Under Gods command

Under Gods Command
Proverbs 19:01 – Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse.

A blameless life is far more valuable than wealth, but most people don’t act as if they believe this. Afraid of not getting everything they want, they will pay any price to increase their wealth-cheating on their taxes, stealing from stores or employers, withholding tithes, refusing to give. But when we know and love God, we realize that a lower standard of living-or even poverty- is a small price to pay for personal integrity. Do your actions show that you sacrifice your integrity to increase your wealth? What changes do you need to make in order to get your priorities straight?

Under Gods Command

Psalm 90:12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Realizing that life is short helps us use the little time we have more wisely and for eternal good. Take time to number your days by asking. “What do I want to see happen in my life before I die? What small step could I take toward that purpose today?

Under Gods Command

Proverbs 11:29 – He who brings trouble on his family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise.

One of the greatest resources God gives us is the family. Families provide acceptance, encouragement, guidance, and counsel. Bringing trouble on your family, whether through anger or through an inflated desire for independence is foolish, because you cut yourself off from all they provide. In your family, strive for healing, communication, and understanding.

Under Gods Command

Joshua 5:11-12 The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain. The manna stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate of the produce of Canaan.

God supplied manna to the hungry Israelites during their 40 years in the desert (Exodus 16:14-31). In the plentiful Promised Land they no longer needed this daily food supply because the land was ready for planting and harvesting. God has miraculously provided food for the Israelites while they were in the desert; here he provided food from the land itself. Prayer is not an alternative to preparation, and faith is not a substitute for hard work. God can and does provide miraculously for his people as needed, but he also expects them to use their God given talents and resources to provide for themselves. If your prayers have gone unanswered, perhaps what you need is within your reach. Pray instead for the wisdom to see it and the energy and motivation to do it.

Under Gods Command

Joshua 5:1 Now when all the Amorites Kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite Kings along the coast heard how the LORD had dried up the Jordan before the Israelites until we had crossed over, their hearts melted and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites.

The Israelites spent 39 years in the desert unnecessarily because they were terrified of the Canaanites. They underestimated God’s ability. The Israelites first attempt to enter the Promised Land had failed. Here Israel saw that the Canaanites were terrified of their army. The Canaanites had heard about Israel’s great victories through God, and they hoped that the Jordan River would slow Israel down or discourage them from entering Canaan. But news that the Israelites had crossed the Jordan on dry land caused any courage the Canaanites still had to melt away.

Don’t underestimate God. If we are faithful to God, he will cause great opposition to disappear. God can change the attitudes of those who oppose him.

Under Gods Command
Proverbs 10:20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value.

Words from a good person are valuable (“choice silver”). A lot of poor advice is worth less than a little good advice. It is easy to get opinions from people who will tell us only what they think will please us, but such advice is not helpful. Instead we should look for those who will speak the truth, even when it hurts. Think about the people to whom you go for advice. What do you expect to hear from them?

Under Gods Command

Proverbs 25:28 – Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.

Even though city walls restricted the inhabitants’ movements, people were happy to have them. Without walls, they would have been vulnerable to attack by any passing group of marauders. Self-control limits us, to be sure, but it is necessary. An out of control life is open to all sorts of enemy attack. Think of self-control as a wall for defense and protection.

Under Gods Command

Ezekiel 36:30-32 – I will increase the fruit of the trees and the crops of the field, so that you will no longer suffer disgrace among the nations because of famine. Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves from your sins and detestable practices. I want you to know that I am not doing this for your sake, declares the Sovereign LORD. Be ashamed and disgraced for your conduct, O house of Israel.

God said his people should be ashamed of their sins. The people had become so callous that they had lost all sensitivity to sin. First they had to remember their sins, then despise them, and finally repent of them. As we examine our lives, we may find that we too have lost our sensitivity to certain sins. But if we measure ourselves against God’s standards of right living we will be ashamed. To regain sensitivity we must recognize our sin for what it is, feel sorry for displeasing God, and ask his forgiveness. The Holy Spirit will guide us, making us responsive and receptive to God’s truth.

Under Gods Command

Proverbs 22:15 – Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.

Young children often do foolish and dangerous things simply because they don’t understand the consequences. Wisdom and common sense are not transferred by just being a good example. The wisdom a child learns must be taught consciously. “The rod of discipline” stands for all forms of discipline or training. Just as God trains and corrects us to make us better, so parents must discipline their children to make them learn the difference between right and wrong.