Hi folks

This Sunday [1st April] in the Oasis after the High Kirk evening service we would love to see you all for tea/coffee and fellowship as we look back at 31 Proverbs!

This project could not have happened or been as encouraging to so many without your help – you wrote the blog posts and left the comments – be encouraged!

But, you may not be fully aware of just how much of a blessing 31 Proverbs has been……….come along on Sunday evening to hear how God’s word being read and discussed in community has impacted real people!

After the 6.30pm service – Sunday 1st April – High Kirk – we hope to see you there!

If you are a High Kirk regular you know where to find us – otherwise you can find info here

There are so many words of wisdom that I could have chosen for today’s blog post, from when to answer the foolish arguments of fools, to the danger of laziness, but I kept coming back to one very straightforward verse.

v20 tells us simply – ‘Fire goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.’

I think we’re all guilty of gossiping at times (whether that’s a little or a lot) in some way shape or form, so let’s not sit back and brush this off as just another ‘good verse’ that made us ‘think’. Gossiping can cause major hurt and divide, even within churches, and we need to stop doing it… there are no excuses!

The next time you have the opportunity to gossip, why don’t you try to be the first person to stop what could be a chain reaction of negativity.

Read the full chapter on Bible Gateway

“If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you”
Proverbs 25 v 21-22

In this day and age we find the general reaction to getting hurt or offended by someone to get some sort of revenge or say something nasty about them. We should instead pray about the situation we find ourselves in. Our approach should be to address the problem with the offender in private and not slander them.

This verse is repeated again in Romans 12 v 20 as the contrary to taking revenge. We are told in verse 19 that we should not get even with those who do wrong to us, that is for God to take care of. It is often said that we should always be the bigger person and walk away from a row or make peace with the person who has annoyed us. It is easy to say we forgive someone, but we must really mean it and be totally at peace with it, if we find that we are not we should pray about it so that God will help us to overcome.

Read the full chapter on Bible Gateway

V16  For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.

I’m sure you’ll have watched a hurdles race where one of the runners catches the top of a hurdle, trips and falls. He gets up again, takes a few strides and stumbles over the next one. Why? Because he’s lost his momentum.

God tells us here that, unlike the hurdler, when the righteous fall they will get up, and move on.
As Christians we aren’t promised a trouble free life. We will have times when we are let down by others, sickness, financial difficulties etc. We will be tripped up by life from time to time but I love how so often the Bible ends a verse with a positive. This one is no exception……’they rise again’!!
It’s encouraging to know that if you’re living for Jesus but are maybe in the middle of a trauma at the minute that you can and will rise again, because the Bible says so!

Read the full chapter on Bible Gateway

v4-5
“Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit.
In the blink of an eye wealth disappears…”

Society today assumes that having the latest iPad, new car or huge house will make us happy; that when we have these we’ll be content.
But the theme of this proverb, however, is a warning against a desire to become rich and materialistic in this world.

The point of Proverbs 23:4 is not that working hard or gaining wealth is wrong but that working in order to become rich with selfish motives is wrong. We as Christians should work first and foremost to glorify God – 1 Corinthians 10v31 “…whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

A life spent storing up treasures and wealth on earth is a wasted life.
Treasures on earth do not equate to everlasting happiness and will disappear “in the blink of an eye” but treasure in Heaven will never be destroyed and we have the hope that eternal life in Heaven will be greater than anything we can imagine here.

Read the full chapter on Bible Gateway

Proverbs 22 speaks about making the right choices – of a good name being better than riches. It goes on to say both rich and poor are alike in Gods eyes, he made them all. It compares wise and foolish and gives advice and also warns of the consequences of not following it.

Verse 6 tells us to teach our children the right way and when they are older they will remain on it. I feel if today more parents were to do this the world would be a better and safer place.
Verse 15 speaks about punishing our children, although child protection might not always agree on how this should be done.

We are told to trust in God and follow the wise advice given for our good and pass it on.

Read the full chapter on Bible Gateway

13 “Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor, will also cry out and not be answered.”

This verse stood out for me because recently in church we have been talking about praying for the needy and giving our time and money willingly.

This sentiment is followed on in verse 26: “the righteous give without sparing.”

30 “There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan, that can succeed against the LORD.”

I like this verse as I feel sometimes we can plan things for the future without considering that God may have a different plan for our lives, and ultimately his plan is the one that we should follow.

Read the full chapter on Bible Gateway