Bless A Friend Today!

Hello all!
It's good to be here with you today...

My bold print today is verse 9, NLTse:

Proverbs 27:9
"The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense."

Do you have a good friend? A best friend? How do you feel when you see them or talk on the phone? Isn't it refreshing? I think part of it is because this is someone that you know well and they know YOU well and so you can relax around them. That is what today's bold print said to me initially: "that a words of a good friend are very refreshing" (see Message version).

This also caused me to think about something else today because last night my wife and I went to a home-going service (funeral). The woman who died had lived a very rich life; she was a blessing to so many along her life's journey. As people came up to pay tribute to her and her life; I wondered how many of them had said the nice things they were saying now - to the person back when they were alive!!???

Then today I read this verse and I am reminded that everyday I want to say something good to my friends; to say something "refreshing". I know I don't do it enough and I want to make it a habit and do it more...! WILL YOU JOIN ME?

Starting today; I am going to intentionally say something good, complimentary and refreshing to at least 3 friends. I am going to do this based on my knowledge of them. If I don't know them well, then I am going to get to know them better so I can say something good to them!! I challenge you to do the same...

Make wise choices today & bless someone today by saying something good & refreshing to them or just thank them for bring your friend!!

Pray For Your Leaders

Good morning, folks!

Today's bold print is simple. I am challenging each of you to pray for your leaders ALL day. Well, at least 4 times today, Ok? They are under a lot of pressure and have difficult decisions to make these days. We really don't understand all that goes on in their minds, but we can pray for them!!!

Proverbs 25:3 (NLTse)
No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth, or all that goes on in the king's mind!

Make wise choices today - pray for our leaders!! Pastors, governors, congressmen, bosses, etc....

Teach Others

Hello wise learners!
How are you? I pray all is well...(sounds like a Star Wars line...)

I am excited about getting into Proverbs today!! My bold print is verse 5, in the NLTse:

Proverbs 24:5
The wise are mightier than the strong, and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger.

Throughout Proverbs it is stated repeatedly that: "if you correct a wise man he will grow wiser" (Coach paraphrase). WE (the wise) learn from our mistakes and it makes us wiser; smarter!! In addition, because we have found a mentor to study and consult, we learn from their victories as well as THEIR mistakes too, don't we?? "I don't have time to make all the mistakes so I learn from the mistakes of others. ~ AR Bernard (great quote)

In an earlier post, we talked about Proverbs 2, where it speaks about the "treasure of common sense that God grants"!! When we tap into that "treasure chest" we are equipped to be wise and make right choices. But, the increasing in strength is not just for US... I believe that we grow wiser and stronger to benefit others.

Just as you have chosen a mentor and allowed him or her to speak into your life; someone is looking to YOU to mentor them (or they are just silently watching you)! They want you to teach THEM how to be wise!! Let's face it folks; you cannot mentor others if you are not growing stronger yourself everyday!!

Make wise choices today -- be mightier than the strong and as you grow stronger...teach others to be strong too!!

Commit To Learning

Good morning all!
Did you have a good weekend? I had an awesome weekend! Great word delivered in church and spent time with my lovely wife!!

You know where we are today: chapter 23, my bold print is verse 12, in the NLTse

12 Commit yourself to instruction; listen carefully to words of knowledge.

I am enjoying the study of Proverbs with you!! I have been learning some much during our time together. what about you?? Today's bold print encourages us "commit to instruction (or learning) and to listen carefully to words of knowledge." Commit means "to pledge oneself with a promise to do." So this means we pledge to learn godly instruction and listen carefully to words of knowledge!! Everyday...making it a habit. (Search this blog and you will find a post where we taking aboutstudy a habit.)

The thing I am pointing out today is to commit to your Proverbs-a-day study --- everyday!! Listen carefully to words of knowledge and apply them to your lives. When you study Proverbs you should have a pen & paper, computer or laptop, OR a PDA so you can write down your bold print and have a system so that you constantly review it. "Truth unrehearsed is soon forgotten." ~ AR Bernard. Commit yourself to learning...

No games, no attempt at motivating you other than to say: you have put it off long enough -- its time to commit!! Let's learn to be as wise as we can be!!

Make wise choices today...commit yourself to the godly instruction in Proverbs!!

Listen To The Wise!!

Good Morning!
I pray all is well! It is a pleasure to see you again!!

You know what time it - so let's get going...Proverbs 19, verse 20 in the MSG version today:

20 (MSG) Take good counsel and accept correction — that's the way to live wisely and well.

We have discussed in several posts my mentors or I have been encouraging you to pick some mentors to study. It doesn't have to be someone that you know personally, you can study books about their lives, watch videos, talk to people who know them, etc. I have mentioned this because it is one of the things that has changed my life dramatically. When you choose a mentor or mentors, and study their lives, you have also given them permission to "pour and SPEAK into your life". What they say matters to you!!! My mentors have been kind of rough on me sometimes because I am a major construction project...LOL!

This study of Proverbs with you has allowed the Lord and Solomon to speak into my life and has reminded me about controlling my mouth. Reading about the life of Coach K (pictured in the right column of my blog) has taught me about becoming the type of leader your team needs every season. "You just can't stay a static leader you have to change and grow to meet your teams needs."

I say all this to echo what verse 20 is saying to us today: to take (listen) to good advice and counsel. Look for it, find it , and study it!!! Let wise people speak into your life either directly ("live") or remotely through books and videos. Finally, remember the greatest advisers and counselors of all: Jesus and the Holy Spirit. One of my mentors has been recommending the study of the life of Jesus and how HE led his disciples if you want to be a great leader!!! One of the Holy Spirit's jobs is to remind us what we read and learn...(John 16)

I have seen many quotes that state that "great leaders are lifelong learners". If you want to live a wise life and influence others to do the same, get and listen to good counsel and accept instruction (correction)...

Make wise choices today and find wise counselors!

Listen Before You Speak

Goooooood morning folks!
How are you this morning? I hope you went to bed early, slept well, and started your day off well...

Today we are in chapter 18, and my bold print is verse 13 in the NLTse:

13 (NLTse) Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.

This verse relates to yesterday's post regarding using our words with wisdom and understanding - we talked about listening more. Well, verse 13 picks up from yesterday and instructs us to listen before we speak.

Have you ever misjudged a situation? (I have) There are many reasons for misjudging something, but it has most often happened to me because I assumed ("assumption is the lowest form of knowledge") I knew what someone was going to say or what they were going to do. I did not have all the facts and as a result made a wrong decision. "Spouting off at the mouth" usually followed - which was based on my assumptions...then what happens? As in yesterday's post, someone's feelings got hurt, something dumb was said making ME look dumber; and all the people standing there just shook their heads!!

"YOU CANNOT make the right decision WITHOUT all the information". This is a great quote from one of my mentors, AR Bernard. When I follow it, it has helped me avoid making bad decisions or "spouting off at the mouth". Speaking before you know all the facts is "both shameful & foolish"!!

Listen carefully before you speak!! Can't say it any plainer than that, folks!!!

Make wise decisions and listen today!!

Stay in Control!!

Hello again!
Friends: I apologize for being "MIA" - there were several logistical and technical difficulties that occurred recently and prevented me from studying with you!! I missed you guys ALOT!!! I am sure that you did your own personal study; but I just really missed our studying together!!! It's good to be back...

We are looking at Proverbs 17 today and my bold print is verse 27, NLTse:

27 A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.

I won't ask how many of you have "opened mouth and inserted foot" before. I know all your hands would be raised!! We have all been there, right? Then afterwards; we beat ourselves up wishing we had kept our "big trap" shut! Verse 27 offers us some insight regarding why this happens and how to prevent it...

What usually precedes our opening "big trap yappin'" incident? There is usually some kind of conversation going on that we are a part of or overhear, but we don't just listen do we? We wait for any opportunity to open our "big yap" and without thinking we say something; ANYTHING!! We don't think before speaking we just SAY IT! Then comes the guilt and dread because we have hurt someone's feelings, or said something really dumb that makes us look dumber; or the worst scenario is that everyone there just looks at each other and shakes their heads!!! Ever been there? I have --- TOO many times!!

Verse 27 tells us that a truly wise person uses few words & remains calm. He or she is in control of their mouth and emotions; keeping their mouth SHUT! A truly wise person THINKS before he speaks and what comes out is a result of all the wisdom they have applied themselves to. In an earlier post, we discussed being that "go to person" that people come to for advice and counsel. When is the last time that you asked advice from someone who is always running their mouth and saying dumb things??? (Something to think about)

So, be wise today, control your emotions and use words with wisdom and restraint. Listen more than you speak; it shows wisdom and understanding. By the way: PEEK AT VERSE 28 NOW...

Make wise decisions today and use your words wisely!!!

Pay Attention To What You Hear!!

Good morning!
I trust you are doing well & making good choices!! Time to apply our hearts to wisdom...

We are in Proverbs 5:1-2, using the NLTse and the MSG versions:

1 (NLTse) My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel.
2 Then you will show discernment, and your lips will express what you've learned.

1 (MSG) Dear friend, pay close attention to this, my wisdom; listen very closely to the way I see it.
2 Then you'll acquire a taste for good sense; what I tell you will keep you out of trouble.

We have studied chapter 5 before and we know it talks about the immoral woman. In an earlier post we also said that the concept of the immoral woman can be interchanged with any thing(s) (sin) in our lives that tempt us. As instructed; we are to "stay away from her door" and not play with the sin!! Remember that?

Verses 1-2 bring us back to what I shared about how "hearing the word of God is essential" in our lives! When we pay attention to the wisdom found in Proverbs; and apply our hearts ("just do it") -- we will show discernment and the wisdom will be expressed in our lives!! Discernment is "the act or process of exhibiting keen insight and good judgment". I know I need more discernment in my life, folks!! What about you?? Well, its right here, if we pay attention & "hear"!!

The wisdom will be expressed by the way we live & this will affect others. Whether you know it or not, people watch YOU - everyday! At work, or at home there are people around you that just watch the way you live - many times never telling you they do! When wisdom is expressed in the things that you say and the way you live, it not only keeps YOU out of trouble - but it can influence others to make wise decisions too!! Wow!

Have a great day and "express some wisdom" today!!!

The Greatest "Economic Stimulus Plan"

Good Morning!!
It's good to see you again!! I hope you slept well and are ready to look into God's word - "the spiritual breakfast of Champions"

Today we are in Proverbs 3:9-10, in the NLTse

9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce

10 Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine

I am sure you don't need to be reminded that our economy is in trouble right now. I know I don't have to tell YOU that money is tighter than it has ever been!! I just was to remind you that: "you can't afford...NOT to tithe!!"

In our passage today, we are instructed to give God the best of what we produce. In the TLB; verse 9 says "to give God the first of our income". You might be thinking; with your eyebrows raised; "ummmm Coach - have you seen MY bills??" I understand, believe me I do...but look at the promise: "he will fill your barns with grain and your vats will overflow..." He will give us BACK more that we need!!!

Simply, it's not about the act of giving as much as it is about how you give! Earlier in this chapter (v. 5-6) we are told" not to be impressed with our OWN wisdom". We are to just trust in the Lord!!Then a few verses later we are instructed to give the Lord the best part of what we earn (make). When we give that tithe of 10% (find the verse where we are instructed to give that amount and tell me), it is about us obeying God's word and trusting that he will fill our barns and our vats will overflow.

God knows what we need and he is very capable of supplying it, no? What he is asking from us in this passage - the entire chapter - IS TO TRUST THE LORD! When you have a promise from someone to give the first part of your income and the return is more than you need to overflowing....well I think that is the best economic stimulus package ever offered!! The promise is made by someone who cannot lie (Hebrews 6:18)

I say it again: you can't afford NOT to tithe!! Honor your God...

Make wise choices today!

Make Wise Choices

Good morning all!
I missed you all very much last week! I had some technical difficulties and I'm glad to be back to study with you! My blog will undergo some cosmetic changes...I have some great "advisers" (Nelle Central & Kiki) and I am excited about it!!

OK, so let's get back to work...Proverbs 2, verses 11-13 in the NLTse and TLB (The Living Bible) versions:

11 (NLTse) Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.
12 Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose words are twisted.
13 These men turn from the right way to walk down dark paths.

11-13 (TLB) You will be given the sense to stay away from evil men who want you to be their partners in crime-men who turn from God's ways to walk down dark and evil paths

In verses 1-8 of Proverbs 2, we are taught about how God GRANTS wisdom and understanding and all we have to do is ask!! (we studied that in and earlier post). Today's passage talks about one specific area where we can apply wisdom --- in our CHOICES!! It speaks about evil men & women, but it can also applies to other evil (bad) things in our lives.

We have talked about those things in our lives that we are struggling and striving to overcome - the "okey-doke" stuff we always seems to fall for, remember? Well, our passage tells us that the wisdom that God GRANTS will advise us to stay away from those situations and/or people!! In the NIV, verse 11 says "discretion will preserve you". Let's look at the word discretion...

Discretion is another attribute of the word "prudent" (you know that word). It is defined as "wise conduct and management; especially in matters of self-control and propiety" Making responsible decisions".

We have to stop making excuses and start making wise choices! There are some things you have a hard time resisting? Do a "Joseph"...avoid it like he did Potiphar's wife (look up the story). We have to be wise; paying attention to where we are going, and making wise decisions regarding our path!! How many times have we done something dumb and then afterward say, "I KNEW I should have gone the other way...or done this instead of THAT?"

My friends, the wisdom that God grants will advise you of the wise choice before you make the dumb decision!!! We have to listen...so...."what kind of HEARER are YOU?"

Make the decision to make wise choices everyday - beginning with today!!!!! God grants wisdom - if we ask Him for it!!!

I love you guys!!