Mirror, mirror

The company you keep is a Morris right of who you are. When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

Proverbs 29:24 (HCSB): To be a thief’s partner is to hate oneself;
he hears the curse but will not testify.

Running shoes

when the truth is revealed, the innocent can stand tall, but the guilty run. Unfortunately,  o matter how fast you are, or how good your running shoes are, you can’t outrun the truth!

Proverbs 28:1 (HCSB): The wicked flee when no one is pursuing them,
but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

Minding your business

Sometimes it’s best to mind your own business!

Proverbs 26:17 (HCSB): A person who is passing by and meddles in a quarrel that’s not his
is like one who grabs a dog by the ears.

Returns

Words are just like commodities; when used at the right time in the right way, they provide great returns. What returns are yours bringing?

Proverbs 25:11–13 (HCSB):
 A word spoken at the right time
is like gold apples on a silver tray.
A wise correction to a receptive ear
is like a gold ring or an ornament of gold.
To those who send him, a trustworthy messenger
is like the coolness of snow on a harvest day;
he refreshes the life of his masters.

paralyzed

To gain respect and influence, you want to take action to help others when everyone else is paralyzed by their shock.

Proverbs 24:10–12 (HCSB):
If you do nothing in a difficult time,
your strength is limited.
Rescue those being taken off to death,
and save those stumbling toward slaughter.
If you say, “But we didn’t know about this,”
won’t He who weighs hearts  consider it?
Won’t He who protects your life  know?
Won’t He repay a person according to his work?

Open your eyes

It’s been said, “There is no one more tired than the man who stays in bed all day.” There is also no one more poor!

Proverbs 20:13 (HCSB): Don’t love sleep, or you will become poor;
open your eyes, and you’ll have enough to eat

Motives

The ends don’t always justify the means; make sure your motives are right before you take action!

Proverbs 16:2–3 (HCSB):
 All a man’s ways seem right to him,
but the Lord evaluates the motives.
Commit your activities to the Lord,
and your plans will be achieved.

The good wife

You may be able to recieve a lot of things from man, but a good wife is from the Lord! Be thankful for your spouse AND be a good spouse!

Proverbs 19:14 (HCSB):
A house and wealth are inherited from fathers,
but a sensible wife is from the Lord.

Firm Foundation

Lying might bring quick fortune, but ntegrity is the firm foundation of lasting success.

Proverbs 13:6 (HCSB): Righteousness guards people of integrity,
but wickedness undermines the sinner.

Busy

 Busy doesn’t always mean productivity!

Proverbs 10:16 (HCSB): The labor of the righteous leads to life;
the activity of the wicked leads to sin.

Put the lid on

Stirred pots take longer to cook, but a covered pot cooks faster and you can enjoy the food. Hatred ruins friendships but forgiveness brings enjoyment!

Proverbs 10:12 (HCSB):
Hatred stirs up conflicts,
but love covers all offenses.

going with the flow

When it comes to giving into sin, you can do one of two things: go with the flow, and spend the rest of your life looking over your shoulder, or avoid it and live in peace all your days.

Proverbs 5:7–14 (HCSB)
(Speaking if the forbidden woman or seductress:)
 7 So now, my sons, listen to me,
and don’t turn away from the words of my mouth.
8 Keep your way far from her.
Don’t go near the door of her house.
9 Otherwise, you will give up your vitality to others
and your years to someone cruel;
10 strangers will drain your resources,
and your earnings will end up in a foreigner’s house.
11 At the end of your life, you will lament
when your physical body has been consumed,
12 and you will say, “How I hated discipline,
and how my heart despised correction.
13 I didn’t obey my teachers
or listen closely  to my mentors.
14 I am on the verge of complete ruin
before the entire community.”

Choose carefully

Traveling down the wrong path with consume a person’s very life; choose your paths carefully!

Proverbs 4:14–17 (HCSB)
 14 Don’t set foot on the path of the wicked;
don’t proceed in the way of evil ones.
15 Avoid it; don’t travel on it.
Turn away from it, and pass it by.
16 For they can’t sleep
unless they have done what is evil;
they are robbed of sleep
unless they make someone stumble.
17 They eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence.

Have it your way

God gives us the ability to choose curses, mockery, and ruin, or blessing, grace, and honor. Like Burger King, you can “have it your way.” What’s your choice?

Proverbs 3:33–35 (HCSB):
The Lord’s curse is on the household of the wicked,
but He blesses the home of the righteous;
He mocks those who mock,
but gives grace to the humble.
The wise will inherit honor,
but He holds up fools to dishonor.

problems

Placing your faith in Christ doesn’t mean problems disappear, but it does mean you have a helper to get you through them and aeven avoid some.

Proverbs 3:25–26 (HCSB):
 Don’t fear sudden danger
or the ruin of the wicked when it comes,
for the Lord will be your confidence
and will keep your foot from a snare

Hocus Pocus

Slandering someone is like the magician’s trick of pulling a tablecloth out from under a perfectly set table; it works because it’s based on untruth, and for most people it only means they’re going to be covered in food after the attempt.

Proverbs 30:10 (HCSB)
Don’t slander a servant to his master
or he will curse you,  and you will become guilty.