Date: Tuesday July 10, 2012
Today's Chapters: Proverbs 15-17
Message Title: Humility Before Honor

Hello My Friend,

Yesterday we talked about how powerful the tongue is, well, the fire that kindles the power of the tongue is the heart. The heart is the planter of all that we think, say, and do, a merry heart, will bring a merry countenance, it finds the positives in the most negative situations. A sad heart, likewise, will bring a sad countenance, it finds the negatives even through positives. A wicked heart, just the same, will bring a wicked countenance, it will always find some way to use good for evil. How does one get past the heart to make the right choices? God, of course. “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” - 1 John 3:18-22.

I do not think there is anything more painful than a broken heart, it breaks the mind, body, soul, and spirit, every evil emotion comes piling up all at once, you feel betrayed, hurt, sad, angry, vengeful. You replay things over and over again on what you should or could have done, but the truth is, we knew it was coming, we just had hope that things would change before that point. Situations of the heart bring us closer to God, which is why He allows them in the first place, He knows where we are headed as soon as we make decisions with our heart. “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness. All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.” - Proverbs 15:13-17.

The heart gets afflicted when it is constantly subjected to evil, it doesn't happen over night, sometimes it takes years before a person feels the affects, but when it does happen, it is always devastating. We can overcome afflictions of the heart by fearing God and looking to Him to mend it, He is always there to help anyone who humbles themselves before Him. “The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live. The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.” - Proverbs 15:26-29,33.

It is usually humility that affects the heart the most, but we will never be honored until we are first humiliated. No one wants to feel like a fool, but we all get played by the fool sometimes and end up feeling like one of them. Until we face some humility we really keep making foolish decisions because we are thinking and acting with our heart. Fearing God helps us think God's way and not our own, truthfully, we already know what we needed to do, it was out heart that kept us from doing it in the first place. “The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits. Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.” - Proverbs 16:1-6.

Once we humble ourselves before God, He can start the process of mending an afflicted heart, He shows us how merciful and gracious He is and gives us something to look forward to as He removes the sin from our lives. Believe it or not, God put those people in our lives for His purpose, once they served His purpose we will not only have become closer to God we will be wiser, stronger, and able to make better decisions through God's guidance. “The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he. The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.” -Proverbs 16:17-21.

The word prudent means wise, sensible in action and thought, using sound judgment. How many times have you made decisions without using sound judgment? I know I have made too many decisions, that I paid for, by making them without sound judgment. All through the Bible we learn of the consequences faced because someone made a decision without seeking God's advice. While God's people may suffer some for making the wrong decisions, those who brought us to shame will not go unpunished. “Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished. Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house. The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.” - Proverbs 17:5,13-16.

Every heart has been afflicted and every heart has made decisions by thinking, saying, and doing what it feels. We can turn afflictions of the heart into joy by humbling ourselves before God, handing it all over to Him, and seeking the forgiveness, peace, and grace that only He can give us. “Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” - James 4:5-10.

Today's Prayer: God, Hearts all over the world are afflicted because they are brokenhearted. Lord, open their hearts and help them to humble themselves before You, comfort them, mend them, and give them hope for a better tomorrow. Also, keep my heart tender for You, help me to let go of burdens that it carries from past afflictions, keep me humble, patient, give me Your grace to be forgiving, and let me lean not on the decisions of my heart, but seek the right ones from You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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