Proverbs 31:30

​Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.

Proverbs 31:30 HCSB

Charming people can win you over the first time you meet them. Maybe it’s a first date, a salesman, or a politician that has you enthralled by their charm. You overlook many other obvious flaws and are blinded to red flags and common sense. What you see is not what you get. Charm is deceptive. 

Beautiful people can win you over the first time you meet them. Over time, this will fade in us all. Beauty is fleeting. 

The only thing that lasts is someone’s love of the Lord. 

Charm and beauty are fine, and can be good, however there has to be some substance to a person that is greater. 

If you are single, look for someone whos love of the Lord is undeniable. Don’t be overwhelmed by things that won’t last. 

If you are married, focus on your spouses attributes that will last, not those that are deceptive and temporary. 

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Proverbs 30:5

​Every word of God is pure;  He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.

Proverbs 30:5 HCSB

We can 100% trust what God tells us. His Word and His love will protect us from the world when things get tough!

Proverbs 29:11

Have a quick temper? Have trouble controlling what you say or do when you get mad?

​A fool gives full vent to his anger,  but a wise man holds it in check.

Proverbs 29:11‭ HCSB

Be aware when you are getting upset. Do what it takes to cool off before saying or doing something foolish. It’s OK to get mad, just take some deep breaths, take a time out, exercise…find a way to control your anger.  It’s not OK to let your anger control you. 

Proverbs 28:1

When I was younger I would find myself running away from things when they became difficult. Relationships, classes, and responsibilities that became burdensome were easier to run from than to see thru. Perhaps I was afraid of commitment, perhaps I was afraid of failure, or perhaps I was afraid to learn some difficult truths about myself. No one was chasing me, I was just running. 

​The wicked flee when no one is pursuing them, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

Proverbs 28:1 HCSB

Those of us who have accepted Jesus as our savior have His Holy Spirit in us. He has power over our sin, He is righteous. We have the ability to be bold and stand up to the difficult times of life, and not aimlessly run away from things. 

Ask God for boldness. Be prepared when He puts you in a situation requiring you to be bold. 

Proverbs 27:7

​As Americans, we take many things for granted. When we take things for granted, we surely don’t appreciate them. Even the smallest things in our life are blessings, and we need to be aware that they exist. If we aren’t looking, we won’t see them. Proverbs 27:7 says:

A person who is full tramples on a honeycomb, but to a hungry person, any bitter thing is sweet.

One doesn’t appreciate food, until they have been hungry. Some nights I stare into a full pantry and refrigerator and say, “we’ve got nothing to eat.” I’ve gotten so unappreciative of the fact that we have plenty to eat, I complain that I don’t have the right thing to eat. I don’t look thru the eyes of someone who is hungry, one who yearns for more, but thru the eyes of one who has more than enough. 

What else do we take for granted in our lives? Look for what God is doing in your life. Look thru the eyes of someone who hungry. We can’t appreciate what God is doing if we aren’t looking. 

Proverbs 26:11

​Is there someone you know who keeps doing the same dumb thing over and over? 

Do you? 

I think we all have at some point in our lives. It is plain old foolish to keep doing it. 

If it’s you…then stop! Doing the same thing won’t have a different outcome.

If it’s someone else, don’t support their foolishness. Depending on your rapport and relationship with this person, it may be perfectly appropriate to gently correct them. 

If all else fails…take this proverb to heart and share with others:

As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness.

Proverbs 26:11 HCSB

Proverbs 25:11

​You have something nice to say? Is it the proper time to say it? Then let it loose!

A word spoken at the right time is like gold apples on a silver tray.

Proverbs 25:11 HCSB 

Proverbs 24:16

God never promised anyone an easy life. He also said that we would have struggles. At times, we may fall flat on our face. The difference between someone who trusts in God vs someone who trusts in evil is how they respond when they fall. 

​Though a righteous man falls seven times, he will get up, but the wicked will stumble into ruin.

Proverbs 24:16 HCSB

A fall, no matter how far or how many times can be forgiven and forgotten by God. A mere stumble can keep others down for the count. 

If you are truly a believer, there is no reason to not get back up again from a fall. Even though life gets tough, He will pull you through. 

Proverbs 23:4-5

When I was in college, I worked in a few factories over the summer to make some money. I met a guy who did maintenance on the machines in the factory. He began to tell me how much money he had made the previous year and the house he was able to pay cash for. I asked how he was able to make that much in a year, and he proceeded to tell me that he worked 90 hours per week all year! Most nights he slept there at the factory. He made a lot of money, but literally did nothing but work and sleep. 
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In our society, it is the goal of many to be rich. We look up to those who have lots of money and we desire to have the life they live. Some were born into money, some worked very hard for it, some lucked into it, and others cheated their way to riches. 

Wanting to make money isn’t bad, we all need to earn a living and support our families. 

Working hard is great, and is something we should all do. 

When the desire to get rich begins to get too strong, and becomes our main focus, trouble begins to arrise. 

Don’t wear yourself out to get rich; stop giving your attention to it. As soon as your eyes fly to it, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.

Proverbs 23:4‭-‬5 HCSB

Money is temporary, it’s only for this life. It can go away more quickly than we can bring it in. Don’t let the desire to get rich get in the way of life. 

Think about your motives for working and making money. Are you picking up extra shifts to pay the bills, get out of debt, or just to get money?

There are seasons in our life we will have to work more, but always examine your motives. 

If we are wearing ourselves out to simply get more than we need, we are missing out on time with family and friends and doing things we love. 

Work hard for the right reasons, don’t make it your life. 

Proverbs 22:2,9,16

The Bible speaks quite a bit in how to treat those who are poor. Typically, we initially think of those who are financially poor. “Poor” is not limited to money however, it can be relational, spiritual, and emotional as well. 

Verse 2:The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord made them both.  

God made us all and He made us all unique. We all struggle with different things. Regardless of any differences, we have the same heavenly father. 

Verse 9: A generous person will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. 

Do you share your physical, tangible things with those in need? How about sharing knowledge with those who understand less? How about sharing time and emotional support for those going through a challenging time? Those who bless others will also be blessed. 

Verse 16: Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself, and giving to the rich — both lead only to poverty.

Being selfish with your blessings will lead to spiritual, emotional, and/or physical poverty. Not a place you want to be. 

Make the wise decison and be generous.