Hello to all, and warm wishes for a pleasant day. Let's begin again in Proverbs 1. For commentary on verses 1-6, search "Oct 01". Let's continue with Proverbs 1:7-9.

"7 The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge. Only fools despise wisdom and discipline. 8 Listen, my son, to the discipline of your father, And do not forsake the instruction of your mother. 9 They are an attractive wreath for your head And a fine ornament for your neck."

Prov 1:7 The beginning of the knowledge leading to the reward of everlasting life is the fear of Jehovah. Do you yet understand this fear of God? It is no morbid fear, but rather a healthy respect or regard for Him, knowing both His great power and love, just as a child may have a healthy regard for his parents, even while loving them. We do not want to do anything to displease, or hurt, our great God. To fully appreciate this fear we may need to prayerfully search for it along with understanding and discernment, in line with Prov 2:1-5.

Prov 1:8 Anyone despising wisdom and discipline is foolish, and needs greater appreciation for the love of their parents or guardians and for the love of God, which is the purpose of discipline, to train and teach out of love, and this one needs to listen to others, and think, more than and before speaking.

Prov 1:9 Listening to needed counsel, discipline, and instruction will assist the thoughts of our mind, as well as the words from our mouth, to be lovely, in harmony with godly love and wisdom.

Psal 42 (Book 2, 1st psalm) A beautiful psalm, looking to God when in despair. The psalmist tells himself: "Wait for God, for I will yet praise him as my Grand Savior." Psal 42:8 says "By day Jehovah will grant me his loyal love, and by night his song will be with me--a prayer to the God of my life." May the love of God come to be in the hearts of any and every person who will look forward to eternal life in true peace and happiness, seeking the honor and praise of God for His wonderful will and purpose.

Psal 119:5,6 says "5 If only I could remain steadfast So as to observe your regulations! 6 Then I would not be put to shame When I consider all your commandments." With God's blessing and help, we can become steadfast in obedience to God's commands, as we learn principles of truth. May we strive to grow in our knowledge of, and love for the true God Jehovah, even daily, seeking integrity to God, and find the happiness that comes from doing so.

Reve 1:3 says "Happy is the one who reads aloud and those who hear the words of this prophecy and who observe the things written in it, for the appointed time is near." Just the next two days, let's focus some on the letters of Christ to the seven congregations, as found in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. Chapter 1 introduces us to the empowered Christ, called in Reve 1:5 "the Faithful Witness" and "the firstborn from the dead." The bodies of elders in the seven congregations were likened to stars in Jesus's right hand, as they look to God for guidance and submit to Jesus's teachings, following his example. John says in Reve 1:10 "By inspiration I came to be in the Lord's day." So the counsel that Jesus gave to the seven congregations has application to congregations of Christians in our day, during the "last days" of the ungodly world system (2Tim 3:1; Matt 24:3). Let's look forward to what instruction Christ has for all who would be true Christians today.