Proverbs 11:25 NIV

 
We are here taught the great lesson, that to get, we must give; that to accumulate, we must scatter; that to make ourselves happy, we must make others happy; and that in order to become spiritually vigorous, we must seek the spiritual good of others. In watering others, we are ourselves watered.
 
How? Our efforts to be useful, bring out our powers for usefulness. We have latent talents and dormant faculties, which are brought to light by exercise. Our strength for labour is hidden even from ourselves, until we venture forth to fight the Lord’s battles, or to climb the mountains of difficulty. We do not know what tender sympathies we possess until we try to dry the widow’s tears, and soothe the orphan’s grief. We often find in attempting to teach others, that we gain instruction for ourselves.
 
Oh, what gracious lessons some of us have learned at sick beds! We went to teach the Scriptures, we came away blushing that we knew so little of them. In our converse with poor saints, we are taught the way of God more perfectly for ourselves and get a deeper insight into divine truth. So that watering others makes us humble. We discover how much grace there is where we had not looked for it; and how much the poor saint may outstrip us in knowledge.
 
Our own comfort is also increased by our working for others. We endeavour to cheer them, and the consolation gladdens our own heart. Like the two men in the snow; one chafed the other’s limbs to keep him from dying, and in so doing kept his own blood in circulation, and saved his own life. The poor widow of Sarepta gave from her scanty store a supply for the prophet’s wants, and from that day she never again knew what want was. Give then, and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and running over.
Charles Spurgeon
 

The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

Proverbs 11:25 KJV

 
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Proverbs 3:3 KJV
 
A poetic message about keeping love and truth close to your heart. After a recent trip to Nashville TN, I didn’t have this message close to my heart. Why when I get behind the wheel of my car does the love for others quickly evaporate? It may not be driving for you but think of when love leaves your heart and why.

Proverbs 3:3 NIV

 
Bible verse high school football banners banned
Tonight I read an article online, it said something about a high school in Fort Oglethorpe, GA. It drew my attention because my friend since high school, now lives there with her husband where they both teach at a high school. It turned out to be one of the most uplifting things I could have noticed because tonight I am on fire to bring glory to God. I wish I could feel this fire all the time. I may not have it as much as I would like but I have it right now.
 
The article and video are about how the cheerleaders were forced to change the banner the high school football players run through at the beginning of their games and the response by them and the Fort Oglethorpe, GA community to this demand.
 
At this school the cheerleaders put a different Bible verse, every week, on a banner for the football players to run through. It has been a tradition for them since the 9/11 terror attacks. This week they have been banned from carrying out an 8 year tradition because a parent complained to the school superintendent so for legal purposes they are no longer allowed to display bible verses.
 
I initially found it very sad, then I had some anger, but then I found something in this that brings tremendous joy to my heart and I am sure a smile to God’s face. The football players, cheerleaders, student body, and towns people are not saying “I am sorry, if it offends someone it won’t happen again.” They are standing up for what they believe in.
 
The school body and towns people showed where they stand on the ban of Bible verses on the field earlier in the week when hundreds turned out for a pep rally with signs covered in scripture. The best part came on game day, when students poured into the school early Friday morning in cars with painted on bible verses covering them, dressed in t-shirts displaying verses written on them, and instead of painting their favorite player’s number on their faces they had their favorite book, chapter, and verse.
 
I thought it couldn’t get any better, but then game time came and a crowd of over 500 students and fans came out to show their support equipped with signs displaying phrases like Praise Jesus, He Reigns, and signs with Bible verses were everywhere. Some male students had even painted there bodies red and had Bible verses written in white all over there bodies. Others wore shirts written with scripture. All these people were displaying their love and faithfulness to our holy, gracious, and always loving God, some literally with it written on their hearts.
 
My friend said it was a heart filling display of a community coming together in the name of Jesus and love for our Savior. It was also a media frenzy with not only local news, but national news cameras galore.
 
This all started with these students, teenagers that are often written off for not caring about God or his word. Our society seems to set these kids up to have wild, crazy fun. Some say it is what you are suppose to do when your young, so party it up. Life isn’t about that, it is about bringing glory to God, honoring him with all your heart and soul.
 
The cheerleaders might not have banners with Bible verses anymore, but the parking lots, stadium stands, fans, signs, and town are going to be covered in scripture. All Living Faith Out loud!
Brandi Riehl
 

Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

Proverbs 3:3 KJV

 
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Proverbs 28:13 NIV

 
Prosperity and success – with peace and joy – are easy! Confess and forsake your sins, right now! Poverty and failure – with pain and misery – are also easy! Hide your sins and pretend you are doing fine! The blessed God will not let you go away with the smallest sin. Be sure your sin will find you out! Which do you want – prosperity or destruction?
 
Sins are easily defined: they are breaking God’s rules for living, and they are all found in the Bible. Sins are doing what God commanded you not to do, and sins are not doing what God commanded you to do. There are two main commandments dictating our love of God and neighbor; the Ten Commandments detail these duties further; and then there is the rest of the Bible spelling out the proper application of each of these ten.
 
When you sin, you have a choice… You can keep the sin to yourself, hide it from others, not mention it to God, and do it again when the urge hits. Or you can drop to your knees, confess it openly to God, make restitution if it involves others, and take the necessary steps to avoid committing it again. Your choice here will greatly affect your life.
 
All men sin. The blessed God knows this (I John 1:8,10; 2:1). How you handle your sins makes all the difference in the world. If you confess them, He is faithful and just to forgive you (I John 1:9). But if you keep the sins in your heart, He will not hear your prayers; and He will turn His face against you, bringing trouble (Ps 66:18; I Pet 3:12).
 
No man can sin too much, too often, or too horribly for God not to forgive him. His thoughts and ways are far above our thoughts and ways – in His ability to forgive and pardon sins (Is 55:6-9). He has more forgiveness than any man. God will always accept a broken and contrite heart; He will never despise or reject it (Ps 51:16-17).
 
Ahab and Manasseh were two of the wickedest kings, yet God had mercy on both of them, which is excellent reading for those doubting God’s forgiveness (I Kgs 21:25-29; II Chron 33:1-13). David, against great blessings and knowledge of God, committed aggravated adultery and murder, yet God forgave him in an instant (II Sam 12:13). And God forgave Peter, who sinned horribly with cursing and oaths after pompous promises.
 
Hide and protect your sins, and the blessed God will grind you to powder, from the inside out. Confess and forsake them, and He will restore your soul with life and light (Job 33:27-28). You have a choice, reader, a simple choice. What will you do? Today, in the way you handle your sins, will determine your future prosperity or destruction.
Jonathan Crosby
 

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

Proverbs 28:13

 
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Proverbs 28:13 CEV

We all sin but do we admit all of our sins. You can’t confess what you don’t admit. You won’t find mercy and forgiveness if you don’t confess.

Living with sin, especially repeated sin, will develop into burdens you don’t have to carry. Jesus Christ died for our sins but unless you confess your sins and ask for the Lord to help you overcome them, you and not Jesus will carry your sins.  When something is heavy we automatically look for someone to help carry it. Christ goes beyond helping to carry your heavy burdens,  Jesus will take all of the weight off you and carry it himself.

If you have children, think of how you feel when your child comes to you and says I need your help. If you don’t have children then think of when your sister, brother, or a close friend needed your help. Think of how good it feels to help someone you truly love overcome something they can’t do on their own. No matter how big or small we feel deep love and affection for those we can help rise above their problems.

The Lord wants you to ask for help. He wants us to give him all of our sins. He wants us to rely on him. Doing so will make God happy and you will find mercy. We can’t hide our sins but our mercy will be hidden until we confess our sins.
Chris Riehl

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

Proverbs 28:13 KJV

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