Are you seeing the power of God being expressed in your life? Obedience brings blessing. Be blessed as you read, pray and obey.
Proverbs 14:
1 The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.
2 Whoever walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but he who is devious in his ways despises him.
3 By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will preserve them.
4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.
5 A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.
6 A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.
7 Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving.
9 Fools mock at the guilt offering, but the upright enjoy acceptance.
10 The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy.
11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.
12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief.
14 The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.
15 The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.
16 One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.
17 A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
19 The evil bow down before the good, the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor is disliked even by his neighbour, but the rich has many friends.
21 Whoever despises his neighbour is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.
22 Do they not go astray who devise evil? Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness.
23 In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.
24 The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the folly of fools brings folly.
25 A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.
26 In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge.
27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.
28 In a multitude of people is the glory of a king, but without people a prince is ruined.
29 Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
30 A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.
31 Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honours him.
32 The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing, but the righteous finds refuge in his death.
33 Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding, but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.
35 A servant who deals wisely has the king's favour, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.
Proverbs 15:
1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
5 A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves him who pursues righteousness.
10 There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD; how much more the hearts of the children of man!
12 A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.
13 A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.
14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.
16 Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it.
18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.
19 The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway.
20 A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother.
21 Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.
22 Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.
23 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!
24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.
25 The LORD tears down the house of the proud but maintains the widow's boundaries.
26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but gracious words are pure.
27 Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
29 The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones.
31 The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
32 Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.
33 The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honour.
Things to think about…
1. There is too much here in these 2 chapters of Proverbs to comment on everything, so I will just pick some points that stick out for me. Suffice to say, God is after truth in the inward parts. Have a look at Prov 14:10, 12, 13. The heart is the seat of the true self. It can be deceived. This is where we need to reveal our true selves to others. Especially to our brothers and sisters in Christ. What good is there in concealing the truth? Is there any hurt, joy, sin or testimony that you need to share with someone that will ultimately bring glory to God and healing to yourself?
2. “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people,” Prov 14:34. I have watched videos on the evil of sex slavery, especially in Asia and Europe, particularly in Amsterdam where the experiment of legalised prostitution has resulted in an avalanche of illegal sex slaves being brought in from the poorer Asian and European countries. This experiment has actually made the Netherlands government a legalised pimp. It is as the proverb says ‘a reproach to the people’. Australia is not immune to embarking on a similar moral journey. What righteousness can/should we impart to our nation as its Christian citizens? Abortion and the ‘Safe Schools’ program are two current moral issues where we can raise the righteousness bar. Praise God that “Safe schools” has by and large been disbanded. Who knows what our new government will legislate? Praying needs to be without ceasing.
3. Prov 15:18, 23&28 all refer to self-control, especially with regards to the tongue. Often we know the right answer, even when someone is obviously going down the wrong path morally. The question I need to ask myself is, when I offer up advice to others, is it because I genuinely want to help, or is it because I simply want to justify myself because of an inordinate amount of residual pride within me. The heart truly is, desperately wicked. Biting our tongue and letting the Lord do a work in a person’s life is far more effective than us telling someone where they are falling short. If you must answer, at least give it considerable thought before doing so, vs 28.
4. I don’t ever want to be considered as someone who despises himself, so I am told that I must listen to reproof, “Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence”, Prov 15:32. Have you been told something about yourself recently that you didn’t like hearing, but you knew was true nonetheless? What was it? Who is holding you accountable to make sure you do something about it? These types of people are worth more than gold in a believer’s life.
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Title was “The only desire to have” – Reading Proverbs 12:18-29
1. Discuss your understanding of the current news cycle and how we get information. Is it effective in promoting context and truth on any given topic? Discuss.
2. What is the difference between intelligence and wisdom? Reading the bible is surely a good thing, but does the practise always bring wisdom? Discuss.
3. The Apostle Paul mentions wisdom in a different way to Solomon. Read 1Cor 1:19-27. Spurgeon said “Discernment is not knowing the difference between ‘right and wrong’, it is knowing the difference between ‘right’ and ‘almost right’”. Discuss.
4. Jay asked that you do a self-assessment on the amount of time you read, study the scriptures or put on praise music, podcasts etc that are good for your soul as opposed to watching Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn etc. Discuss.
Prayer Points
1. Sally Gauntlett and dear Richard.
2. Peace to rest over Ukraine.
3. Folk sick with Flu A and Covid – relief and healing.
4. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
5. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. More new folk came to CBC on Sunday.
2. Worship on Sunday – thankyou and technical team.
3. All those who faithfully serve in ministries, Worship, Sound/Technical/Kids Church/ Cell Groups/Admin - Bulletins/Finances/Property/Welcoming/Spiritual Leadership/Cafe
4. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Remember to check your duty rosters.
2. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
3. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism question for July...
Q.6. What will become of the wicked on the day of judgment? A. They shall be cast into hell.
