Love discipline

My Pastor said something yesterday that was great.  He asked, "Do you want to be one of the ones who reads their Bible everyday, who asks the Holy Spirit what to do each day?"  I've found that doing this really helps.  Even when things are great, reading the Bible puts verses and words of wisdom in my heart.  Then when the storms come I'm better prepared.  And allowing the Holy Spirit to guide me makes life much easier.  Even when I'm shooting photos- He always knows where the good shots are.  These are some of the proverbs that stood out to me in Chapter 12. 

Proverbs 12

When I think of discipline I think of being self-controlled.  Today, I WILL vacuum the floors, no excuses!  It makes sense that if I am disciplined I will gain knowledge.  When I sit to read my Bible everyday, it takes discipline.  But if I am afraid of what the Bible teaches, I miss out on growing stronger in my faith.  I can say that now, because I've walked with the Lord for awhile.  Without Him, it's actually pretty scarey where I could've wound up.  It's like learning a skill, if I take time to learn from other photographers, I'll learn much quicker than on my own trial and error.  How much more to learn from the Master Himself through His Word?

1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,

but whoever hates correction is stupid.

In Proverbs 11, it spoke of a woman who has no discretion.  I realized later that sometimes the guys gossip too.  I think it's the same with this verse, a wife who seeks the Lord and has noble character is a crown for her husband.  He can trust her.  A husband who seeks the Lord and has noble character is a crown for the wife.  And it's true, disgrace from either the wife or husband wears on the other physically.  I love the word, "noble," it reminds me of a queen or king.  It just sounds beautiful.  I want to be noble.

4 A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown,

but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.

I looked up the word prudence in the dictionary.  We don't use it much these days.  It means, "the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason."  The warped minds are in here too- that strange logic that defies truth.  The place to find wisdom is in the Bible.

8 A person is praised according to their prudence,

and one with a warped mind is despised.

I had to include this.  The righteous take care of their animals!  How cool is that?   King David was a shepherd boy originally.   God does pay attention to how we treat animals.

10 The righteous care for the needs of their animals,

but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.

I've noticed this too.  If you listen carefully to what people are saying, sometimes you can hear what's wrong with it.  To most of us it's obvious and we can avoid danger- it's good to be innocent.  Words of encouragement fill others with good things and ideas.  Their work brings them a reward.
13 Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk,
and so the innocent escape trouble.
14 From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things,

and the work of their hands brings them reward.

I think this proverb is reminding us to seek advice from someone who knows.  Sometimes we need a voice of reason to let us know if it's worthwhile to purchase something, or if an investment is worthwhile.
15 The way of fools seems right to them,

but the wise listen to advice.

One of the things with showing annoyance at what someone said, is I may have misunderstood what they meant.  Or they may just be rude.  If I'm rude back- the battle gets bigger and bigger.  Yup it's better to overlook an insult, also make sure that it wasn't said wrong in the first place. 

16 Fools show their annoyance at once,

but the prudent overlook an insult.

My husband and I have had some arguments like this.  We get so frustrated with each other.  Sometimes we say things we shouldn't.  It's usually me that steps out of the situation and prays for the Holy Spirit's wisdom and words to say.  Amazingly, peace usually comes back to our house. 

18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords,

but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

It reminds me of the old saying, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."  There are times when I need to tell my husband what I think, and let him decide if he wants my advice or not.  Not so easy sometimes.  But he has as much free will as I do.   We should do this for everyone.  Give them respect and love them as they are.

23 The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves,

but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.

This one stood out because it sounds like Jesus.  Through Him we have righteousness, there is life, joy, peace, compassion, and hope.  He will give us eternal life in a perfect world.

28 In the way of righteousness there is life;

along that path is immortality.

NIV

Here's how Jesus said it:

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
John 14:6 NIV

I enjoy hearing other peoples thoughts in comments. Still not a super-saint : ) Thanks!