Bible 365: Week 27

Happy Monday!  I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July holiday.  The rain threatened to ruin ours but thank goodness for covered porches.  We've had 11 days straight of off and on rain.  And one day the power even went out for three hours.  However, I still manged to get my Bible 365 reading in.  And I hope you did too.  Here are the seven things I learned in Week 27.

1-"Prepare your outside work, make it fit for yourself in the field; and afterward build your house." (Proverbs 24:27)  A lot of us try to do this backwards.  We try to build our houses (obtain material things) before we've made it fit for ourselves in the field.  Material things cost money.  And there's no use in getting yourself in debt that you can't afford.  A lot of people wanted to plan the government and the banks for going bankrupt when the economy crash, but truth for some was that they were trying to live a lifestyle they really couldn't afford to sustain minus maxing out credit cards and quick money loans.  Build your bank account up first (emergency fund) and then choose your investments and purchases wisely.

2- "Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house, lest he become weary of you and hate you." (Proverbs 25:17) Don't wear out your welcome.  We all need to have places we can go when need to.  However, if you've already worn out your welcome, those doors will not be open for you in your time of need. Remember, absence makes the heart grow fonder!

3- "Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him." (Proverbs 26:27)  When you try to hurt others you only succeed in hurting and destroying yourself.  I had someone try to hurt me last year. And while they did hurt me, this year they reaped the seed they sowed.  However, I'm not taking in delight in that person's current situation and have actually been praying that their eyes be opened.  I want this person to want to and work to become a better person and so that they be blessed.

4-  "Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth, a stranger, and not your own lips." (Proverbs 27:2)  Nobody loves a bragger.  It's okay to tell people that you've accomplished something but let them decide for themselves if you're best or the greatest.  This is the key to staying humble.

5-  "He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy." (Proverbs 28:13)  We all fall short.  We all have a past with things that we may not be proud of.  I know that I certainly do.  And I'm not afraid to admit that.  I'm not a perfect person and I don't pretend to be.  I am a good person.  And I've stumbled, lost my way and gotten caught up at times.  However, what's helped me to dust myself off and get back the path is my willingness to admit that I had fallen off it in the first place.

6-  "A man's pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor."  (Proverbs 29:23)  I've seen pride cost people their marriages, their families, their jobs and more.  Shoot pride can even cost you your soul!  Don't be a fool and let your pride get the best of you.  Keep in mind what's really important.

7-  "Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar." (Proverbs 30:6)  Don't use God's word to tell a lie.  Have you ever heard the story about Satan coming to Jesus on the mountain top and he tried to use the scripture against Jesus?  Yeah, you can't use the Bible to justify your wrongdoing and evilness.  It will come back on you!

Week 28 Readings
7/8- Proverbs 31
7/9- Ecclesiastes 1-2
7/10- Ecclesiastes 3-5
7/11- Ecclesiastes 6-8
7/12- Ecclesiastes 9-12
7/13- Song of Solomon 1-8
7/14- Isaiah 1-6


How do you stay humble?