Words To Live By

"The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding, to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion-- A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel"
 
Proverbs 1:1-5 
 
 
One of my favorite pastors describes a Proverb as, "A pithy statement that packs a powerful punch." I have books full of poems and famous proverbs that I love to read from time to time as they make me think outside my little box of a brain. Here are some funny ones I was just reading. 
 
AN OLD FARMER'S ADVICE 
 
~ Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong. 
~ Life is simpler when you plow around the stump. 
~ A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor. 
~ Words that soak into your ears are whispered...not yelled. 
~ Meanness don't jes' happen overnight. 
~ Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads. 
~ Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you. 
~ It don't take a very big person to carry a grudge. 
~ You cannot unsay a cruel word. 
~ Every path has a few puddles. 
~ When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty. 
~ The best sermons are lived, not preached. 
~ Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna happen anyway. 
~ Don't judge folks by their relatives. 
~ Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer. 
~ Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time. 
~ Don't interfere with somethin' that ain't botherin' you none. 
~ If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'. 
~ Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got. 
~ The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with watches you from the mirror every mornin'. 
~ Always drink upstream from the herd. 
~ Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment. 
 
~ Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back in. 
~ If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' 
somebody else's dog around.
 
 
I can imagine sitting with this old farmer dressed much like Mr. Green Jeans would be complete with a long single blade of grass on tucked to one side of his mouth as he talks. It reminds me of sitting with King Solomon when I open up the pages of the book of Proverbs in my bible. I can easily imagine sitting with the man God considered to be the wisest of all human beings that ever walked the face of the earth. To think, loved one, and we have his wisdom contained on pages of a book for us to read, to help us navigate the maze of this life at our finger tips. 
 
Today I just want to encourage you to make reading the book of Proverbs a regular part of your knowledge diet, more so than any other newspaper or magazine you may subscribe too. In the book of Proverbs are timeless truths. They are just as powerful today as they were on the day they were penned for us. Here are just a few of my favorites. Be blessed today as you read them and ponder them like a wise farmer would. 
 
Proverbs 1:5, "A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel"
 
Proverbs 1:7, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction" 
 
Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths."
 
Proverbs 3:11-12, "My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction; For whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights."
 
Proverbs 6:16-19, These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren."
 
Proverbs 8:34-35, "Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the Lord"
 
Proverbs 10:12, "Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins."
 
Proverbs 11:22, "As a ring of gold in a swine's snout, so is a lovely woman who lacks discretion."
 
Proverbs 11:30, "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise."
 
Proverbs 12:4, "An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones."
 
Proverbs 12:15, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise."
 
Proverbs 13:12, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life."
 
Proverbs 13:24, "He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly."
 
Proverbs 14:12, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death."
 
Proverbs 14:34, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people."
 
Proverbs 15:1, "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."
 
Proverbs 16:3, "Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established."
 
Proverbs 17:9, "He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates friends."
Proverbs 17:17, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."
 
Proverbs 18:24, "A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
 
Proverbs 20:1, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise."
 
Proverbs 22:1, "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold."
 
Proverbs 22:29, "Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before unknown men."
 
Proverbs 26:20, "Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases"
 
Proverbs 27:17, "As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend" 
 
Proverbs 31:6, "Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to those who are bitter of heart."
 
Proverbs 31:10, "Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies."
 
Proverbs 31:30, "Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised."
 
 
There you have some of my favorite, just a sampling of the wealth of wisdom and knowledge which is yours and mine each time we eat and drink from the pages of Proverbs. Enjoy them today and may they make your paths straight! 
 
I LOVE YOU!