Reflecting God –
Embrace Holy Living - “Words of Caution” – Thursday, 20 March 2014 - Scripture:
Proverbs 5: 1 My son, pay
attention to my wisdom.
Turn your ear to my understanding:
2 that you may
maintain discretion,
that your lips may preserve knowledge.
3 For the lips of an
adulteress drip honey.
Her mouth is smoother than oil,
4 But in the end she
is as bitter as wormwood,
and as sharp as a two-edged sword.
5 Her feet go down to
death.
Her steps lead straight to Sheol.[a]
6 She gives no thought
to the way of life.
Her ways are crooked, and she doesn’t know
it.
7 Now therefore, my
sons, listen to me.
Don’t depart from the words of my mouth.
8 Remove your way far
from her.
Don’t come near the door of her house,
9 lest you give your
honor to others,
and your years to the cruel one;
10 lest strangers
feast on your wealth,
and your labors enrich another man’s house.
11 You will groan at
your latter end,
when your flesh and your body are consumed,
Footnotes:
a. Proverbs 5:5 Sheol
is the place of the dead.
“Words of Caution” by Judith
A. Schwanz
“We didn’t intend to
get involved; it just happened! We couldn’t help ourselves.” How often I have
heard these words from persons who have broken their marriage vows with another
sexual partner. I’ve never known anyone who approached their wedding day
intending to cheat on their spouse, yet it happens far too often. A man or
woman will forget to maintain discretion (Proverbs 5:2) and will become too
close to a coworker or a neighbor. Temptation appears sweet, and they convince
themselves their behavior is harmless. The story is too familiar! And the
results are far from sweet – the end is bitter and painful. Families fracture
and children often bear the scars for their entire lives.
This Proverb cautions
us to be discrete, to control our thoughts, words and behaviors. We can resist
temptation if we will guard our hearts (Proverbs 4:23). We can control our
actions to steer clear of those who would try to convince us that sin is
acceptable and even desirable (Proverbs 5:8).
The path of
discretion, disciplined choices and commitments lead to wisdom, knowledge and
pure relationships. May our lives and our families be strengthened as we follow
the teachings of God’s Word!
Hymn for Today:
“Sweet Hour of Prayer”
by William W. Wolford
1. Sweet hour of
prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a
world of care,
And bids me at my
Father’s throne
Make all my wants and
wishes known.
In seasons of distress
and grief,
My soul has often
found relief,
And oft escaped the
tempter’s snare,
By thy return, sweet
hour of prayer!
2. Sweet hour of
prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
The joys I feel, the
bliss I share,
Of those whose anxious
spirits burn
With strong desires
for thy return!
With such I hasten to
the place
Where God my Savior
shows His face,
And gladly take my
station there,
And wait for thee,
sweet hour of prayer!
3. Sweet hour of
prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my
petition bear
To Him whose truth and
faithfulness
Engage the waiting
soul to bless.
And since He bids me
seek His face,
Believe His Word and
trust His grace,
I’ll cast on Him my
every care,
And wait for thee,
sweet hour of prayer!
4. Sweet hour of
prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
May I thy consolation
share,
Till, from Mount
Pisgah’s lofty height,
I view my home and
take my flight.
This robe of flesh
I’ll drop, and rise
To seize the
everlasting prize,
And shout, while
passing through the air,
“Farewell, farewell,
sweet hour of prayer!”
-------
“Sweet Hour of Prayer”
<iframe
width="560" height="315"
src="//www.youtube.com/embed/WjYfN20H2sM" frameborder="0"
allowfullscreen></iframe>
-------
“Outlaw Prayer” by
Johnny Paycheck
<iframe
width="560" height="315"
src="//www.youtube.com/embed/YKtFoLOceAU" frameborder="0"
allowfullscreen></iframe>
-------
And wait for thee,
sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer!
sweet hour of prayer!
May I thy consolation
share,
Till, from Mount
Pisgah’s lofty height,
I view my home and
take my flight.
This robe of flesh
I’ll drop, and rise
To seize the
everlasting prize,
And shout, while
passing through the air,
“Farewell, farewell,
sweet hour of prayer!”
Thought for Today:
“Choices must be made
on the journey. But, walking in God’s wisdom keeps the wise off the path of the
wicked” (Michael G. VanZant).
Prayer Needs:
Developing Christian
leaders in Korea!
WordAction Publishing
Company
Beacon Hill Press
Nazarene Publishing Company
2500 Troost Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64108
United States
Embrace holy
living…visit reflectinggod.com.
-------
No comments:
Post a Comment