#Proverbs 16:20

[wordsoftheheartandsoul]

Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful.

Proverbs 16:20 NLT

[jesus-is-lord-and-savior]

Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

(Proverbs 16:20, ESV)

[martyschoenleber]

An Old Picture, the Same Passion

The picture on the right is 8 years old. The passion written on the wall off my left shoulder is still the passion of my heart. If your heart belongs to Christ, I hope your passion for His word continues to grow.  Bible scoffers are all around us. But those who love Jesus, know the wonder of His word. They know that there are no end to its depths. They know that lives built on the words of God…

[biblequotesdaily]

All things are full of toil; none can express it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.

Ecclesiastes 1:8

Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

Proverbs 27:20

For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.

1 John 2:16

Let him not trust in emptiness, deceiving himself, for emptiness will be his payment. It will be paid in full before his time, and his branch will not be green.

Job 15:31-32

Therefore, Ezra, empty things are for the empty and full things for the full.

2 Ezdras 7:25

Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

1 Timothy 6:18-19

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Notes

Worldly things will only give temporary satisfaction, then boredom and unfulfilment inevitably creeps in, so one has to search for new exciting things and novelties. It is an endless cycle. The pursuit of personal pleasure/money/status, which is what the Bible refers to as 'selfish ambition', can only provide temporary excitement that will fade. Lasting meaning, therefore, can only be found in good deeds, selfless love, and humility before God.

[bojackson54]

The Heart of the Matter is, Your. Heart. Matters.

What goes into your heart matters. What comes out of it matters, too. For people who didn’t have EKG’s, cardiologists, or heart hospitals, the ancient Hebrew people were pretty wise about matters of the heart. Solomon in particular seemed to have a deep understanding of the way the heart functions, and his Book of Proverbs is full of references to it. With all of our technology, do you think we…

[storytour-blog]

What Does a Bribe Look Like

Once, two men were to appear before an older judge over a matter concerning a lot of money. One of the men came the day before he was to appear in court and asked the judge to help him. As he spoke, he laid five hundred silver coins on the table. The old judge took the money and told the man to come back the next day. That evening the old judge asked that a big dinner be served. He called…

[touchofgoddotworld]

The Power of Fasting and Prayer (Pt.1) (273) - November 23 2024

Choose your Podcast App to Play this episode This week we are talking about overcoming, through the power of doing the Lord’s fast and praying. We will discuss the benefits of fasting. The Lord’s FastIsaiah 58 verse 5 – Amplified Classic Version – 5 Is such a fast as yours what I have chosen, a day for a man to humble himself with sorrow in his soul? [Is true fasting merely mechanical?] Is it…

[annasanthology]

20 reasons to read your Bible:

To grow in Christ (2 Peter 3:18)

To learn wisdom (Proverbs 4:5)

To be equipped (2 Timothy 3:17)

To teach others (Colossians 3:16)

To know God's will (Romans 12:2)

To find comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3)

To give praise to God (Psalm 56:4)

To hope in His promises (Titus 1:2)

To walk in His ways (Psalm 119:105)

To be sanctified in truth (John 17:17)

To turn away from sin (Psalm 119:11)

To love all the more (Philippians 1:9)

To receive instruction (Romans 15:4)

To listen to correction (2 Timothy 4:2)

To pray more effectively (Matthew 6:9)

To remember the gospel (2 Timothy 2:8)

To remain disciplined (1 Corinthians 9:27)

To look forward to heaven (Colossians 3:1)

To have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5)

To keep your eyes upon Jesus (Hebrews 12:2)

[greater-than-the-sword]

Proverbs and the Internet

Here is my hand-picked selection of proverbs that I felt had special applicability to life on the internet, and their application. Under the cut.

Proverbs 12:16

New International Version

16 Fools show their annoyance at once,

    but the prudent overlook an insult.

Proverbs 15:18

English Standard Version

Proverbs 16:32

18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,

    but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.

English Standard Version

Application: A lot of times if you simply don’t react, or don’t give people the dramatic reaction they are looking for, you can prevent a fight. Don’t be too easily goaded. You can end a lot of things by not being too easily goaded.

32 Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,

    and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

___

Proverbs 3:30

New International Version

Proverbs 16:28 ESV

30 Do not accuse anyone for no reason—

    when they have done you no harm.

A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.

Proverbs 20:19 ESV

Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.

Proverbs 14:25

English Standard Version

Application: Is your circle of the internet one where people go around starting “drama” by telling lies about others? Do you know someone who does this? Get away from them. Have you done this? Think before you accuse someone of something.

25 A truthful witness saves lives,

    but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.

___

Proverbs 15:1

English Standard Version

Application: By being calm you can prevent people from lashing back at you and escalating. You can even de-escalate if you keep calm.

15 A soft answer turns away wrath,

    but a harsh word stirs up anger.

___

Proverbs 18:12

English Standard Version

Proverbs 15:33

12 Before destruction a man's heart is haughty,

    but humility comes before honor.

English Standard Version

Application: “Humility comes before honor”- you don’t have to be right or appear to be right. That won’t help you before God. It’s pride if you have to win every argument, if you have to be right every time.

33 The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,

    and humility comes before honor.

___

Proverbs 13:20

English Standard Version

Proverbs 14:7

20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,

    but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

English Standard Version

Application: Just leave that toxic message board. Are you on a sector of the internet where they encourage you to hate other people in your life, and are dragging you into foolish mindsets, encouraging people to more and more extreme ideology, stirring up anxiety, etc? Get out of there.

7 Leave the presence of a fool,

    for there you do not meet words of knowledge.

___

Proverbs 14:15

English Standard Version

Application: It’s important to find sources and to check if things are true before you spread them! Don’t believe that something is true just because you read it on the internet.

15 The simple believes everything,

    but the prudent gives thought to his steps.

___

Proverbs 10:23

English Standard Version

Proverbs 15:21

23 Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool,

    but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.

English Standard Version

Proverbs 26:18-19

21 Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense,

    but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.

English Standard Version

Application: It is neither safe nor wise to hang out with the type of people on the internet who think that trolling, provoking other people, and stirring up trouble is fun. Whether it’s going to a different website to provoke and cause chaos to the people there, or posting flame bait, or leading people on with various forms of deception for entertainment, God hates this kind of behavior.

18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death

19 is the man who deceives his neighbor

    and says, “I am only joking!”

___

Proverbs 29:9

English Standard Version

Application: DON’T FEED THE TROLLS

9 If a wise man has an argument with a fool,

    the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.

___

Proverbs 9:7-9

New International Version

Proverbs 23:9

7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;

    whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.

8 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you;

    rebuke the wise and they will love you.

9 Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;

    teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.

English Standard Version

Application: Call the papers, somebody on the internet is wrong!

9 Do not speak in the hearing of a fool,

    for he will despise the good sense of your words.

Seriously, don’t feed the trolls.  You don’t need to write an essay to explain to every wrong person why they are wrong. Unless they are sincerely interested in listening to you, it will fall on deaf ears. Ask yourself if this person seems like they would actually benefit from being corrected.

___

Proverbs 12:15

New International Version

Proverbs 13:10

15 The way of fools seems right to them,

    but the wise listen to advice.

New International Version

Proverbs 15:32

10 Where there is strife, there is pride,

    but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

English Standard Version

Application: Are you listening when other people tell you that you are out of line?

32 Whoever ignores instruction despises himself,

    but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.

___

Proverbs 15:28

English Standard Version

Application: Notice how the righteous “ponders”, but the wicked simply “pours out”. Think before you type something!

28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,

    but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

___

Proverbs 10:19

English Standard Version

Proverbs 17:27-28

19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking,

    but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

English Standard Version

Application: Don’t post too much, don’t be easily angered. The more you type the more likely you are to say something wrong. Don’t be easily provoked. Even if you don’t have anything intelligent to say, if you withhold comment, you can even have a reputation for being smart.

27 Whoever restrains his words has knowledge,

    and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

28 Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise;

    when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

___

Proverbs 11:12

New International Version

Application: Don’t name-call people on the internet.

12 Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,

    but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.

___

Proverbs 21:24

English Standard Version

Proverbs 22:10

24 “Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man

    who acts with arrogant pride.

English Standard Version

Proverbs 26:20-21

10 Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out,

    and quarreling and abuse will cease.

English Standard Version

20 For lack of wood the fire goes out,

    and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.

21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,

    so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

___

Application:

Just ban that guy from the server.

Is there one person who seems to be constantly causing issues? Is it because they’re too full of themselves and can’t stop making trouble? Just kick him out, seriously.

Proverbs 21:11

English Standard Version

Application: So you had to ban that guy from the server. If his misdeed was public, it can benefit others to explain why he got blocked and what happened so that other people don’t do the same thing. When troublemakers don’t just get away with things, other people can benefit from the negative example.

11 When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise;

    when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.

___

Proverbs 16:21

English Standard Version

Application: Or: “You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar”.

21 The wise of heart is called discerning,

    and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

___

Proverbs 18:2

English Standard Version

Application: I feel like this one doesn’t even need any comment.

2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,

    but only in expressing his opinion.

___

Proverbs 18:13

English Standard Version

Application: Read! Don’t just tl;dr something and then react. Don’t just react to what you thought someone said.

13 If one gives an answer before he hears,

    it is his folly and shame.

___

Proverbs 18:17

English Standard Version

Application: Don’t just believe some one-sided callout post on face value. You should always listen to the other side of the story before you decide who is right and who is wrong.

17 The one who states his case first seems right,

    until the other comes and examines him.

___

Proverbs 29:11

English Standard Version

Application: Don’t overshare on the internet. Some things you need to keep to yourself. Don't just say every thought that runs through your head.

11 A fool gives full vent to his spirit,

    but a wise man quietly holds it back.

___

Proverbs 20:3

English Standard Version

Proverbs 26:17

3 It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife,

    but every fool will be quarreling.

English Standard Version

Application: Fools be quarreling. When you happen to see two people fighting, don’t get involved! It’s like jumping into a dogfight. Why would you do that? You literally have no dog in this fight.

17 Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own

    is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.

___

Proverbs 25:11-12

English Standard Version

Application: None of this is to say you should never say anything on the internet. There are many times it is quite wise and beneficial to say something or even correct people.

11 A word fitly spoken

    is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold

    is a wise reprover to a listening ear.

___

Proverbs 26:4-5

English Standard Version

Application: These two proverbs contrast each other to make a point. Sometimes someone is being so stupid that to answer them is to stoop to their level. You simply shouldn’t even dignify that kind of garbage with a response.

4 Answer not a fool according to his folly,

    lest you be like him yourself.

5 Answer a fool according to his folly,

    lest he be wise in his own eyes.

On the other hand, sometimes someone is being so foolish that you just have to reply to them, otherwise they will get away with it.

You should always be asking yourself “is it worth it to actually engage with this? Is it degrading to me? Will anyone benefit if I do?”

[aestariiwilderness]

Abortion is Murder & Unbiblical

The Bible does not use the word abortion. How could it? The term itself as a procedure wasn't invented yet! However, the Bible does cover: 

Humanity's inherent value and rights as (uniquely among creation) made in the image of God

Murder

Child/infant murder as something abhorrent to God

Life's beginnings, indirectly (although that also has biological support) 

Legal ramifications of killing a child in the womb 

How God sees and interacts with children in the womb 

How we as His followers are meant to treat children 

What He expects us to do for the defenseless and vulnerable (i.e., the most defenseless and vulnerable human imaginable is the one in the womb) 

And how the question of following Him and His Word is what makes or breaks the difference between a Christian and someone who claims the name but is tragically unsaved  Below are some verses and some additional explication (partial credit: @glowsticks-and-jesus)  

Proverbs 31:8 

Luke 1:44 

2nd Kings 17:17 

Jeremiah 19:5 

Genesis 9:6 

Exodus 21:22-25 

Matthew 7:20 - 23 

John 15:14 

1st John 1:5-10, 2:3-6 

Exodus 20:13 

Mark 10:13-15 Leviticus 20:3-5 (https://biblehub.com/hebrew/mizzaro_2233.htm) 

Matthew 18:10, 14

Psalm 22:10

Jacob & Esau, John the Baptist, Samson, etc. 

Judges 16:17  Glowsticks-and-Jesus Collection:

"Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 'Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.'"Jeremiah 1:4-5

"The Lord called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name."Isaiah 49:1

John the Baptist leaped in Elizabeth’s womb when Mary greeted her cousin (Luke 1:39-45), an example that babies in utero are responsive human beings already aware of the outside world.

The righteous Hebrew midwives at the time of Moses pleased God by saving babies deemed unworthy of life by the authorities of their day (Ex. 1:15-21).

 As an additional note -- these references are included above, but worth a second mention -- it's plain that child sacrifice - child murder - is something that God abhors and explicitly does not command. I'd look here (https://biblehub.com/jeremiah/19-5.htm) and here (https://biblehub.com/2_kings/17-17.htm) and check out the cross-references as well. Likewise, there is direct support for laws against murder and the protection of the unborn (up to capital punishment) in the Bible (Genesis 9:6; Exodus 21:22-25  -- an additional reference here included about the common misunderstanding of the latter verses: https://www.str.org/w/what-exodus-21-22-says-about-abortion).

In summary -- it's possible (although, I believe, it does deprive its proponents of a foundational basis for the value of life) to be both secular and anti-abortion. But it is not possible for a Christian who truly understands their faith, their God, and His Word to be pro-abortion.

[thespiritualencourager]

Your heart is deceitful above all things (Jer 17:9). It lies to you more than anyone else, but you believe your heart. It is desperately wicked, so its lies are always toward folly and sin. Because your heart is so deceitful and wicked, you cannot fully grasp its danger to you, apart from Scripture’s warnings. The verse concludes, “Who can understand it?”

Safety is only by mistrusting your heart; obeying your teachers, parents, and counselors; bringing every thought into captive obedience to Scripture; and keeping your heart there with all diligence (Pr 4:23; II Cor 10:4-6). Do not ever let your mind think outside the word of God (Ps 119:128). Which means you must learn it, and learn it well (Ps 119:11). Do not ever allow the profane thought you can get away with disobeying (Deut 29:18-20).

Other proverbs also teach this warning. “There is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Pr 16:25). “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkens unto counsel is wise” (Pr 12:15). “He that trusts in his own heart is a fool: but one who walks wisely, he shall be delivered” (Pr 28:26).

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?"

— Jeremiah 17: 9 (ESV)

[blackhistorystoryteller]

AFRICAN PROVERBS AND THEIR MEANINGS

This is a message to my black brothers and sisters

Learn about African proverbs and know your culture is filled with poetry

1) Only a fool tests the depth of a river with both feet.

Meaning: You don’t jump straight into a situation without thinking about it first.

2) Knowledge is like a garden: If it is not cultivated, it cannot be harvested.

Meaning: If you don’t make efforts to acquire knowledge then you would not expect to have it and if you do not put the knowledge you have to use, you cannot expect to gain anything from it.

3) Sugarcane is sweetest at its joint.

Meaning: Good and sweet things of life may appear difficult to achieve but in the end, it is worth it.

4) If you offend, ask for a pardon; if offended forgive.

Meaning: This is as simple as it sounds: If you upset someone, apologise to him or her. If someone upsets you, forgive him or her because what goes around, comes around.

5) Don’t set sail using someone else’s star.

Meaning: Avoid copying someone else. Just because someone has been successful in what he/she does should not be what will make you to do the same thing and expect to be successful.

6) The best way to eat an elephant in your path, is to cut him up into little pieces.

Meaning: The best approach to solving a problem is to take it bit by bit; one at a time.

7) A restless feet may walk into a snake pit.

Meaning: If someone is busy doing nothing or is involved in what he does not know about, it is easy for him/her to get into trouble.

8) A chick that will grow into a cock can be spotted the very day it hatches.

Meaning: You can easily foresee the future of something through the character and tell-tale signs it exhibits today.

9) After a foolish deed comes remorse.

Meaning: Feeling sorry always follows a foolish act.

10) A man who pays respect to the great paves the way for his own greatness.

Meaning: What goes around, comes around so whatever you sow, you shall reap.

11) He who does not know one thing knows another.

Meaning: No one knows everything, but everyone knows something.

12) A roaring lion kills no one.

Meaning: You cannot achieve or gain anything by mere sitting around and just talking about it.

13) Do not call the forest that shelters you a jungle.

Meaning: Do not insult someone who is taking care of your responsibility or taking care of you.

14) When a king has good counsellors, his reign is peaceful.

Meaning: What defines a man is the circumstances and people around him and if they are good, he turns out good.

15) It takes a whole village to raise a child.

Meaning: The society is responsible for the moral characters it creates and everyone in a community should be responsible for helping to train a child irrespective of who the parents are; offering correction where they are needed.

16) If a child washes his hands he could eat with kings.

Meaning: If you prepare and allow yourself to be well trained when you have the opportunity, you will achieve a lot and be favoured in due course.

17) The Rain does not fall on one roof.

Meaning: Trouble comes to everyone at one time or another.

18) Life is like a mist or a shadow; it quickly passes by.

Meaning: Life is too short, and you only live it once.

19) Wherever a man goes to dwell, his character goes with him.

Meaning: What defines a man is his character which is, inseparable from him and follows him everywhere he goes.

20) Do not look where you fell, but where you slipped.

Meaning: Don’t look at your mistakes; look at what caused your mistakes, otherwise you may repeat the same mistake again.

He who sees an old hag squatting should leave her alone; who knows how she breathes?

Meaning: You should never interfere in someone's issues, particularly when you do not know anything about them.

Anger against a brother is felt on the flesh, not in the bone. Meaning: You should forget and forgive anything your relatives did to you.

Maize bears fruits once and dies because it is not rooted in the ground. Meaning: You will never get to the top and stay prosperous without a good foundation.

He who will swallow the 'udala' seed must consider the size of his stomach. Meaning: 'Udala' seed is an apple seed. It is never digested in the stomach

[martyschoenleber]

Why Are Our Eyes Dry?

[butchdykejesuschrist]

📌Pinned Post

Call Me: Cor

Pronouns: he/him/his (butch sapphic transgender man)

Age: late 20s

Denomination: Lapsed-HR-Catholic, taking Eucharist at a Episcopal Cathedral, deeply inspired by the practices of Eastern Orthodoxy and Franciscans.

Patron Saint: Marinos the Monk.

✝️ 🌈 Side A (I fully support people who chose side B as a personal lifestyle).

✝️🤝 Interfaith community, solidarity, and education is a priority to me.

✝️✊ Free Palestine, Land Back, Hawaiian sovereignty, Unite Ireland, End Colonization.

✝️📖 James 2:14-26, Psalm 34:14-16, Mark 10:25, Proverbs 14:31.

This is a sideblog, I followback from another blog.

[girlbloggercher]

how to read the Bible

this is in order!

1. John

2. Mark

3. Matthew

4. Luke

5. Genesis

6. Exodus

7. Leviticus

8. Numbers

9. Dueteronomy

10. Romans

11. Galatians

12. Colossians

13. Proverbs

14. Ecclesiastes

15. Job

16. 1 Peter

17. 1 Corinthians

18. 2 Corinthians

19. Ephesians

20. Philippians

21. 1 Thessalonians

22. 2 Thessalonians

23. 1 Timothy

24. 2 Timothy

25. James

26. 2 Peter

27. 1 John

28. 2 John

29. 3 John

30. Jude

31. Psalms

32. Joshua

33. Judges

34. 1 Samuel

35. 2 Samuel

36. 1 Kings

37. 2 Kings

38. 1 Chronicles

39. 2 Chronicles

40. Ezra

41. Nehemiah

42. Jeremiah

43. Lamentations

44. Ezekiel

45. Joel

46. Amos

47. Obadiah

48. Nahum

49. Habakkuk

50. Zephaniah

51. Haggai

52. Zechariah

53. Malachi

54. Micah

55. Hosea

56. Luke

57. Esther

58. Jonah

59. Song of Solomon

60. Acts

61. Titus

62. Philemon

63. Hebrew

64. Isaiah

65. Daniel

66. Revelation

[storytour-blog]

There is a special connection between the manna that fell in the desert during the 40 years of wandering and Shabbos. There is a mystical quality within our means that can affect how we taste our food – that quality is love. The manna was an extraordinary gift from the Holy One, blessed be He as it is recorded that He said, “Even before I gave you the mitzvos (10 Commandments) I provided their…