Monday, July 18, 2011

Proverbs 3: 1-12

Good Morning! I hope that you all had a wonderful weekend. I am working on getting a few new pages added up top. One for prayer requests, one for important Bible verses, and another explaining true Christianity.
I do all of my blog work at night and my little guy has not been behaving about bed the last several days. He's had some late nights, so while I have started working and planning these pages, they are not ready to be published yet. I am sorry. I am alone with the little guy all this week while my husband is out of town so I cannot make a promise to get them done until next week but I will sure try!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Today as we read we will notice several instructions and reasons for those instructions. Depending on the version that you read, it might say, "Do this..," and then later "So that". Or your version may say "Then" instead of "so". As you read, note the instructions and the principle behind the instruction.

Read Proverbs 3: 1-2. Here is the first instruction given and the reason why. Note it in your journal.

Read Proverbs 3: 3-4. Here is the second instruction. Do the same with these verses and continue on through verse 12, reading and noting the instruction and the reason behind it.

My husband and I differ on disciplinary methods. I am sure that surprises you. (NOT!). He believes that when he gives an instruction, it is to be carried out immediately, no questions asked. And I agree. There is a reason that God gave men the role of head of household; and I need to respect him even in disciplinary methods. My children need to know that instruction needs to be carried out without asking why. If anything, it is about them learning respect.

 But there are many times that when I give an instruction, I also include a reason for that instruction. I think that God also created women to be softer in our discipline for a reason. Kids naturally want to know why. That is how they learn. In fact, I want to know why. That is how I learn.

 When Solomon wrote this passage, he must have asked his wife for input or something (*grin*) And speaking of the reasons, aren't they wonderful--reasons like--Finding favor with God and man, peace, healing, refreshment...who wouldn't want these things?

Of all the instructions listed, what is the hardest one for you to do? You may share if you like but you don't have to.

 Mine is "Trust the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding". I am a laid back kind of person, but I am wishy washy in my trusting God with things. I don't worry about major things that others might worry about. Tornadoes, natural disasters, crimes, murders...I just have always had the mindset that when it's time for me to die, then I will and there is nothing I can do to stop it. If it's not the time that God has appointed for my death, then I won't. But then I get into the little things, the day to day things, and I forget that I need to not lean on my understanding; but rather on God's.

 For an example, I'll use my son's sleep habits. The baby doesn't need much sleep. He has always slept well below the average hours for a child his age. It's frustrating, maddening even at times, tiring, and very trying to my patience. But God must have a reason for it. Perhaps Stephen will work in a field someday (we are praying preacher or mission field) that he just won't have much time to sleep. So God created him to be able to deal with that. Or perhaps the reason Stephen doesn't sleep is for me to keep my focus on what is important on the very limited free time I have each day. No time to waste means to not have time wasters. (Um...I fail in this area.)

In close, review Verse 12, and remember that when God disciplines you it is out of love; just the same as when you discipline your children.

9 comments:

  1. We are alike in that my discipline methods and my husband's differed. When my children were growing up, I could instruct until I was blue in the face, and even use corporal punishment and my children still acted up. All my husband had to do was look at them. They "feared" and respected him. And they knew he meant business in the strictest way. They still treat him with more respect than they do me. ;)They will say things to me they would never say to him. And that's frustrating at times.

    The hardest verse, for me is 7. I often spout out advice as if I'm Solomon himself. I seldom ask God for His wisdom first, but I'm working on that.

    I'm looking forward to your new pages when you get them up.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I would say I have 2. Verse 7 Assuming I know it all! and Verse 11 rejecting and sulking when corrected- since I know it all I am not wrong ;) I struggle with this in every aspect of my life.
    I have a very strong will little girl (age 4) and currently am at my wits end on how to discipline her. Nothing seems to work. I am going to try a reward system. She is pretty good for others but she acts the same way with my husband as she does for me! So as a couple we are struggling with her! I too know that God has a reason for why she is so strong willed but I also need her to know that while she can have her opinions/feeling she has to respect others as well!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Belinda---me too about those grown up children...mainly my daughter! I always ask her why she is disrespectful to me but is not to her dad but then she makes me feel better by telling me that she can be herself around me. She feels more comfortable saying what she thinks. I am still working on her about that respect thing....

    Jennifer--I get down right offended when I am disciplined. This is a HUGE struggle for me. As for your daughter, maybe she's showing her independence now and will be an angel when she's a teenager! (We can always hope, can't we??!!) You are not making me looking forward to doing this stuff all over again, *grin*!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have to say verse 5 is the hardest for me.

    When bad (horrible) things happen, I question WHY?? It is hard to understand some things. I suppose it is not my place to understand. I'm working on this, but it is hard!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Tonya and Belinda, Richard and I have had different discipline measures (and still do....as they are adults). That has put a strain on the whole family. I do respect his "do-as-I-say-now-with-no-questions-asked" method, but like Tonya, I need to know why.

    Mine is V. 12. I don't feel the love when He corrects me. I just feel like a failure.

    ReplyDelete
  6. After reading your posts, I have to admit I'm not a very good at accepting discipline either. Yes, I too get downright offended, especially at others when they point out my faults. Not good.
    This proverbs thing has my toes black and blue....

    ReplyDelete
  7. You said: He believes that when he gives an instruction, it is to be carried out immediately, no questions asked. And I agree. There is a reason that God gave men the role of head of household; and I need to respect him even in disciplinary methods. My children need to know that instruction needs to be carried out without asking why. If anything, it is about them learning respect.

    I so agree with your husband. There is such a battle of power between women and men in modern times that it's easy to see where society lacks respect in all areas. I think men need to get back to Church and women need to let their men take care of them. I know I will get flack for this. I am not saying women need to walk 2 steps behind their husband but there has to be a balance and it falls on the men to lead by example. Women are suppose to be nurturers and we loose that by being the power house of the world.
    Gosh I hope this is making some sort of sense. I am not trying to offend strong women. But according to the Bible we have our roles and both the males and females are not living up to them (as whole that is).
    Tonya I so love this. You've allowed love and faith back into some many lost lives. I hope your husband blogs on here too - I think it's important for your male followers.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am glad that you spoke your thoughts. I have learned this the hard way. And our marriage didn't work. I have had friends that just could not believe that I have stood behind my husbands in some very big decisions that have happened in our life...and time has proven why we are to follow his lead.
    One of the best books that I have ever read is that one by Zondervan publishing called "Love and Respect" or something similar. It really hit home about this subject.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm not in the least offended at the idea of allowing the husband to be the head of the house. My husband is, and yes I too have supported him in decisions I wouldn't have made, and it all seems to work out. As far as being the spiritual head, it takes a special man for that. (One that will step up and do it.) I have a good man, and he's a wonderful husband, and father and loves the Lord. But he is not the spiritual leader of our home, never has been and says although he knows he should be, never will be. Someone had to do it when the kids were growing up, so it was left to me.I still make the decision every Sunday to go to church, and he follows suit.

    Funny how topics come up in conjunction with our study and verses. The husband and I had this very conversation on Sunday afternoon. ;)

    ReplyDelete

We welcome comments pertaining to our study; rude comments will be deleted, as will links for advertising purposes.