2020 Jun 06-Jun 07 Proverbs 16, ML Select, TWGA, weekly CTC
2020 Jun 06-Jun 07 Proverbs 16, ML Select, TWGA, weekly CTC
“29 A violent man entices his neighbor And leads him in the wrong way. 30 He winks his eye as he schemes harm. He pinches his lips together as he carries out mischief. 31 Gray hair is a crown of beauty When it is found in the way of righteousness. 32 The one slow to anger is better than a mighty man, And the one controlling his temper than one conquering a city. 33 The lot is cast into the lap, But every decision by it is from Jehovah.”
NOT ENVY DEVIOUS, VIOLENT. Prove 16:29-30 The connection may not be clear here, but a violent man is typically prideful, thinking his own ways are superior, and wants to draw undue attention to himself, rather than having proper regard for God and His ways. He may still be persuasive, and entices his neighbor to do as he pleases, feeling justified in his course of wrongdoing as others also comply. It is, however, “the wrong way.” Such a one tends to scheme badness, deceive, and trick others. While he might make his voice “gracious,” he is still violent, perhaps immoral, but not truly caring for mildness and compassionate patience with others. His anger may flare over any slight against him, even if intended as loving correction. While perhaps “loving” those who love him, he can also hate others, ‘scheming harm’ against them while winking his eye, feeling justified as he takes revenge on an innocent one. Proverbs 3:31-32 thus says “31 Do not envy the violent man Nor choose any of his ways, 32 For Jehovah detests a devious person, But His close friendship is with the upright.” May we steer clear of deception, trickery, and scheming against others, but instead let true love and peace dominate our motives for acting toward others with compassion and kindness. May we choose to be upright before Jehovah, seeking to please and honor Him as He so deserves as our Life-giver and “the Judge of all the earth.” (Genes 18:25).
"31 Gray hair is a crown of beauty When it is found in the way of righteousness."
VALUING AND RESPECTING OLDER ONES. Prove 16:31 Yes, Leviticus 19:32 states: “32 “‘Before gray hair you should rise up, and you must show consideration for the person of an old man, and you must be in fear of your God. I am Jehovah.” Of course, do not older persons tend to be wiser with experience gained in life, but how much more so when such ones have treasured their relationships with God and others, seeking to live by the teachings of Christ! Thus learning to love God and neighbor, and seeking to live peaceably with others as they practice God’s right ways, hating what is bad in godly fear, would they not thus tend to have much to share with younger ones to encourage them toward eternal life? May we delight in receiving of their encouragement and treasure dear faithful ones among us!
"32 The one slow to anger is
better than a mighty man, And the one controlling his temper than one conquering
a city."
VALUE PATIENCE, AVOID LETTING ANGER CAUSE SIN. Prove 16:32 What a powerful proverb, encouraging genuine patience among true worshippers of God. Who hasn't been at least irritated when something goes seriously wrong in their life? Of course, a minor offense or mishap is one thing. If you have been wronged or seriously hurt by others, then feeling hurt or frustrated is also understandable. It is normal to begin to have these feelings, but should we not keep them in check, to avoid sinning or hurting another? Let's thus maintain control and act quickly to find a peaceful resolution to the problem. As King David encouraged at Psalm 37: “8 Let go of anger and abandon rage; Do not become upset and turn to doing evil. 9 For evil men will be done away with, But those hoping in Jehovah will possess the earth.” Naturally, something may begin to irritate us—this is the time to act, to channel any energy into finding a solution to the problem or seeing how to cope with it. Do not allow such irritation to escalate beyond reason into anger that disrupts your ability to think clearly, and often causes hurt feelings and other damage. This is well expressed at Psalm 4:4: "Be agitated, but do not sin. Have your say in your heart, upon your bed, and keep silent." By cultivating self-control, mild gentleness in dealing with others, love and patience, channeling any energy into finding solutions, we may safeguard our relationships to the delight of our loved ones, friends, and neighbors, and especially the God who “is love,” Jehovah (1John 4:8).
"33 The lot is cast into the lap, But every decision by it is from
Jehovah.”
LOOK FOR TRUE DIVINE GUIDANCE! Prove 16:33 This was a God-approved way in ancient Israel for certain matters to be determined. God has ways to give us answers we need! Thus we needn’t turn to witchcraft and sorcery to have divine direction in our life. Rather, we need to reject witchcraft and sorcery, part of “spiritism,” which is considered by God to be one of the “works of the flesh” that can disqualify one from eternal happiness (Galat 5:19-21). The practice of spiritism includes the use of such things as Ouija boards and Tarot cards. Let’s turn to God! For instance, whose help would you rather have in finding a loyal marriage partner—Jehovah God’s or one of his enemies, such as the demons? Does not our loving God want to count you worthy of receiving of His assistance? Cannot Jehovah, the God of love, know you well, what you delight in and desire, and help you find someone you can truly delight to share life with? In fact, the first book of the Bible, Genesis, contains the actual history regarding descendants of Abraham, where Jehovah intervened to bring loyal persons together in heart-stirring love stories—Isaac and Rebekah, and Jacob and Rachel, also Leah. This was real history—the early origin of the Jewish people, as Jacob would proceed to have 12 sons, mostly constituting the 12 tribes of Israel. Thus, “5 Trust in Jehovah with all your heart, And do not rely on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways take notice of him, And he will make your paths straight.” (Prove 3:5,6). Receive of God’s loving guidance available, for example, in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount of Matthew 5-7, and the book of Proverbs, starting with chapters 1-10. With Proverbs, don’t be discouraged over the “big words” in the first few verses—use a dictionary if necessary—these are some of the aspects of true wisdom that you will gain understanding of as you read this book, provided in part “to give to a young man knowledge and thinking ability.” Pray to God for help to understand this book, and utilize resources such as this website. James says “5 So if any one of you is lacking in wisdom, let him keep asking God, for he gives generously to all and without reproaching, and it will be given him. 6 But let him keep asking in faith, not doubting at all...” (James 1:5,6).
_______Hands-Only CPR Can Save Someone You Love
( NewsUSA ) – Each year, June 1-7 is designated as CPR and AED Awareness Week. This year, the significance is especially striking. As most Americans continue to spend more of their time at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, the odds of cardiac arrests in a home setting are likely to increase, according to the American Heart Association.Each year, more than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States, with about 70 percent happening in homes. Fortunately, Hands-Only CPR can be performed by family or household members. Even in the time of COVID-19, household members may be the lowest-risk providers of CPR at home because they have likely already been exposed, if in fact the cardiac-arrest victim has COVID-19."Rather than waiting for first responders to arrive, performing immediate CPR in the case of cardiac arrest can double or triple a victim’s odds of survival," says Comilla Sasson, M.D. and Vice President of Emergency Cardiovascular Care at the American Heart Association. "If you are willing and able to do CPR, you should do CPR, even during this pandemic."Hands-Only CPR involves two simple steps and anyone can learn it from a 90-second video available at heart.org/ handsonlycpr Step 1: If a teen or adult in your home suddenly collapses, call 911 immediately.Step 2: Place one hand on top of the other as shown in the video and push hard and fast on the victim’s chest.
Tempo matters. Rescuers should push on the chest at a rate of 100 to 120 beats per minute and the American Heart Association advises following the beat of any of several songs, including "Stayin’ Alive," by the Bee Gees, "Crazy in Love," by Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z, "Hips Don’t Lie," by Shakira" or "Walk the Line," by Johnny Cash.People feel more confident performing Hands-Only CPR and are more likely to remember the correct rate when trained to the beat of a familiar song.In 2009, the American Heart Association launched a nationwide Hands-Only CPR campaign, supported nationally by an educational grant from the Anthem Foundation, to raise awareness about this life-saving skill. More than 10 million people have been trained in Hands-Only CPR via events, training kiosks and video education with the Foundation’s support.Take advantage of shelter-in-place time and brush up on your Hands-Only CPR skills: you just might save someone you love. Visit heart.org/ handsonlycpr to watch and share the Hands-Only CPR instructional video.
Acts 10:34-35: “34 At this Peter began to speak, and he said: “Now I truly understand that God is not partial, 35 but in every nation the man who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.”
Leviticus 24:22 “‘One judicial decision will apply for you, whether a foreign resident or a native, because I am Jehovah your God.’”
Deuteronomy 1:16 “At that time I instructed your judges, ‘When you hear a case between your brothers, you are to judge with righteousness between a man and his brother or a foreign resident. 17 You must not be partial in judgment. You should hear the small one the same as the great one. You must not become intimidated by men, for the judgment belongs to God; and if a case is too difficult for you, you should present it to me, and I will hear it.’”
WHY A SOURCE OF DIVISION? Certainly this ranks high among the issues in history that has been a source of tension and division when God’s view of the matter is not being held or appreciated. Why is that? Humans have been made in God’s image, and we read of God at Deuteronomy 32:4: “4 The Rock, perfect is his activity, For all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness who is never unjust; Righteous and upright is he.” Therefore, if He is a God who is unswervingly fair and just, then each of us has within us at least the potential for a determined inclination to want to be treated fairly and justly, and to treat others in the same way, regardless of our gender, the color of our skin, the size of our wallet or purse, or any other such factor.
JUSTICE AND INTEGRITY. The verse just highlighted says that “all [God’s] ways are justice.” One of the Bible proverbs, found in Proverbs 11:3, says this of men: “3 The integrity of the upright is what guides them, But the deviousness of the treacherous will destroy them.” Thus all that upright men do is prompted by their “integrity.” What is “integrity”? It essentially involves undeviating adherence to a certain good standard or set of standards, and is closely associated with truth and honesty. The well-known man of Bible record named Job, pronounced “Jobe” as rhyming with “robe,” had such a disposition as it related to good, upright conduct and dealings with others. The Bible record describes him as “an upright man of integrity; he feared God and shunned what was bad.” (Job 1:1). He lived even before the time of Moses, and while he became wealthy, he was well-loved and respected for his fair and just treatment of others.
GOD’S GOODNESS. This godly justice became like clothing to him—identifying him. In Job 29, he says: “11 Whoever heard me would speak well of me, And those who saw me would testify for me.12 For I would rescue the poor who cried for help, Along with the fatherless child and anyone who had no helper.13 The one about to perish would bless me, And I made the heart of the widow rejoice.14 I put on righteousness as my clothing; My justice was like a robe and a turban.15 I became eyes to the blind And feet to the lame.16 I was a father to the poor; I would investigate the legal case of those I did not know.17 I would break the jaws of the wrongdoer And tear the prey away from his teeth.” Thus Job’s integrity guided him to uphold good, right and fair conduct in dealing compassionately with others. Job did need correction for exalting his own righteousness more than God’s, but he accepted this correction (Job 42). Thus, it is Jehovah God who ultimately moves us to do good, to save and rescue and treat others worthily, as we seek His honor, upholding His ways. Romans 8:28 says in part “We know that God makes all his works cooperate together for the good of those who love God.” With Job’s integrity being described in chapter 30, it was largely his fear of displeasing God, involving a hatred of badness and it’s resulting harm, that moved him to speak and act the way he did.
HAVING GOD’S VIEW. In verse 1, this one is endowed with God’s righteousness. Thus any expression of compassion is manifested in harmony with God’s elevated laws and standards—not merely human ideas. Thus God’s word would be shared freely by this one, helping many to adhere to it’s beneficial standards. (Matthew 4:4). It is therefore true loyal love that is shown, which seeks the long-term benefit of each person, in agreement with the will of God for the endless peace and happiness of humankind. Verse 2 indicates that mistreated ones would find true justice, which includes mercy where appropriate in God’s view. Verse 4 shows the poor receive salvation, whether materially destitute, or those lacking spiritually, though deeply wanting to receive spiritual nourishment. Verse 5 shows appreciative ones will loyally respond in the genuine fear of God, eternally grateful and deeply respectful of His divine guidance and law. Verse 12 reminds us of Job’s expression of integrity, as God’s chosen one likewise rescues those in need of help. And verses 13-14 show they will be saved even from oppression and violence, as God’s kingdom begins in the near future, such ones being viewed as precious in his eyes, rather than as having little to offer the king.
CONCLUSION
GOD’S FAIR RULE! Thus it should be abundantly clear that God’s Kingdom will rule based on truth and law, in harmony with God, especially the “royal law” of true love, as made manifest in the earthly life of Jesus Christ. Rather than advantaged ones concerned that they might not be shown favoritism, or be treated with partiality, all persons will be favored with the joy of true love shown to one another and life experienced in line with God’s beneficial and peaceable ways. God's standards of justice are clear in God's word, and will be upheld in His new world under the rule of His Kingdom. Such injustices as bigotry, prejudice, and racism, will no longer be accepted. Isaiah 32:1 foretells: "Look! A king will reign for righteousness, And princes will rule for justice." Deuteronomy 19:15 for instance, shows that true justice is God's standard: “‘You must not be unjust in your judgment. You must not show partiality to the poor or show preference to the rich. With justice you should judge your fellow man." While persons will be treated fairly, we will still have a relatively free market society, but especially blessed by God, where people can pursue even dream jobs and make their life largely what they put into it. And of course, also rest and relaxation, engaging in hobbies and recreational activities, delighting in the company of friends of peace. Many will really delight in making a living doing something they truly enjoy that benefits others in large or small ways. In time, Isaiah 14:7 will prove true, saying: "7 The whole earth has come to rest, has become free of disturbance. People have become cheerful with joyful cries." With God’s full blessing, the result will be a secure, peaceful, happy and prosperous society of God-fearing persons, continuing to learn and be reminded of God’s delightful ways to live their lives in full harmony with them.


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