Proverbs 18 the Goldmine of ~ Spiritual Wisdom ~

King Solomon was known for being one of the world's greatest architects, an influential, powerful and authoritative man of his time! King David, his father had begun to gather the most exquisite and finest materials possible during his reign before he died. Since he had been a man of war he himself was not able to build the Temple! He instead prepared the way for His son Solomon. King David stressed the importance of Solomon keeping God's laws! God made a Covenant with David! In II Samuel 7, he shares all what God promised to do. "When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his Father and he will be My son. When he does wrong, I will punish him..." But, there was a stipulation; this was contingent on Solomon's obedience to God!

King Solomon did eventually build the Temple and a palatial palace in Jerusalem! What beautiful sites they were! He built many cities as well such as Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer as fortress cities. He also built lower cities Beth Horon, Baalath and Tadmor. He was known for his wisdom throughout the world. The Queen of Sheba came from far away to witness, see and experience firsthand all that was spoken about King Solomon. She was overwhelmed by the extent of his riches and wisdom. Solomon's eventual downfall was because of his lustful desires and allowing his heart to turn away from what he knew to be right. It was because he departed from God's laws and succumbed to the idol gods of his seven (700) hundred wives and three (300) hundred concubines!

God had chose Israel to be a blessing to the world. He had told Abram "I will make you a great nation and I will Bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples of the earth will be blessed through you." Genesis 12. King Solomon realized the benefits of these blessings. The fulfillment of this blessing was through Jesus Christ! Jesus was the Messiah for all people both Jew and non-Jews. It was when the people of God turned away from Him and His principles that they became spiritually blind. They instead patterned their lives after the world. It is important to know and embrace God's principles to navigate through this maze of life. This was true then and is true now! With God by our side we can accomplish much! God's Word is supposed to be our Life Manual! We can learn much from Solomon in these wonderful wise Proverbs!

After Solomon built the Temple for the Lord He asked "O Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day. May your eyes be open toward this Temple night and day, this place of which you said, 'My Name shall be here," so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays towards this place. Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray towards this place. Hear from Heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive..." I Kings 8. This is the same God we serve! God's Word is ALIVE! As we submit ourselves to His will and His way in our lives we are under His protection! Yes! There will still be tests and trials in life. This prayer is a sample of the many prayers throughout His Word.

King Solomon wrote the Proverbs and in them you will find a wealth of Spiritual Wisdom! Prosperity or poverty does not necessarily mean someone is living right in the eyes of God. Wealth is clearly not just monetary because Solomon tells us it is more precious than rubies, silver or gold! Suffering and persecution actually demonstrate more evidence than material or lack of material wealth! What is most important is that we seek God above all else! As we learn to trust God like the Apostle Paul said;"I am not saying this because I need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it s to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether living in plenty or want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." Philippians 4. The Proverbs are timeless. In them you will discover how to live out the very principles that both King Solomon and the Apostle Paul ardently and passionately share.

PROVERBS 18

PROVERBIAL LESSON HIGHLIGHTS

Gossip

Once again we find the subject of gossip. Idle talk or rumors about someone or their personal life! There are always those who thrive on gossip. Gossip wounds people! Notice the news or the headlines you see in line at the checkout stand! Gossip has destroyed many relationships! The best way to squash gossip is not to entertain or taste it. To get candy out of a box to taste it, you must first open the box! So Don't open the box! "The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's most inmost parts."

The LORD Is A Strong Tower

Whenever you are in need of refuge the Lord is the place to go! The Lord is the source of everything you will ever need! It is important to learn to go to Him first! He then will direct your path. A tower is usually a tall strong structure that is higher than everything else! As His child, God will and can direct and protect you in any and all situations! God's power is forever and unlimited, He alone is Sovereign!"The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."

PRIDE

When pride is viewed as a vise or vanity it usually denotes vainglory. Pride is an over estimated worth in one's self! The opposite of pride is humility which is a virtue! You do things out of the goodness of your heart! Through humility you realize that it is only by the Grace of God you are... Anything of significance in your life you attribute it to Him! You also realize that God knows why you do what you do, or do not do?"Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.

Depression and Sickness

We are living in a time when there are many stresses and strains all about us! Many are suffering from all kinds of sicknesses and diseases! There are many natural disasters that continue to happen all around the world! Many have lost jobs, careers, homes, estates, family, friends and loved ones. God is speaking! How does one cope? How does one find Hope? There is always Hope in the Lord!

Depression is a growing health problem among many. Sickness, stress, fear, anger and loneliness weigh on one's heart! It can crush one's spirit! Depression is a valley of despair. A deep abyss taking you down to a pit of darkness and gloom! It wants to engulf you and everyone around you! If you are not feeling well or you are, sad, angry or depressed, you can find encouragement in the Word of God! It is medicine for the soul! Psalm 130 is great to meditate on; "Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications..."

Your outlook in life has a lot to do with your health and how you feel! Where is your trust? Are you allowing the things of the past to weigh you down? Begin to balance the scales and look around and instead see the "GOOD" things that are happening! There is always someone else that is doing worst than you... You are still here! You are breathing! You can think! You have food and shelter! God's Word is true! I am sure that you can find more things to be thankful for... God has more in store for you reach out and up to Him!

Really connecting with God can catapult you out of the abyss and propel you to a higher level of relating to HIM! He can lift your spirit, heal your heart and body like no other! Intense prayer is communicating with God! Prayer can be silent or audible; listening is a part of prayer. The WORD says: "Whatever is true, Whatever is noble, Whatever is right, Whatever is pure, Whatever is lovely. Whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - 'Put into Practice.' And the GOD of PEACE will be with you."Learn to TRUST and BELIEVE GOD"S WORD!"A man's spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?"

Discernment

Discernment is what helps you know what God's will is for your life and help you avoid evil! To detect what is not available to the average mind. Discernment is insight to distinguish what is true. One must wholeheartedly seek God for discernment. Solomon had a discerning heart. But he turned away from what he knew to be right. It is here again we can learn from him! It is wise to seek out God whenever making decisions. "The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out."

Your Gift

Never underestimate the power of the Lord! He bestows many spiritual gifts upon His children. Your gift will make room for you! It will open doors for you! "A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great."

The Tongue

The tongue is a powerful little member of your body! "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight reign on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless..." James 3. If you can learn how to control your tongue you can control your body! Knowing when or when not to speak is important! Timing is key! What you say or don't say is very important! The tongue can be like a fire raging out of control and destruct fully tear down, or when one is wise it can be peaceful and build up! The Holy Spirit can teach you how to control your tongue. "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat the fruit thereof."

Finding a Wife

If you want a wife consult the Lord first! Remember God created us! He knows what is best for us! All too often many marry impulsively and marry someone who may not be best suited for them. Today you can marry over and over until you get it right? Or should I say wrong time after time? It is important to have the same core values!

As believers the Word says: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?"II Corinthians 6. When this is the case marriage becomes a real tug a war! The Greek word for "unequally yoked" is heterozugeo. If one elects to marry someone who they are unequally yoked with it is much more difficult to have harmony in the relationship. You come from two different worlds. It is on the believer to exemplify the benefits of godly behavior.

It is a good thing to be married to a loving committed spouse who loves the Lord! You are then able to share true love with others as well! Marriage affords one the opportunity to create a healthy God centered home environment! God is Love! It is from Him one learns to truly love! When you marry who the Lord wants you to marry you please the Lord! Today in this 21^st century anything goes... This is not God's Way! God created marriage for a man and a woman! "The Lord God made a woman from the rib of man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman" for she was taken out of man' For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh..." Genesis 2. God gave marriage to Adam as a precious gift! Eve was a gift to Adam! "He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord."

Reading a Proverb each day will refresh in your mind "What God has to say." It will increase your wisdom and sharpen your discernment! It will help you to embrace God's Way and live a more satisfying, rewarding, peaceful & joyful life regardless of what is happening in the world! You cannot change anything that has happened. But you can go on from here! Proverbs will help you make better life decisions! God knows everything that has happened, is happening and will happen! This is what happens when you invite the presence of His Holy Spirit into your life!"But when He the Spirit of TRUTH comes He will guide you to ALL TRUTH. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears and will tell you what is to come. He will bring GLORY to ME by taking what is mine and bringing it to you..." JOHN 16.

Proverbs 18 concludes by telling us: A poor man pleads for mercy, but a rich man answers harshly. A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother."