Today’s PGem: 12:26- “The godly give good advice to their friends;  the wicked lead them astray.”  (NLTse)

Today’s PGem principle: What kind of influence are YOU? Today’s PGem doesn’t just apply to giving advice to our friends – and not only the wicked lead thir friends astray. If we are not committed to becoming wiser everyday – WE could lead some people astray by our actions or words! How??

Well, as we all know our mouths can get us into alot of trouble. So, what if you are talking to a friend that is going through something and your mouth is not under control? You could unknowingly offend or insult them and send them down the wrong path because your words struck the wrong cord in their heart or mind!! It is so important to use wisdom & common sense — which we learn from our PGems!!

So I ask you again, what kind of influence are you?

Discernment works like "radar" in our lives!

 

Today’s PGem: 3:21- “My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them,” | 3:23- “They keep you safe on your way, and your feet will not stumble.”

Today’s PGem principle: We need the power of discernment in our lives! I combined 2 verses into the PGem because these verses work together! (We will discuss common sense another time.) Discernment (synonymous with insight) is essentially “the ability to look at a situation and understand the motivational factors behind something or see the underlying factors behind someone’s actions, behaviors and intentions.” (we really need this @ work/school don’t we?) When something is wrong, evil, or illegal – we recognize it almost immediately, however, as you become wiser; temptations and distractions become more subtle and sometimes actually look GOOD!

If we, as wise people study Proverbs and keep the PGems in a trusted PGRS (look in right column under tags and click “ready system”), discernment will keep us “safe on our way and keep our feet from stumbling….(in a trap” v. 26) So pray for, study for, and use discernment in your life at work, school, and in your relationships!  IT WILL PROTECT YOU!!!!!

Our wise choices protect us like Secret Service protects our President!

 

Today’s PGem: 2:11- “Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.” NLTse

Today’s PGem principle: Your wise choices protect you. Let’s be honest about something, ok? We blame WAY too much on the Devil! Many, many, many of the messes that we find ourselves in are of our OWN doing! What do I mean? We get into alot of trouble because we make BAD CHOICES!! For example: we see that “group” of people at work or school and we KNOW that they have a reputation for doing stuff we should not be involved in. We know that we should avoid them, right? But what do we do? We walk over to them, telling ourselves, “I’ll just say hi and keep moving”… WELL – you know the rest….we stay too long and…..Ugh!!

“Tuning our ears to wisdom” & studying Proverbs is to help us become wiser!! This wisdom will help us make better choices — which in turn PROTECT us! Take that same scenario and add WISDOM: you see the group and wisdom says, “you know what they are all about, AVOID THEM!” And you walk in a different direction! Simple!!! Remember that the verses before our PGem tell us that God grants (free to who asks) wisdom!! I pray that you commit yourself to becoming wiser because wisdom will protect you!!

Today’s PGem: 1:5- “Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance”

Today’s PGem principle: The wise are always learning. Many people say when they get to a certain level, or get a certain job, “I will be set!” I think they feel they will have no more to learn — they have “arrived”! Our PGem today tells us that truly wise people are always learning! Each time you read a Proverb, you are in a different place, maybe going through a particular challenge that you weren’t the last time you read this chapter. So, you will see something different than the last time. And I don’t know about you, but every time I read Proverbs it gives me a soothing, confident feeling that God is in control and I just need to stay on the “Path”! SO, read Provers everyday & never stop learning to be wise!!

Today’s PGem (1st Combo): 29:11- “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control. NIV” ** PLUS ** 29:20- “There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.” NLTse

Today’s PGem principle: Think before you act or speak & improve self-control. We have talked about self-control before, but this chapter has such a great combination of 2 verses that we will focus on both today. “A wise man keeps himself under control…” – wow – easier said than done, right? BUT, today’s PGem gives us the formula for improving our self-control: THINK! When you think before you speak or act, it is amazing how many things we will stop ourselves from doing – and then you are; “Keeping yourself under control”!!

Protect yourself!

Today’s PGem: 25:28

- “A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.”

Today’s PGem Principle: “Self-control protects you!” The walls of a city protect it from robbers and conquering armies. Without it’s walls, a city is vulnernable to attack and ultimately being defeated. So, it is with US! Self-control protects us from making bad decisions or saying the wrong thing at the wrong time! One trait of self-control is patience and this brings to mind one of my favorite quotes:

“Patience protects you from deception” — AR Bernard

So, protect yourself today & exercise some self-control!!

Reggie Love carrying bags for Senator Obama

Now Reggie is personal aide to PRESIDENT Obama!

***Yesterday’s post was a verse from Proverbs 22, which was the wrong chapter. So, today we will choose a PGem from Proverbs 22 again, and we will be caught up! Please forgive my overight!

Today’s PGem: (2 translations): 22:29- “Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than working for ordinary people. (NLTse), Observe people who are good at their work —  skilled workers are always in demand and admired; they don’t take a back seat to anyone.” (THE MESSAGE)

Today’s PGem principle: “Be the best that you can be at what you do!!” Sometimes, we work really hard on something that we know if very important, but not so much on small, seemingly insignificant tasks, right? Why is that? I don’t know for sure, but it would be a long & interesting conversation trying to figure it out! What I DO know is that our PGem tells us that when you are really good at what you do, you eventually will get the big jobs – working for people know who know your reputation and trust you! However, that reputation is made by how you handle small jobs first! So remember, NO JOB is insignificant — you never know where it will lead you to! God is in control…

“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great ones make you feel that you, too, can become great.”

– Mark Twain

Today’s PGem principle: Don’t be lazy – PURSUE YOUR DREAMS! A lazy person will come up with ANY excuse not to go to work! Even thinking that some physical harm will come to them if they go to work! It’s just an excuse – BUT he wants that paycheck doesn’t he??  What about you & your dreams? That one thing deep in your heart that you would like to accomplish?? STOP being lazy; FIND OUT what it will take to accomplish it, AND GET OUT THERE and pursue your dreams!! Don’t let anyone hold you back!!