Proverbs

Pro 13:4 WEB The soul of the sluggard desires and has nothing, but the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied.

The previous 2 verses are similar to this one. Here it’s referring to the “soul”. The soul is our mind, will, and emotions. The sluggard doesn’t care about its soul. It cares about the things of the world. We are told to renew our minds (soul).  Rom 12:2 WEB Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.  This is what the “diligent ” does and therefore is fully satisfied. We need to keep seeking and abiding in the LORD to grow.

    Dear Jesus!   You are the bread of life and we will continue to fellowship with You.   You satisfied us completely with all good things for our body, soul, and spirit.   Thank you, Jesus!   Glory be to God Amen!    SHALOM2U

Pro 13:12 WEB Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.

I can certainly relate to this verse. I always consider myself a patient person. Things changed when I started to trust in the Lord. I’m still hoping for His promises to come to pass. I hate the wait and it certainly tries my patience. During these times, I try to focus on Abraham and other great believers in God. I focus on the many times that He has been faithful to me. Faith requires patience, otherwise, we would not need faith.

Dear Jesus! Thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you for being so patient with us to come and believe in You. You paid a great price to redeem us from Satan’s kingdom and so we shall continue to know, believe, and declare your promises until they come to pass.  You are “The Tree of Life ” that fulfills our longings.   To God be the glory Amen!    Shalom2u

Pro 14:30 WEB The life of the body is a heart at peace, but envy rots the bones.

SHALOM 2 U is what we receive by fellowshipping with God. We are supposed to be full of peace. Unbelievers are supposed to envy our peace and want to know the reason for it.  Rom 11:11 WEB I ask then, did they stumble that they might fall? May it never be! But by their fall salvation has come to the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy.   When unbelievers see the fruits of the Holy Spirit which includes peace,  they will become envious. 

    Dear Jesus!   Only through abiding in You, can we be a light to the world.  A light that will make everyone come out of the darkness into your marvelous light.   What an honor it is to be a vessel of your grace, love, and peace.   To God be the glory Amen!     Shalom2u 

Pro 15:1 WEB A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Pro 15:4 WEB A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit.

     These are 2 verses in this chapter, but several more tell us how to use our words.   Many use harsh words when declaring the Gospel.  Many out of fear, come to church.  Are they really believing in a “saving ” “loving God ” or just fearful of going to hell?  I believe in sharing the “Good News “.  The Gospel shouldn’t make you fearful of God but help one see the love of God.  It should be about being saved by grace, not works.   When we speak these things, we are speaking from the “Tree of Life “. 

     Dear Jesus!   Thank you for not condemning us but revealing your grace and love.  How when we abide in You, You work in us to produce the fruit of Righteousness.   You are Jesus: JEHOVAH SAVES.  To God be the glory Amen!     Shalom2u

  Proverbs 15:29 FBV The Lord keeps his distance from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the good.

  Proverbs 15:33 FBV   Respect for the Lord teaches wisdom; humility goes before honor.

     First God says that He doesn’t listen to the wicked, only the righteous.  One may say that I’m not righteous.  I don’t do everything right, I have some faults.  Trying to make ourselves righteous, only leads to self-righteousness.   This is prideful.   A humble person, one who seeks God’s righteousness as a gift; is the one in whom God bestows honor. 

    Dear Jesus!   All honor and glory belong to you.  You are the one that paid the price so that we could receive the gift of righteousness.  Romans 3:24 FBV Yet through the free gift of his grace, God makes us right through Christ Jesus who sets us free.  The Gospel is truly Good News.  Glory be to God Amen!     SHALOM2U

Pro 16:1 WEB The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh.

Proverbs 16:3 FBV Trust whatever you do to the Lord, and your plans will be successful.

   Some go through life planning their future but leave God out of their plans. Some have no plans at all and just go through life wondering. As a young boy of 13 years old, I thought God had a plan for my life and I started pursuing that plan. Unfortunately, the devil had a different plan and so it would take me fifty years to get back into the plan of God for my life. Those fifty years of wandering helped me grow in the Lord. It made me realize that it’s all about Jesus. JESUS + HIS GRACE + FAITH IN HIM = HIS SHALOM 2 U . It took me ” meditating ” on God’s Word to be able to believe and receive God’s plan.  When we just not read God’s Word but meditate on it; we are then giving reverence to His Word.  It will be able to get down into our souls and grow.

    Dear Jesus! You showed us the way to know and do what the plan of God is for our lives. You seek fellowship with the Father daily and are able to follow HIS plan for you. We seek and trust in you to lead us where we should go. We give you all the praise, honor, and glory as You, our Good Shepherd, lead us Amen!

  Proverbs 16:6 FBV Sin is forgiven through trustworthy love and faithfulness; by honoring the Lord people are saved from evil.

    Sin is forgiven through trustworthy love.   It’s not our love but God’s love. God revealed His love by sending Jesus to save us.   We have to trust in His love to save us.   That’s where the second part of the verse comes in.   We ” honor ” the Lord by trusting in Jesus.   This takes fellowshipping with Jesus so that He can change you from the inside out.   Phi 2:13 WEB For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.

    Dear Jesus!   You are trustworthy, faithful and your love is everlasting.   As we honor you by believing in you for our righteousness; you are faithful to change our hearts and conform into your image.   To God be the glory Amen!   Shalom2u

 Pro 17:3 WEB The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but Yahweh tests the hearts.

There’s no doubt about it; God will test our hearts.  1Pe 1:7 WEB that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ—.    We are being tested all the time and don’t even know it.   God wants to give us His abounding grace.  He wants to bless our socks off, but grace is not cheap.  Jesus paid a heavy price for it.  Some think that if God wants to bless us it will just fall into our lap.   That’s cheap grace.   No,  our hearts are tested.   Will we believe what God says and promises or are we going to believe what our flesh says and what others say? Abraham didn’t listen to his flesh telling him that he was too old and he didn’t care what others thought.  His faith was totally in what God promised him. 

     Dear Jesus!   Thank you for your unfathomable sacrifice.   As we abide in You, keep revealing your grace to us until we can fully believe in you.  You are the author and finisher of our faith.   To God be the glory Amen!   Shalom2u

Pro 17:5 WEB Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

     Whenever we see someone going through a hard time; don’t mock them and make fun of them.  I probably have been guilty of it from time to time.   Once we become aware of God’s great love and mercy to us; we should extend that grace to others.  I know some basically good people but they laugh at others’ misfortune.  Pray for them and especially the ones that are facing some misfortune in their lives.   Help if you can but at least pray. 

    Dear Jesus!   You are always there for us.  When we fall, you pick us up.   If it wasn’t for your grace; we would never make it.   We declare Your blessings on all that are struggling in any way.   May the LORD bless you and keep you.  May His face shine upon you and give His Shalom 2u/ PEACE.   In Jesus name ! To God be the glory Amen!   Shalom 2 u

Pro 17:9 WEB He who covers an offense promotes love, but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.

Pro 17:15 WEB He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.

     I do believe that we should not speak evil about someone as a general rule.   I find it hard not to say something when they are in the public arena.   I think Jesus felt the same way.   He never called out sinners publicly but lovingly gave them forgiveness.  On the other hand, when comforted with the self-righteous Pharisees Jesus called them out.   We see more and more in today’s world where leaders are calling good, evil, and evil good.   Fifty years ago, we would not tolerate such deception.   So we see here that one has to rightly divide the word.  Call evil, evil; but pray for those to repent. 

     Dear Jesus!   We thank you that you didn’t condemn us and call out our many faults.   You just kept on loving us and opened up our eyes to see that we needed you to walk in righteousness.   And so we prayed for all that need you in their lives.   We command the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the lame walk, lepers cleanse and the captives set free in Jesus name Amen!  To God be the glory Amen 

Pro 17:17 WEB A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

 Don’t you just love that song: what a friend we have in Jesus. Jesus said that He will never leave us or forsake us. We experience many trials in life, both physical and spiritual. He was born in us ( born again) so that we would not fight these battles alone. This is where our faith comes in. Are we going to fight the battle alone or are we going to declare what Jesus has done by His sacrifice and come through the trial more than a conqueror? Saved by grace: we know, believe, and declare what Jesus has done for us by His sacrifice. 

Dear Jesus! You are all things to us who believe. More than just a friend and a brother because you are unlimited in what you can do. With you, we can not only bear our trials by having victory over them because of you.  Rom 8:37 WEB No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  Thank you for never leaving or forsaking us.   To God be the glory Amen!   Shalom2u

Pro 17:22 WEB A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

You can easily see when someone is full of the love of God. They are full of love, joy, and peace. This is what God wants for us. This is what we receive when we abide in Him. All these things are good for our bones, good for our body, soul, and spirit.

Dear Jesus! You came that we might have life, aboundant life. John 10:10 WEBThe thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.It will not be taken away from us, for we fix our eyes on you.  You are our joy and You are our Redeemer that has taken back all that the devil tries to steal from us.  To God be the glory Amen!    Shalom2u

Pro 17:25 WEB A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him.

You see this time and time again. It is very heartbreaking. Thank God for His mercy. Let me brag about our son. First, let me state that it wasn’t me but God’s grace and mercy. When he was a young teenager, I thought that he was becoming too spoiled. He experienced a tragedy in his life but God has been using it for good. Rom 8:28 WEB We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose. I don’t believe that God wanted it to happen. Anyway, through God’s grace, he has turned out to be an outstanding husband and father to his family. My wife and I are so proud of him. He teaches me by his actions, how to be a better father and husband. My point is to know God’s good plan for you and your family. Keep praising and worshiping Him and HE will turn things around.  ( my nephew Leo is another great example of being a loving husband and father )

   Dear Jesus!   You are the Father’s beloved son in whom he was well pleased.  You surrendered your will for the Father’s will so that we can become children of God.   As we abide in You, the Father becomes pleased with us also.  All praise, honor, and glory belong to you, Lord Jesus Amen!   Shalom2u

Pro 18:1 WEB A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness and defies all sound judgment.

Pro 18:12 WEB Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.

The first verse talks about one who does his own thing. It’s all about him. He’s not interested in others but only in his dream, his vision. This man is proud and on the road to destruction. The humble man seeks the Lord. He wants the King to be exalted. He wants the Kingdom of God to prevail. This man will be honored. Mat 6:33 WEBBut seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Dear Jesus! We are humbled by your invitation to be coworkers with you in your Kingdom. To see others come out of the kingdom of darkness into your marvelous Kingdom of light. According to Your will, we declare: the blind see, deaf hear, captives are set free, the lame walk, lepers cleanse in Jesus name. To God be the glory Amen! Shalom2u

Pro 18:12 WEB Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.

Mat 5:3 WEB“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Poor in spirit: Jesus isn’t talking about poor people who don’t have money. Poor in spirit is someone that knows that they need God’s help. They know that they can’t do it on their own.

Dear Jesus! Thank you for showing us that we can’t do anything without you but we can do all things through you. We come to you poor and broken-hearted. You honor us by bringing us into Your Kingdom.  HALLELUJAH! Glory be to God Amen! SHALOM2U

 Pro 18:21 WEB Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.

I repeatedly say: know, believe, and declare. Declaring what God says who you are in “CHRIST JESUS ” is very important. This is how God’s great and precious promises come to pass. The following verses point out the importance of what we say.

Psalm 34:12-13 KJV 12 What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? 13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

Psa 39:1 KJV To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.

Pro 12:18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

Pro 13:2-3. A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence. He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

Pro 18:7A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

Pro 21:23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

Mat 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Pro 6:2 You are trapped by the words of your mouth. You are ensnared with the words of your mouth.

Pro 10:11 KJV The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

Psalm 50:23 KJV Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God.

Psalm 141:3 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

Pro 10:21 The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.

Psa 33:6 KJV By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

Psalms, 103:20. Praise Yahweh, you angels of his, who are mighty in strength, who fulfill his word, obeying the voice of his word.

Mat 12:37 KJV For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words, thou shalt be condemned.

2Co 4:13 KJV We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

Philemon 6. that the fellowship of your faith may become effective, in the knowledge( Declaring) of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus.

Dear Jesus! We will only declare who we are in you. Our identity is in you. You made us a new creation in your image and likeness. This was the Father’s will from the beginning. We will not focus on the old man but the new man. As we declare who we are in you, we will be changed into your image from glory to glory. All praise, honor, and glory to you Lord Jesus Amen! 

Pro 18:22 WEB Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor of Yahweh.

We just got done reading v21 about the power of life and death is in the tongue. The devil loves to bring division into our marriage. The best way to defeat the devil is to love our spouse and declare what God’s word says about them. This verse says that your wife is a “Good Thing”. Don’t say anything different and praise and thank God for your wife no matter what she’s doing. God will change her. ( My son just celebrated their 22nd anniversary. He continually tells her how beautiful she is and how much she means to him. I tell you, he teaches me. ) Proverbs 31 is another scripture that is good to declare.

Dear Jesus! I’m reminded of how you are the groom and we are the bride. No matter what we do, you keep on loving us. You tell us that the flesh isn’t the real us. It’s that new creation in us made in your image and likeness that is the real us that we are to believe and declare. The more we declare who we are in You, the more you transform us into your likeness. You do exceedingly, abundantly more than we can imagine. To God be the glory Amen! Shalom2u

Pro 19:2 WEB It isn’t good to have zeal without knowledge, nor being hasty with one’s feet and missing the way.

There are many sincere Christians and none Christians that are declaring God’s word but lack understanding and knowledge. We are not under the law of the Old Testament but under grace. The law is good and sounds good but we fulfilled the law by grace. Believing who we are “after ” we receive Jesus into our hearts. The Bible says that we are a new creation. 2Co 5:17 WEB Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new. We confess our righteousness in Christ Jesus and then we are changed into His image. This is how we uphold the law.

Dear Jesus! It’s all about you. You are the Saviour of the world, our Saviour, and all who put their faith in You. We lift you up on high and praise your Holy Name- Jesus. To God be the glory Amen! Shalom2u

Pro 19:12 WEB The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.

We all heard of how angry God gets about sin. The Bible tells us that a blood sacrifice is required to appease an angry God. The Good News is that God’s wrap has been extinguished by the sacrifice of Jesus. Now we receive God’s favor by faith in Jesus Christ.

Dear Jesus! I love the song that says: ” Oh how He loves us “. It’s like the sweet smell of the dew on the grass. Only your sacrifice could restore us back into the favor of a righteous loving Father. To God be the glory Amen! Shalom2u

Pro 19:27 WEB If you stop listening to instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.

Jesus feeds us His word. It’s the bread of life. All that we need to live an overcoming victorious life. The ” bread of life ” is to be eaten daily; otherwise we will become famished and become unable to defeat the enemy of our souls. Many are led astray because they lack knowledge and understanding of how God provides for our needs and pleasure in life.

Dear Jesus! Thank you for speaking to us, your life-giving words. John 6:63 WEBIt is the spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit and are life. It is Your Name and Your words that feed our spirits and souls. We can live day to day as overcomers when we revere your name and your word. To God be the glory Amen!

Pro 20:1 WEB Wine is a mocker and beer is a brawler. Whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

1Ti 5:23 WEB Be no longer a drinker of water only but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.

John 4:46 WEB Jesus came therefore again to Cana of Galilee, where he made the water into wine. There was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum.

Psalm 104:15 WEB wine that makes the heart of man glad, oil to make his face shine, and bread that strengthens man’s heart.

As you can see from these scriptures, wine can be good or bad depending on how you are taking it. Too much wine is bad. The one that is taking it in excess is trying to fill their soul the wrong way. When we fill our soul with the love of God and the Holy Spirit they will think that we are drunk with wine. No, it’s not the wine but filled with the love of God.

Act 2:13 WEB Others, mocking, said, “They are filled with new wine.”

     Dear Jesus!   Thank you for all the love, grace, and mercy that you give.  Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit that fills our hearts with more peace and joy than wine will ever give us.   We pray, LORD, that others will see all that you give us and come to you.  To God be the glory Amen! Shalom2u

Pro 20:7 WEB A righteous man walks in integrity. Blessed are his children after him.

This is one of several verses that talk about God blessing our children. It talks about a “righteous man “. This is Good News because we are made righteous by faith in Jesus Christ. So now we can know, believe, and declare that our children are blessed. They might not act like they are but continue to bless them and not curse them. Then we will see it come to pass.

Dear Jesus! You are so many things in us. Your righteousness is more precious than gold.  We declare your blessings on our children.  They are blessed of the Lord.  All praise, honor, and glory to you Lord who is faithful to make it come to pass Amen!    Shalom2u

Pro 20:9 WEB Who can say, “I have made my heart pure. I am clean and without sin?”

Actually a ” BORN AGAIN ” Christian can and should declare that they made their heart pure. We don’t do it by our own works. We do it by faith in Jesus Christ.

2Co 5:17 WEB Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new. The Born Again believers need to identify themselves not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit- the new man. He has to declare his righteousness in Jesus Christ. Phi 3:9 WEB and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith,      Rom 5:19 WEB For as through the one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one, many will be made righteous.  It’s all about believing in what Jesus has done. 

      Dear Jesus!   You came to save us and that is what we declare that You have done.  The more we declare Your righteousness in us, the more we become like you.   You did exceedingly, abundantly above all that we could see.  All praise, honor, and glory to you Lord Jesus Amen!    Shalom2u

Pro 20:22 WEB Don’t say, “I will pay back evil.” Wait for Yahweh, and he will save you.

It’s natural in us to want to pay back evil to someone who has hurt us. Jesus when on the cross, gave us the greatest example of forgiveness. It is good for us and the Kingdom of God when we forgive and pray for others. Faith is believing that God will redeem us.  Here is one of several verses that declares that God will restore.   Zec 9:12 WEB Turn to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope! Even today I declare that I will restore double to you.

       Dear Jesus!   You paid the price for us to be restored back into the family of God.  As you have forgiven us,  we pray for those that have offended us.  Have mercy on them as you have mercy on us.   You always give us more than what was stolen.  You give us all good things but most importantly you give us yourself with all the abundance of love, grace, joy, and peace.   Glory be to God Amen!    SHALOM2U

Pro 20:28 WEB Love and faithfulness keep the king safe. His throne is sustained by love.

No one’s love is greater than our King, the Lord Jesus. No one is more faithful. He did what He had promised. Like a lot of God’s promises, we wait unwavering until it comes to pass.

As Jesus is faithful, we are called to be faithful. He is the King of kings. He desires that His Kingdom will rule here on earth. Praying for all in authority is one way we do that. Seeking God’s wisdom when we vote. God will raise up good leaders and change the hearts of those that are not doing His will, but we must pray. There is a lot of condemnation on all sides but God wants us to pray for all.

    Dear Jesus! You ever live to make intercession for us as our Great High Priest.  You have called us to be priests in your Kingdom. ( 1Pe 2:5 KJV Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.) We lift up our leaders in our nation.   We plead the blood of Jesus on them to cleanse them of all unrighteousness.  We command every spirit of darkness to go, in Jesus’ name.  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you now and forever in Jesus’ name Amen!   To God be the glory Amen!  Shalom 2 u

Pro 20:30 WEB Wounding blows cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the innermost parts.

This was part of Jesus’ sacrifice. He had no evil in himself but He took on all the evil that we would experience. Evil here pertains to the whole man: body, soul, and spirit. It’s not only sin but distress, adversity, injury, wrongdoing. It’s basically anything bad that would come upon us.

Dear Jesus! We thank you for being our substitute, our Saviour, our Deliverer. Your sacrifice protects us from evil when we abide in You.  Psalm 91:9-10 WEB 9 Because you have made Yahweh your refuge, and the Highest your dwelling place, 10 no evil shall happen to you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling.  There is no greater love than your love Jesus.   To God be the glory Amen!    Shalom 2 u

Pro 21:12 KJV The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.

This is one verse that you can get a different interpretation of depending on what version of the Bible you are using. That’s why I like to check different versions. I don’t always agree with the KJV but here I see Jesus at work saving instead of condemning. God hates sin and all kinds of wickedness but He loves the sinner and He came to save. 

John 3:17 KJV For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

We are called also not to condemn the sinner but to give them the Gospel, Good News. Gal 6:1 KJV Brethren, if a man is overtaken in a fault, ye which is spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Dear Jesus!  We thank you for saving us.  You took us as we were and made us more like you.  Grace, Grace, your Amazing Grace.   We will continue to declare your amazing grace so that others will come to you; the Saviour of the world.   Glory be to God Amen !    SHALOM2U

   Pro 21:13 WEB Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.
      We are blessed to be a blessing.   There always seems to be someone in need.  We  can’t help them all but we can certainly help some and as we do God will bless us also.   Then we can bless some more.  I  do believe that some ministries are more fruitful than others.  I  like to give to those that help the whole person: body, soul, and spirit in Jesus’ name.   There are many charities that help people but not in Jesus’ name. 

Dear Jesus!   Thank you for hearing our cry, in our time of need.  You have blessed us with everlasting life.  While our time is short, here on earth help us to be a blessing to others for your honor and glory.   We will start with a spiritual blessing for all but will continue to be a blessing to all.   May the LORD bless you and keep you.  May His face shine upon you and give you His Shalom 2u/ Peace,  in Jesus’ name Amen!   Shalom2u

Pro 21:23 WEB Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.

Pro 18:21 KJV Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

It’s hard for us to control our tongue. It’s easy to say the things that we believe, see,and hear. These things are” living after the flesh” because we believe what the flesh is saying to us. God works in the Supernatural. Here it’s all about believing because God said it even though it goes against what the flesh is saying.  Galatians 5:17 for the flesh  desire contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit contrary to the flesh, and these are warning one to another, that the things that ye may will — these ye may not do;

When we speak who we are ” in Christ Jesus ” then our faith will become effectual.  Philemon 1:6 KJV that the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

     Dear Jesus!   Your words are true and they bring life.  Thank God it’s not about us in the flesh but about you living in us.  The more we acknowledge you in us, the more the flesh is defeated and we live more like You.  All glory, honor, and praise to you Jesus, who lives and reigns in us Amen!     Shalom2u

Proverbs 22:4 FBV The reward you receive for being humble and respecting the Lord is wealth, honor, and life.Some versions of the Bible will say ” fear ” instead of reverence. I can’t see anyone developing a good and loving relationship with someone you fear. God wants us to reverence Him. The more we reverence God, the more we respect who He is and what He has done. We humble ourselves by believing and trusting in God. In this day and age, a lot of people are focusing on themselves and telling others to focus on themselves. ” You can do it “. It seems good but it’s pride. Leaving God out of your life is pride. Phi 4:19 WEB My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Here we are trusting in God. Another verse is: Philemon 1:6 that the fellowship of your faith may become effective, by acknowledging every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus.Here God gets the glory. Now the verse does say that when we humble ourselves, God will give us wealth, honor, and life. God wants to bless us but reverence Him first.

Dear Jesus! We see your “DIVINE EXCHANGE” In our lives. We see all that you gave up and sacrificed for us. Your sacrifice has blessed us beyond measure. All that we have and all that we are comes from your amazing grace. To God be the glory Amen! Shalom2u

Pro 23:9 WEB Don’t speak in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

We all encounter friends and associates that need to hear the Good News. We can only do so much. If they continue not to listen, we have to just pray for them and let the Holy Spirit do the work. John 16:8 WEB When he has come, he will convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and about judgment; The Holy Spirit isn’t trying to condemn anyone.  He helps one see that there is sin in their life and that they need the free gift of righteousness by faith in Jesus. 

   Dear Jesus!   Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit that enables us to live more like You.   We pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit to be poured out onto the body of Christ.   We need the gifts of wisdom, knowledge, prophecy, faith, healing, miracles, discerning of spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues.  You needed the power of the Holy Spirit in order to minister to others and so do we. May your name be exhorted as we minister to others through the power of the Holy Spirit.   To God be the glory Amen!   Shalom 2 u

Pro 24:11 WEB Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter!

Jas 5:20 WEB let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

” Save souls ” is what Jesus came to do and is what He did for us. In our effort to save souls, we do more harm than good when we overwhelm them with the law instead of grace. Grace supersedes the law. The New Testament is all about grace and being dead to the law.

  Gal 5:4 WEB You are alienated from Christ, you who desire to be justified by the law. You have fallen away from grace.     Grace supersedes the law!  When Jesus touched the leper, under the law; Jesus would be declared unclean.   This did not happen because Grace makes the unclean, clean.  Now because of Grace, the leper is no longer a leper because he was made clean. 

    Dear Jesus!   Thank you for opening up our eyes to see your saving grace instead of the condemning law.   You fulfilled the law and put it to death so that in you we are under grace and not the law.  In you, we supersede the law and are given the free gift of righteousness.  Now you live in us and we become more like you.   We pray Jesus that Your Good News will go throughout the world so that the blind will see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, lepers cleansed, and captives set free in your Almighty Name Jesus.  To God be the glory Amen!     Shalom2u 

Pro 25:19 WEB Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a lame foot.

Even the best of us can let someone down when they need help. Jesus has already paid the price for us to be with Him for eternity. The price was His sacrifice and the reward is His righteousness to all that believe.

Phi 3:3 WEB For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh;

Yes, even our own flesh will let us down. We want to do the right thing but our flesh will let us down.

Dear Jesus! It’s only in you and the works of your hands that we can have confidence in. Only in you can we be made strong and defeat the enemy of our souls.   Rom 8:37 WEB No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  In You, Lord Jesus we can do all things by your mighty power.  To God be the glory Amen!   Shalom2u

Pro 25:21-22 WEB21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink; 22 for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and Yahweh will reward you.

This scripture is also found in the New Testament. It’s a hard one to swallow. It seems that when we do good to them; we are only taking advantage of and look like a fool.

Dear Jesus! You were having the worst day of your life suffering and being persecuted on the cross. Yet you looked up and said ” Father forgive them for they know not what they do “. Because of your love and your blessings many that were enemies of God are now children of God. Thank you for making us a child of God. We will declare your blessings on others so that they also will enter Your Kingdom.   May The LORD bless you and protect you;  May The LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;   May The LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”’ .  Peace on earth, goodwill to all in Jesus name Amen!   Shalom 2 u

 Pro 26:12 WEB Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

     The previous verses talked about all the bad things that happened to fools and those that listen to a fool.  A wise man in his own eyes is a proud man.  He thinks that he has all the answers and doesn’t need help.   God looks for the humble man; a man that is poor in spirit and knows that he needs God’s help.  Matthew 5:3 FBV  “Blessed are those who recognize they are spiritually poor, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

     Dear Jesus!   Thank you for being so patient with us.   You allowed us to keep searching on our own while You kept gently calling us to You.  Knowing that we can’t do anything good without You; has made us wise.  This wisdom comes from you, not ourselves.   It is spiritual blindness that keeps us from seeing your grace and love.   We now pray : we command the blind to see, deaf to hear, lame to walk, and the lepers ( spiritual unclean)  be clean in the Almighty Name of Jesus.  To God be the glory Amen!  Shalom2u 

Pro 27:12 WEB A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.

This verse is saying what the book of Proverbs is all about. Pro 1:7 The reverence of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction. Like any good Father, God is trying to instruct us so that we would avoid the snares of life.

Elvis and Frank recorded the song,” Fools rush in.” It seemed to glory in being a risk taker instead of being wise.  

    Dear Jesus!  There were many foolish things that we did throughout our lives.  Many cause suffering and pain, to ourselves and others.  But “when love broke through ” ,we were able to receive your wisdom and understanding.   Grace, Grace, Grace, your Amazing Grace.  May the love of God and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you now and forevermore in Jesus name.  To God be the glory Amen! Shalom2u

Pro 28:1 WEB The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

    When we fail to reverence God,  we are like the wicked and in the presence of God will want to flee.  Now that we have received Jesus into our hearts; we are children of God.   Now we can come boldly to the throne of grace.   Heb 4:16 WEB Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.

     Dear Jesus!   Your sacrifice enabled us to become children of God.   There is no earthly reward or prize that can come close to that.   You did it because of the Father’s love and your love.  We pray that you continue to seek the lost and bring them into your Kingdom.   To God be the glory Amen!    Shalom2u 

 Pro 28:27 WEB One who gives to the poor has no lack; but one who closes his eyes will have many curses.

      God cares for the poor and wants to bless us.  The poor can be poor as not having much of this world’s goods or poor in spirit; not full of God’s grace.   God cares about the whole person: body, soul, and spirit.   I like to support those ministries that care about the whole person.  There are many that declare the Good News and feed them physically too.  Some dig wells so that they would have good water.  When we support these organizations; we and they will be blessed physically and spiritually also and God will be glorified. 

    Dear Jesus!   You gave us a great example by the way you lived.   Whatever the need, you were there to fulfill it.  Thank you for fulfilling our needs by your love and grace.   Because of your grace, you, we are in the Kingdom of God where all our needs are supplied.   We pray for those outside your Kingdom.  May the grace of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you in Jesus name Amen!   To God be the glory Amen.  Shalom2u 

Pro 29:1 WEB He who is often rebuked and stiffens his neck will be destroyed suddenly, with no remedy.Pro 29:2 WEB When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

We are at a turning point in America and throughout the world. God is patient and slow to anger. Most of what is happening throughout the world is because we fail to revere God. God doesn’t protect us like HE wants too and the devil is allowed to cause harm. As usual, people blame God but they are the ones that have forsaken God. ” The people groan “, I know that I am not happy with the way our country is going. We are due for a great revival in our land. I keep hearing that the last great one is coming. I hope that they are right. When it comes, we shall thrive and greatly rejoice.

Dear Jesus!  We look to you Lord Jesus.  We pray that your light will shine and overcome the darkness. You are the Light of the world. Where sin abounds, so much more does your grace abound.  May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you in Jesus name.  To God be the glory Amen!   Shalom2u 

Pro 29:18 WEB Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but one who keeps the law is blessed.

Revelation is very important. It will let you see with your spiritual eyes. Seeing in the Spirit, helps you walk in the Spirit. Too many are walking in the flesh because they lack revelation. Revelation requires time meditating on the word and fellowshiping with Jesus. The devil has deceived many by meditating on themselves instead of God’s word. Meditating on yourself only leads to self-righteousness. Meditating on what Jesus has done for us and who we are in Him leads us to God’s gifts of righteousness “in Christ Jesus “. Now we are able to keep the law.  Rom 8:1 WEB There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don’t walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

    Dear Jesus!   In you we live and breathe.  In you is the fullness of life. There is no other name but Jesus by which one can be saved.   Thank you Jesus for your saving grace.   We declare your grace and peace to all.   May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you now and forevermore, in Jesus name Amen!    SHALOM 2 U

Pro 30:12 WEB There is a generation that is pure in their own eyes, yet are not washed from their filthiness.

Just a casual look and you can see Christians and non Christians that think that they are righteous. They may be living a pretty good righteous life but is it self-righteousness or God’s gift of righteousness? The main way to distinguish the difference is by one’s words. If it’s “all I” then it’s self-righteousness. If it’s “Christ in me”, then it’s God’s righteousness. Faith is about declaring who we are “in Christ “. Phm 1:6 WEB that the fellowship of your faith may become effective in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus.

Dear Jesus! You are our great “I AM”. Whatever we need. Whatever we lack. You provide.  2Co 1:20 WEB For however many are the promises of God, in him is the “Yes.” Therefore also through him is the “Amen”, to the glory of God through us.  We are complete in You.   Thank you for doing for us, what we couldn’t do.  We are a new creation in you.   To God be the glory Amen!    Shalom2u

   Pro. 31:10 DARBY Who can find a woman of worth? for her price is far above rubies.

      This is a very popular verse as well as the following verses.  They tell about all the good qualities that a woman should have.  Typically, if a man treats a woman right, she will excel as a wife.   Pro 18:21 DARBY  Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.     

 The tongue can be uplifting or it can tear down.  I  always found it interesting that the next verse says:     Proverbs 18:22  he that finds a wife,  finds a good thing. He has blessings from the Lord.   It took me a long time but I eventually concluded that I should always speak positively about my wife and not negatively. 

     Now let’s see how this applies to the New Covenant.   Jesus is the groom and we are His bride.   Jesus never speaks ill of us.  He’s always there to build us up.  It’s all about believing in Him and not ourselves.  Believing in Jesus, will transform us into a virtuous bride of Christ. 

     Dear Jesus!   What can we say but “Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah; glory be to God.  You make us.  You transform us.  Your love inspires us to live on a higher level than what we could ever imagine.   The more we abide in You, the more we become like you.   We pray that many will see you in us and want to become the bride of Christ.   GLORY TO OUR GOD MOST HIGH, AMEN!   SHALOM 2U