January 16, 2008

Today's Reading - Proverbs 16
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Following Scripture Verses

1. The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
2. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
3. Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
4. The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5. Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
6. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
7. When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8. Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
9. A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
10. A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
11. A just weight and balance are the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag are his work.
12. It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
13. Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
14. The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
15. In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
16. How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
17. The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
18. Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
19. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20. He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
21. The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
22. Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
23. The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
24. Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25. There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
26. He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
27. An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
28. A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
29. A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
30. He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
31. The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
32. He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
33. The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

Today's Pathway:
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There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death. - Proverbs 16:25

We live in a generation of people that have been taught that a man's mind should be his ultimate authority. If a person thinks something is right then it is right, according to the modern gurus. The Bible teaches that this way of thinking is completely false. According to today's verse, there are times when a man may think that he has made a wise decision, but the end result of that choice may be his own destruction. How many times have you heard the following laments: "I was so sure that this was right...", or "I can't imagine how I could have been so wrong...". Statements like these are proof that what a man may think is not always an appropriate guide.

What really matters is what God thinks. His wisdom is revealed to us in the Word of God, and it is from there that we should get the information necessary to make decisions. It is always wise to search the Scriptures for direct leadership from the mind of God before drawing any conclusions about what course of action to take. It is true that God opens and closes doors of opportunity. However, the fact that a door is open does not mean that this is the direction that God wants me to go. I know of countless people who have made foolish and un-Biblical decisions based solely on the fact that the door to a poor selection remained open. God's Spirit can work with my spirit to give me peace about a choice. Yet many confuse the peace of God with their own emotions and desires. The Scriptures are always authoritative. If they lead us in a certain direction, then this is the way that we should go.

What is the basis for your decision-making?

Pastor Mark J Montgomery