Proverbs -1. (Life in general)
If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it. You all know that saying and what it means. Life is full of sayings and "proverbs" we use and hear daily.
Chris Valloton preached a sermon titled: "There are no poop-less cows." This was a play on the scripture in the Book of Proverbs that states: "Where there is no ox in the stable, the stable is clean." His sermon was about the mess in our lives because we have things that can make a mess.
The Book of Proverbs in the Bible was used to teach people wisdom. You will find multiple subjects covered within the thirty-one chapters of the Book. But let's first establish what a "proverb" is.
It is a persuasive saying proven true by experience. It is a timeless truth and a primary value tried and tested by previous generations.
Proverbs are general principles in life, sometimes taught in a funny way but easy to remember. Can you remember how many things your parents told you and they used it to teach you a valuable principle in life?
I want to take the next few weeks and look at some of them. A proverb can teach a lot of the things in scripture. I want to use some of the truths I discovered in scripture and make it a "proverb" to make it easy for you to remember. (these are all backed up by scripture.)
Own Proverbs:
"Blessed are the flexible. They shall not be bent out of shape. "
It doesn't help to get mad at the things you cannot control. Life will always throw a curveball at you. Go with the flow and figure it out without getting angry or losing your temper.
Prov. 25:28 Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.
" It is the second mouse that gets the cheese."
If you fail a task, try again, and don't give up. You can still get a reward if you keep trying.
Prov. 24:16 For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again.
"Truth is not an opinion. It is reality from God's perspective."
Only God knows both sides of a story and knows all the facts. My friend Joe says his mom always told him: "There is your side, there is the other side, and then there is the truth."
Prov. 12:17 He who speaks truth declares righteousness, but a false witness, deceit.
"To live in un-forgiveness is to have a poverty mindset about the mercy of God."
Don't walk in unforgiveness towards yourself. Stop beating yourself up because you made a mistake. As you forgive others for sinning against you, forgive yourself for your mistakes.
Prov. 28:13 He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.
"Worry is the voice of the enemy trying to dictate the outcome."
Worry is the enemy's babysitter, free of charge – Kelly Varner. Worry is the voice that speaks words opposing faith and God's word. Worry is also like a rocking chair. It will keep you busy but take you nowhere. Words bring faith or fear. Choose which words you want to listen to.
Prov. 12:25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.
We will continue next week with more sayings or proverbs. This is a fun way to look at life and help people make better decisions.