Don't Be A Fool! #GoodMorningGirls #Proverbs

A Fool

Proverbs 17

Good Morning Girls Bible Study

#Proverbs

http://womenlivingwell.org

Proverbs 17:7

Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

Proverbs 17:10

A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.

Proverbs 17:12

Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

Proverbs 17:16

Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?

Proverbs 17:21

He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.

Proverbs 17:24

Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

Proverbs 17:28

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

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Verse 17:10 stands out to me the most today

What is my response when someone calls me out on my sin?

How does a FOOL act when he is confronted with his sin?

What a great verse! There are times I really struggle when I am confronted with someone telling me I am in sin. It most hurts when it's from a close family member. The Bible tells me that a wise man will listen, consider, and make it right.

Lord, I pray that you would keep this verse in mind this week. Many times you use others to speak you word into my life. I pray that I will hear clearly and that I will repent and make things right. Thank you for the people you have put directly in my path and for the Holy Spirits guidance. In Jesus Name.

Amen

A Commandment-To Love

Graphics~ The path of life

Book of Proverbs Day 21 (November 21, 2013)

Blake picked vs 21

Present Suffering Future Glory

Sermon Notes

"Present Suffering Future Glory"

Pastor Mailoux

Date: 8/19/12

Opening Verse: Romans 8:18

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

3 Causes For Suffering

~ The world is in a state of decay

~The laws of physical universe

~Sin

Reasons For Suffering

Daniel 3:16-18, 24-30

1. Prime means of suffering is for the glory of God

(Do we run from suffering ?)

2. Discipline for known sin 

Hebrews 12:5-11

And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected [us], and we gave [them] reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

For they verily for a few days chastened [us] after their own pleasure; but he for [our] profit, that [we] might be partakers of his holiness.

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. 3. To Keep Us From Pride 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

4. To Build Faith

1 Peter 1:6-7 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

5. To Cause Spiritual Growth

Romans 5:3-5

And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

6. To Teach Us Contentment

Phil 4:11-13

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content.I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

7. Equip Us To Comfort Others

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Blessed [be] God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

8. To prove the reality that Christ is in us

2 Corinthians 4:7-11

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.[We are] troubled on every side, yet not distressed; [we are] perplexed, but not in despair;

Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

2 Timothy 1:12

For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Letting Go~ The Commitment Choice

Letting Go

I consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ's care and control.

Matthew 5:5

Matthew 11:28

Five Barriers To Commitment

1) Pride -Prov 18:12

2) Guilt- Ps 40:12, 1 John 1:9, Ps 32:5

3) Fear

4) Worry- Phil 1:6

5)Doubt- Mark 9:23-24

Four Steps of the Commitment Choice

1. I accept God's son as my Savior.

2. I accept God's Word as my standard.

3. I accept God's will as my strategy .

4. I accept God's POWER as my strength.

The commitment choice means you are making the decision to open the door of your heart to Jesus Christ.

Joy Through The Storms

The past few weeks have been a bit challenging.

I have begun to do some inventory of my life and the things I need to purge out in order for growth to happen. Also in the mist of working on this, there has been some trials that are weighing on me. It just seems more overwhelming then normal. The cloud just did not seem to be moving fast enough away from me.

The verses that have really been a comfort

Psalm 56:3

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

2 Tim 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

There have been many blessing in spite of the trials.

*New Friendships being built (Joy, Teri, Michelea, Tonya)

* Austen is making new friends and is now in a Bible study group on Tuesday evenings.

* Getting involved in my church

* Sweet fellowship with the Lord during my prayer time

The weather has been so beautiful here in Texas. I think today it is suppose to be in the 80's! We are getting ready for our Easter program for April 1st. Blake has a role in the play, so we have been practicing on music and his part that he plays.

Until Later,

Brandie

God Cares....

God Cares About My Situation

Psalm 103:13-14

Like as a father pitieth [his] children, [so] the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we [are] dust.

Jeremiah 31:3

The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, [saying], Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

God's love never fails. He loves us on our good days and our bad.

God's Love is unconditional.

Romans 5:8

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

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My thoughts

It has been a struggle the past few days and I need this lesson.

Guilt is eating me alive. But to know that when I confess my sin, he is faithful and just to forgive me of my sin! The new class I am taking on Monday nights is pretty intense. It is bringing up issues, I just really struggle with.

Next....

God can change me and my situation.

The Battle...Week 1

Romans 7: 15-21

For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that [it is] good Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

Matthew 5:3-10

Blessed [are] the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed [are] they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed [are] the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed [are] they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed [are] the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed [are] the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

How we play God..

We try to control our image by wearing masks, playing games, and hiding the truth about ourselves.

We try to control other people by manipulating each other through guilt or shame or praise or even through silence.

We try to control our problems by saying things like " I can handle it; it's not really a problem. I don't need any help. I can quit any time"

We try to control our pain by avoiding it, denying it, escaping it, medicating it, drowning it, or postponing it.

Consequences of Playing God

1) FEAR

2) FRUSTRATION

3) FATIGUE

4) FAILURE

Three Important facts of life

1) I am powerless to change my past

2) I am powerless to control other people

3) I am powerless to cope with my hurts, hang-ups, and habits

good intentions are not enough, willpower is not enough, we need another source of power... WE NEED GOD!

James 4:6

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Growing..A search through Ephesians

Ephesians 4:17-24

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness But ye have not so learned If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts And be renewed in the spirit of your mind And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

In this message so many things came to my mind. I do remember a time where I walked as the Gentiles and did what the world does. After I got saved I began to put on the NEW man....As I grew I was convicted about certain areas in my life that didn't match up to Gods Word. The struggle with sin was very difficult but I felt the Holy Spirit guiding me and convicting me to change old habits. The only way I was really going to learn how to walk uprightly was to read my Bible. I could trust that it was Gods Word and not mans. It was not about conforming to what the church believed or pleasing my fellow brothers and sister in Christ. I remember early on learning some very important life changing things from the Word of God.

The first thing God worked on was my marriage, then my parenting. It started with changing ME. There were such hard lessons in the first 3 years of my Salvation. But as I grew in the Lord and I walked in the light, there was that peace that is UNFORGETTABLE.

In this portion of scripture Paul is talking to the church, he was telling them that these things are going on amongst this church. There were those who were struggling with immorality. They had been making money off of it! So many in churches today think they can live behind the curtain of the "Christian".

But they are not fooling God. Paul gives us these examples in Scripture telling us to walk in the light. Gentiles walked in the vanity of their mind. We do not have to go back to old sin, we are a called out people, not to walk as the World does.

I just struggle and wonder why sometimes if we call ourselves Christians...why do we do some of the same things the world does? There were things in my life as a new Christian that I immediately put away.

To name a few...drinking, cussing, smoking. As I grew there were other areas God helped me get out of my life. I still struggle with sin as everyone does. I guess as long as I am growing, changing, transforming then God is pleased. We will always fight the flesh but the question is are we letting sin control us or are we dealing with it and asking for Gods help to get it out of our lives.

Do you think after years of Salvation and knowing the truth, we should be still known blatantly sinning?

Verse.....Thought ....Quote

Verse For Today......

1 Chronicles 28:20

And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do [it]: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, [even] my God, [will be] with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

Thought For The Day.......

Unlike God, people will disappoint you. They will let you down. They don't know how you feel sometimes or what's going through your head. They don't always know the right thing to say, or when to say the right thing. But if you have God, that's okay. Let people be people, there are things God can do that they can't. Humans aren't perfect, not even Christians. That's why God is so awesome. Because He is!

Written by Yuliya Kononova, age 17

Quote for the day....

The average person in the world today, without faith and without God and without hope, is engaged in a desperate personal search throughout his lifetime. He does not really know where he has been. He does not really know what he is doing here and now. He does not know where he is going. The sad commentary is that he is doing it all on borrowed time and borrowed money and borrowed strength; and he already knows that in the end he will surely die! Man, made more like God than any other creature, has become less like God than any other creature. Created to reflect the glory of God, he has retreated sullenly into his cave; reflecting only his own sinfulness. Certainly it is a tragedy above all tragedies in this world that man, made with a soul to worship and praise and sing to God's glory, now sulks silently in his cave.

A.W. Tozer

Sunday Reflections 6-12

Sunday Morning

Scriptures

Eph 5:15-18

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

God has a plan for each of us. We were created for a purpose in Him. We need to be wise, and seek out what the will of God is for our lives. Personally I ask God daily because I don't really know long term what his will is. However what really spoke to me is that God has a specific plan. He will use what we have been through, and even our mistakes if we allow him too. There were many trials in my life that I almost did not think I could bare! When I was in the mist of them the tunnel seemed so dark. I would have times where I would feel so alone and ashamed that these things were happening.

Is 64:8-9

But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.

Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people.

God will bring us to points in our lives to realize that without Him we can do nothing! He will break us, only to bring us out better then we started. In order for God to use us for his specific will, He must teach us. Much like a potter who has a lump of clay and molds that ugly lump of clay into a beautiful masterpiece.

( Our ways are Not His ways)Is 55:9

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

It is so difficult being humbled through those things. Life has many lessons and in those lessons we can not escape . Knowing that God is making and molding us for His perfect will gives me a peace that I will continue to fall, but as long as I seek God and try to obey His commandments He will guide and direct my life. He has the path already made out.....now it is up to me to live it. When I make mistakes God will allow a way for me to escape (if I seek His will not my own). He can even use those mistakes, even though it was NOT the perfect will of God, he can use them to help others.

Jeremiah 29:11-14

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Where Do You Find Contentment?

Are you looking for contentment in all the wrong places?

Often times we get stuck as Christians, we look at our life and think, but Lord this is not the way I envisioned my life to be? What does success mean to you? This is something I have really been pondering lately...NOW I don't mean success in the eyes of the 'World' but success that God will be pleased with. Our desires should be to please the Lord. But many times I will look at my circumstances or what I don't have and not be satisfied. How about you? May the Lord help us stay focused on godly contentment...that bring true peace and happiness!

Let's Look at What God has to say here:

1 Timothy 6:9-11

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Let's look at the word contentment....

1) a perfect condition of life in which no aid or support is needed
2) sufficiency of the necessities of life
3) a mind contented with its lot, contentment

1 Tim 6:6

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

The key here is godliness WITH contentment

"God may allow His servant to succeed when He has disciplined him to a point where he does not need to succeed to be happy. The man who is elated by success and is cast down by failure is still a carnal man. At best his fruit will have a worm in it."- A. W. Tozer

Thoughts For Today.... On Sin

A Wise And Happy Heart

Being willing to humbly and honestly acknowledge sin and turn from it makes us happy.

A Deceived Heart

Not being willing to acknowledge sin and turn from it.

Psalm 51:7-12

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Make me to hear joy and gladness; [that] the bones [which] thou hast broken may rejoice.
Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me [with thy] free spirit.

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Heart Attitude

According to the Bible, our speech is an accurate barometer of our heart attitude!

Our speech exposes our true character as much as it does our individual personality. It reveals who we are, what we think, what we really desire, and what we believe. We are known by such things as the kind of jokes we tell, what we like to talk about, what we say when we are angry, what we complain about, or what topics inspire our most animated conversations. God warns us " By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned" (Mat 12:37)
What a marvel that our own words are able to conemn us as hypocrites or justify (validate) us as true followers of Christ.

Read Luke 6:45

What is your speech like?

May we take heed to the scriptures and ask the Lord to identify an area we are failing at so that we can be more effective for Christ.

Forgiving Others Brings Joy

Practicing Biblical forgiveness is foundational to a peaceful marriage, home, and church life. The act of openly asking for forgiveness and graciously forgiving has the following effect.

*Keeps us humble and unselfish

*Promotes intimacy among family members

*Provides the right atmosphere for developing tolerance and understanding between family members.

*Promotes a loving, safe haven for growth and acceptance.

*Provides divine healing which is available in no other context

Mat 6:14-15

When Dreams Become Demands

Demands are anything we believe we must have in order to be happy and fulfilled. To say we prefer a good husband or wife is healthy. God prefers that too. However, we don't have to have an ideal spouse to be happy and we don't have to have an ideal spouse to enjoy a happy marriage. Couples who enjoy a lifetime marriage of joyful companionship do so in spite of
faults and failures. They are people who choose to overlook faults rather then find them.

The BIBLE tells us...........

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love (prov 17:9)

Hatred stirreth up strife; but love covereth all sins (prov 10:12)

Dear sister, may we realize how precious our marriage is and stop bickering and tearing our husbands apart. Do we realize what we have?

Today:

List 5 things you love about your husband, and then write him a note today telling him what you love about him.

Bible Reading~Hope In The Lord

Rev 21:4

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Psalm 16:9
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

Psalm 42:5
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and [why] art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him [for] the help of his countenance.

Psalm 42:11
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, [who is] the health of my countenance, and my God

Words To Live By~

The person who trusts in human strength is compared to that of a dead tumble weed, blowing aimlessly, in the dry and barren desert. The person who trusts in God is compared to green and flourishing tree planted by a river that produces lush growth even in times of drought.

How about you? Are you trusting in God, or are you trusting in your own power?

God's Word is clear
Jeremiah 17:5
[5] Thus saith the LORD; Cursed [be] the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
Verse 9
[9] The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Proverbs 28:26
[26] He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.


The human heart, that part of our being where we are who we really are, where we reason, where we form our beliefs and cherish our innermost desires....is prone to error and self-deception. Our hearts are still contaminated with the remnants of sin, no matter how disciplined or how transformed they are by the grace of God. The human heart is truly prone to wander, prone to believing what we prefer to believe, and prone to wanting our own way over God's. Our human heart is NOT to be trusted. Our own reasoning is not to be relied upon. Our emotions may very well deceive us.

~ Happily Married

Marriage..Winning Your Husband

1 Peter 3:1

In today's churches, many women have failed to win their husbands because they have tried to be evangelists instead of wives.

Reverencing a man changes him.

Help Meet~ Debi Pearl