Monday, December 12, 2011

Loving God's Way of Life includes...Discipline...Gleanings from Proverbs 12 :1-12

Often times when I hear the word discipline, there seems to be a little fear that arises from within, saying; "Uh-oh, what did I do now?"  
 I have come to realize over time this fear is based on how I received discipline (or correction) in the past. Here is what I know: it's all on how a person offers discipline. If it is given in a constructive way (which I think is the Godly way), it is a tremendous help. If someone offers correction by using some sort of degrading method, the results are harmful rather than helpful.
 It's kind of like the difference between feeling guilty and being convicted. I have found guilt never offers any hope, it just points out any wrong you have done and just leaves you there. Conviction will point out where you have "messed up", but then points and says, "Come on, here is the way you should go."
 Here are a few "mathematical" equations I think the Word of God makes abundantly clear:
    Love Knowledge = Accept Criticism
    Stupid People = Hate Criticism
    Constructive Criticism = Good Encouragement
   Degrading Criticism = Brings Discouragement

Here then are Gleanings from Proverbs 12: 1-12

 " If you love to learn, then you will also love discipline, it is an important part of learning.
To hate discipline is to show your ignorance and a "red flag" to others you are not one willing to learn.
 When you choose to live right, God favor is right there with you. Now, as for a man whose heart is set to devising evil schemes, the Lord is there as well...but it is not favor He has with Him...He is there to condemn the acts of "treason".
 Wickedness cannot offer stability, no matter how stable it may appear. As for the godly, they have deep roots in stability and you will find they can not be uprooted.
 A wife's character says alot about her...a woman of earnest and noble character is a crowning joy to her husband, but when a wife disgraces herself, she disgraces her husband as well. He will treat her like one treats a diagnosis for bone cancer.

 Those whose hearts are given to the Lord and are counted "Righteous" in His sight, they are just toward others and their thoughts are kind.
 Taking advice from one who is a Follower of Evil is both treacherous and deceitful.
Actually, the ill advice of a Follower of Evil is really a trap...and it can be very deadly at that. Their words are evil in themselves, and usually their advice hovers around one thought: the blood of the innocent.
 On the contrary, the advice of the godly rescues those in danger...especially the innocent! The Followers of Evil and their schemes end up falling apart, eventually all their plans die and they die with them, and you will find there was really nothing to them...just a "Disappearing Act", here today...gone tomorrow!

 Those who put their trust in the Lord...can not be moved! And this is what happens to one who trusts in Him: When a godly man speaks with wisdom on various subjects requiring direction and common sense, he will win the admiration of others.
 But for "airheads" and "pervs", they are simply despised. For a man who makes sense when he speaks, using God's Wisdom as the root of his thoughts, he gains the respect and honor from others, while the man who just blurts out stuff from "the top of his head", not knowing whether it is Your Wisdom or not (and what is really sad is people like this don't care), will have the notoriety of being stupid, or having a warped mind, or basically "written off" as an airhead.

 It is of much more value to stay humble and work for a living, rather than to make it look like you are really important and hide the fact you can't even "put food on the table".
 People who follow after kindness, even their animals will benefit of their tender-hearted ways. As for those who choose to follow after evil, their so-called "kind acts" are nothing more than some selfish motive that ends in another act of cruelty, and their own animals will testify to that.
 He who works and "stays with it" throughout the year will keep food and bread on the table, but those who simply chase their dreams without consulting with God and all His Wisdom, will look like one in a field with a long handle and net swinging to and fro trying to catch a butterfly that is out of reach. To a person like that, their "pursuit of dreams" is nothing more than brainless chase, "stupidity in action".
 Here then lies the real "catch" when you choose to be a follower of evil, actually robbing others of possessions that is rightfully theirs. The other fellows who have joined you in following evil...they will become jealous of your "loot", and want yours as well.
 As for the godly of the land, they receive their riches from the Great God Himself, no strings attached. The godly have "Armsful of Blessings", plenty to give to others, bearing much fruit in the land!

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