When Death Comes Knocking (Proverbs 14:32)

Death comes for all men. It does not matter what kind of lifestyle was lived, what religion you ascribed to, or even what god you bowed your heart to. The truth is that death comes for all, but what transpires after death is something that we can know today.

"The wicked is overthrown through his wrong doing and calamity, but the [consistently] righteous has hope and confidence even in his death." Proverbs 14:32, Amplified

There is a hope for the righteous, but for the wicked there is no hope at all. Even here in this life, there is hope for the righteous. By the context of the verse, it seems that Solomon is speaking about the present concerning the wicked. In this lifetime they shall be overthrown because of their wickedness. And if the here and now offers no hope for the wicked, they what of the future, life beyond death? Do not misunderstand me, there is always hope for everyone in Jesus. The wicked being referred to here are those who refuse to turn from their wickedness.

The book of Hebrews is a wonderful book full of the meat of theology. In it we can find this verse, "And it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." (Hebrews 9:27, KJV) Death and judgment will come for all men. If death and judgment come for all men, then where is the hope for the righteous?

The hope the the righteous has is not having to endure the Great White Throne Judgement. "But why to you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ." (Romans 14:10, NKJV) Remember that Paul is writing to other believers, not sinners. He states that we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ, or the "Bema Seat". Though the word translated has nothing in its definition concerning judgment, it still has the connotation of coming before an elevated throne. This is the judgment where our deeds are burned with fire. All the hay wood and straw will burn leaving only the gold, silver and precious stones. It is a judgment of fire concerning how we presented the name of Jesus in this lifetime. "For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hat and straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet as though by fire." (I Corinthians 3:11-15, NKJV)

The difference between this judgment and the Great White Throne Judgment is salvation. The Bema Seat offers passage into heaven whereas the other only opens the door to Hell.

Where is your hope?

Impacting Eternity (Proverbs 14:31)

Being poor is not just a monetary or financial issue.

"He who oppresses the poor reproaches, mocks and insults his Maker, but he who is kind and merciful to the needy honors Him." Proverbs 14:31, Amplified

There are many different forms of need. When I think of the poor, I always see the man at the corner of the freeway off ramp holding a sign expecting a hand out. We as Christians need to identify those needs and be willing to fulfill that void.

In the Gospel of Matthew, when Jesus is judging the nations, He states, "For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me." (Matthew 25:35-36, NKJV) But the righteous will answer and say that they did none of these things for Jesus. But Jesus will answer that and say, "Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." (Matthew 25:40, NKJV) Everything that we do impacts eternity.

Even Peter understood this concept. Peter and John were about to enter the temple when a man begging for alms caught their attention. This is how the story transpired, "And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the Temple which is called Beautiful, to ask for alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, 'Look at us.' So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, 'Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give to you: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.' And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength." (Acts 3:2-7, NKJV) The need that we meet does not necessarily have to be monetary, as long as it impacts eternity.

The result of Peter speaking out in faith was this, "So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them - walking, leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God." (Acts 3:8-9, NKJV) Peter had impacted eternity.

Have the faith in Jesus Christ and reach out in faith, touch someone's life. Jesus never asked for a miracle to be performed everyday, but He does expected us to love the unlovable and touch the undesirable. Reach out and impact eternity today.

Life or Death Situation (Proverbs 14:30)

It is important for the mind to be at ease in our Christian walks. Anything else could mean that we are either afraid, angry, anxious, jealous or even another number of things that are not from the Lord.

"A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body, but envy, jealousy and wrath are as rottenness of the bones." Proverbs 14:30, Amplified

Do not be confused, the Lord does not wish for us to sit calm and undisturbed. The Christian life is most times anything but. This calm and undisturbed mind is not allowing any other outside life to become disruptive. Our Christian walk consists of ourselves and Jesus, no one belongs.

Envy and jealousy are the tiniest of seeds, but when cultivated, have the ability to destroy a firm foundation with wrath. The man withering away from envy, jealousy and wrath is the saddest of sights, for he never has anything to call his own. My walk is my walk; however the Lord chooses to bless me in my walk is my blessing. As long as I am focusing on my walk, then I cannot be consumed with the life of another.

Wrath (Proverbs 14:29)

In the past decade, the escalation of wrath has been phenomenal. Children dying at the hands of angry parents. The introduction of the term "Road Rage". One of the signs of a Christian is he who is slow to anger. It is an attribute of God. The Lord has had almost 2,000 years since the death and resurrection of Jesus to destroy the world, but we are still here despite the proverbial spit in the face.

"He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is hasty of spirit exposes and exalts his folly." Proverbs 14:29, Amplified

I know that for myself, there have been some times where I have gotten angry at something simply because I did not fully understand what was going on. If I had remained calm and asked one or two more questions, or let someone explain what was going on, I would have never looked like the idiot. Patience allows for one to fully envelope his surrounding s and understand what is going on and calculate a response. James encourages Christians of the same thing, "So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God." (James 1:19-20, NKJV)

I encourage anyone who may have this issue in their lives to pray to the Lord and find a way to manage the anger. Hastiness is never from the Lord. Wrath is not becoming of God. Peace and patience are two attributes that never left Jesus' side. I used to be that man who was hasty in his anger, but it was because of unexposed sin in my own life. I this is the case for you, confess it quickly. If not, pray that the Lord would lead the quest of self discovery and become a better man (or woman) because of it.

Kingdoms (proverbs 14:28)

A kingdom is only as great as the number of people it boasts.

"In the multitude of people is the king's glory, but in a lack of people is a prince's ruin." Proverbs 14:28, Amplified

How great would America be today if it still only had the original amount of settlers today? America would not be the Super Power it became.

The number of persons in a kingdom boasts many different things about the kingdom. More people build larger armies. More people speak of a rich and fertile land. More people talk of an excellent monarchy.

We can easily make this verse's contents applicable for today. Movements come and movements go. It is all about how many people you have backing the cause. Great causes have been born on the backs of tragedy. But if the population of that movement does not grow, it will fall and become forgotten. The same can be said of restaurants, stores and institutions. A legacy must be made and sustained in order for it to be passed to the next generation.

Even religious movements can be categorized under this same hierarchy. Cults such as the Rashnish in Oregon where love and rampant sexual activity thrived as well a sexually transmitted diseases. It was closed by local authorities; a true religion would have thrived over such opposition. No one can ever forget the Jamestown massacre, where all the parishioners were forced to drink punch laced with poison; a true religion would have gathered more followers post mordem.

The one religion that will never be pigeon-holed into this idea is Christianity. I believe this to be the case for two reasons. We serve the only true God. Secondly, it is not a religion that we are brought into to succumb to its rules and regulations, rather it is a relationship that we are asked into and become a part of its nurturing. And no matter how much opposition comes against Christianity, its populace grows and grows.

The Fear of the Lord (Proverbs 14:26-27)

The fear of the Lord is not actually fear at all. It is a deep and worshipful respect for Him. Fear produces blind obedience. Respect cultivates faithful obedience. Why fear the One that can save you? Did those trapped in the World Trade Center fear the rescue workers as they came? Or do the residents of Haiti fear those who bring food and water? Of course not. The Lord does not wish for us to fear Him either.

"In reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is strong confidence, and His children always have a place of refuge." Proverbs 14:26, Amplified

It seems there have been a lot of forts which were boasted as impenetrable. But in the end, they were always brought down. Even structures that were said to be inescapable, like Alcatraz, had its share of escapees. But the Lord is a true refuge, He truly is a strong tower. "And I shall give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand." (John 10:28-29, NKJV) In the context of the verse, the language points to a cupping of two hands, one over the other. We are promised as the children of God that we will never be snatched out of the faithful grasp of our Lord. However, we are never told that we cannot willfully leave the loving and tender grasp of our Lord. A strong tower, a place of refuge is only good when someone seeks shelter within. This is not to say that He cannot work miraculously despite my indignant disobedience and still protect this wayward heart. The question is, why would one want to leave the confines of his refuge?

"Reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death." Proverbs 14:27, Amplified

Again, this respectful fear of the Lord is described as a fountain of life. Jesus met many different persons in His ministry. One in particular, He had an unusual conversation with. Jesus had asked for a drink from the Samaritan woman at the well. She politely denied His request but was kept the line of communication open. The woman was so focused on the physical. "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water." (John 4:10, NKJV) Later she asked for this living water because she did not want to have to draw from the well anymore, because He had stated that she would never thirst again. She was missing the point, as we many times do. It is not a physical refreshment, but a spiritual one. Jesus is that one and only satisfaction. Drugs, booze and sex are not only destructive, but we also need more and more and more. Jesus will be, and is, that satisfaction. He has the power to save from death. Every one dies. What is being conveyed here is the Second Death, or eternal separation from God: Hell. Jesus is that satisfaction, salvation and refuge from the flames of Hell. We, as children must trust in His protection and His refreshment. Everything else is a lie.

True Witness (Proverbs 14:25)

There is a great Psalm that I remember singing in church as a child. "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer." (Psalm 14:9, NKJV) The Proverb for his morning is along the same theme.

"A true witness saves lives, but a deceitful witness speaks lies [and endangers lives]." Proverbs 14:25, Amplified

The Psalmist wanted the words of his own mouth and the meditation of his own heart to be acceptable in the sight of the Lord. A true witness has the same desire. If the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts are in line with the Lord's will, then we will be those true witnesses. What is a true witness? According to the verse it is the exact opposite of a deceitful witness. The world teaches us that we are to look out for number one, ourselves. Darwin taught about "Survival of the Fittest". But Jesus taught His disciples to go out and save lives. Stephen put his life on the line and ministered to the Jews. Doing so, Stephen became the first martyr of the church.

As true witnesses we are to save lives, lead people to the path of heaven and save souls from eternal damnation. Acceptable words and meditations translates into an acceptable lifestyle. Believe it or not, people want what we have, peace and joy. It is our responsibility to live up to the calling of Christ.

The Pay Out (Proverbs 14:24)

In the former study, we found that all work has its profit. If we invest ourselves, we do not necessarily have to wait for the pay out. We can see a return on our investment in this life.

"The crown of the wise is their wealth of wisdom, but the foolishness of [self-confident] fools is [nothing but] folly." Proverbs 14:24, Amplified

In any business, a true business man wants to see a return on his investment. If he invests his own money into a up and coming business that has a dynamic product that no one else has, then he just might see a larger return. But with every business, there is risk. It may be a Ponzi scheme, or just another get rich quick scheme.

The same goes for the Christian. We must invest ourselves in the Kingdom of God, but in doing so we are taking a risk. This risk I am speaking of is ridicule and laughter. The world is searching for the next "get rich quick" scam to fill that void they have in their hearts. As for as they are concerned, God is not the answer they are looking for. But unlike the business man, we will always see a return on our investments if we are faithful to the Father.

The fool has nothing but his own folly to look forward to. This is the man or woman who invests their spirits into something that is passing and fleeting. Spiritually, we are all investors. But it must be in something that is secure and everlasting. So as Christians, it is our duty to make that investment so that we can have our return, a return of increasing wisdom. This will be our crown in this life. An investment in the Lord means an increase in wisdom. But to trusts our hearts to any other source is just plain folly.

Investments (Proverbs 14:23)

If one expects to make a profit in anything, then an investment of self must be made.

"In all labor there is profit, but idle talk leads only to poverty." Proverbs 14:23, Amplified

I do not know if I could write an exposition on this verse or not because it is so self evident. But the Lord tells us that if we put ourselves to work, we will see profit. This is in whatever we do. Physically and spiritually.

Just think of the implications of this verse. We can talk about the things that we want done, but if we never actually do them then we are poor. The same can be said on the spiritual side of things. We can talk about the investments we are making in the kingdom of God, but unless we actually do something, then we are poor.

Souls so not save themselves, just as work does not complete itself. Put your hand to the plow and prepare to reap the blessing.

Devising (Proverbs 14:22)

There are two paths in life, one good and one evil. The Bible always refers to the latter as going astray which would indicate there were only one true path. Now we as Christians know this to be the truth, but when one is on the wrong path, they do not know it. Here is a question proposed by Solomon.

"Do they not err who devise evil and wander from the way of life? But loving-kindness and mercy, loyalty and faithfulness shall be to those who devise good." Proverbs 14:22, Amplified

The test is simple: Those who are wandering from the good path devise evil. You can ask this about friends you have met or even family members. What are they dong on the weekend? Are there plans being made that would violate the commandments of the Lord? Are things going to be done that are not befitting a Christian? Or even for the true sociopath who has completely left the confines of civilization and plans a night of crimes seemingly unforgivable.

But those who have not left the path exude certain qualities. Loving-kindness and mercy and loyalty and faithfulness. These are all characteristics that are found in the man of God. The first two deal mostly with their fellow man. The second two deal mostly with their relationship with the Lord. Now these qualities are not mutually exclusive to these groups, of course. Remember brothers and sisters, those who are devising evil have left the true path. We are the beacon of light that can lead them back to the paths of life. How? Through loving-kindness and mercy and loyalty and faithfulness.

Love Thy Neighbor (Proverbs 14:20-21)

The Bible commands us that we are to love our neighbor. These Scriptures tell us the same thing, but come with a warning.

"The poor is hated even by his own neighbor, but the rich has many friends." Proverbs 14:20, Amplified

The man with money has many superficial friends. Everyone wants to be close to him because they love the smell of money. A man with money is a man with means. But the poor man can do nothing for himself, let alone for someone else.

"He who despises his neighbor sins [against God, his fellow man and himself], but happy - blessed and fortunate - is he who is kind and merciful to the poor." Proverbs 14:21, Amplified

We are commanded to love our neighbor by Jesus Himself. The question is asked who are neighbor is and the Lord tells the parable of the Good Samaritan. Everyone is our neighbor in the eyes of the Lord. We are to love them despite skin color, race, religion or monetary value. If we turn our back on our neighbor then we are sinning.

I have to admit, I question the people sitting on the side of the of ramps of the freeways with signs. Beggars have admittedly stated that they make quite a bit of money on the side of the road. My father told me of a time that he watched as a couple he saw everyday day, begging, on his way to work get into a Beemer.

Remember the Bible never commands us to give them money, it tells us not to despise them. If you see a man, or woman, and are compelled to give money then do it. But we can also pray for those people, we can offer them a meal. There are plenty of things that we can do as a Christian to show love love of Christ.

A Dichotomy of Good and Evil (Proverbs 14:15-19)

The Bible has always laid out the differences between good men and evil men and the curses and blessings associated with each of these men. This selection of Scripture is no different.

"The simpleton believes every word he hears, but the prudent man looks and considers well where he is going." Proverbs 14:15, Amplified

This is not a blanket statement on belief, necessarily. Rather it is a statement about direction. But before we go further with this idea of directionality, I would like to focus on the simpleton. When this verse is read and we consider the simpleton, it reminds me of a child, believing everything that he or she is told. It is like "stealing their noses" and using your thumb to pretend that you actually have succeeded in stealing their nose. The child gets freaked out and believes it.

When considering directionality, I am drawn to one verse: "...we should no longer be children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting." (Ephesians 4:14, NKJV) The simpleton has no grounding in anything, he is like the man who built his house on the sand. But the prudent studies his way intently. He considers the cost and goes his way.

"A wise man suspects danger and cautiously avoids evil, but the fool bears himself insolently and is [presumptuously] confident." Proverbs 14:16, Amplified

The Christian cannot be the man who runs into the burning house in the hopes of finding a victim to save. That fire may be made up of different things like lust or covetousness. It is our duty to our Lord to consider every step that we take. One misstep and we risk exposing ourselves to the evilness of this world. To say to ourselves that we have overcome sin is to be like the fool.

"He who foams up quickly and flies into passion will deal foolishly, and a man of wicked plots and plans is hated." Proverbs 14:17, Amplified

Passion is part of our nature, it is one of the things that makes us human. But for us to act on those passions is to act foolishly. This "foaming up" is the same as being quick-tempered, which links together with passion perfectly. Passion and logic are rarely friends. People kill in acts of passions, they initiate adulterous relationships because of passion. Passion in the hands of the wrong person can lead to a deadly end, for that passion can lead to wickedness.

"The simple acquire folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge." Proverbs 14:18, Amplified

In every life, one accomplishes something. For the simple, folly is his reward. The the one who considers his steps is rewarded with knowledge. Not only rewarded, but also crowned. The crown is a symbol of authority and power.

"The evil bow before the good, and the wicked [stand suppliant] at the gates of the [uncompromisingly] righteous." Proverbs 14:19, Amplified

This is a promise. As we all know, in this world today, this is not the case. But when the that Day comes, rest assured that those faithful to the Lord will stand tall as the rest of the world bows. In Milton's "Paradise Lost", Satan states, "It is better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heaven." This may be true now, in this fallen world. But when that day comes (and it will), those who were and are faithful to the Lord will live forever with Him. If one has chose to devil's side, then eternal separation awaits him.

Sin Tastes Like Sugar (Proverbs 14:14)

It is a never ending battle for the parent of a child to get that child to eat food that is good and nutritious. Too much sugar leads to a physical crash, then the child needs to be filled again. However, with nutritious meals, those times of filling are further apart. In a good meal, a child gets what he needs to make it through the day. The same can be said for the child of God. He can either choose to fill himself up with the things of God or the things of the flesh. We all know that the things of the flesh are like that sugar. There will come a crash and we will need to be filled again. But the Lord so much more satisfying.

"The backslider in heart [from God and God-fearing] shall be filled with [the fruit of] his own way, and the good man shall be satisfied from himself [with the holy thoughts and actions which his heart prompts, and in which he delights]." Proverbs 14:14, Amplified

Everyone in this world needs some form of nourishment. That nourishment is either going to come from the world or from the Lord.

Notice, though, that the beginning of the verse does not speak of the sinner, but rather the backslider. This is the one who has tasted the sweetness of God and has gone back to the world to find satisfaction. The backslider is trying to recreate the sam feelings of satisfaction that he had with the Lord without the rules and regulations and responsibility that go along with it. The moment of filling oneself with whatever is not of God causes one to forget about the pain of leaving the true God. But when that sugar rush ends, when that crash comes (and it will) what then? Keep running away? Keep trying to fill emptiness with emptiness?

Not so, the man of God knows that the true satisfaction that he needs is found in only the Lord. When he has filled himself with the Lord, he understands that there is not a set of rules and regulations. No relationship can survive that. It is not that the Lord is holding us back from sin. when we are in love with Him and He is our one and only, then we have the freedom not to sin. The backslider has no other option in this life than to fill himself up with something else or run back to the Lord.

Remember Christian, we are always moving. It will either be forward in the Lord or backsliding. There is never a moment that we can just stay in one place. Press on, fight the good fight.

The Tag Team of Sorrow and Grief (Proverbs 14:13)

What is it about sorrow and grief that is so powerful? Even in the happiest of times, both have the ability to overshadow the good.

"Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful, and the end of mirth is heaviness and grief." Proverbs 14:13, Amplified

It is so true that happy times may just lead back to sorrow and grief. But why? Why is it that sorrow and grief cause us to forget about the good times that we have experienced in our lives? How is it that a wonderful marriage can end with a crying wife that is left by a husband? Or that the end of a great life ends with a sorrowful funeral?

The answer is simple. We live in a fallen world where happiness and mirth do no necessarily belong. At the point of our conversion to Christianity, we are instructed to read the "Good Book" (or the Bible) everyday. The Bible is riddled with lives surrounded by suffering and turmoil. The Apostle Paul was jailed and beaten and shipwrecked. The Apostle John ended his life exiled on an island. All the disciples that followed Christ suffered persecution and death (as they were promised). King David, a man after God's own heart, ran from his own son who desired to kill him. These men, as well as many others had times of great joy in their lives, but in the end, sorrow and grief seemed to always find them.

We live in a fallen world where sin and the devil have free reign. What once belonged to the Lord was taken from Him and now He is just an invited guest in the hearts of His children. There will be a day when He reclaims what He has made, but for now, sin and the devil have control of this world.

God had created a utopia for Adam and Eve, a wonderful Garden for them to live in. Two commands were given to them. Do not eat from the tree in the middle of the garden and be fruitful and multiply. Even before they could be faithful to the Lord on the second command, they transgressed and ate from the tree. A curse was laid upon man and this earth. "Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you shall return." (Genesis 3:17b-19, NKJV)

What began as a time of great happiness was suffixed by a curse of sorrow and grief. Sin and the devil had everything to do with it, as well as the free will of man. So enjoy those happy times in our lives and rest assured that the happiest time still awaits us in heaven where sorrow and grief will not and do not exist.

Which Way Do I Go? (Proverbs 14:12)

Everybody seems to know the way. Step into a crowd of people and ask for directions, you will get five different ways. If you need to loose weight, there are hundreds of ways found on television and infomercials. There also seems t be many different ways to heaven. So what is the right answer?

"There is a way that seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it are the ways of death." Proverbs 14:12, Amplified

Any way concocted by man seems to be the right way. The first few steps on a man made path makes the soul feel better. Now I am referring to religion. Every heart needs salvation whether it is spoken of or not. Everyone wants to find that way to heaven. Every way seems to be right. The one thing that separates Christianity from the rest is that it is prescribed by God. God laid out a path to get to heaven, He built a bridge that covered the gap. Just because one does not like that way does not mean that another way can be found.

Sojourner (Proverbs 14:11)

We, as children of the Almighty, are just passing through this world. This is truly not our home; we are meant for so much greater.

"The house of the wicked shall be overthrown, but the tent of the upright shall flourish." Proverbs 14:11, Amplified

Notice the difference between the two. The house of the wicked is going to be overthrown. This implies that they have found a home here on earth. Whereas the righteous, or upright, live in tents as the Israelites did. We are just sojourners here. Our home is in Heaven. When a person is less attached to some ting, it is so much easier for that person to move on in life. This was the purpose of tents for the Israelites. The Lord moved them around for 40 years, sojourning through the desert.

Realize, though, that the tent of the upright will flourish not because it is a tent. Our abode has little to do with our salvation. The tent of the upright will flourish because because of the inhabitant, just as the house of the wicked will fall because of its tenants.

Feelings, Nothing More than Feelings (Proverbs 14:10)

Emotion is the one of the things that separates us from the rest of the animal kingdom. But emotion is such a broad subject. There is love and have and disgust and a whole plethora of different feelings.

"The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy." Proverbs 14:10, Amplified

Feelings are unique to an individual. No one can feel exactly the way that I feel. Sure, when a family member dies, the entire family mourns. But each family member's hearts grieves in its own fashion.

So when we are bitter, we are bitter for our own selves. Bitterness is like drinking a glass of poison and waiting for the other person to die. (Cindy Hagerman)

The same goes for any and all emotion. We can all feel bitterness and joy and disgust, but no one experiences it quite the same way. As we feel these emotions, we feel them for ourselves.

The Truth About Mockery (Proverbs 14:9)

Some think it is funny when the wrong things are done. Evil just becomes another game. But the gamble is too high when the wager is your soul.

"Fools make a mock at sine, and sin mocks the fools [who are its victims] - a sin offering made by them only mocks them [bringing them disappointment and disfavor]; but among the upright there is the favor of God." Proverbs 14:9, Amplified

If you are reading the New King James Version of this verse, then you may have noticed that the Amplified Version of this verse is jut a little bit longer. However, I think that it is a good thing, a great point is conveyed here.

Those who are not saved only make a mockery of sin. It becomes a huge joke with them because they do not truly understand life after death and what is awaiting them. But in reality, it is not them who mock sin, rather it is sin that is mocking them. Sin has blinded their eyes to the truth of the Light and deafened their ears to the truth of the Gospel. No, brother, it is not we who are the mockers, but we who are the mocked. That is unless we already have the light of the Gospel within our hearts. If the latter be the case then that still small voice speaks into our ear when we have transgressed. Our sin offering will not be made a mockery, rather it will be accepted because we have the favor of the Lord on our side.

Seek, Run, Question (Proverbs 14:6-8)

There are two types of people in this world. Those who know and those who don't. Know what, you ask? Anything and everything. About cars, about cooking, about rearing children but most importantly about their eternal salvation and the walk they have with the Lord on this side of heaven.

"A scoffer seeks Wisdom in vain [for his very attitude blinds and deafens him to it], but knowledge is easy to him who [being teachable] understands." Proverbs 14:6, Amplified

Webster's Dictionary defines scoff as "showing derision or mockery." If one seeks true wisdom and shows signs of derision and mockery, of course that wisdom will elude them. The godly wisdom being spoken of in this verse is a teaching wisdom, a correcting wisdom. One must want to change and be taught if he desires to find the wisdom of God.

"Go from the presence of a foolish and self-confident man, for you will not find knowledge in his lips." Proverbs 14:7, Amplified

This is one of those "pearl before swine" instances. We must ever be making judgement calls to decide with whom we should affiliate ourselves. I am not speaking of judging people and condemning them, that is for the Lord to do. We as good soldiers for the Lord must know and understand what banner another is fighting under.

"The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, but the folly of [self-confident] fools is to deceive." Proverbs 14:8, Amplified

Understanding comes from questions. I have heard the expression "blind faith" and I am not too keen on it. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1, NKJV) Yes, it is the substance of things hoped for. Hope is something that is not seen. When hope is in the heart it is actually an unfulfilled desire. But what most people overlook in that verse is the "evidence" of things not seen. How is a criminal convicted? Evidence. The questions that I referred to at the beginning of this chapter is the question of our own walk and our own faith. I feel the Lord wants us to question our faith. Not that we should question if He is real, or am I really saved. Rather, the healthier questions. Questions whose answers will solidify our existing faith and make it stronger.

Think of it like this. When a contractor is building a structure, he knows that he is doing everything right. But he must still call in a building inspector to question the integrity of the structure. The purpose of the inspector is to find fault. Without the inspector coming into the structure and questioning its integrity, how then can the contractor fix any fault that he may have overlooked? Seek. Question. Listen. It is the same in our own walk with the Lord. If we do not question, how then are we to fix our own walk and stay on the path that He has designed for us?

Faithfulness (Proverbs 14:5)

Faithfulness if a term synonymous with truthfulness. As we are truthful so we are also faithful in that we are representing the Lord appropriately.

"A faithful witness will not lie, but a false witness breathes out falsehoods." Proverbs 14:5, Amplified

There is not much about this verse that I can elaborate on. One can read it and understand its meaning perfectly.

In reading the word witness, one thinks of the judicial system at first. But our lives are a witness as well to the goodness of the Lord. We must put the truth out there for others to see. If we lie to the world then we lose credibility. Let us be faithful then to the Lord and to mankind and speak only the truth.

Income (Proverbs 14:4)

It is very true that if one is to do nothing, then no mess will be made.

"Where no oxen are, the grain crib is empty, but much increase of the crops is by the strength of an ox." Proverbs 14:4, Amplified

This could not be a truer statement. Where there are no oxen, one does not have to clean the stall nor clean the grin crib, nor fill the grain crib. Life is a little less simple without an ox.

But what this verse is trying to convey here is that one must work and exhibit responsibility in order to get paid. Without that ox, one cannot do certain things.

Think of it like a taxi cab driver who has no taxi cab. How does he make money? He can't. Why does he have no cab? He complains that gas prices are too high, he does not want to have to clean the car or maintain the engine. Gas, cleanliness and maintenance are three things the cab driver must do in order to produce income.

In order to make money for ourselves, we must be willing to do those things which perpetuate our income.

The Rod of Correction (Proverbs 14:3)

It is amazing how easily our own mouths can lead to our undoing. That same mouth, however, can also lead to our preservation. The choice is up to us. We can either be that child of God that we are called to be, or we can continue to walk in the lusts of our flesh.

"In the fool's own mouth is a rod to shame his pride, but the wise men's lips shall preserve them." Proverbs 14:3, Amplified

In the mouth of the fool one can find a rod. The most widely known verse that speaks of a rod can be found in Psalm 23, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4, NKJV)

The staff was the large stick with a curve at the top of it that has become synonymous with the shepherd. It was used to guide the sheep and pull on the sheep to get the sheep to go where the shepherd desired without being a detriment to the sheep. The rod, however, had only one purpose: breaking the legs of the sheep for the sake of discipline. The shepherd would break the legs of a sheep that had a tendency to stray and mend the legs. While the sheep was healing, the shepherd would carry the sheep on his own shoulders so that the sheep would become so familiar with the shepherd, that tendency for straying would leave the sheep.

The fool has this same rod in his mouth. By his own words he will be beaten and disciplined. It is like the alpha lion being challenged by another for a leadership position, but he is the one fighting against himself.

The lips of the wise will be like a preservation because the One who speaks through them is the Holy Spirit. As we spend more time pouring the Word of God into our hearts and minds, the more our reactions to every day happenings will mimic the Word of God. The fool fills himself with his own self image, whereas the child of God has a clear understand of who he really is; nothing. Pray then that the Lord would help you to remove that rod from your mouth. I know I have had difficulty in the past removing that same rod from my own mouth.

Hope for the Hopeless (Proverbs 14:2)

I couldn't sleep again tonight. So I am going to the emergency room this morning. I have so out of of tune with the Lord for so long, I did not want to leave without doing my devotion first.

"He who walks in uprightness reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, but he who is contrary and devious in his ways despises Him." Proverbs 14:2, Amplified

As an employee for Denny's for over two years, my walk with the Lord wavered greatly. I had begun to smoke a year before, however I resolved to quit as I made the transition. This of course did not happen. My life was slowly slipping away and out of my control. I stopped going to church on a regular basis. But my love for the Lord did not die. Deep inside I knew that He alone was the answer for me. It was not until I had been fired that I finally reached out to Him and called upon His name for help. In getting fired, "Red Letter Addition" was born. I actually began a daily devotional. This is something that I had never done before in my entire relationship with the Lord.

As I walked in my own devious ways for that while, my heart was contrary to the Lord. I began to hate the people of my church that I had once loved. Not because they had slighted me, but because the light of the Lord shown so brightly in them. It is impossible to serve both the Lord and the flesh. Only one will rise victorious. The Lord is prepared to put up a fight for your soul, but you must be willing to fight along side Him. There will always be hope for the hopeless.

This is for the Ladies (Proverbs 14:1)

The hunter of the family has always been the man. He goes out, kills an animal and brings it home for his family. In 2010, it hasn't changed much. The man now goes to work to bring home a paycheck for his family. The woman, however, has always been the nurturer of the family. She is the one that internally provides for the family.

"Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands." Proverbs 14:1, Amplified

It is the wise woman that constantly provides for her family. Now I am not talking about keeping the women barefoot and pregnant, or that her place is only in the kitchen. I am talking about her place as the nurturer. AS she fulfills the role the Lord has given to her, the family unit becomes stronger.

The foolish woman does not fulfill this role and her family falls to pieces. This is not to say that she purposefully tears her family apart, but when the we stray from the things the Lord has laid out for us, everything seems to crumble. It is like the brand new car that sits in the driveway and never started. Eventually it will brake down because it was never treated properly. Everything in this life has a maintenance plan. The family simply needs to be nurtured.

Satisfaction (Proverbs 13:25)

Satisfaction can come in so many different forms. One thing I like to define satisfaction as is "just enough". For myself, I tend to eat till I am full. New Year's Eve, I went to Carrow's and had a burger and fries, then went to a party where I continued to eat. At the party I had pigs in a blanket, taquitos, chicken tortilla soup, hot wings, chips, almonds and a few Diet Cokes. I was stuffed, and uncomfortably so. Satisfaction is getting just enough; not too much nor too little.

"The [uncompromisingly] righteous eats to his own satisfaction, but the stomach of the wicked shall want." Proverbs 113:25, Amplified

There are two different ways that this verse can be viewed. In a physical stand point it seems that the righteous man does not go hungry whereas the wicked man starves. However, in the Gospel of Luke we find the story of Lazarus and the rich man. Lazarus ended up in Abraham's Bosom whereas the rich man ended up on the other side of the gulf in Hades. In this life, Lazarus went hungry, and the rich man ate till he was full. In life today, we can see that this verse is not necessarily true in the physical sense. There are righteous people in the world today who are going hungry, and there are evil men whose pockets are lined with wealth and their stomachs are never empty.

So what does this verse mean? As a child of God, we have the ability to be satisfied in every aspect of our lives. Do not think of the word "eat", rather replace it with the phrase "experiences life". The righteous experiences life to his own satisfaction. As food is placed on the table, we say a blessing over it and eat enjoying the experience with the family. The meal is an experience to be shared and enjoyed with others. As we travel on vacation, a prayer is said over the travels we make and enjoy the trip with whomever we are with. The righteous man includes the Lord in everything that he does, therefore the experiences of his life are satisfying.

The wicked man has no one to share those experiences with because he is a selfish man. There may be times when he includes others in his debauchery, but in the end it will be about himself. In selfishness, there will never be enough. The wicked and the sinner do not understand satisfaction.

Diligent Discipline of the Lord (Proverbs 13:24)

What a great verse to ring in the new year with.

"He who spares his rod [of discipline] hates his son, but he who loves him diligently disciplines and punishes him early." Proverbs 13:24, Amplified

The Lord has taught me so much this past year. 2009 was not without its downfalls, however, if I have learned on thing, it is that the Lord loves me. He has disciplined me over this year to show me that He loves me. "The rod and rebuke give wisdom..." (Proverbs 29:15, NKJV) "Correct your son and he will give you rest..." (Proverbs 29:17, NKJV)

I thank God that He loves me enough to rebuke me. What this does is it puts me back on the right path and shows me that He has not forgotten about me. I may forsake him in prayer and in reading my Bible or going to church. But He is ever diligent to keep me in His right standing.