying now!

dear heavenly Father, please grant me the wisdom i need but do not deserve. Amen

Proverbs 1:21--study among sisters in Christ

7/21/08
http://www.letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/proverbs.php?chapter=1

what "noises" or "business" do i need to stop in order to listen for God's Truth? noises: my mouth running most of the time, the t.v., the radio, business: obsession w/money & bills, obsession with wanting others to be careful when i have cleaned (notice i didn't say obsession w/cleaning!), any activity that comes before or in place of God

dear Lord, i humbly ask You to make Yourself the number one noise and business in my life each and every day. please bless my sisters in Christ today, tonight, and tomorrow--if You so graciously grant us another. Amen

Proverbs 1:20--study among sisters in Christ

7/20/08
www.letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/proverbs.php?chapter=1

i must need a hearing aid, or at the very least a hearing test. i almost never hear Lady Wisdom, and when i do it is usually to late. however, i hear her very well as she mocks at my calamities!

i really thought that in the past 3 weeks that we have been doing this (wow, i can't believe its been that long!) i was making some progress in my efforts to utilize some of my new found wisdom in my relationship w/my husband. i didn't verbalize that to him, but he made it very clear tonight that, apparently, i am still as deaf, dumb, and stupid as i always was. so, i need to be praying more, reading my bible more, listening for His truths better, and avoiding foolishness and sin. i would like to commit to memory/action that God is the perfect husband and He is making His perfect wife.

dear heavenly Father, here i am again, humbled again. i was thinking to often of how good i was doing when i didn't do something wrong, that i was missing the things i was doing wrong. again i ask for Your forgiveness and grace. again i ask that You help me 1st w/my relationship with You, and 2nd w/my relationship w/matt. i look forward to reaping the benefits: being a Godly mother, being a servant of the gospel, and glorifying You. Amen

Proverbs 1;1--study among sisters in Christ

7/1/08
www.letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/proverbs.php?chapter=1

i am convicted because what i read basically screamed "sinner!" i don't listen or look or search for Gods knowledge, and i let sin not just creep in but stampede in way to often.

Proverbs 1:3--study among sisters in Christ

7/3/08
www.letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/proverbs.php?chapter=1

this is what i have to say to that: i am not wise, i am glad God doesn't enact justice on me, i am not looking forward to His judgement (which will go something like this: "You chose to continually follow satan even when i opened your eyes. How wise was that? What type of justice do you deserve? Are you ready for your judgement? Should all others be treated the same as I am about to treat you?"), and i am glad he doesn't treat us all equally here on earth.

oh my dear dear Heavenly Father, how i have failed You today in so many ways i can't even count them. why do i chose satan over you repeatedly? why do i follow the black desires of my heart instead of the glorious lighted path You have set before me? will i ever break the sinful cycle long enough to enjoy You? i am not guaranteed tomorrow, but each night as i lay in bed and say my prayers, i quietly hope i will get another chance, knowing full well i am going to fail You again. by the Grace of God the cycle will begin to crumble. thank you for my sisters in Christ who will be praying for me as i will pray for them.

Proverbs 1:2--study among sisters in Christ

7/2/08
www.letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/proverbs.php?chapter=1

TEACH ME O LORD! i will try to be a student sponge.

Proverbs 1:4--study among sisters in Christ

7/4/08
www.letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/proverbs.php?chapter=1

that was a great verse! it doesn't pertain to me, just matt :) i can't WAIT until tomorrow to tell him how wrong he was at telling me proverbs was to difficult for austin when this very verse tells him to teach his children the proverbs. i love being vindicated, and matt is SO good about agreeing w/my vast knowledge of everything that he will be very apologetic and complacent.

don't worry, i'm back from lala land. yes i have actually been reading the bible chapter and a new verse commentary these past 4 days. as much as my pride prefers to run my life, i am praying it dormant. hasn't worked yet, but God will be on His throne during this and He will get the glory He desires, and i will be made submissive.

love to you both my dear dear sisters in Christ

p.s. praying for good health in stevens house!

Proverbs 1:5--study among sisters in Christ

7/5/08
www.letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/proverbs.php?chapter=1

can someone refer me to a surgeon willing to remove 1 of my 2 mouths and uncover my 2nd missing ear.....cheaply of course, on a tight budget here. :)

dear Heavenly Father, i beg You to give me dumbo-like ears and a mouse-like mouth. i am so wisdom-less and so in need of wisdom-more. i am slowly slipping out of that age when i can claim youth as the excuse for my stupidity, and yet i am sprinting into the age when i should have learned some wisdom by now. and yet, i have not. please help me this coming week with a new mouse sized mouth and dumbo-sized ears that are worthy of hearing Your Word and Truth. again i thank you for my sisters in Christ!
Amen!!!!

Proverbs 1:6--study among sisters in Christ

7/6/08
www.letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/proverbs.php?chapter=1

ok, ready set GO! bring it on! load me up with all the mysteries of proverbs. challenge me! make me think and dig and pray and investigate and desire and pray some more!!

who was that? was that me? begging for a thinking challenge? i would like to say "i think not", but that would defeat the purpose of this verse :)

dear Lord, You of all people know that i am a lazy thinker. i am a product of mtv, dick & jane books, and cliff notes. i have convinced myself for years that i am not smart naturally, so there is no hope. i have discovered this evening that not only was i intentionally born this way, but it will be only through Your Grace that i can claim any rights to any smarts. and if i can claim the rights to even an ounce of Biblical smarts, i will consider myself far smarter & wiser than i would have ever thought possible. thank you for the opportunity to learn from Your Word and be accountable to my dear loving sisters in Christ....amen