He Keeps His Own Safe (Proverbs 22:12)

The Lord is righteous. He will preserve those who are righteous and overthrows those who are not.

"The eyes of the Lord keep guard over knowledge and him who has it, but He overthrows the words of the treacherous." Proverbs 22:12, Amplified

Nothing established in unrighteous will ever stand. It may seem that those who are evil prosper, but that is solely temporal. The Lord will guard anyone and everyone who practices righteousness, because we are His and He takes care of His own. Realize and understand that the prosperity of the wicked is fleeting and their end will come suddenly and without warning.

A Friend for the King (Proverbs 22:11)

Purity is always the best choice for anyone to make. It seems that our society is deceiving its citizens by selling them something less than purity.

"He who loves purity and the pure in heart, and who is gracious in speech, will for the grace of his lips have the king for his friend." Proverbs 22:11, Amplified

Who wouldn't want a king for a friend? Who wouldn't want to cal the King of kings his friend? There are those who have bought into the lie that there is something bette than purity for the body and it is the freedom that one has with his own body. Do you realize that purity has never hurt a soul? Do you realize that purity will never cause one to have an STD or an unwanted pregnancy?

The lie has become so believable that people think that Christians are trying to take something away from them, some experience that they may miss out on. But in truth, purity is the true freedom that one can experience. it is the freedom to not do what everyone else is doing. When we align ourselves with purity, we take the same stance as the Lord on certain issues that seek to defile that purity and innocence. When we align ourselves with the Lord, we make Him our friend. I would much rather have the Lord on my side than Herpes.

Get Rid of Those Boogers (Proverbs 22:10)

Sometimes we just need to clean house to get a fresh start.

"Drive out the scoffer and contention will go out; yes, strife and abuse will cease." Proverbs 22:10, Amplified

That cleaning house sometimes involves ridding ourselves of people we surround ourselves with. This verse reminds me of the Mucinex commercials where these boogers have set up house within the lungs of a person making him miserable. But with a little prompting and coughing and Mucinex, the boogers are forced out giving that person relief for the first time in who knows how long.

The same thing can be said of those persons that we surround ourselves with, the mucus of relationships can bog us down. If we eradicate that from our lives, then we will be freer that before.

Sow with the Intent to Harvest (Proverbs 22:9)

Generosity is one of the signs that we are one of the children of God.

"He who has a bountiful eye shall be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor." Proverbs 22:9, Amplified

Those who have this "bountiful" eye will be blessed because they realize that what they have really isn't theirs in the first place. Everything that we own comes from the Lord. Paul said it best when he wrote to the Corinthians. "But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Sp let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: 'He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.' Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness." (Second Corinthians 9:6-10, NKJV)

As we come the conclusion that nothing we have is our own, we will be able to give of it more freely. The seed that we are provided with comes from the Lord. Whatever that seed may be, it is the obligation of the sower to sow those seeds so that he may reap a harvest.

Don't Miss the Harvest (Proverbs 22:8)

This next verse is a warning to us all.

"He who sows iniquity will reap calamity and futility, and the rod of his wrath [with which he smites others] will fail." Proverbs 22:8, Amplified

I am no more qualified to point this verse at anyone else than you are at me. When I read this verse, I cannot relate it to anyone but myself. There have been times in my walk where I have failed to walk righteously. I need to be that example for my family and if I am out sowing iniquity then I will miss the harvest.

But this verse points to a truth that Jesus spoke of in the Sermon on the Mount. He stated that we tend to see the speck and ignore the log. If I am going about living life according to the flesh, then I have no business correcting anyone else who is doing the same. This even goes more for my family than anything or anyone else. I would be a hypocrite if I chose to live this way. I admit that everyday seems to be a struggle and when I do falter, the road to redemption seems more arduous than before. But the point of repentance is to make a changing of the mind and turn from those sins.

Supply and Demand (Proverbs 22:7)

There are certain laws that cannot be broken whether they be scientific or social.

"The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender." Proverbs 22:7, Amplified

How much more simple can one get. This is a social law that will never change. Travel to any country, nation and culture and the same concept applies. This is what the economic concept of supply and demand is built upon. I do not think that there is anything else that can be said about this verse that already has not been said.

Training (Proverbs 22:6)

This is a verse that I held on to when I was going astray. Though I knew that what I was doing was wrong, I was not willing to turn from whatever sin I was involved in.

"Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6, Amplified

I thank my parents everyday for teaching me the things of God, for without that I would still be lost. The Bible never infers that a child will not leave the Way, it only states that when he is old he will not depart rom it. Everyone needs to find their own way in this world. If that means straying from the Lord, then that is what he must do. The Bible encourages each one of us by saying this, "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." (Philippians 2:12, NKJV) Each one of us has that responsibility in our own lives. Parents are called to lead and direct, but each has his own decisions to make. I made my own decisions, most of which I regret from my adolescence, but I returned to the Way.

Parents, be strengthened with the knowledge that if you have trained your child up in the ways of the Lord, then that foundation will ever be present within their hearts and minds. That sure footing will forever be there for them to return to when they have exhausted everything else.

Choices (Proverbs 22:5)

The way of the righteous is a peaceful path, but the way of the perverse is full of pain.

"Thorns and snares are in the way of the obstinate and willful; he who guards himself will be far from them." Proverbs 22:5, Amplified

Guarding oneself means that he or she keeps him or herself from evil choices. There is pain and hurt in the lives of the righteous and evil alike, however, the pain is different when the sojourner is obstinate and willful against the will of the Lord. That pain comes from bad choices and is meant to destroy. The pain that the Lord allows in our lives is meant to strengthen us. Thorns and snares are devices of torture, but the fire of the Lord tempers the heart.

What You Seek (Proverbs 22:4)

True riches are found in humility.

"The reward of humility and the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life." Proverbs 22:4, Amplified

The three things that I feel are most prevalent in the minds of human beings is to find riches, to find honor and to find life. Within these three things, the person finds what he or she has been searching for.

However, if we wish to receive riches and honor and life we must first have that reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord. True riches are found in the Lord because He owns "the cattle on a thousand hills." (Psalm 50:10b, NKJV) Honor goes to those who first honor the Lord. "Honor the Lord with your possessions..." (Proverbs 3:9a, NKJV) And life to those who seek the Lord first. "Who 'will render to each one according to his deeds'; eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor and immortality..." (Romans 2:6-7, NKJV)

Everything that we need for this life is all tied up with the Lord.

Prudence (Proverbs 22:3)

It is always a good thing to look ahead in life and see what is coming. If we walk around blind, we will always fall into peril.

"A prudent man sees the evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished (with suffering)." Proverbs 22:3, Amplified

It is our duty to know and understand what is going on around us. In doing so, we begin to protect ourselves from the evils of this world. Sojourning through this world unprotected leaves us on the chopping block for the devil, easy prey.

Created Equal (Proverbs 22:2)

Everybody has at least this one thing in common, God made everyone.

"The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the Maker of them all." Proverbs 22:2, Amplified

The meeting that this verse is referring to is a commonality between two persons. It is interesting, I was just talking to a friend of mine last night about this sort of thing. Death is the great leveler. In the story of Lazarus and the rich man, status separated these two men, however, in death, these two met eye to eye. Though they had a great chasm separating the two, the rich man finally took notice of Lazarus.

No matter where we are in this life, according to our status, riches or anything else, we are no better than the next guy. We all have the same beginning: the Lord made us all. We all have the same end: death.

On a tombstone, there is a little dash between the birth and death dates. That little dash signifies the life spent by the individual. How will your dash be read?

Your Good Name (Proverbs 22:1)

There are other things in this life that are more important than possessions.

"A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than choice silver and gold." Proverbs 22:1, Amplified

Some would much rather have riches than anything else, but in truth a good name will get you much further in this life than anything else. Sure, riches bring you into favor with others, but will they respect you? Most people get enamored with the idea of knowing someone rich for they have the idea that they will benefit from those riches.

With a good name, there is no doubt that respect comes with that. In truth, riches can only get you so far with another person. Your name and reputation goes so much further than anything else. Others are willing to bend themselves for your reputation than your riches. Your good name will bring you favor with others long before your riches do.

Preparations (Proverbs 21:31)

We can make all the preparation that we want, but the outcome is always based upon what the Lord desires.

"The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance and victory are of the Lord." Proverbs 21:31, Amplified

All the preparation in the world will not win the battle if the Lord already favors your foe. this is why we must not only make preparation, but we must also supplicate and pray to the Lord for His deliverance.

Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel (Proverbs 21:30)

Advice is a great and wonderful thing to give and receive. But no advice can ever be given that is contrary to the Lord.

"There is no wisdom or understanding or counsel [that can prevail] against the Lord." Proverbs 21:30, Amplified

Over the years, it may seem that this statement does not ring true in America, because we now have laws and practices and government that seems to go directly against the will of God. So is this verse wrong? No. What is says is that nothing will "prevail" against the Lord, it does not mention that man would not try to be contrary to the Lord. It is within our nature. And what he verse is really stating is that whatever counsel that we receive, nothing will be as good as what the Lord would have us do. Take for instance the act of intercourse. The world says that we should do whatever we feel like because if we love someone it can't be wrong. But if we do, there is danger of unwanted pregnancy and even STD's. But he Lord tells us to wait until we are married, what can be wrong with that?

The only reason why the world is so resistant against what the Lord would have us do is that He would have us deny ourselves for just a moment. We are creatures that need and want immediate satisfaction. If you are hungry, go to a drive through or pop a dinner in the microwave. Are you horny, why wait for your wife for there is a plethora of pornographic sites for one to choose from on the net.

Wisdom, understanding and counsel are best is received from the Lord. There is no trickery involved with the Lord, He is black or white and never gray. It is either yes, no or wait. Denial of our desires just makes us appreciate whatever it is we are waiting even more.

Anchor (Proverbs 21:29)

There is a big difference as to how the wicked and the righteous conduct themselves.

"A wicked man puts on the bold, unfeeling face [of guilt] bit as for the upright, he considers, directs and establishes his way [with the confidence of integrity]." Proverbs 21:29, Amplified

This is one of those verses where I prefer one translation over the other. In this verse, I do prefer the New King James Version over the Amplified. In the beginning of this verse in the former translation it states, "The wicked man hardens his face..." There is no hint of the guilt spoken of in the Amplified version.

Going off this other translation, when I read it, it reminds me of my son. When he gets in one of his moods, he crosses his arms, furrows his brow and purses his lips. He is angry and does not want to move. This is what the wicked man does; he does not want to move so he takes a stance. It is not established in anything else but his own desire.

The righteous man, however, establishes his own way. What he does differently is that he knows where he is going, why he is going and how he is to get there. He has a plan and he understands how it is to be executed. The righteous man has most likely prayed as well concerning this path which makes his way even more established.

The difference between the two men is the anchor that each one possesses. The wicked man is anchored by his own feet, but the righteous man is anchored by the Lord Himself.

Witness (Proverbs 21:28)

"A false witness shall perish, but the word of a man who hears attentively will endure and be unchallenged." Proverbs 21:28, Amplified

I think that this verse speaks plainly and loudly for itself.

Sacrifices (Proverbs 21:27)

There is nothing good that a wicked man can do for the Lord. His heart is wicked, therefore every intent that he has within his heart is wicked.

"The sacrifice of the wicked is exceedingly disgusting and abhorrent [to the Lord]; how much more when he brings it with evil intentions?" Proverbs 21:27, Amplified

The heart of a man must be right with the Lord in order for his sacrifices to mean anything. So if we are wicked by nature, how do we get to this point of purity? The answer is within the text.

The sacrifices of the wicked are a disgusting thing to the Lord because of the state of his heart. He has not made the effort to cleanse himself or rid himself of his wickedness. He has no desire to change. But he is even more disgusting when he brings his sacrifices with evil intent. It is like bringing gifts to placate the gods but never intending to change your ways. What is the point? There is nothing in my own possessions that the Lord would ever want above my heart. My heart is the only sacrifice that I can give to the Lord. But if I bring anything else to give him in place of my heart, it will mean nothing if I have no intent to change.

If one wishes to change, he must couple strong desire with strong will. Have a desire to change and the fortitude to do so. I am not implying that there is anything I can do to earn the love of God or to earn passage into heaven. However, I have to want to change. I have to want to make an effort to change. I have to actively make better choices in my life.

It may be surprising to some, but there are a few things that God cannot do. One of those things is to change a heart that is unwilling to change.

Desire (Proverbs 21:25-26)

The lazy and the industrious man have this one thing in common: they both desire something. However, only one will receive that which he desires.

"The desire of the slothful man kills him, for his hands refuse to do labor. He covets greedily all day long, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous gives and does not withhold." Proverbs 21:25-26, Amplified

For the lazy man, desire does not become manifest because he refuses to take part in the process. Desire needs to become more in a life in order for it to become real. Had Bill Gates simply sat in his garage and desired to build a computer, Microsoft would never have been born. Many great men had desires to become more and do more in their lives, they took action. No one who has ever made a name for themselves have done so for inaction. Even Richard Heene took action to become more with his weather balloon hoax.

But the righteous man takes action on his desires and receives so much more than he needs that he has to give to others. Trust in the Lord and He will give you all that you need. Trust, faith and hope are all words that have action behind them. Neither conveys an idea of passiveness, especially when it comes to our relationships with the Lord.

Who You Are (Proverbs 21:24)

There are those out there who act in certain ways and one does not need to be personally introduced to him to understand who he is.

"The proud and haughty man - scoffer is his name - deals and acts with overwhelming pride." Proverbs 21:24, Amplified

There is not much for me to say here, besides the fact that I never want to be known just because of my words. Why would anyone ever want to dissuade people from becoming close?

I want people to know me for my words, but more so for who I am.

What Goes in Must Come Out (Proverbs 21:23)

The tongue and mouth of a person can be such a wicked thing. But we have total control over everything we say.

"He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself from troubles." Proverbs 21:23, Amplified

As Christin men and women we need to be ever more diligent to guard our tongues and mouths. How are we to do this. The easiest way is of course to read your Bible and pray everyday. The next step is to filter what we place into our eyes and ears. The less vile things that we allow is, the less vile they will be coming out.